12 Day Peloponnese Tour plus Athens

DAY  1, Sat. – USA /ATHENS: Overnight flight to Athens, Greece.  Air not included.  

DAY 2, Sun. - ATHENS: Upon arrival at the Athens International Airport, you will be transferred directly to your Athens Hotel. Late afternoon we continue with a wonderful drive along the Athenian Riviera with splendid views of the Saronic Gulf while passing through some of Athens’ most beautiful suburbs arriving at Cape Sounion. You will visit the 5th century B.C. Temple of Poseidon with its magnificent panoramic view of the Aegean Sea. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at Vlaxika restaurant in Varkiza / Vari with authentic skewered lamb and Greek dishes. Overnight in Athens. (D) Royal Olympic Hotel 

DAY 3, Mon. - ATHENS: After breakfast, you will commence your guided Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour which will give you an overall view of Athens and its monuments with the highlight of the tour being a visit to the world-famous ancient Acropolis and its museum. Rest of day at your leisure to explore Plaka, the old city of Athens. Here you will find many cafes, restaurants, souvenir, and jewelry shops. Make sure you barter to get the best deals. (B)  Royal Olympic Hotel 5*

DAY 4, Tues. – ATHENS – Corinth, Epidaurus, NAUPLION:  Our first stop will be at the Corinth Canal, the engineering masterpiece that separates Peloponnese from the mainland. Completed in the 1900 by a Greek, it changed completely the sea transportation of the area. We continue in Epidaurus, an UNESCO world heritage site where we will visit the ancient Greek theatre with its famous acoustics and the Asklepion. Arrival in the town of Nauplion. Overnight with dinner at our hotel in Nauplion (B, D) Amalia Nauplion Hotel 4 * 

DAY 5, Wed. – NAUPLION – Mycenae: In the morning we head to Mycenae, the ancient kingdom of the Bronze Age which the king, Agamemnon, led the Greeks in the Trojan War. Returning to Nauplion we have the time to explore this magnificent town. We visit Palamidi, the Venetian castle at the top of the hill, Bourtzi the island fort just in front of the harbor and we will visit the traditional ouzo distillery to find out the secrets of this Greek drink. In the afternoon you will have free time to get lost in the small streets of Nauplion, walk around Arvanitia and or go for a swim at the beach. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy Greek specialties in the local taverns by the harbor. Overnight in Nauplion.  (B) Amalia Nauplion Hotel 4 *  

DAY 6, Thurs, NAUPLION, Kapsia Caves, Vytina, DIMITSANA:  We leave the coast in the morning to start climbing to the mountainous Arcadia. “Et In Arcadia Ego” is the old saying and you will discover why. We will begin with a visit at the amazing Kapsia Caves where you will admire the rock formations created millions of years ago. Our next stop will be the traditional villages of Vytina and Dimitsana. Both villages are hidden well in the mountain Mainalo, and you will be amazed by their architecture and traditional goods. The villages played an important role during the Greek Independence War of 1821. In Dimitsana our visits include the Aimyalon Monastery which is next to the Open-Air Water Museum and a visit to the unique and alternative Open Air Hydro movement museum. There you will see how the locals used the power of the water for their own needs in an era when no electrical power was available. Overnight in Vytina. (B, D)   Nymfasia Arcadia Resort 5*

DAY 7, Fri. DIMITSANA, ancient Olympia, wine tasting, KALAMATA: After a good breakfast, we head west to visit the well-hidden temple of Epikourios Apollo in Bassae. It is a work of the famous architect Iktinos and according to the ancient traveler Pausanias it is one of the finest temples of the Peloponnese. Our next stop is ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games where you will see the ancient stadium, the temple of Zeus, the Palestra, and the unique museum, one of the best in Greece. The day will end with wine tasting to taste the local wines and transfer to Kalamata.  Overnight with dinner at our hotel in Kalamata. (B, D)     Horizon Blu Resort 5*

DAY 8, Sat. KALAMATA, Ancient Messini, Pylos, Methoni, Koroni, KALAMATA: This day includes a tour in the picturesque Messenia. We will start with a visit to the archaeological site of ancient Messini. Built in 371BC by Epaminondas, it set the new free era of the Messinian people against the Spartans. The tour will continue by taking the coastal road of Messenia visiting
Pylos, Methoni and Koroni. In all 3 of those towns, you will admire the well-preserved Venetian castles and you can enjoy the beach and the local taverns. Overnight in Kalamata. (B) Horizon Blu Resort 5*

DAY 9, Sun. KALAMATA, Mani, GYTHEIO:  Today our tour continues to one of the most beloved, fabulous, and historical parts of Greece, Mani. Located in the south of Peloponnese, the rough and rocky landscape had as a result that the area remained always free. The wild beauty and the traditional towers of Mani will astonish you. Areopolis, Oitylo and the Dyros caves will make you fall in love with Mani. The evening is free to walk in Gytheio, the beautiful small town of south Peloponnese and enjoy the fresh fish at the taverns by the dock. Overnight with dinner at our hotel in Gytheio. (B, D) Las Hotel & spa 4*

DAY 10, Mon. GYTHEIO, Elafonnisos, Monemvasia, GYTHEIO:  This day is dedicated to Laconia. After our breakfast we head to Elafonnisos, the famous island with the golden beach,
named in the top 3 beaches of the whole Mediterranean Sea. We will sunbathe and swim in the crystal waters and will enjoy our lunch in the small taverns of the town. Our tour continues to another highlight of Peloponnese, the medieval city of Monemvasia. The town and fortress were founded in 583 and is built on a huge rock just 200m from the mainland. You will wander in the narrow streets, and you will enjoy the tremendous view climbing up to the castle. Overnight in Gytheio (B) Las Hotel & spa 4*

DAY 11, Tues. GYTHEIO, ancient Sparta, Mystra, ATHENS: Visit in ancient Sparta, the kingdom of King Leonidas and the 300 men who fell in Thermopylae. We will visit the acropolis of the city where we can see the ancient theatre, the temple of Chalkoikos Athena and other remaining buildings. We then continue to Mystra, one of the most amazing sites of Peloponnese. Not in many parts of the world you will see a whole city that is archaeological site! One of the most important byzantine cities, Mystra is built on a steep hill on the foot of Taygetos Mountain. Walk up to the castle and visit the churches    including the Mitropolis (Agios Dimitrios), where Konstantinos Palaeologus, the last Emperor of Byzantium swore to be the king to fall bravely later in the last battle of the Constantinople. Stop for lunch in Sparta and then drive back to Athens. As the proverb goes “All good things must come to an end”. However, you can expand your holidays in our beautiful country as we can arrange for you some extra days in Athens for sightseeing or some days to rest on the Greek islands. (B)   Sofitel Athens Airport 5*

DAY 12, Wed. ATHENS, USA: Enjoy breakfast this morning prior to transferring across to the Athens International Airport for your flight back home bringing wonderful memories to share with your family and friends.  (B).

Package Includes:

¨ All transfers per itinerary

¨ 2 Nights Deluxe 5* hotel accommodations in Athens

¨ 2 Nights First Class 4* hotel accommodations in Nauplion.

¨ 1 Nights Deluxe 5* hotel accommodations in Dimitsana.

¨ 2 Nights Deluxe 5* hotel accommodations in Kalamata.

¨ 2 Nights First Class 4* hotel accommodations in Gytheio.

¨ 1 Night Deluxe 5* hotel accommodations by Athens International Airport. 

¨ Cape Sounion Tour visiting 5th century BC - Temple of Poseidon

¨ Dinner at Vlahika Restaurant in Vari with authentic skewered lamb, wine, and side dishes.

¨ Athens city tour including the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum

¨ 8 Day Classical Peloponnese Motorcoach Tour including all sightseeing entrance fees and guides where available.

¨ 15 Meals included: 10 breakfasts, 5 dinners 

¨ Porterage of one 25-inch suitcase per person.

¨ All Hotel taxes and service charges throughout including hotel local taxes.

¨ 24/7 Support from a Classic Holidays representative while on tour.

Price Excludes: Airfare & airport taxes (except those which are specified), passports & visas, laundry, telephone calls, drinks, food not indicated in the itinerary. Note: gratuities to motorcoach driver and guide not included. (We recommend $4.00 for Guide and $2.00 to driver per day), expenses of a personal nature, excess luggage and transfer of the same.