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Nine to Ten days tour
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Peloponnesus Tour
Corinth Canal, Nemea, Mycenae, Tiryns,
Nafplion, Palamidi, Epidavros,
Sparta, Mystras, Mani, Cape Tenaron, Messini,
Ancient Ithomi, Olympia,
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1st
day: Starting from Athens we drive westwards along the
scenic coast of the Saronic Gulf, until we reach the Corinth canal with
its breathtaking views (short stop). Shortly after we reach the Ancient
town of Corinth (visit) where St. Paul lived and preached for two
years. Back in ancient times Corinth was 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
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.)
Continue for
Nafplion through the fertile plain of Argolis and ancient Tiryns, (Set on a bluff in the centre of a plain, the
fortress of Tiryns is a Cyclopean structure dating from the 13c
BC, a well preserved masterpiece of ancient military
architecture.) Overnight in Nafplion,
in a traditional hotel, located on the top of the old city,
just under the castle.
You can view our portfolio of photos at
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Nafplion
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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 a breakfast taken on the beautiful veranda with the
best view over the city, visit the castle of Palamidi. 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. Later in the afternoon we drive to Epidavros to
visit the Ancient theatre (4th century B.C.)
famous for its acoustics. (On summer weekends ancient plays
take place) Return to Nafplion (overnight).
You can view our portfolio of photos at
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Epidavros
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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.
You can view
our portfolio of photos at
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Sparta
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4th day:
Leave Sparti for
M onemvasia
built on an island rock attached by a causeway to the
mainland. On the way visit Githeo, a seaside town the
port of ancient Sparta. Drive
on to Areopolis a large village (with taverns) in the typical Maniot
style, tower houses and
churches. Visit Vathia forsaken by almost all its inhabitants, Vathia
and Kita are the most impressive of the tower communities which are
characteristic of the
Mani. Time for swimming in the most southern part of
mainland Greece (also of Europe) Cape Tenaron. Overnight in Areopolis
in a traditional 17th c. mansion.
You can view
our portfolio of photos at
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Mani
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5th day: Part way 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).
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6th day:
Depart for Kalamata, (visit the city
-shopping...) and next for Pylos, better known as
Navarino
(Battle of Navarino: "an untoward event", this
was how the Duke of Wellington described the naval engagement
which took place on 20th October 1827 between the allied fleet,
made up of English, French and Russians and the Turkish fleet
which was at anchor in the bay). The focal point of Pylos near the port is Three
Admirals Square which is shaded by trees and bordered by arcades
(small archaeological museum, cafes, taverns), later in the
afternoon we'll visit Methoni, the watchtower of the eastern Mediterranean.
Overnight in Kalamata
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7th day:
Leave for Olympia driving along the
coast of the Ionic sea. On the way we will visit the ancient
Messini/Ithomi, one
of the nicest and biggest archaeological sites in Greece. Arrive late
afternoon in Olympia.
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8th day:
Visit the ruins of Olympia the Sanctuary of the
Olympian Zeus and the Museum. This
is the largest archeological site of Greece situated in the idyllic Alfios Valley,
see for yourself the grandeur of the ancient sanctuary
which through the Olympic Games was a symbol of Greek unity - the
cradle of the Olympic Games. Later in the afternoon enjoy a swim
in the hotel pool. Overnight in
Olympia.
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9th day:
Departure in the morning either to return to Athens or continue on for: the
plains of Elias and Arcadia, and take the small country road
through the mountains for Kalavryta, a pleasant summer or winter
resort (there is a ski center) at 750m/2461ft above sea level
ringed by mountain peaks with a spectacular panoramic road and a
famous narrow - gauge rack railway. Overnight in a traditional
hotel.
10th day: Take the Rack railway from Kalavryta to Diakofto. The narrow
gauge Duncanville railway, which was built late in the last
century between Diakofto on the coast and Kalavryta, is a
particularly bold feat of engineering. It runs for 22km/nearly
14 miles along a vertiginous route - through tunnels, along
overhangs, across bridges and viaducts and on a rack in certain
sections where the incline is steeper than 7%. I will wait for
you in Diakofto to return in Athens.
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DEPARTURE |
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HIGHLIGHTS |
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