Tour Utopian Arcadia | Visit Greece

Meals

• 5 breakfasts • 6 lunches with a soft drink or beer or local wine (250 g) & • 3 dinners in traditional taverns with a soft drink or beer or local wine (500 g)

Others

• Exploring the Caves • Rafting experience • Wine Tasting •Cruise and snorkeling

Accommodation

overnight stays in double / twin roomsHotels 4*, Apartments *For single rooms a 180 € supplement is required.

Guide

and Spanish Professional English speaking tour leader

Transport

• Minivan • Fishing Boat

Not included:

Insurance

Flights

Others

• Museum Tickets and Archaeological Sites • Transfer to and from the Airport • Drinks and soft drinks (except the above) • Gratuites (optional)

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Day 1 Day 1
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1

Departure from Athens for the Corinth Canal where we stop for half an hour for a coffee and taking pictures.

After ten minutes drive we get to Ancient Corinth at the foot of Acrokorinthos. We visit the Museum of Ancient Corinth and the Archaeological site.

We take the coastal road to Palaia Epidavros a magical village built between a lemon and orange tree grove. We swim in the lovely beaches of the Saronic gulf – Lunch.

Then we will visit the organized archaeological site of Asklepieion and the huge theatre of Epidavros (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument), famous for its symmetry and beauty and admired for its exceptional acoustics, used again today for dramatic performances. During our visit we will be able to watch a performance in the evening (July-Aug.). The first day will be completed with a delicious dinner at a historic tavern in Lygourio. Overnight at Epidavros or Nafplio or Tolo.
Day 2 Day 2
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2

Today we find ourselves in a hired small cruise boat in Tolo. We are swimming, fishing and snorkeling in the small bays of the central Argolic gulf uninhabited small islands. Shortly afterwards we clean the caught fish and grill them in the desert island. We enjoy our meal and the local wine before we get back to Tolo.

Later we visit the archaeological site of Mycenae (another UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument,.the famous center of the Mycenaean Civilization. The period of Greek history between 1600 BC until around 1100 BC. is called “Mycenaean”. Referring to Mycenae Homer first reports the city, describing it as “golden”. We admire the Gate of the Lions, the Royal Palace, the treasure of Atreus and the tomb Klytemnestra.

In Mycenae, Argos and Tiryns, all important establishments strategically located in the fertile Argolic plain, lived once and dominated the names of Inachus, Phoroneus, Argus, Akrisius, Perseus, Proetus, Sthenelus, Capaneus, Lynceus, Evrystheus, Hercules, Amfiaraus, Agamemnon, Oreste, Diomedes, Aigisthos, Thyestes, Tissamenus, Danae, Io, Andromeda, Klytemnestra, Pheidon, Telesilla and the famous horses of Pegasus and Arion.

We make our way towards the picturesque town of Nafplio- Walk in the narrow streets of the town, the once capital of Greece-we step up the 999 steps of the venetian castle of Palamidi. Dinner-clubbing
Day 3 Day 3
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3

Departure for the temple of Hercules in Kleones, the spring of Adrastos and Ancient Nemea where we will walk in the shadow of the Temple of Zeus, we will run at the Ancient Stadium and discover the secrets of the Archaeological Site. A city well known for its countless vineyards and the tasty local wine.

Then we will head up for the Arcadian plateau, we will cross some traditional villages through the Arcadian landscape. We stop for a delicious lunch in one of them in the shadow of the plantains.

After one hour drive we arrive at Ancient Olympia (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument). We visit the Archaeological Museum (the statue of Hermes of Praxiteles) and the Archaeological site of Ancient Olympia. Here we will have the opportunity to see the Temple of Zeus (one of the seven miracles of the ancient world), the ancient stadium and the spot where the Olympic flame lights up before traveling to the place where the Summer and Winter Olympics take place.

In the evening we ‘ll have a traditional dinner in a local tavern.
Day 4 Day 4
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4

Early departure for Ancient Messini. We cross the well preserved archaeological site in the western foothills of Mountain Ithomi. It lies over a large area being one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The layout of Ancient Messini was made according to the so-called Hippodameian system, where all buildings have the same orientation and the space is divided into horizontal and vertical axes.

Ancient Messini remained the cultural center of Messinia until 395 BC , when the invasion of the Goths of Alarichos probably destroyed the city.

We return to Arcadia region and make the circle of Lycaion mountain (parrhasia land).

First we visit the archaeological site of Lycosoura. According to mythology, the founder of Arcadia was Lycaon, son of Pelasgos and the nymph Kyllini, who founded the first city that the sun “saw” on earth, Lykosoura, at the foot of Lykaion, the holy mountain of the Arcadians. This mountain, the Arcadians, faced with awe. They believed that in Lykaeon the matter was losing its shade by overthrowing every reasonable explanation of the natural phenomena. They also believed, along with many other Greeks, that Zeus was born on the mountain of light, Lykaeon, and that the nymphs Neda, Thiesoa and Agno, nursed him and washed him on the river Lousios.

After a while we get to Agia Theodora’s church a popular pilgrimage site for Greeks. It is about a small Byzantine church and has 17 holly and maple trees growing from its roof. Most of them are taller than 30 metres and it’s phenomenal as there is only one root about the thickness of an arm that is visible beside the entrance. Then you will have your food experience of local tastes at a nice tavern (by the river) in the midst of the mountains and in a relatively isolated iconic scenery.

We continue the Parrhasia circle visiting the columned temple of Apollo Epicurius (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument) which rises majestically within the sanctuary of Bassae in the mountains of Arcadia. It is one of the best-preserved monuments of classical antiquity and an evocative and poignant testament to classical Greek architecture. It is highly significant for its architectural features and influence.

We start getting down taking the road to Andritsaina an amazing traditional village on the northern slope of Lycaion mountain. It is time for a cool refreshment or a coffee here at the central square.

The day ends in Karytaina, an amphitheatrical citadel near the river Alpheios, with the proud castle hooked on the top of the mountain. We enjoy another special dinner here with a view to the sacred Lykaeon mountain.
Day 5 Day 5
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5

Departure for Ancient Gortys. Today’s excursion will be done by rafting downhill starting from the Asticholos bridge on the river Lousios. Following the driver’s orders, we will roam in the clear crystal waters of the river in a tunnel of plants and trees. By the end of this lovely adventure we’ll stop for a light meal and then visit the archaeological site of the ancient Gortys.

To get to the Monastery of Prodromos, a special attraction of the area of Dimitsana we will follow a route from a slightly uphill, but relatively easy path through the incredibly beautiful gorge of Lousios.

Departure for Dimitsana, a historic amphitheatrical village whose setting dominates the unspoiled eternity of the stone. We visit the Water Power Museum, a thematic museum centred on the importance of hydraulic power in traditional societies
Day 6 Day 6
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6

We leave for Tripoli via the stone villages of Stemnitsa, Elati, Vytina and Levidi between the thick pine forest next to the Mainalon trail. Here we stop for a drink at the central square with a marvelous view to a really authentic Arcadian landscape.

We are in the heart of Arcadia and we must see the remarkable caves of the area before going to a local winery to try the local varieties of Moschofilero and Agiorgitiko wines and enjoy local culinary delights.

Later in the afternoon we prepare for our return to Athens. Before our departure we will wander around the center of Tripoli, a significant historical town, the capital of the Peloponnese region

6 days tour

Utopian Arcadia

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip Utopian Arcadia

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Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

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