Around Greece

• Optional day: Arrive in Athens, Transfer from the airport to your hotel by the Acropolis. We'll visit the Acropolis and the highlights of Athens. Optional tour Athens by night.

1st day: Starting from Athens we drive westwards towards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth canal with its breathtaking views (short stop). Shortly after we reach the Ancient town of Corinth (visit). Back in ancient times Corinth was almost one of the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge Agora (market place) and Apollo's Temple (6th c. B.C.) Then drive on to Epidavros to visit the sanctuary of Asklepios, the most brilliant centre of healing in the ancient world and the theatre (4th century B.C.) one of the most perfect and the best preserved of the ancient Greek theatres, famous for its acoustics (On summer weekends ancient plays take place). Proceed to Nafplion, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. Over night in a traditional hotel, located in the centre of the old city, just under the castle.

2nd day: Nafplion  (first capital city of Greece in modern time) the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. After breakfast in a beautiful veranda with the best view over the city, visit the castle of Palamidi and the acropolis of ancient Tiryns. Time for shopping in  Nafplion, where you will find many traditional shops and boutiques or enjoy a swim in the crystal waters under the castle. Visit Mycenae, the Homeric city of the Atreides - the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets. (Visit the Lions Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, the Royal Tombs e.t.c.).

You can view my portfolio of photos at http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Nafplion

3rd day:  Leave Nafplion in the morning, through Central Peloponnese. We'll drive south by the scenic coast  of the Argolis Gulf, from the town of Astros we will turn to Central Peloponnese, (Arcadia), through the village of Agios Petros, ( 3000 ft. high -short stop -the village became capital city of Greece for 24 hours, short stop) and  Karies on the slopes of the mount. Parnon. Shortly we will arrive in Sparta, the modern town was developed in the reign of King Otto after 1834. Visit the archaeological site, the Acropolis and the theatre of Ancient Sparta and then on to visit the Medieval state of Mystras  Mystras Site: Daily, Summer 8a.m to 7p.m Winter 8.30a.m to 3p.m Entrance fee 5 Euro. Continue for Mani  an undeveloped rocky wild area strewn with 15th 16th c. stone tower houses. Areopolis: This is a large village (with taverns) in the typical Maniot style with tradesmen's workshops (bakery), tower houses and churches (Overnight / Pyrgos Kapetanakou, tower house built in 17th c.)

 You can view my portfolio of photos at http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Mani

4th day:  Leave after breakfast,  down the west coast of Mani, opening into Diros Bay are two caves which were explored after the Second World War. The largest, Glifada, is one of the most spectacular natural sights in Greece. We'll visit the Caves and Museum of Diros tel. (0733) 52.22. The cave is well organized for visitors with floating lights and colored light projectors. The guided tour consists of a boat trip (about 2km/1.25mi) along both arms of the river which splits in two in the cave. Daily 8a.m to 5p.m (2.30p.m winter) Entrance fee 12 Euro child (under 12) 6 Euro. Return to Arepolis and drive through the scenic coast and via Kalamata to Olympia / overnight (Hotel with a swimming pool ).

 You can view my portfolio of photos at http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Olympia

5th day: Olympia The ruins of Olympia in the idyllic Alfios Valley testify to the grandeur of the ancient sanctuary which through the Olympic Games was a symbol of Greek unity - the cradle of the Olympic Games. After breakfast we'll visit  the archaeological area of Olympia, the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus the Archaeological Museum (one of the biggest and nicest in Greece) and the Museum of the Olympic games. Overnight in Olympia (Hotel with a swimming pool )

6th day:  Departure , drive on through the plains of Elias and Arcadia, and take the Car-Ferry across the "Little Dardanelles - Half hour" from Rio to Antirio. Crossing the picturesque town of Nafpactos (This charming little city at the northwest end of the Gulf of Corinth was fortified by the Venetians in the 15C. Under its medieval name of Lepando it recalls the famous naval battle which took place in 1571 between the Christian fleet from Spain, Genoa, Naples, Malta and Venice with the Turkish fleet of Sultan Selim.- short stop) and from there through the scenic new road along the coast we'll arrive in Delphi . Visit in the evening the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and the Museum. Overnight in Delphi or Arachova (Hotel with a swimming pool ) one of the most traditional villages in Greece.

You can view my portfolio of photos at http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Nafpactos and  http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Delphi

7th day: Further sightseeing of Delphi, visit Castalia Spring and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaea. Return to Athens from the east side of Mount Parnassus, through small mountain villages and the ancient town of Chaeroneia (where took place in 338 BC the battle between the southern Greek cities and King of Greek Macedonians Phillip, in which Alexander then 18 years of age, was making his debut in battle), or continue for Meteora, passing through, Lamia, typical towns and numerous picturesque villages of Central Greece. Stay overnight in Kastraki, the closest village to Meteora with the best view or Trikala one of the nicest cities in Greece.

8th day: Visit Meteora, among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in Mid - Air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine Art. Of the 24 monasteries that grew up between the 13^th and 16^th centuries only six are still inhabited: The Great Meteoron, Agia Triad, Agios Nikolaos and Varlaam by monks: Agios Stephanos and Roussanou by nuns.

You can view my portfolio of photos at http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Meteora-Monasteries