9 Day Self-Drive Road Trip Itinerary to Classical Greece & Zakynthos Island

Day 1: Athens – Epidaurus – Nafplio

• Our office representative will meet you at your hotel at about 08.30 to deliver you the car so that to start your self-drive road trip. You will drive yourself through the famous Corinth Canal where you should make a short stop for photos. Afterwards you will reach at Ancient Corinth where you will walk at the same paths that the famous personality of Apostle Paul walked. Continue to visit Epidaurus where you will see the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus of the 15.000 spectators and the breathtaking acoustics.  Later on the afternoon you will continue your self-driving trip to Nafplio. Nafplio is one of the most historic cities of the region, full of spectacular monuments and sights that have stories that span from the ancient times to the medieval. Overnight in Nafplio. 

Day 2: Nafplio – Mycenae – Dimitsana – Ancient Olympia

• After your breakfast, you will continue your excellent self-driving experience with a visit to Mycenae the famous ancient town of Mycenae and the Archaeological site - the Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, the Royal Palace and the tomb of Agamemnon. Afterwards you will drive to Dimitsana. The beautiful and historical Village of Dimitsana, is located on two facing hills “Agia Paraskevi & “Castro” above the River Lousios. After your lunch, you will finish your day at Ancient Olympia for check in at your hotel. Overnight in Olympia 

Day 3: Olympia – Kyllini – Zakynthos

• Today you will start your day with a visit at the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, where the first Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C. The temple of Zeus is located there and it is the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. You will also visit the temple of Hera, the shrine of Pelops (one of the oldest in the sanctuary), the Council house where the athletes took the Olympic oath, the Treasury houses, the Gymnasium and the Palestra where they used to exercise for a month prior to the Games. After that you will leave with your rented car for Kylini port to take the ferry depart about 15.15 to reach Zakynthos port about 16.15 (after 1 hour). Check in at your hotel and then day at leisure. After your rest you can explore the center of Zakynthos and to have a dinner at a traditional taverna. Overnight in Zakynthos

Day 4: Zakynthos - Cruise to Shipwreck & Blue Caves.

• The boat cruise departs at 09:00 and returns about 17:00. First stop is the Blue Caves. Here the rays of sun hit the water and it changes color. These caves have a magical turquoise shade that changes into emerald green. Next stop is the Shipwreck. This beach is well known throughout the world. The waters here are clear blue but deep. We spend 1 1/2 hours here in order to enjoy your swim. Your program continues with a 10 min photo stop at Porto Vromi, then our boat pulls up next to the Agalas Caves and the Keri Caves for a reasonable amount of time to admire the beauty of nature. A big photo stop includes the Turtle Island. The whole gulf of Laganas and Kalamaki are full of turtles swimming in the seawater. The Turtles are huge but so friendly and you can swim together. Another major swim stop is in the area of St Nickolas, Basilikos where the boat anchors for about an hour. In the afternoon about 17.00 you will return at Marina and return at your hotel. Overnight in Zakynthos. 

Day 5: Zakynhtos

• Today you will have the chance to drive yourself around Zakynthos and enjoy the wonderful beaches and the traditional villages that the island offers. Overnight in Zakynthos.

Day 6: Zakynthos - Delphi 

• Today you will start your self drive road trip with an early breakfast since you have to take the ferry to Kyllini at 08.00 so that to reach at Kyllini after 1 hour about 09.00 and continue your trip to Delphi area. Driving there you will cross over the amazing bridge of Rion – Antirion, one of the biggest bridges in Europe. Then you may head to Naupactus, a beautiful seaside small town, where you can visit the Venetian Castle, the Venetian Port, and after lunch continue to Delphi for check in to your hotel. Overnight in Delphi. 

Day 7: Delphi - Meteora

• After your breakfast you can get your hired car in order to continue your self-drive holidays, with a visit at the famous archeological site of Delphi. You will see the 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, you can visit the traditional winter village of Arachova and have a coffee or lunch break. Depart 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 Meteora. 

Day 8: Meteora - Athens

• Today, you will complete your self-driving vacations with a visit at Meteora enjoying a unique and implosive scenery of ageless monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between Earth and Sky atop huge rocks. You are going to visit the first great monastery of Varlaam, founded on the 16th century and 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 the top of another huge rock where you will admire a small treasure of Byzantine and Christian items at the museum inside the monastery! Afterwards, you will complete your self-driving tour with your return in Athens. Overnight in Athens.

Day 9: Self Guided Tour in Athens and Cape Sounio

• After your breakfast you can get your hired car to start a brilliant Athens Sel-drive City Tour. Drive through the Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern times took place in 1896. You will visit Zappeion, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Trilogy, which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Continue passing by National Garden, ACROPOLIS & ACROPOLIS museum. You can walk at the beautiful narrow street at Plaka and Monastiraki area to see and admire the Greek culture. It is a wonderful idea to complete your slef-drive tour with a visit to Cape Sounio. Overnight in Athens. (Next morning our office representative will meet with you at your hotel to pick up the rented car)