3 Days Private Tour: Kalavrita - Olympia - Mycenae - Epidaurus & Corinth

Day 1

1. 1

   Corinth Canal

   Begining with a drive along the coast, you will get the chance to see some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis. Salamis is where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians. Our first stop of the day, the Corinth Canal. Eventually opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese from the rest of Greece all the while connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. Having time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge and admire the canal closer, you may go bungee jumping on some days (if you’re game).

   15 min
2. 2

   Diakofto

   Diakofto is a small seaside town with a magnificent view of the Corinthian Gulf. The town is mainly known for the train “Odontotos” which crosses the Vouraikos Gorge on a beautiful route until Kalavrita. In the summer period the visitor has the opportunity to visit the coasts of Diakofto and during the winter visitors of the area visit the magnificent ski center of Kalavrita.

   60 min
3. 3

   most scenic

   Get on the special train of Diakofto, the most scenic and graphic train route in Greece passing through tunnels and a canyon, coming in contact with the purest Greek nature, the train will leave you at Kalavrita after a short ride.

   60 minAdmission not included
4. 4

   Kalavrita

   Kalavryta is a mountainous small town full of narrow streets, cafes and restaurants, where you can find many locally produced products like honey, herbs, spices, pasta e.t.c. Kalavryta also played an important role in Greek history. It was in the legendary Agia Lavra (a monastery of the territory) that the Greek War of Independence began. In 1821 the first revolutionaries took an oath "to fight or die" for freedom and the flag of the revolution was raised there. The site is also a martyr of World War II. In 1943 one of the most vicious holocausts in Greek territory took place here. The town is dominated by inscriptions and crosses commemorating that fact. At Kalavryta we will have lunch.

   120 min
5. 5

   Olympia

   Pass by

   We will overnight at the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

Day 2

1. 6

   Archaeological Site of Olympia

   On our second day we will visit the archaeological site and the museum of Ancient Olympia. This is one of the largest sites in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. Walking through the site you will pass by the Gymnasium, the Palaistra, the workshop of Phidias, the Temple of Zeus and you will end up at the Stadium where for every four years the Greeks competed for glory and for spiritual elevation honoring their cities.

   60 minAdmission not included
2. 7

   Archaeological Museum of Olympia

   The museum is also quite unique as it includes the renowned statue “Hermes of Praxiteles” with its perfect analogies and tools that belonged to Phidias himself. With the tools he created one of the seven wonders of the world “the gold ivory statue of Zeus”.

   30 minAdmission not included
3. 8

   Museum of the Olympic Games

   The Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games hosts 463 ancient works, from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, and other museums in the Greek territory. The exhibits cover a wide chronological range, from the 2nd millennium BC until the 5th century AD. Ancient exposed in thematic units and through them shows the history of the Olympic games, the longest ancient institution. Apart from ancient art, the visitor has the possibility of detailed information through rich visual material.

   30 minAdmission not included
4. 9

   Nafplio

   From here we will travel through time towards a more recent history of Greece and to the city of Nafplion. Nafplion is considered the most scenic city which also functioned as the capital of Greece until 1834. It offers you an impressive combination of fortresses and castles (Palamidi, Bourtzi), an enormous port opened to the Aegean Sea and the unique architecture of the old city of Nafplion revealing Venetian, neoclassical and oriental elements. Lunch will be at a traditional tavern by the sea.

   60 min
5. 10

   Bourtzi

   Pass by

   Bourtzi is a little islet with a fortress in a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea.
6. 11

   Stop 11

   We’ll drive up until the castle of Acronafplia for a panoramic view of Nafplio.

   20 min

Day 3

1. 12

   Sanctuary of Asklepios

   On the go again we will be off to the site of Epidaurus, a short drive away and you will be able to see one of the most important ancient Greek sanctuaries. Dedicated to God Asclepius, he was the god of healing and medicine.

   30 minAdmission not included
2. 13

   The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus

   Epidaurus is located in peaceful environment and spread out on a hilly area, its highest point being the actual theater of Epidaurus. As the best preserved ancient Greek theater (dated 4th century B.C.E.) it is proof of what miracles the ancient Greek minds could create. Test the acoustics great even today and climb up to the higher seats just to close your eyes and dream you are attending an ancient Greek tragedy.

   30 minAdmission not included
3. 14

   Archaeological Site Mycenae

   Then it’s back on the road and heading for Mycenae (dated to the 2nd millennium B.C.E) which represents the era of Achilles, Agamemnon and Helen of Troy, the cyclopean walls, the burial circle A and the remains of Agamemnon’s Palace.

   60 minAdmission not included
4. 15

   Lion Gate

   Actually in the site, you will see the renowned Lions Gate (the oldest architectural sculpture in Europe), the cyclopean walls, the burial circle A and the remains of Agamemnon’s Palace.

   10 minAdmission not included
5. 16

   Archaeological Museum of Ancient Mycenae

   Within the site there is a modern museum exhibiting the findings of the “City Of Gold” before leaving the site we will make a small stop at the treasury of Atreus, the best preserved Tholos tomb, one of the finest examples of the Mycenaean architecture.

   30 minAdmission not included
6. 17

   Citadel and Treasury of Atreus

   Just before leaving the site we will make a small stop at the treasury of Atreus, the best preserved Tholos tomb found and one of the finest examples of the Mycenaean architecture.

   10 minAdmission not included
7. 18

   Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)

   Ancient Corinth, located at the foot of the hill includes the Roman Agora of Corinth, the temple of God Apollo and a small museum. Apart from its archaeological and historical interest Ancient Corinth is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece as this was where the Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of that period.

   60 minAdmission not included
8. 19

   Temple of Apollo

   We will visit the Temple of Apollo which is located in the in the Ancient city of Corinth.The temple of Apollo at Corinth is one of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland. Built around 560 B.C.E., of local monolithic limestone on top of an imposing, rocky hill to the north of Acrocorinth, the Archaic temple was an emblem for the Greek city of Corinth, reflecting its growth and prosperity.

   10 minAdmission not included
9. 20

   oldest

   Pass by

   Last stop will be the site of Ancient Corinth. The city dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth and the old Castle, the oldest and largest castle in southern Greece. The site located at the foot of the hill.
10. 21

    Athens

    Pass by

    We will drive back to Athens.