Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll arrive in Athens and check into your centrally located hotel. Depending on your flight time, there's space to explore the city on your own. Walk through Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thisio neighborhoods, then head to the UNESCO-listed Acropolis to see the Parthenon. Stop by the Acropolis Museum afterward, and if you have time, stroll past Parliament and through the National Gardens. Around 5:30-6:00 PM, you'll meet your tour guide and fellow travelers for a welcome briefing and orientation walk.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Welcome briefing and orientation walk through Athens
Optional Activities
- Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon
- Explore the Acropolis Museum
- Walk past the Parliament building
- Stroll through the National Gardens
- Walk up Philopappou Hill for views of the Acropolis and city
- Leisure exploration of Plaka, Monastiraki and Thisio districts
Landmarks Acropolis Parthenon Acropolis Museum Parliament Building National Gardens Philopappou Hill Plaka Monastiraki Thisio - Day 2
Athens to Nafplio
After breakfast, you're heading to the Peloponnese peninsula. First stop is the Corinth Canal for a quick look, then you'll explore the archaeological site of Mycenae with a guide who'll tell you about the mythical palace of Agamemnon. Next, drive to the Nemea wine region for a 1 to 1.5 hour wine tour and tasting at a local winery, which includes a light meal in the cellars. You'll reach Nafplio by late afternoon, check in, and take an easy coastal walk from the hotel along the sea to Arvanitia and Karathona beaches. Dinner happens down at the harbor.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Light meal in the cellars of the winery in Nemea)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Mycenae archaeological site
- Wine tour and tasting at local winery in Nemea with light meal included
- Coastal walk from Nafplio along the sea to Arvanitia and Karathona beaches
Optional Activities
- 15-minute stop at Corinth Canal
- Swimming opportunity during coastal walk
Landmarks Corinth Canal Mycenae Nemea Arvanitia Beach Karathona Beach - Day 3
Nafplio
Start early with a circular hike along the coast through pine forests. You'll walk 4 km from the ancient Epidaurus port to the monastery of Polemarcha on a secluded beach, where there's time to rest and swim. Head back on a different route and stop for lunch. After eating, visit a family-run olive oil farm to see how they make extra virgin olive oil and do some tasting. Spend the afternoon exploring the ancient Epidaurus site, including the sanctuary of Asclepius and the famous ancient theater. You'll be back in Nafplio by 5:00 PM with the evening free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Circular coastal hike in Epidauria region to monastery of Polemarcha and return
- Visit to family-run olive oil farm with tour and tasting
- Visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site of ancient Epidaurus including sanctuary of Asclepius and ancient theater
Optional Activities
- Swimming during coastal hike at Polemarcha beach
- Purchase of olive oil products at the farm
Landmarks Monastery of Polemarcha Ancient Epidaurus Sanctuary of Asclepius Ancient Theater of Epidaurus Nea Epidavros - Day 4
Nafplio to Gythio
After breakfast, you're driving to Agios Ioannis village near Mystras to begin a full day hike through the Taygetos mountains. You'll follow stony paths, cross part of the E4 route, and pass the cave monastery of Panagia Zagouna and the 19th-century monastery of Faneromenis. The route continues through the Lagada Gorge past waterfalls and an abandoned church, then descends through the Lagkadiotissa gorge to Parori village. You'll take a break there, then visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras, a Byzantine castle town on the mountainside known as the Wonder of Morea. After that, you'll drive to Gythio for the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike through Taygetos mountains including cave monastery of Panagia Zagouna and monastery of Faneromenis
- Visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras
Optional Activities
- Refreshing break in village of Parori
Landmarks Agios Ioannis Mount Taygetos Cave Monastery of Panagia Zagouna Monastery of Faneromenis Lagada Gorge Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior Lagkadiotissa Gorge Parori Mystras - Day 5
Gythio
You're exploring the Mani Peninsula starting with a drive to Cape Tenaron, the southernmost point of mainland Greece. A 2 km hike over uneven terrain takes you past rocky beaches, the Temple of Poseidon, and a Roman mosaic to reach the lighthouse with panoramic views. After returning the same way, stop in Vathia village, known for its tower houses, and have lunch at a local taverna. Later, you'll explore the spectacular Diros Caves both on foot and by boat through Neolithic passages. Then visit the medieval town of Areopoli with its stone towers and alleyways before heading to the coastal village of Limeni for swimming. You'll return to Gythio for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- 2 km hike to Cape Tenaron lighthouse with views of Temple of Poseidon and Roman mosaic
- Tour of Diros Caves including both walking and boat exploration
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Cape Tenaron beach (summer months)
- Swimming at Limeni coastal village (summer months)
- Lunch at taverna in Vathia or nearby village
Landmarks Cape Tenaron Cape Tenaron Lighthouse Temple of Poseidon Vathia Diros Caves Areopoli Limeni - Day 6
Gythio to Dimitsana
You're heading north from Mani to Mount Menalon. The morning brings a rafting adventure on one of Greece's best rivers near Karitena village, where local instructors provide instructions and equipment. After that exciting morning, drive 45 minutes to Dimitsana, a mountain village at 1,000 meters altitude and the historic birthplace of Greece's 1821 independence war. Check in and visit the open-air museum of water power to learn about traditional pre-industrial production. Spend time wandering the narrow cobbled streets and taking in views of the Lousios Gorge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rafting adventure on river near Karitena with instructions and equipment provided
- Visit to open-air museum of water power in Dimitsana
Optional Activities
- Stroll through narrow cobbled streets of Dimitsana
- Dinner at local restaurants
Landmarks Mount Menalon Karitena Dimitsana Lousios Gorge - Day 7
Dimitsana to Athens
After breakfast, you're hiking through the Lousios Gorge, one of the most beautiful areas in the Peloponnese. Start from the new Philosophou Monastery and trek to the old Philosophou Monastery clinging to cliffs, where you'll see the Secret School used during Turkish occupation. Descend to the river and reach Prodromou Monastery for coffee and snacks from the monks. Continue to ancient Gortys and the 4th-century Temple of Asclepius where the hike ends. Head to Stemnitsa village for lunch. Then it's about a 3 hour drive back to Athens with stops along the way. Check into your hotel in the city center and have dinner at a local tavern.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a local tavern near hotel)
Included Activities
- Hike through Lousios Gorge from new Philosophou Monastery to old Philosophou Monastery to Prodromou Monastery to ancient Gortys and Temple of Asclepius
- Visit to ancient Gortys and Temple of Asclepius
Optional Activities
- Coffee and snacks at Prodromou Monastery offered by monks
- Lunch in Stemnitsa
Landmarks New Philosophou Monastery Old Philosophou Monastery Secret School (Krifo Scholio) Prodromou Monastery Ancient Gortys Temple of Asclepius Stemnitsa Lousios Gorge - Day 8
Athens
Breakfast and individual departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
