Espa

Highlights of the Peloponnese

Mycenae, Nafplio, Arcadia & Olympia: In search of heroic principles that shaped our world.

Duration

3 days

When

year round

Languages

english, french

From Mycenae and the Iliad, to Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, this self-drive tour is an in-depth exploration of great international cultural heritage. Featuring our custom app this trip provides tips for the best local activities and places to visit, our favorite restaurants, audio storytelling and support from our team of expert travel designers!

Highlights

  • Immerse into one of the most ancient civilisations in the world at Mycenae, the mythical citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Stand in the exact place where the Olympic Games started 3000 years ago and get a feeling for the ideals that celebrate peace, unity and fair play
  • Discover the Greek rural life of the Peloponnese, enjoy scenic routes of unique natural beauty, visit local workshops and experience authentic accommodation and hospitality
  • Explore at your own pace, with the ease of mind that our customized app gives you: seamless navigation,  local tips, audio storytelling

 

 

What you can expect

People have always seeked heroic role models. This self-drive tour will introduce you to the most important areas of the Peloponnese, a place that shaped some of the most prominent ideas of western civilization: Argolis, land of Odyssey’s and the Iliad’s heroes, Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, Nafplio, the first capital of the Greek State and a number of small villages off the beaten path. Each day has a theme, to make your trip more fun and insightful!

You will be staying in carefully selected family-run guesthouses and everything you need to know will be arranged in our mobile app:

  • detailed day per day itinerary & navigation
  • a great choice of optional stops, local tips & audio storytelling
  • suggestions for tours, audio guided tours & activities 
  • our favorite restaurant suggestions in each area

Our app will give you the freedom to modify and adjust your itinerary according to your interests and pace, while maximizing your time. All content is presented in a clear and simple way to give you a deeper understanding of Greek history and culture. 

Day 1: The Land of Legends I Nafplio, Mycenae - Olympia

Start your trip to explore the central part of Peloponnese peninsula. Make a stop at the Corinth Canal to admire a masterpiece of engineering, and continue to Epidaurus, the finest and best-preserved theatre of the ancient world. Then visit the fabled Homeric city of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the capital of one of the oldest civilizations in the world.  You'll then head towards the historic seaside city of Nafplio, a romantic, picturesque town, crowned by Venetian fortifications. From Nafplio, your trip will take you through the beautiful Peloponnesian countryside towards ancient Olympia. Overnight in Olympia.

Day 2: An “Athlos” for a Good Life I Olympia - Arcadia

Drive up the mountains of Arkadia to reach the temple of Apollo Epicurius, one of the most mystical and imposing temples of Greece. Then, make a stop at the picturesque village of Andritsaina to enjoy its unique architecture and taste some local delicacies. After lunch, it's the ideal time to visit the ancient site and museum of Olympia without the crowds. This was the most important athletic, religious and political center of the ancient Greek world, birthplace of the Olympic Games and the ideals of world peace. Overnight in Olympia

Day 3: Mythical Peloponnese Mountains I Arcadia

Τhis day is dedicated to the exploration of central Peloponnese mountains. Here you can enjoy a walk in the mythical Forest of the Centaurs, a unique NATURA oak-tree forest, one of the rarest of its kind in Europe.  You can also opt for a visit to some hidden waterfalls or continue your drive through the numerous traditional villages. The best one is Lagadia, perched over a gorge with a wonderful view and famous for its beautiful stone-built houses. Next stop is Dimitsana, a delightful medieval village, built like a choir of buildings across two hills at the beginning of the Lousios Gorge.Here you enjoy a typical lunch with delicacies of the South, visit an open-air waterpower museum and observe local life, before you return to Athens and complete your journey in Southern Greece. 

Itinerary

DAY 1

  • Departure from Athens
  • Corinth Canal
  • Ancient Epidaurus and its world famous theater
  • The Homeric site of Mycenae, seat of the Bronze Age Mycenaean civilization
  • Lunch at the port town of Nafplio
  • Overnight in Olympia

DAY 2

  • Apollo Epicurius Temple
  • Andritsaina Village
  • Lunch at Andritsaina
  • Ancient Olympia and the masterpieces of its museum
  • Optional visit at a local honey farm
  • Overnight in Olympia

DAY 3

  • Forest of the Centaurs
  • Optional gorge walk and a waterfall swim
  • Lagadia village
  • Lunch at Dimitsana
  • Return to Athens

Practical info

Duration
3 days
Languages
english, french
When
year round

What's included

  • Rental of category D car for 3 full days (Toyota Auris or similar), with Unlimited Mileage, Third Party Cover, Collision Damage Waiver (with excess based on category booked) ,Theft Waiver (with excess based on category booked), Airport surcharge, 24h road assistance (for accidents or mechanical breakdowns), Local Taxes
  • Two accommodations at 3* & 4* hotels or traditional guest houses 
  • Two traditional Greek breakfasts
  • Customized trip app featuring:
    • thematic detailed itinerary & navigation
    • enriched content, audio storytelling & advice from a top-rated guide at each location
    • optional stops, local tips & points of interest
    • suggestions for tours, audio guided tours & activities
    • restaurant recommendations in each area

Our rates are based on the rental of one car per 4 people, one double room per 2 people, one triple room per 3 people and one quadruple room per 4 people. In case your group has different requirements please contact us for a customized offer.

Not included

  • Car delivery and collection (stations available at Athens airport, Athens city center, Halandri & Metamorfosi)
  • Gas & tolls
  • Site entry fees 
  • Meals
  • (Optional) local guided tours / audio guided tours/ activities
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You'll love:

Our app that will accompany you as a personal digital guide and will show you the way to the most authentic routes and off the beaten path landscapes.

Highlights of the Peloponnese

Awards & Accolades