7-Day Private Tour of the Peloponnese

7-Day Private Tour of the Peloponnese

Enjoy 7 days touring one of the most beautiful locations in Greece on a journey through the olive groves, orchards and blue Aegean views of the famous Peloponnese countryside as we visit the unique Medieval cities of Nafplion & Monemvasia, UNESCO sites, and explore the timeless rugged Mani Peninsula with its tower-house villages. Apart from the ‘highlights’, our tour is also packed along the way with an abundance of Ancient cities, stately wineries, well chosen accommodation & some of the best cuisine Greece has to offer.

Thoughtfully designed with over 15 years’ experience in Greece & dedicated to a single group with the flexibility that entails, our tour is ideal for couples, families & small groups looking for a unique and quality experience that specialist small tourism can provide.

Itinerary

Day 1: CORINTH - MYCENAE - EPIDAURUS - NAFPLIO

Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Corinth 201 00 Greece
A brief stop to learn about the history of this impressive work of engineering

Stop At: Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth Greece
After leaving Athens our first main stop in the Peloponnese explores the beautifully preserved remains of Ancient Corinth, one of Greece’s most powerful and influential city states of Antiquity. Stroll through the streets, temples, markets, and fountains in the footsteps of the Classical Greeks, Ancient Romans & St. Paul before you. Refreshments & rest stops are also on hand at the local Cafes at its entrance if needed.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Archaeological Site Mycenae, Mycenae 21200 Greece
Next we come to the imposing remains of Ancient Mycenae, one of the most important sites in the development of Ancient Greece. Home to the citadel of the legendary Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War. The ‘Mycenaean period,’ from 1600 to 1100 BC, references this ancient city, indicating its importance in Greek civilization. Pass through the 20-foot-wide city walls, enter the Lion’s Gate to Agamemnon’s throne room, and explore the very buildings of his palace. You will also have a short sopt nearby for the awe inspiring treasury of Atreus and ample time to visit the modern on-site museum housing the many precious artefacts uncovered from the site.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Ethniki Odos Isthmou Archaias Epidavrou, Epidavros 210 52 Greece
Our next stop is at the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios, first healing centre of the Ancient World. You will also see the impressive Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the most visited ancient sites in Greece. The temple and theatre date from the 4th century and feature masterpieces of classical Greek architecture. Join the other visitors who test its world famous acoustics with a poem or a song !
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Nafplio, Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
After the many sites of the morning we enjoy lunch in the beautiful medieval & historical port city of Nafplio by the sea with views to the Venetian castle of Bourtzi in the bay. This city has a definite artistic feel so take time for a stroll and explore the many local craft shops & boutiques of the charming old city. An idyllic place to stay for the night, dont miss out on dining at the sea front in the evening
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique Hotel with breakfast included

Day 2: MONEMVASIA - MYSTRAS - SPARTA

Stop At: Archaeological Site of Mystras, Mystras, Sparta Municipality Greece
After a leisurely breakfast we wind our way down towards Mystras. Lying in the southeast Peloponnese we visit the 800 year old ruins of the Medieval city & UNESCO site, once seat of Byzantine power in the region & replete with palaces, residences, mansions, churches and monasteries, water & drainage works, commercial workshops, extensive streets & fortifications.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Sparta, Sparta, Sparta Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
We continue to Sparta & spend time for lunch and to explore this historic town with its ancient ruins, museum & olive oil museum before continuing on to Monemvasia in the afternoon.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Monemvasia, Monemvasia, Monemvasia Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
Monemvasia or 'The Gibraltar of the East' is a remarkable walled city set on the plateaux of a small rocky island out to sea & only reachable by causeway.

Constructed and added to by the Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans, these medieval layers of history are completely preserved for you to step back in time into. Originally only reachable by ship we can now traverse the long narrow causeway onto the rock & up to the imposing walled entrance where we must continue on foot. Spend the rest of the day to wander its twisting labyrinthine streets, heritage buildings, multi coloured bougainvillea covered guesthouses and sea views. For our accommodation we choose one of the best preserved and renovated examples of the many old stone 'Captains mansions'.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique Hotel with breakfast included

Day 3: THE MANI PENINSULA

Stop At: Vathia 230 71, Greece
We continue from Monemvasia to tour the length of the rugged Mani Peninsula, home to pirate communities & its characteristic castle houses. Along the way we stop to explore the main sites of the Peninsula including the archetypal village of Vathia, Caves of Diros, and its Capital Cardomili.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Kardamili, Kardamili, Messenia Region, Peloponnese
Another of the main highlights of Mani, this village is an ideal rest stop by the sea.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Caves of Diros, Diros 230 62 Greece
A long cave system which if you want, you can visit, taking a guided boat trip through the underground lake system. For the night we stay at one of the best examples of a renovated original stone castle house (depending on availability)
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique Hotel with breakfast included

Day 4: METHONI

Stop At: Methoni, Methoni, Pieria Region, Central Macedonia
Leaving Mani behind we head towards one of the undescovered gems of the Peloponnese. The region of Messini is full of stunning castles, beautiful villages & ancient Mycenean ruins. Our day tours the highlights, in particular the castle of Methoni which is a location that Game of Thrones would be proud of.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Methoni Castle, Methoni, Pylos-Nestor Τ.Κ 240 06 Greece
Preserved castle set on an outcrop surrouned by the sea
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Palace of Nestor, Ethnki Odos Kiparissias Pylou, Chora, Pylos-Nestor 246 00 Greece
A beautifully excavated site of the palace of Nestor who ruled the area in the Mycenean period & well worth a visit
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Pylos, Pylos, Pylos-Nestor, Messenia Region, Peloponnese
Wonderful town by the se & ideal stop to explore & enjoy lunch
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Voidokilia Beach, Petrochori, Pylos-Nestor Greece
We can also visit one of the areas beautiful beaches such as Voidokilia before spending the evening in Pylos by the sea.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique Hotel with breakfast included

Day 5: DIMITSANA

Stop At: Dimitsana, Dimitsana, Arkadia Region, Peloponnese
After breakfast we head towards Dimitsana. Full of mountain villages & dramatic landscapes we visit the local water museum, Gorge and the impressive Philosophers Monastery to make a day where you will feel immersed in the local culture.
Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Offshore Hydropower Museum, Kefalari Ai-Yianni, Dimitsana 220 07 Greece
Here you will see a working mill spread over a site with renovated buildings & learn about many of the local crafts once produced in the area at the well desplayed museum.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Holy Monastery of the Philosopher, Dimitsana 220 07 Greece
This Monastery is reached from the road by a short walk along a stony path with elevation, but manageable by most able-bodied persons & well worth the trip to enjoy the peace of the Monastery & discover its old Frescos. Its friendly Monks also offer coffee & local sweets to those who visit.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique Hotel with breakfast included

Day 6: ANCIENT OLYMPIA

Stop At: Archaeological Site of Olympia, Archea Olympia, Olympia 27065 Greece
After leaviing Dimitsana, our morning is dedicated to Ancient Olympia, and one of the most magical locations in Greece. Famous for its Olympic Games of antiquity you will see the places where the original athletes trained, learned and go through the tunnel to emerge in the stadium in which they competed. The site is still home to the Temple of Zeus and Hera where the Olympic Flame is lit, workshop of Phidias, and extensive Museum containing significant masterpieces from the site.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Olympia, Archaia Olympia, Olympia 27 065 Greece
Not to be missed is the local museum housing many of the masterpieces uncovered from the Archaeological site from the very drinking cup of Phidaus to the sculptures that adorned the Pediment of the Temple of Zeus.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique Hotel with breakfast included

Day 7: THE CAVE OF LAKES

Stop At: Kastria Cave of the Lakes, Kastria Greece
The Cave of Lakes is an increasingly popular draw for visitors to this area due to its extensive galleries & stalactite formations
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Odontotos rack railway Diakopto – Kalavrita, Diakopto 250 03, Greece
Built over 100 years ago, the little train starts at the seaside village of Diakopto and climbs alongside the Vouraikos river Gorge to the village of Kalavrita as it traverses bridges and tunnels allowing you to dive deep into the local scenery. Enjoy lunch with a view & a wonderful loction to reflect on your days in the Peloponnese before returning to Athens
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.