11 Day Self-Drive Holidays, a special Swimming Safari Tour Peloponnese

DAY 1:  ATHENS – VOULIAGMENIS LAKE (HERAION) – CORINTH: 

•  Around 08:30 in the morning, our office representative will meet you at your hotel or Airbnb to deliver you the car you have hired to start your excellent self-driving tour. Vouliagmenis lake, located near Corinth, features a special phenomenon; sea water which is renewed by the tide every six hours. The water level changes and so, simultaneously on one side there is absolute calm, on the opposite side there is a ripple. There you can enjoy your swim before entering your brand-new SUV to visit the archaeological site of Heraion. The first arched temple was built in her honor. The Corinthians from the opposite shore went there twice a year and honored the goddess with ceremonies and tributes. Then, continue your self-driving experience to reach at Patra for overnight. Overnight in Patra.

DAY 2:  PATRA – KALOGRIA & KOUROUTA BEACH AT ACHAIA:

•  After your breakfast you will continue your self-driving tour to the beach of "Kalogria" which is one of the most famous beaches in Achaia. It is a large sandy beach with clear waters which in combination with the forest of Strofilia is an idyllic place. Also, you have time to visit Kourouta beach before driving with your rented car back at Olympia for overnight. Overnight in Olympia.

DAY 3: KAKOVATOS, KAIAFA & YIALOVA – VOIDOKOILIA BEACH - PYLOS

• Today you will have the chance to drive yourself along the coast and reach at Kaiafa lake with the famous thermal baths, where you can take a walk and admire the natural beauty. The coastline that you will drive through, is one of the largest and most beautiful in northwestern Peloponnese. It is sandy, with golden sand, has a wonderful and wild natural beauty while the wooded vegetation above gives a tropical character. You have the option to take a swim at the sandy beach of Kakovatos or the well-organized golden beach of Yialova where you can also rent a wind surf or canoe and of course the world famous Voidokoilia beach with its unique round shape which is considered as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. You will complete your self-driving tour at Pylos. Overnight in Pylos.

DAY 4: ANCIENT MESSENE – KALAMATA – KARDAMILY – STOUPA - AREOPOLI:

• Leaving from Pylos at your own pace with your rented car, you continue your self-driving holiday with a visit at Ancient Messene, a spectacular archaeological site, a UNESCO monument which combines diverse beauties as it is built at the one side at the Messenian valley. You will continue your drive to Kalamata and Kardamily, a traditional village with stone houses and tiled roofs build in a windless bay at the root of Taygetos mountain. Enjoy your swim at the famous beach of Stoupa with the gold and white sand and the exotic colored shallow water. The end of this self-driving tour experience will find you in Areolopis. Overnight in Areopolis.

DAY 5: DIROS CAVES – GEROLIMENAS – CAPE TAINARON – GYTHEIO – MONEMVASIA

• Today you will enjoy your self-driving tour with a visit at Diros Caves a secret underground world. About 5,000 meters have been exposed and accessible by small boats and through narrow passageways and one is surrounded by formations of stalagmites and stalactites.  Then, drive to the picturesque Gerolimenas, one of the most beautiful settlement of Mani. In fact, its name means "Holy Port" and that in itself is enough to give us an idea of its power. Afterwards you will reach at Cape Tainaron, the southernmost point of mainland Greece before continuing yourself drive tour to Gytheion, a lively, charming little harbor town. At the end of the day you will be at 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. Overnight in Monemvasia

DAY 6: MONEMVASIA - ELAFONISOS

• In the morning enjoy your breakfast and a walk in the unique castle town before leaving  to start your self drive road trip towards Pounta port in order to take the ferry to Elafonisos. Elafonisos captivates all its visitors with the white sandy beaches. It is an ideal place to visit for nature lovers. Enjoy your swim at the twin beaches of Simos and Sarakiniko that are among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Visit Panagia to admire the wonderful sunset and taste traditional Greek delicacies in one the restaurants Overnight in Monemvasia

DAY 7: KOSMAS VILLAGE – LEONIDIO - FOKIANOS BAY - NAFPLIO

• After your breakfast in the unique castle town of Monemvasia, you will continue your self-driving tour to reach at 'kosmas Village" a wonderful traditional village at the heart of Peloponnese. Also, you will visit Fokianos Bay, a hidden beach that lies on the shores of the eastern Peloponnese, with crystal clear turquoise waters, large white pebbles and green hillsides that create a spectacular  landscape. Continue to reach at Leonidio stretches majestically from the sea to the foot of Mount Parnon with Frankish mansions build after the complete destruction of the village in 1826 and the uniwue gardens with geraniums and lemons that enchant the visitors. Leave from Leonidio to drive along the beautiful scenery of the Peloponnese to continue your self-drive tour to one of the most romantic towns in Greece, Nafplio. Overnight in Nafplio.

DAY 8: NAFPLIO

• Nafplio is full of spectacular monuments and sights. Explore the ancient castles that boast riveting legends to the many museums that paint a clear picture of the architectural, historical, and cultural stories that Nafplio is founded upon. You also may simply stroll through the quaint streets of the old town with many shops, coffee and lined with restaurants. Overnight in Nafplio. 

DAY 9: MYCENAE – EPIDAURUS – ATHENS

• After your breakfast, you should not miss on the chance to drive yourself with your rented car to Mycenae, the "Golden City" of ancient Greece. Mycenae was the epicenter of the Mycenaean world and gave its name to a period and a civilization that evolved throughout the entire Hellenic civilization. Then continue to the famous Epidaurus, with the Ancient Theatre of the 15.000 spectators and the breathtaking acoustics which is still used in our days. Epidaurus is one of UNESCO World Heritage Archaeological Sites, that reflects not only the great history of Hellenistic and Roman periods, but also how powerful the Ancient Greek spiritual beliefs. At the end of the day, you will return in Athens. Overnight in Athens.

DAY 10: SELF GUIDED TOUR ATHENS & CAPE SOUNIO

• After your breakfast you can get your hired car to start a brilliant Athens Self-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, to reach at 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 self-drive tour with a visit to Cape Sounio. Overnight in Athens. 

DAY 11: DEPARURE DAY:

• When reaching at the end of this exceptional self-driving experience in Greece, our office representative will meet you either at your hotel or at the airport to collect the hired car.