PROGRAM
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ATHENS & PANORAMIC TOUR
Arrival in Athens early in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel with French-speaking guide. Departure with French-speaking guide to take a panoramic city tour of Athens, to see in particular: – the Panathenian stadium, where the first modern Olympic games took place, the temple of Olympian Zeus, a vast Corinthian temple of which it remains today today 15 columns, Hadrian’s Arch, 18 m high, erected in honor of the emperor, Constitution Square or Syntagma Square, located opposite the parliament and the presidential palace with its Evzones (soldiers ensuring the guard) and the tomb of the unknown soldier, the national library, an imposing neoclassical building, Omonia Square, a former central square, which has become the center of a lively and popular district. Then, check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Athens
DAY 2: CORINTH – EPIDAURUS – MYCENAE
Departure for the Peloponnese with a short stop at the Corinth Canal built in the 19th century by Ferdinand de Lesseps. The Corinth Canal therefore makes the Peloponnese an island, since it pierces right through the isthmus connecting this peninsula to the rest of Greek territory. The canal measures 6 km in length and 24.60 m in width.
Crossing the Argolis to the theater of Epidaurus, a true acoustic masterpiece. The theater of Epidaurus is undoubtedly the most accomplished theater of the ancient world due to the majesty of its lines, the harmony of its proportions and the beauty of its setting. The cavea can accommodate nearly 12,000 spectators. Visit to an oil mill in the village of Ligourio with tasting of olive oil. Typical lunch in a tavern. Continuation to Mycenae, ancient kingdom of Agamemnon, surrounded by the Cyclopean wall. Visits to the Acropolis with the Gate of the Lionesses and the Treasury of the Atreus or tomb of Agamemnon. Continue to Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece and a charming little port. The old town has a lot of charm with its Italian air, its unity of style and its old Venetian fort at the entrance to the port. Installation at the hotel in the Tolo or Drepano region. Dinner and overnight
DAY 3: MONEMVASIA – SPARTI – MYSTRAS
Departure for Monemvasia and visit the castle, a breathtaking medieval tower town located on the southeastern coast of the Peloponnese, called the Gibraltar of the East. Its name comes from two Greek terms, moni and emvasia, meaning “single chappel” or “single pier”. The city gave its name to a grape variety, then to a famous wine in the Middle Ages, Malvasia, which was exported to England. Take the opportunity to explore this mystical stone village, nestled on the edge of a large rock by the sea, and immerse yourself in a unique medieval atmosphere! Lunch in a tavern during the excursion. Suite towards SPARTA has marked people’s minds since Antiquity with its severe character. educational violence imposed on young Spartans but also with the fate reserved for the majority of the Lacedaemonian population Sparta is now a modern city which is organized around a large avenue, Odos Konstantinou, palm trees in addition, which is cut by the Odos Lykourgou.
In the afternoon, visit MYSTRA, second capital of the Byzantine Empire, with its 30 churches from the time of the Palaiologan Emperors. Mystra is a wonderful old town of medieval origin, set in an extraordinary setting. In spring, when the Sparta plain is in bloom, the place is magnificent. End of the afternoon Check-in at the hotel in the region of Sparta or Mystras. Dinner and overnight
DAY 4: MYSTRAS – MESSINI – KALAMATA
Visit the citadel-medieval city of Mystra which is built like an amphitheater under the citadel. Mystra stages its Byzantine churches and monasteries, its palaces and its ruined houses on the steep side of a foothill of Taygetos. Road to Kalamata, an industrial port in the heart of citrus plantations. Its main exports are its olives and dried figs. The etymology of the city’s name is debated. It could derive from that of a church dedicated to the Virgin of Beautiful Eyes, or from the distortion of the name of an ancient city in the region, Kalamai. Lunch during the excursion.
Afternoon visit to the best-preserved Messini site, which combines the grandeur of Delphi with the natural beauty of Olympia in a verdant valley. Protected by its excellent fortifying walls, the city, located in a good strategic position at the foot of the Ithômé and Eua mountains, was able to develop as best as possible, favored by the absence of competing cities in the neighborhood. The ruins of a basilica still show a settlement in the high Byzantine period.A complex containing the remains of a theater, agora and gymnasium, as well as an assortment of shrines, temples, statues, springs and dwellings. End of the afternoon check-in at the hotel in the Kalamata region. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: PYLOS – OLYMPIA
Day in the province of Messinia: passage through Pylos and its region which is blessed by the gods, because the surroundings are not only of great historical and archaeological interest, but also a little corner of paradise that nature offers you. The characteristic features that make Pylos so charming are: – its main square and the cafes shaded by superb centuries-old trees that surround it. – the buildings and their arched passages in the island or even colonial style which border this square. – memories of the naval battle of Navarino (1827): two cannons and a monument to the victorious admirals which are located in the center of the square. – its small fishing port which opens onto the city – the hexagonal fortress of Neokastro dominating the western side of the city. Lunch during the excursion. Continue to the Olympia region. Visit to the site of Olympia, capital of all sportsmen. Discovery of the workshop of Phidias, the Temple of Zeus which housed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the temple of Hera and the stadium. Then, visit the Museum where the famous Hermes of Praxiteles is located. The archaeological museum is famous for its collection of ancient bronzes. Return to the hotel in the area of ancient Olympia. Dinner and overnight in Olympia.
DAY 6 : EPICURUS APOLLO – ANDRITSAINA – STEMNITSA – DIMITSANA
Departure for the temple of Apollo Epicurus in Vassae, near the village of Andritsaina. The site perched at 1,130 meters in the Arcadian mountains in the heart of the Peloponnese, faces north on one of the western terraces of Mount Cotylion. This peripterum, elongated in shape, approximately 40 m by 16 m, has an archaic appearance. It was not until November 1765 that the French architect Joachim Bocher, traveling in the Peloponnese and crossing this mountainous region, discovered these ruins by chance. Lunch in a tavern during the excursion. Then pass through the superb perched villages of Arcadia such as Stemnitsa & Caritena, villages of surprising architectural unity and a very beautiful panorama. Installation in Dimitsana or surrounding areas. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.Located in Isthmia, just 8 km from Corinth, 10 km from Loutraki and 115 km from Athens Airport. An idea-ler place to discover the main attractions of the region, such as the Acrocorinth, Nemea, known for its unique wines, Loutraki with its huge beach. Completely renovated in 2020, Hotel King Saron features a private beach and an outdoor pool. The renovated rooms are equipped with sea or garden /view view, balcony, air conditioning, satellite TV and a mini fridge. It is surrounded by flowers and trees and offers views of the Saronic Gulf. The buffet restaurant serves international and Greek specialities.
DAY 7 : VYTINA – WINERY – ACROPOLIS (ATHENS)
Departure for Athens via Corinth. Visit the traditional village of Vitina which is located at an altitude of 1,033 meters, in a green area dominated by pines, fir trees and chestnut trees. Rich in religious culture dating back to Byzantine times, this village has remarkable churches like that of Saint Tryphon and among the best attractions to visit are the folk museum, the old school and undoubtedly the picturesque neighborhoods. Drive to the renowned Mantinia wine region which has a range of wines known worldwide for its remarkable wines and visit to explore a local organic wine estate accompanied by a wine tasting. Lunch in a tavern during the excursion. Departure for Athens. On arrival we head towards the sacred hill of the Acropolis, the highlight of this trip. At its feet lies the city of Athens which firmly retains its links with the brilliant past. The eternal monuments that stand on the “Sacred Rock” of the Acropolis are the marvelous symbol of the golden age which marked the beginning of modern European civilization. Climb to the Acropolis: the Propylaea, the Temple of Apterous Victory, the Erechtheion, the Parthenon, a masterpiece of purity and harmony which elevates art to the level of perfection. At the end of the day check-in to your hotel in Athens. Dinner and night.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
You can spend the morning free again until the transfer to the airport. Arrival at the airport. End of our services.