4-Day Self-Drive Classical Tour in Argolis, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora

Day 1: Athens – Mycenae- Nafplio – Ancient Olympia 

• Our office representative will meet you either at your hotel or at the airport to deliver you the car you have rented so that to start your tour. Start off your road trip by driving out of Athens and skimming along the Gulf of Elefsina until you cross the Corinth Canal which connects the Saronic to the Corinthian gulf, with the breathtaking view of 80m height and 6km length from the canal's bridge above sea level, where you can enjoy the amazing view and take some photos! Then, you are going to visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus dated back to 4th century BC, famous for the breathtaking acoustics. Your next stop will be at one of the most beautiful towns of Greece, Nafplio. There you can visit its trademarks, Palamidi castle, which you can reach by climbing 999 steps (!), or you could take a small boat and visit ‘’Bourtzi’’ afloat in the middle of the bay. After lunch you will visit the famous ancient town of Mycenae a UNESCO World Heritage d the Archaeological site - the Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, the Palace and the tomb of Agamemnon. you will leave Mycenae, to arrive to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games Overnight in Olympia. 

Day 2: Ancient Olympia – Delphi - Journey to the navel of the world

• Start early in the morning your self-driving experience with visiting the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, the place that the first Olympic Games ever took place in 776 B.C. Visit the temple of Zeus the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, in antiquity the temple was housing one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient world, the temple of Hera, the shrine of Pelops, the Treasury houses, the Gymnasium and the Palestra where they used to exercise for a month prior to the Games and finally the Stadium, where the marble starting blocks are still in position! Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic center in Greece. Leaving Ancient Olympia, we suggest that you pay a visit at the wine castle the unique landscape with the stunning view that was founded in 1861 and is the oldest winery in Greece. Then you will cross over the amazing bridge of Rio – Antirio, one of the biggest bridges in Europe, to reach at Naupactus. We recommend you having a lunch in this beautiful seaside small town, surrounded by the Venetian Castle, next to the Venetian Port. After your lunch in Naupactus, you will depart for Delphi. . Overnight in Delphi.

Day 3: Delphi – Meteora - From ancient prophecy to sky-high monasteries

• After your breakfast, you will visit the archaeological site of Delphi. You will visit the Ancient Oracle, the Stadium, the Ancient Theatre which can host more than 5000 seated spectators and of course the Museum of Delphi, where you can admire the ‘’Charioteer’’, one of the best bronze statues ever! Delphi is perhaps best known for the oracle at the sanctuary that was dedicated to Apollo during the classical period. Continuing your excellent self driving vacations, you will depart to reach the village of Arachova, the most bustling winter destination in Greece, a mountainous village at 1000 meters altitude. Discover the traditional character of the village by taking a coffee or lunch break. Do not forget to try the famous, traditional cheese, Arachova’s formaela, in various forms. Departing from Arachova and driving through Central Greece, you will arrive in Kalambaka, a small traditional town that is built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks of God, at the shadow of the great Meteora Monasteries. Overnight in Meteora.

Day 4: Meteora – Athens - Monastic wonders and return to the Athens

•  In the morning, you will visit Meteora enjoying a unique and most impressive scenery of ageless monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between Earth and Sky atop of huge rocks. You visit the first great monastery of Varlaam (or similar), which was founded on the 16th century and is located on the top of a rock at 380m height! Your second visit may be at the Monastery of St. Stephan, of the 15th century, also built on the top of another huge rock where you will admire a small treasure of Byzantine and Christian items, at the museum located inside the monastery! Then, you will leave from Meteora with your rented car to return to Athens and complete your self driving tour package, with a short stop at Kamena Vourla at the seaside and Thermopiles where you may admire the statue of Leonidas which was placed there as a memorial of the battle of the 300 Spartans against thousands of Persian soldiers of the Persian Empire. Overnight in Athens. (Next morning our office representative will meet with you at your hotel to pick up the rented car)