Mythical Peloponnese: Castles And Legendary Sanctuaries
$ 352 .73 USD
Total price per person
Reserve with $352.73
Whats included?
Itinerary
9x Dinner
9x Dinner
1x Lunch
1x Lunch
Accommodation included: 9 nights
Accommodation included: 9 nights
9 nights' accommodation basis double...
9 nights' accommodation basis double sharing, bed and breakfast
Local taxes
Local taxes
10 main meals (lunches or...
10 main meals (lunches or dinners depending on the day) total
Bottled mineral water during the...
Bottled mineral water during the tours
Free WiFi in the coach...
Free WiFi in the coach and during all group activities
Breakfast
Breakfast
Dinner
Dinner
Bottled water
Bottled water
Entry/Admission - Acrocorinth
Entry/Admission - Acrocorinth
Entry/Admission - Niokastro: Pylos Castle
Entry/Admission - Niokastro: Pylos Castle
Entry/Admission - Palace of Nestor
Entry/Admission - Palace of Nestor
Entry/Admission - Methoni Castle
Entry/Admission - Methoni Castle
Entry/Admission - Castle of Kalamata
Entry/Admission - Castle of Kalamata
Entry/Admission - Ancient Messini
Entry/Admission - Ancient Messini
Entry/Admission - Archaeological Site of...
Entry/Admission - Archaeological Site of Mystras
Entry/Admission - Castle of Geraki
Entry/Admission - Castle of Geraki
Entry/Admission - Bourtzi
Entry/Admission - Bourtzi
Entry/Admission - Tiryns
Entry/Admission - Tiryns
Entry/Admission - Ancient Nemea
Entry/Admission - Ancient Nemea
Not included:
Driver and tour leader gratuities...
Driver and tour leader gratuities (optional)
Anything not explicitly mentioned under...
Anything not explicitly mentioned under 'Inclusions'
Entry/Admission - Monemvasia Winery
Entry/Admission - Monemvasia Winery
Start planning your experience
ยAbout experience
Itinerary
Day 1: Athens-Pylos
Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Corinth 201 00 Greece
We will leave our central Athens meeting point in the early morning for our base in the vicinity of Pylos, travelling across the Corinth Canal, that magnificent feat of 19th-century engineering which transformed the Peloponnese from a peninsula to an island. Short pit stop for photos.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Acrocorinth, Corinth 200 07, Greece
Just a short distance after the bridge, we visit ascend the mighty Acrocorinthos, the acropolis of ancient Corinth. Crowned by an extensive fortress, Acrocorinthos is is a 575 m (1,886 ft) โ high monolithic rock overlooking Corinth that was continuously occupied from archaic times to the early 19th century. The hill provides magnificent views to the Corinthian and the Saronicos gulfs, mount Helikon and mount Parnassus. Acrocorinth is an excellent specimen of incessant habitation from antiquity until the early 19th century.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Marathopoli, Marathopoli, Messenia Region, Peloponnese
Arrival at Marathoplis, our base near Pylos, for the first of our overnight stays there.
Duration: 3 days
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Marathopolis, near Pylos.
Day 2: Pylos, Niokastro and the Monument of the Admirals.
Stop At: Niokastro: Pylos Castle, Bay of Navarino, Pylos, Pylos-Nestor Greece
Visit to Niokastro, the castle of Pylos, and to the Monument of the Admirals which commemorates the sea battle of Navarino and the resulting destruction of the Turkish fleet by the joint British, French and Russian fleets in 1827, during the Greek War of Independence.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Palaiokastro 715 00, Greece
Trek to Palaiokastro castle and to famous Voidokilia beach for the hardy types, visit to the Palace of Nestor for the rest of us.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Palace of Nestor, Ethnki Odos Kiparissias Pylou, Chora, Pylos-Nestor 246 00 Greece
Visit to the fabled Palace of Nestor for those of us who did not join the trek to Palaiokastro.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Marathooplis
Day 3: Ancient Olympia and Kyparissia cstle.
Stop At: Olympia, Olympia, Elis Region, West Greece
Visit to illustrious Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games in 776 BC and home to the great sanctuary of Zeus.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site archaeological complex, surrounded by olive trees and vibrant nature, includes both sanctuaries and temples as well as the stadium and gymnasia and training grounds used by athletes.
Legend has it that the training grounds were founded by none other than the demigod and hero Heracles (Hercules) himself! The superb museum contains an extensive collection of ancient Greek weaponry and armour, the wonderful sculptures from the Temple of Zeus and the Hermes of Praxiteles, arguably one of the very few surviving works by one of antiquityโs greatest sculptors.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Kyparissia Castle, Chameri Elenis, Kyparissia 245 00 Greece
Visit to Kyparissia castle on the way back from Olympia. The Castle of Kyparissia is also known as the Castle of Arcadia, which was the medieval name of the town. The Castle of Kyparissia was built by the Franks on the site of a previous Byzantine fortress.
It became one of the most important castles of the Frankish Morea.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Marathopolis.
Day 4: Methoni and Koroni castles
Stop At: Methoni Castle, Methoni, Pylos-Nestor ฮค.ฮ 240 06 Greece
This will be the day we encounter a series of magnificent coastal castles and fortifications in the south-western Peloponnese.
We will start the day with the castle of Methoni, known in the ancient days as Pedasos. The walled city of Methoni lies on a rocky headland separated from the mainland by an artificial moat on the west coast of the Peloponnese around 7 miles south of Pylos. It is one of the most important castles (actually, a fortified city) in Greece and commanded a strategic position with its exceptional natural harbour being the first port of call for travellers approaching by sea from the south west. Still impressive today, the castle of Methoni occupies the whole area of the cape and the southwestern coast to the small islet that has also been fortified with an octagonal tower and is protected by the sea on its three sides. Its north part, the one that looks to land, is covered by a heavily fortified acropolis.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Koroni Castle, Koroni, Pylos-Nestor 240 04 Greece
We will then drive to Koroni, a castle built on a rocky headland jutting into the Messenian Gulf. The siteโs origins date back to the 8th century BC, but the castle now visible was constructed during the Byzantine era. Parts of the extensive site are still occupied today, though visitors are welcome to explore the surrounding walls and ruins. Scattered columns from the ancient Messenian temple remain as evidence of the distant past, next to the 4th century AD basilica of Aghia Sophia, the 17th century church of Aghios Charalambos, and the church of Panaghia Eleistria.
This long, tiring, yet rich day will reach its end when we arrive at the seaside town of Kalamata, where we will spend the night.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kalamata
Day 5: Visits to Kalamata and Androussa castles and to the wonderful archaeological site of Ancient Messene
Stop At: Castle of Kalamata, Sparths 28, Kalamata 241 00 Greece
Castle of Kalamata
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Androusa, Androusa, Messenia Region, Peloponnese
Castle of Androusa
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ancient Messini, Messini 240 02 Greece
Visit to the wonderful and extensive archaeological site of Ancient Messini.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kalamata
Day 6: Mystras and Monemvassia
Stop At: Archaeological Site of Mystras, Mystras, Sparta Municipality Greece
rive around the legendary Taygetos mountain range, the highest in the Peloponnese, to visit the extensive medieval site of Mystras. This is a renowned Byzantine citadel perched on the steep slope of a hill above the city of Sparta. Known as โthe Wonder of Moreaโ, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989.
Mystras was once a thriving town that was the second most powerful town of the Byzantine Empire โ second only to Constantinople, and is well worth our attention due to its significant role and colourful history during the last millennium from the time of the Crusades up to the beginning of the Greek Revolution against Turkish rule.
Short stop at Ancient Sparta (Sparti) or Lacedaemon, which was once a rich and powerful city-state, famed for its military prowess.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Monemvassia.
Day 7: Monemvassia citadel and castle and visit to winery.
Stop At: Monemvasia Fortress, Monemvasia, Monemvasia Municipality 23070 Greece
The day is devoted to the exploration of this iconic destination, also known as the Gibraltar of the East and bearing a more than passing resemblance to Mont Saint-Michel in Brittany.
Monemvassia, its buildings restored and preserved, is still occupied today. We will walk up its winding streets to admire the historic walls of the upper town, the numerous Byzantine and Venetian churches and the Turkish mosque.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Monemvasia Winery, Velies, Monemvasia Municipality 230 70 Greece
Wine-tasting at a local winery, which also produces the famous Malvasia wine.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Monemvassia.
Day 8: Geraki castle and Boutrzi sea-fort, Nafplio
Stop At: Castle of Geraki, Geraki 230 58 Greece
Drive to the stunning, but almost unknown, castle-town of Geraki. This castle-town is sometimes perceived as the poor manโs Mystra, but this site is an absolute gem, boasting fortifications, Byzantine churches and colourful frescoes.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Bourtzi, The Harbor, Nafplio Greece
Boat rip to Bourtzi sea-fort, which is situated a few hundred yards offshore of Nafplio town.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Napflio.
Day 9: Palamidi castle, Nafplio, Larissa castle of Argos and the pyramid of Hellinikon
Stop At: Nafplio, Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
You may wish to either hop on our coach to explore the Venetian Fortress of Palamidi above the town or, for the energetic, thereโs always the option of climbing the 999 steps!
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Elliniko Pyramid, Ellinikou 15 Argos, Elliniko 212 00 Greece
Our next stop is to the puzzling and mysterious Pyramid of Hellinikon (Elliniko), which was already old by the time 2nd century BC geographer Pausanias stumbled across them as he journeyed around the Peloponnese. Indeed, dating by thermoluminescence suggests that the pyramidโs spans back to around 2750 BC. This is contested however by archaeologists pointing to Mycenaean Bronze Age, about 1600-1100 BC. However, pottery shards found in the area belong to the 4th century BC, the height of Greeceโs Classical civilisation, and more recent investigations suggest this is the more probable date.
The purpose of this bizarre structure remains a deep mystery.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Arcaeological Site Fort of Larissa, Argos 212 00 Greece
A short drive will bring us to the hilltop where Larissa, the medieval Castle of Argos, oversees the Argive Plain. Ruins within Larissa point to the occupation of the site in the 6th century BC, but it may be much older, not least as the town of Argos itself has been occupied for at least 7,000 years, rendering it one of the oldest settlements in the world.
One can still see the remarkable Cyclopean wall sections of Larissa, dating all the way back to the Mycenaean period, while imprints have also been left by the Romans, Franks, Venetians and Ottoman Turks.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Napflio.
Day 10: Return to Athens via Ancient Tiryns and illustrious Ancient Mycenae, both being UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Stop At: Tiryns, Peloponnese 211 00, Greece
We start the day by visiting the remarkably well-preserved Mycenaean archaeological site of Ancient Tiryns, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Though it is not so well-known to visitors as Mycenae itself, Tiryns was a major ancient settlement in its own right. Located close to the sea, it was built in a prime position to control trading routes between the mainland and the Aegean ports. Steeped in history and mythology, Tiryns dates as far back as Neolithic times (around 5000 B.C.)
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mycenae, Mycenae, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
We continue to the legendary Bronze Age site of Mycenae, with the imposing ruins of the greatest city of the Mycenaean civilisation, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century BC and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture.
Mycenae, the city of King Agamemnon, with its Cyclopean walls, the Lion Gate and spectacular archaeological finds is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Ancient Nemea, Nemea 205 00 Greece
Return to our central Athens dispersal point via Ancient Nemea, famed for its local red wine, where a farewell lunch will be hosted by Eternal Greece Ltd.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
โข Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Athens-Pylos
Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Corinth 201 00 Greece
We will leave our central Athens meeting point in the early morning for our base in the vicinity of Pylos, travelling across the Corinth Canal, that magnificent feat of 19th-century engineering which transformed the Peloponnese from a peninsula to an island. Short pit stop for photos.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Acrocorinth, Corinth 200 07, Greece
Just a short distance after the bridge, we visit ascend the mighty Acrocorinthos, the acropolis of ancient Corinth. Crowned by an extensive fortress, Acrocorinthos is is a 575 m (1,886 ft) โ high monolithic rock overlooking Corinth that was continuously occupied from archaic times to the early 19th century. The hill provides magnificent views to the Corinthian and the Saronicos gulfs, mount Helikon and mount Parnassus. Acrocorinth is an excellent specimen of incessant habitation from antiquity until the early 19th century.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Marathopoli, Marathopoli, Messenia Region, Peloponnese
Arrival at Marathoplis, our base near Pylos, for the first of our overnight stays there.
Duration: 3 days
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Marathopolis, near Pylos.
Day 2: Pylos, Niokastro and the Monument of the Admirals.
Stop At: Niokastro: Pylos Castle, Bay of Navarino, Pylos, Pylos-Nestor Greece
Visit to Niokastro, the castle of Pylos, and to the Monument of the Admirals which commemorates the sea battle of Navarino and the resulting destruction of the Turkish fleet by the joint British, French and Russian fleets in 1827, during the Greek War of Independence.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Palaiokastro 715 00, Greece
Trek to Palaiokastro castle and to famous Voidokilia beach for the hardy types, visit to the Palace of Nestor for the rest of us.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Palace of Nestor, Ethnki Odos Kiparissias Pylou, Chora, Pylos-Nestor 246 00 Greece
Visit to the fabled Palace of Nestor for those of us who did not join the trek to Palaiokastro.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Marathooplis
Day 3: Ancient Olympia and Kyparissia cstle.
Stop At: Olympia, Olympia, Elis Region, West Greece
Visit to illustrious Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games in 776 BC and home to the great sanctuary of Zeus.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site archaeological complex, surrounded by olive trees and vibrant nature, includes both sanctuaries and temples as well as the stadium and gymnasia and training grounds used by athletes.
Legend has it that the training grounds were founded by none other than the demigod and hero Heracles (Hercules) himself! The superb museum contains an extensive collection of ancient Greek weaponry and armour, the wonderful sculptures from the Temple of Zeus and the Hermes of Praxiteles, arguably one of the very few surviving works by one of antiquityโs greatest sculptors.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Kyparissia Castle, Chameri Elenis, Kyparissia 245 00 Greece
Visit to Kyparissia castle on the way back from Olympia. The Castle of Kyparissia is also known as the Castle of Arcadia, which was the medieval name of the town. The Castle of Kyparissia was built by the Franks on the site of a previous Byzantine fortress.
It became one of the most important castles of the Frankish Morea.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Marathopolis.
Day 4: Methoni and Koroni castles
Stop At: Methoni Castle, Methoni, Pylos-Nestor ฮค.ฮ 240 06 Greece
This will be the day we encounter a series of magnificent coastal castles and fortifications in the south-western Peloponnese.
We will start the day with the castle of Methoni, known in the ancient days as Pedasos. The walled city of Methoni lies on a rocky headland separated from the mainland by an artificial moat on the west coast of the Peloponnese around 7 miles south of Pylos. It is one of the most important castles (actually, a fortified city) in Greece and commanded a strategic position with its exceptional natural harbour being the first port of call for travellers approaching by sea from the south west. Still impressive today, the castle of Methoni occupies the whole area of the cape and the southwestern coast to the small islet that has also been fortified with an octagonal tower and is protected by the sea on its three sides. Its north part, the one that looks to land, is covered by a heavily fortified acropolis.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Koroni Castle, Koroni, Pylos-Nestor 240 04 Greece
We will then drive to Koroni, a castle built on a rocky headland jutting into the Messenian Gulf. The siteโs origins date back to the 8th century BC, but the castle now visible was constructed during the Byzantine era. Parts of the extensive site are still occupied today, though visitors are welcome to explore the surrounding walls and ruins. Scattered columns from the ancient Messenian temple remain as evidence of the distant past, next to the 4th century AD basilica of Aghia Sophia, the 17th century church of Aghios Charalambos, and the church of Panaghia Eleistria.
This long, tiring, yet rich day will reach its end when we arrive at the seaside town of Kalamata, where we will spend the night.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kalamata
Day 5: Visits to Kalamata and Androussa castles and to the wonderful archaeological site of Ancient Messene
Stop At: Castle of Kalamata, Sparths 28, Kalamata 241 00 Greece
Castle of Kalamata
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Androusa, Androusa, Messenia Region, Peloponnese
Castle of Androusa
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ancient Messini, Messini 240 02 Greece
Visit to the wonderful and extensive archaeological site of Ancient Messini.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kalamata
Day 6: Mystras and Monemvassia
Stop At: Archaeological Site of Mystras, Mystras, Sparta Municipality Greece
rive around the legendary Taygetos mountain range, the highest in the Peloponnese, to visit the extensive medieval site of Mystras. This is a renowned Byzantine citadel perched on the steep slope of a hill above the city of Sparta. Known as โthe Wonder of Moreaโ, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989.
Mystras was once a thriving town that was the second most powerful town of the Byzantine Empire โ second only to Constantinople, and is well worth our attention due to its significant role and colourful history during the last millennium from the time of the Crusades up to the beginning of the Greek Revolution against Turkish rule.
Short stop at Ancient Sparta (Sparti) or Lacedaemon, which was once a rich and powerful city-state, famed for its military prowess.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Monemvassia.
Day 7: Monemvassia citadel and castle and visit to winery.
Stop At: Monemvasia Fortress, Monemvasia, Monemvasia Municipality 23070 Greece
The day is devoted to the exploration of this iconic destination, also known as the Gibraltar of the East and bearing a more than passing resemblance to Mont Saint-Michel in Brittany.
Monemvassia, its buildings restored and preserved, is still occupied today. We will walk up its winding streets to admire the historic walls of the upper town, the numerous Byzantine and Venetian churches and the Turkish mosque.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Monemvasia Winery, Velies, Monemvasia Municipality 230 70 Greece
Wine-tasting at a local winery, which also produces the famous Malvasia wine.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Monemvassia.
Day 8: Geraki castle and Boutrzi sea-fort, Nafplio
Stop At: Castle of Geraki, Geraki 230 58 Greece
Drive to the stunning, but almost unknown, castle-town of Geraki. This castle-town is sometimes perceived as the poor manโs Mystra, but this site is an absolute gem, boasting fortifications, Byzantine churches and colourful frescoes.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Bourtzi, The Harbor, Nafplio Greece
Boat rip to Bourtzi sea-fort, which is situated a few hundred yards offshore of Nafplio town.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Napflio.
Day 9: Palamidi castle, Nafplio, Larissa castle of Argos and the pyramid of Hellinikon
Stop At: Nafplio, Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
You may wish to either hop on our coach to explore the Venetian Fortress of Palamidi above the town or, for the energetic, thereโs always the option of climbing the 999 steps!
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Elliniko Pyramid, Ellinikou 15 Argos, Elliniko 212 00 Greece
Our next stop is to the puzzling and mysterious Pyramid of Hellinikon (Elliniko), which was already old by the time 2nd century BC geographer Pausanias stumbled across them as he journeyed around the Peloponnese. Indeed, dating by thermoluminescence suggests that the pyramidโs spans back to around 2750 BC. This is contested however by archaeologists pointing to Mycenaean Bronze Age, about 1600-1100 BC. However, pottery shards found in the area belong to the 4th century BC, the height of Greeceโs Classical civilisation, and more recent investigations suggest this is the more probable date.
The purpose of this bizarre structure remains a deep mystery.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Arcaeological Site Fort of Larissa, Argos 212 00 Greece
A short drive will bring us to the hilltop where Larissa, the medieval Castle of Argos, oversees the Argive Plain. Ruins within Larissa point to the occupation of the site in the 6th century BC, but it may be much older, not least as the town of Argos itself has been occupied for at least 7,000 years, rendering it one of the oldest settlements in the world.
One can still see the remarkable Cyclopean wall sections of Larissa, dating all the way back to the Mycenaean period, while imprints have also been left by the Romans, Franks, Venetians and Ottoman Turks.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Napflio.
Day 10: Return to Athens via Ancient Tiryns and illustrious Ancient Mycenae, both being UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Stop At: Tiryns, Peloponnese 211 00, Greece
We start the day by visiting the remarkably well-preserved Mycenaean archaeological site of Ancient Tiryns, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Though it is not so well-known to visitors as Mycenae itself, Tiryns was a major ancient settlement in its own right. Located close to the sea, it was built in a prime position to control trading routes between the mainland and the Aegean ports. Steeped in history and mythology, Tiryns dates as far back as Neolithic times (around 5000 B.C.)
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mycenae, Mycenae, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
We continue to the legendary Bronze Age site of Mycenae, with the imposing ruins of the greatest city of the Mycenaean civilisation, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century BC and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture.
Mycenae, the city of King Agamemnon, with its Cyclopean walls, the Lion Gate and spectacular archaeological finds is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Ancient Nemea, Nemea 205 00 Greece
Return to our central Athens dispersal point via Ancient Nemea, famed for its local red wine, where a farewell lunch will be hosted by Eternal Greece Ltd.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
โข Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
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