Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens to Sparta
Your pickup happens around 8:30 a.m. from your Athens hotel, then you'll drive along the mainland coast toward Peloponnese. The first stop is the Canal of Corinth, where you can see how they cut through the narrow strip of land. After that, you'll head to the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, which has acoustics so good you can hear someone whisper from the stage even from the back rows. By midday, you'll grab lunch in Nafplio, a charming seaside town with a nice harbor feel. In the afternoon, the tour moves to Mycenae where you'll see the Gate of Lions and the tomb of Atreus. Then it's on to Sparta for your first night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit the Canal of Corinth
- Visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
- Stop in Nafplio for lunch or coffee break
- Visit the archaeological site of Mycenae including the Gate of Lions and Atreus King Tomb
Landmarks/POIs Canal of Corinth Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus Nafplio Mycenae - Day 2
Mystras - Monemvassia
Start your morning choosing between the Museum of Olive Oil or the Archaeological Museum in Sparta, depending on what interests you more. From there, you'll spend time in Mystras, a medieval Byzantine town split into upper and lower sections. You can walk through and see the Palace of the Despots, old houses, the Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios, and various monasteries scattered around. Later, you'll head to Monemvassia, a stone-built settlement sitting on a rock right by the water. The narrow cobbled streets and restored buildings make it feel like stepping back in time. After exploring, you'll return to Sparta for your second night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Museum of Olive Oil of Sparta or Archaeological Museum (choice of one)
- Explore the Byzantine town of Mystras including the Palace of the Despots, Houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios, and Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa and Our Lady Perivleptos
- Visit Monemvassia fortress town with exploration of Upper and Lower town
Optional Activities
- Culinary dining at a fine restaurant on the roof of a tower house in Monemvassia
Landmarks/POIs Museum of Olive Oil of Sparta Archaeological Museum of Sparta Mystras Monemvassia - Day 3
Sparta to Olympia
After breakfast in Sparta, you'll make a quick stop in Gythio, a coastal town with a relaxed vibe. Then it's on to Areopolis and Diros for the main event of the day, exploring underground river caves by boat. The stalactites and stalagmites down there are really something. Later, you can swim or grab lunch in the coastal villages of Stoupa and Kardamili if you want to take it easy. By late afternoon or early evening, you'll arrive in Ancient Olympia where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Diros Caves including boat tour through underground river
- Stop in Gythio
- Visit coastal villages of Stoupa and Kardamili
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Stoupa and Kardamili
- Lunch in Stoupa and Kardamili
Landmarks/POIs Gythio Diros Caves Areopolis Stoupa Kardamili - Day 4
Ancient Olympia to Delphi
Start early to get through the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia where the first Olympic Games happened back in 776 B.C. You'll see the Temple of Zeus (it once held one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world), the Temple of Hera, the shrine of Pelops, Council house, various Treasury houses, the Gymnasium, the Palestra, and the Stadium where you can see the original marble starting blocks. Midday brings a wine and olive oil tasting at the flea market, then a visit to a local honey farm for coffee and handmade local desserts. After that, you'll cross the Rio-Antirio bridge and drive through Naupactus before reaching Delphi for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit archaeological site of Ancient Olympia including Temple of Zeus, Temple of Hera, shrine of Pelops, Council house, Treasury houses, Gymnasium, Palestra, and Stadium
- Free wine and olive oil tasting at the flea market
- Visit local honey farm with coffee, juice, and hand-made local desserts
- Cross Rio-Antirio bridge
- Stop in Naupactus seaside town
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Naupactus
Landmarks/POIs Ancient Olympia Temple of Zeus Temple of Hera Rio-Antirio Bridge Naupactus - Day 5
Delphi to Kalambaka (Meteora)
Following breakfast, you'll explore the archaeological site of Delphi, checking out the Ancient Oracle, Stadium, and Ancient Theatre. The Museum of Delphi has the famous Charioteer bronze statue on display. Next, you head up to Arachova, a mountain village at 1,000 meters altitude where you can try traditional formaela cheese and have coffee or lunch. From there, you'll drive through Central Greece and arrive in Kalambaka, a traditional town that sits right at the base of those grey rocks with monasteries perched on them. There's time to watch the sunset around the Meteora rocks before you settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit archaeological site of Delphi including Ancient Oracle, Stadium, and Ancient Theatre
- Visit Museum of Delphi to see the Charioteer statue
- Visit the mountain village of Arachova
- Experience sunset around Meteora rocks
Optional Activities
- Coffee or lunch break in Arachova
- Taste traditional Arachova cheese (formaela)
Landmarks/POIs Delphi Ancient Oracle at Delphi Museum of Delphi Arachova Meteora - Day 6
Kalambaka (Meteora) to Athens
The morning starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro, the largest and oldest monastery around. Next is the Monastery of St. Stephan, a 16th-century church decorated back in 1545 that sits on the plain rather than on a cliff. You'll walk through the picturesque village of Kastraki and have the option for a traditional Greek lunch if you're hungry. After that, you'll stop at Thermopiles to see the statue of Leonidas honoring the battle of the 300 Spartans. Then it's the drive back to Athens, with your hotel drop-off happening late in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro
- Visit Monastery of St. Stephan
- Explore picturesque village of Kastraki
- Stop at Thermopiles to view statue of Leonidas
Optional Activities
- Traditional Greek lunch in Kastraki
Landmarks/POIs Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro Monastery of St. Stephan Kastraki Thermopiles
