6-Day Alternative Tour: Prettiest Villages, Gorges, Mountains & Castles

Day 1 : Athens – Venetian Castle of Nafpaktus - Ioannina - Zagori Region

• Leaving Athens having a short stop at the Canal of Corinth, to have memorable photos, the driving along the coast line of Peloponnese, we will cross over the amazing bridge of Rion – Antirion, one of the biggest in Europe, in order to have a short stop at the city of “Naupactus” a beautiful seaside small town, where you can visit the Venetian Castle, the Venetian Port, here you will have a delicious lunch before leave to Ioannina. We will have a panoramic city tour around the lake of Ioannina, and you will a short stop for coffee, before leave for Zagori area. We suggest you after the check at your hotel to have a wonderful sunset tour at Vikos Gorge as a unique experience! (available on summer period) “Zagorochoria” is full culture and history play an important part of what Epirus has to offer. There is so much nature to explore from the rivers and lakes to the forests and valleys. Also is the ideal destination if you are looking for a romantic getaway. The area of Zagorochoria is filled with natural beauty and features numerous of traditional villages, especially arched bridges Check in and then have free time to explore the village. You can stroll around and explore the incredibly dense network of cobblestone trails and enjoy the taverns with delicious food. Overnight in Dilofo Village

Day 2 : Vikos Gorge - Tour to Complex of Zagorochoria Villages - Byzantine Castle of Ioannina - 

• After your breakfast start our journey to visit traditional villages such as “Kippoi”, “Vitsa” etc. Be sure to take your camera because you’ll want to take plenty of pictures! Next stop will be the village of Monodentri in order to visit Vikos Gorge as seems to be where the natural beauty of the region is centralized. Vikos Gorge is found in the Zagori region and is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the deepest canyon in the world in proportion to its width. Most people spend around 3-5-hours walking through the gorge and exploring the beauty within. We will depart from Zagori towards Ioannina, the capital of Epirus. Then, we will reach at Ioannina was always multicultural, dominated mainly by Christian, Islamic and Jewish influences. This coexistence of cultural influences is clearly evident in the historic city Centre. We will visit the beautiful fortified old town, and the castle. This is the oldest Byzantine fortress in Greece! Wonderful buildings like the house Matei Hussein, the Ottoman Mosque of Ali Pasha. Lake Pamvotida and its Small Island of “Ali Pasha" accessible only by boat. That is the only inhabited island on a lake in Europe! Perama, one of the most beautiful caves in Europe, are some of Ioannina's unique attractions. You must not forget to sample the traditional spices and herbs harvested from the mountains of Epirus, frog's legs, a special delicacy or the famous desserts of 'sker bourek' or 'sugar pie'.  Overnight Meteora

Day 3 : Meteora – Delphi

• Our driver will pick you up from your hotel at 09.00 in order to visit the BYZANTINE MONASTERIES of Meteora, included on the UNESCO world heritage monument list. We are having our first stop at The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro, the biggest and oldest one of all. It was called the monastery that was "suspended in the air" (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built. Our second visit is at the great monastery of St. Stephan. The Monastery of St. Stephan is a small church built in the 16th century and decorated in 1545. We leave Meteora to reach Delphi for Overnight

Day 4 : Delphi – Epidaurus – Palamidi Castle in Nafplio

• We will visit Ancient Oracle, the Stadium, the Ancient Theatre, with a capacity that exceeds 5,000 spectators and of course the Museum of Delphi. Delphi is perhaps best known for the oracle at the sanctuary that was dedicated to Apollo during the classical period. Afterwards, we can visit the traditional winter village of Arachova and have a coffee or lunch break. We leave from Arachova to reach Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the most well-preserved theatres throughout Greece built at 4th century BC. The theatre could seat 15,000 famous for the breathtaking acoustics that is still functioning today. Theatre is host to the annual Greek Festival during the summer. Overnight Nafplio

Day  5 :  Napflio – Mycenae – Mount of Taygetos - Tower Town of Mystras & Monemvasia:

• Today you will explore the romantic city of Nafplio with the narrow streets, the castle of Palamidi which you can reach by climbing 999 steps (!), or to take a small boat and visit ''Bourtzi',' the fortress at the entrance of the harbor. Then you will pay a visit at ancient town of Mycenae and the Archaeological site - the Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls. We will visit the Taygetus is a mountain range on the Peloponnese peninsula in Southern Greece and is the highest mountain of the Peloponnese. Also is the famous for the“Valley of Keada”, famous from mythology period. The ancient Spartans threw off the cliff their disabled children. But there is also another myth saying  that the ancient Spartans threw off the cliff people condemned to death, the perjurers, traitors, criminals and prisoners of war. Then we will pass through the heart of the Taÿgetos Mountains, reaching the ancient glory Mystras a village of Peloponnese. The tower of Mystras was a very strong castle-town during the Byzantine times. Wander around the castle city the Upper and the Lower Town, and sense through the silence the city's sheer grandeur: the Palace of the Despots (Anaktora), the Houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa, and of Οur Lady Perivleptos. We will reach at Monemvasia for Overnight

Day 6 : Tower Town of Monemvasia – Ancient Corinth – Athens:

• Explore the Tower Town of Monemvasiá, a mystical stone-built settlement, nestled at the edge of a big rock by the sea, that was founded by the Byzantines in the sixth century. Peer into the history of the fortress –the so-called “Gibraltar of the East”–, which was occupied by the Byzantines, the Crusaders, the Venetians, and the Turks in the past. Explore the Castle and walk along the cobbled street. Visit lovely churches. The Church of Agia Sofia located at the highest point of Monemvasia. Visit the Archaeological Collection. In a small building facing the Plaza of Monemvasia, building is a former Muslim Mosque that was built during the 16th century. Before leave Monemvasia, taste culinary delights and get memorable panoramic photos of the endless blue! One of the most fascinating parts of our visit will the archaeological site of the Ancient Corint. Corinth was once one of the largest and most prominent of all the ancient Greek city-states. Also we will visit the Archaeological Museum of Corinth, which holds many of the artifacts that were found hre during the excavations. Ancient Corinth was one of his beloved cities of Saint Paul a famous personality of the christian comunity. Drop you off at your hotel in Athens. Our Services ends.