Journey deep into the heart of Greece during this spellbinding eight-day self-drive tour exploring the historic regions of the Peloponnese. Discover one of the most romantic cities of Greece, Nafplion, and get a glimpse of the medieval era while walking between the walls of Mystras, and its magnificent castles. Discover the only way to get to the Monemvasia, tower town nestled at the edge of a big rock by the sea and visit the spectacular Diro cave complex hidden in the depths of the earth. Explore the Mediterranean vibe of these ancient towns, taste the local specialities and indulge in the elegance and pride of the long-standing Peloponnese.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Plaka: Athens’ oldest historical neighbourhood. It’s located right under the Acropolis and its charming atmosphere will captivate your heart. Walking around the narrow, colourful streets, the ancient ruins, the Byzantine temples and the renovated neoclassical buildings is an unforgettable experience.
Nafplion: It has a fantastic centre with small neoclassical historical houses and mansions, elegant Venetian houses, squares and churches, attractive narrow streets and interesting museums.
Nemea: The mountainous village famous for wine production. The Agiorgitiko grape variety produces Greece's most important red wine.
Mystras: With its medieval castle, the Frankish Acropolis, and the four fortified settlements holds inside its walls magnificent houses and palaces. It is also famous for the post byzantine monuments, the monasteries and the churches with the beautiful frescoes, scattered in the archaeological sites.
Monemvasia: Built on a rock accessible only through a causeway, the castle of Monemvasia was populated by the Laconians, to protect themselves from the Arabic invasions. It is named after this bridge, as “Monemvasia” meaning “single entrance”.
Day 1: ARRIVAL ATHENS
Upon arrival at Athens Airport or Piraeus Port, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The afternoon is free at leisure. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Greece´s sprawling capital. You may visit Syntagma Square and get into the city’s vibe or go shopping in one of the most popular streets of the city in the Kolonaki area or Ermou. Take a pleasant walk in the beautiful alleys of Plaka (the old district) where you can also find a large number of small shops selling souvenirs and other local artefacts.
Overnight in Athens.
Day 2: ATHENS
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then head out to the center! Today is for you to explore and discover this awe-inspiring city on your own.
Overnight in Athens.
Day 3: CAR PICK-UP / ATHENS – NEMEA WINES –MYCENAE POTTERY – NAFPLION/TOLO (170km – 3hrs)
Enjoy your breakfast, then pick up your car from the downtown Athens office after 09:00 am and leave driving towards Nemea village. Short stop at Corinth Canal which divides the mainland from the Peloponnese. While arriving at the Nemea area you can stop to visit one of the local wineries and taste delightful and sensuous wines of different styles or continue to Malandreni village to visit one of the most important wineries in Greece, the “Skouras” winery. Degustation of the most awarded wine labels that the domain produces and wine making procedure will give you a glimpse of the wine tradition in Greece. Continue to the “Silo Art” gallery where you will meet an artist who will guide you around his exhibition. Do not miss to get some pictures of the “Trojan” horse. The next stop is ancient Mycenae – the city of the legendary king Agamemnon. Walk through this impressive archaeological site and visit the Tomb of Agamemnon. To wrap up your first day continue to Nafplion for exploration of this marvellous city and then onto your hotel for overnight.
Overnight in Nafplion or Tolo Area.
Day 4: NAFPLION/TOLO - SPARTA (245 km – 3.5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by another exciting exploration. Today you will visit two castles of the Nafplion city (Akronafplia and Palamidi island castle/jail). Afterwards proceed to Sparta town where you will have the chance to visit the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil which highlights the culture and technology of the olive production, which is inextricably linked with the Greek and Mediterranean identity. Unique in Greece, it is located in the heart of Laconia, one of the main olive oil producing locations in Greece. Check in to your hotel in Sparta and the rest of the day spend at leisure, discovering legendary stories about the greatest triumph over Athens of this Greek city.
Overnight in Sparta.
Day 5: SPARTA - MONEMVASIA (97 km – 2 hrs)
After breakfast in the hotel and before you leave Sparta, visit the Byzantine castle of the city of Mystras. Mystras, the 'Wonder of the Morea' was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape. Follow to Monemvasiam, a massive rock island off the east coast of the Peloponnese, and visit the castles, fortress´s ruins and the Church of Agia Sophia perches on the edge of a sheer cliff. Once in Monemvasia, check-in to your hotel and the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Monemvasia, Gytheio or Areopolis Area.
Day 6: MONEMVASIA – DIROS CAVES – AREOPOLIS/GYTHEIO (120 km – 3 hrs)
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel, then drive towards the village Pyrgos Dirou and visit the spectacular cave complex hidden in the depths of the earth offering the opportunity to travel back to the Neolithic era. The magic of the colour and the beautiful shapes formed by the stalactites and stalagmites make this place a unique spectacle. The tour follows a circular route and the wet area, 2.800 meters in length, takes place solely by boat. You will be amazed by the passage of the largest and most famous sea cave in Greece!
Overnight in Gytheio or Areopolis Area.
Day 7: AREOPOLIS/GYTHEIO – STOUPA – KALAMATA (80 km – 2 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive towards Kalamata, passing the fascinating virgin Stoupa beach. Stoupa is a peaceful retreat in a quiet corner of Greece. Hugging a sweeping bay, this town is made for rest and leisure sunbathing on its long white-sandy beaches. Perhaps stop for a swim in its crystal clear waters and unwind surrounded by this tranquil landscape, before you´ll continue driving to Kalamata. Kalamata is an energetic city, in 2021 it was short-listed as European Capital of Culture. Give it a chance and discover a long white beach, decent restaurants, good shopping, lively nightlife and some excellent museums. Whether you walk along the main promenade with the palm trees or the hip alley of Amfia with its tiny shops, you´ll fall in love with the unique vibe of this picturesque town, emphasized by the romantic sunsets over the sea level.
Overnight in Kalamata.
Day 8: KALAMATA - PYLOS NESTOR’S PALACE – DEPARTURE ATHENS (370 km – 5.5 hrs)
Today marks the end of your adventure. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and before leaving Kalamata, visit Nestor’s palace, one of the best preserved Mycenean palaces in Greece, and walk around these ancient walls towards the most important compartments of the palace, the big “throne room”, with its circular heath, a room with a clay bath tube, and stores with numerous storage jars. Admire the beautiful decoration of the palace and get amazed by its unique frescos, adorning its walls and after, a bid farewell to Greece! Drive back to Athens International Airport, where you’ll drop off the car at the rental car office and catch your flight back home (We recommend you book a later evening flight or add a post stay night in Athens).
Greece is a great destination all year round. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
