Tour This Is Sparta...!

Meals

• 5 Breakfasts • 6 Lunches • 2 Dinner -Gastronomy is one of the main aspects of the total tour experience offered. -All meals are at selected traditional taverns with high-quality dishes.

Accommodation

• 5 overnight stays in double / twin rooms at 3* or 4* hotels Accommodation in authentic, (most of times family run boutique hotels) comfortable and ideally located hotels. -1 night hotel accommodation in Nauplion -1 night hotel accommodation in Monemvasia ( castle depending on availability) -1 night hotel accommodation in Gytheion -1 night hotel accommodation in Areopolis or Limeni -1 night hotel accommodation in Areopolis or Limeni We use a minimum three-star rating,conveniently located hotels and apartments with all the essential modern conveniences. Lodges that practice good eco-tourism, use products and hire staff from the local villages, walk lightly on the surrounding environment and are true to the area they represent.

Others

- Entrance fees in Diros Caves - Hike to Cape Tainaron 1.30 hours

Transport

- Transportation with private Mini Van or Car - Pick up & drop off from your hotel in Athens -Our company cooperates with leading transfer companies which use vehicles of the latest technology with the most stringent standards. All minivans are equipped with comfortable seats, air condition and large windows. Our experienced drivers will do everything they can so that your transfer be safe and pleasant.

Guide

Local & Expert Travel Director throughout your trip The Tour is accompanied by one of our local English/Spanish/French speaking guides. The guide stays with the group throughout the whole trip and has excellent knowledge of the places visited. He/She will provide you rich information about Ancient and Modern Greece, including historical, cultural and social aspects.

Not included:

Others

-Museum Tickets and Archaeological Sites Please check if you belong in one of the Free or Reduced admission categories below. Free admission for: • Members of the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece and equivalent Chambers of member-states of the EU, upon presentation of their membership card • Members of the ICOM-ICOMOS, upon presentation of their membership card • Students of University – Higher Education Institutes, Technological Educational Institutes, Military Schools or equivalent Schools of EU member states, as well as Schools of Guides, upon presentation of their student identity card • Young people, up to the age of 18, upon presentation of their Identity Card or passport for age confirmation. Reduced admission for: • Greek citizens and citizens of other Member – States of the European Union who are over 65 years old, upon presentation of their ID card or passport for verification of their age and country of origin • Students of University – Higher Education Institutes, Technological Educational Institutes or equivalent Schools of countries from outside the European Union, upon presentation of their student ID cards• Gratuites (optional) -Transfer to and from the Airport -Drinks and soft drinks (except the above) -Gratuites (optional)

Insurance

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Day 1 Day 1: Corinth Canal And Argolis
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Corinth Canal And Argolis

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

We take the coastal road to Palaia Epidavros, a magical village built between a lemon and orange tree grove. 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-early Aug.). A delicious dinner at a historic tavern in Lygourio will follow.

Later in the day 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, Evrystheus, Hercules, Amfiaraus, Thyestes, Agamemnon, Diomedes, Oreste, Aigisthos, 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.

Overnight at Nafplio.

Distance 210 Km: about 3 hours by bus
Day 2 Day 2: Eastern Peloponnese - Coastal Arcadia And Laconia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Eastern Peloponnese - Coastal Arcadia And Laconia

Departure for the coastal Arcadia, a peculiar and exciting area combining the wild beauty of the mountains with the tranquility of the crystal clear sea, the historic Kynouria. We will pass by magical bays with small pebbles and crystal clear waters like Astros and Tyros, then passing through Leonidio, the capital of Tsakonia, an old Greek Doric tribe with a special language idiom. We proceed to Fokianos bay, one of the most beautiful beaches of Greece, as it is hidden on the steep beaches of the eastern side of the Peloponnese and then, after twenty minutes drive, we reach … the edge of the world, the village Kyparissi

A beautiful picturesque village hidden among the slopes of Parnonas mountain, famous for its unique tranquility and the preference of the tragic Princess Diana for visiting this isolated bay with her luxury boat . (Lunch).

After lunch we leave for the picturesque port of Gerakas (the birthplace of Telly Savalas, once a television American actor), a small medieval village built on the side of the sea poured into the earth, giving the visitor rare images. Then, after a 30 minutes driving, we will get to the romantic Monemvasia where we will wander in this uniquely preserved medieval castle-city with its arched alleys, churches and mansions.

Overnight stay at the castle city of Monemvasia.

Distance 210 Km: about 3 hours and 45 minutes by bus
Day 3 Day 3: The Glorious Sparta And The Byzantine Castle–City Of Mistras
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: The Glorious Sparta And The Byzantine Castle–City Of Mistras

Departure for Sparta, the glorious ancient city of the south Peloponnese, the city of Tyndareus, his sons Castor and Pollux, known as the dioscuri, Menelaos and the beautiful Helen, the city of Leonidas, of Pausanias, the glorious leader of the battle of Plataea (479 BC), of Lycurgus, the ancestral lawmaker and the city of so many heroes .

Unfortunately, today there is not much left of the famous city. Fanatic priests in the 18th Century destroyed what was left of the earthquakes and the wear of time.

We visit the river Evrotas, the statue of Leonidas, the archaeological site, the archaeological Museum and the thematic Museum of the olive and olive oil.

Then we head to the enchanting castle of Mystras site (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument), where from the top of the hill we will descend the narrow corridors and the streets of the castle-city. We will visit the castle, the Byzantine churches, the monasteries and the palace of Palaiologoi, the last Byzantine emperors.

We will try the local food in Mistras or Sparta. Later we drive south to the coastal city Gytheion which is the largest and one of the most beautiful cities of the area of Mani. There we will have a walk on the dock of the city and the isle of Kranai, where Paris and the beautiful Helen spent their first night, before sailing for Troy.

Overnight stay at Gytheio.

Distance 150 Km: about 3 hour by bus
Day 4 Day 4: An Interesting Day - The Round Of The Laconian Mani
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: An Interesting Day - The Round Of The Laconian Mani

Leaving Gytheio we will make a very interesting route through Eastern Mani, the so called Sunny Mani, to reach Cape Tainaro, located, in the middle leg of the Peloponnese peninsula, and the cave of Hades. We will pass by the village of Vathi, the coast of Agia Varvara, the village of Kotronas and other coastal maniot villages with big house towers to reach the temple of Poseidon, which also functioned as a necromancy in the antiquity. The cave inside the temple is said to link Down with the Upper World. Following a good path we will reach the lighthouse, built in 1882 and dominates the Cape Tainaron (Cavo matapan), which is said to be the 2ond southernmost tip of Continental Europe. Walking back we take our bus and drive to the beautiful bay Porto Kagio where we will have our lunch in a local fish tavern.

Then we will visit the settlement of Vathia, the most photographed traditional settlement of the Peloponnese, and the beautiful settlement of Gerolimenas.

Throughout our journey we pass through cities that were part of the Koinon (Common) of free Laconians, most of which no longer exist. At this point (village Kyparissos) there was the ancient Kainipolis, which was sunk by a deadly earthquake.

We are now in the heart of Mani, Mesa Mani (Inner Mani) and we are going up to Areopolis, whose central location in Mani makes it its capital.

We will have the opportunity to see this beautiful small town, the gorgeous coastal settlement of Limeni in the bay of Oitylon and also the magical coastal settlements of Neo Oitylo and Karavostasi.

In the evening we will walk in the traditional part of Areopolis and admire the local architecture, the towers and the churches. A traditional dinner at a local tavern will follow.

Distance 100 Km: about 2 hours and 30 minutes by bus
Day 5 Day 5: A Boat Tour In The Caves Of Diros
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: A Boat Tour In The Caves Of Diros

First we visit the stunning Diros (Dyros) with its extremely beautiful and exquisite caves. We get in the boats to do a boat tour of 5000 meters in the subterranean caves lasting 30 minutes and 10 minute walk. One of the most beautiful lake caves in the world. The crystal-studded stalactites and stalagmites are spectacular, in striking shades of rose, green, amber, black, blood red and purple.

Free evening. Dinner in a local tavern.

Overnight at Areopolis or Limeni.

Distance 20 Km: about 40 minutes by bus
Day 6 Day 6: The Messinian Mani
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: The Messinian Mani

Departure for the Messinian Mani and Kalamata, a really gorgeous city, in the south Peloponnese. We will make a stop at the village Thalamai first, then at Stoupa to take pictures of the famous sandy beach of Kalogria and of the fabulous bay of Foneas gorge. We are close to Kardamili, a beautiful seaside village of the Messinian Mani, famous for its rich traditional cuisine (Lunch). Then we will visit the beautiful city of Kalamata and some of its worth visiting sites: the castle, the Old Town, Ypapanti Square, the 23rd March Square, the huge beach and the port of Kalamata as well as the Railway Municipal Park.

In the evening we will take our way back to Athens.

Distance 330 Km: about 4 hours by bus

6 days tour

This Is Sparta...!

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Itinerary of your trip This Is Sparta...!

Day 1: Corinth Canal And Argolis

Day 2: Eastern Peloponnese - Coastal Arcadia And Laconia

Day 3: The Glorious Sparta And The Byzantine Castle–City Of Mistras

Day 4: An Interesting Day - The Round Of The Laconian Mani

Day 5: A Boat Tour In The Caves Of Diros

Day 6: The Messinian Mani

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