17 Day Self-Drive Tour all over Greece at Mythical Paths & Ancient Routes

DAY: 1 ARRIVAL DAY:

• Our representative driver will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name written on it, will help you with your luggage and transfer you at your hotel. Overnight in Athens

DAY 2: ATHENS – ANCIENT CORINTH - NAUPLIO:

• Our representative meets you at your hotel in the morning at about 08.30 to deliver the car offering you mineral water & tissues. Afterwards, he will provide you all the necessary documents for your self-drive road trip in Greece. Start your self-drive tour with a visit in Ancient Corinth combine tour at the Temple of Heraion, the Holy Monastery of Agios Patapios, swimming at the lagoon of Corinthian gulf called "Lake Vouliagmenis" located in Loutraki is a great opportunity enjoy the marvelous natural scenic of Greece & Archaeological sites. Overnight in Nafplio

DAY 3: NAFPLIO - MYCENAE - EPIDAURUS - DIMITSANA VILLAGE:

• After your breakfast to explore at the one of the most beautiful towns of Greece and the first capital city at the Modern Greek history, Nafplio! You can walk next to the coast, or you can visit the Castle of the Town, with the 999 steps (!) and the amazing view, or take a taxi boat to visit the small island of Bourtzi, in the middle of the city’s harbor, the fort on the sea and Nauplio’s trademark!  Next stop will be at Ancient Mycenae with the famous ‘’Gate of Lions’’ and ‘’Atreus King Tomb’’ & the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus of the 15.000 spectators. The day of this self-drive road trip ends at the beautiful and historical Village of Dimitsana. After your check in you can have an excellence walking tour in the narrow streets of Dimitsana, you will travel in its historical admiring the beautiful architecture and historical sightseeing. Visit the library and folk museum which is housed in the municipal school building and opposite the church of "Agia Kyriaki". Overnight in Dimitsana

DAY 4: DIMITSANA – MONEMVASIA:

• After your breakfast visit the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos that is built in 19th century. About after 20 -30 minutes walking you will reach the Monastery and admire the wonderful view to Lousios River under your feet! The monks will help you and show you how to continue walking in the Lousios Gorge and visit the next monastery of Philosophes, one of the oldest monasteries of Greece that was built on 963the old monastery and on 1691 the new one. Continue your self-drive tour from Dimitsana to reach at Monemvasia. Check in and free time for yourselves. Wander around the castle city the Upper and the Lower Town, Afterwards, we visit the second famous Tower Town of Peloponnese, 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”. Taste culinary delights at a fine restaurant on the roof of a tower house. Overnight in Monemvasia

DAY 5: MONEMVASIA - MYSTRAS - SPARTA: 

• After your breakfast leave from Monemvasia to have our first visit at the nearby glory Byzantine town of Mystras. 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 continue to visit the unique Museum of Olive Oil of Sparta, a great Museum showing the unique history of olive production in Greece. Overnight in Sparta

DAY 6: SPARTA – DIROS CAVE - PYLOS:

• Leave Sparta to reach at Areopolis and Diros, famous for its marvelous subterranean caves as a part of an underground river. 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. Caves have served as places of worship in Paleolithic and Neolithic times and their inhabitant believed that the caves were the entrance to the underworld.  Finally we will reach at the city of Pylos. It is worth to visit the great Castle of “Methoni” or the Castle of “Navarino”. Overnight in Pylos

DAY 7: PYLOS - ANCIENT MESSENE - EPIKOURIOS APOLLON -OLYMPIA:

• Start the day with a visit at the ancient Messene as is a spectacular archaeological site, a UNESCO monument which combines diverse beauties as it is built at the one side at the Messenian valley. The city was founded on the 4th century B.C. by Epaminondas. We leave from ancient Messene to reach at Vassae (at about 15.30) in ancient Figaleia, at an elevation of 1.130 meters, stands the eternally proud temple of Apollo Epikurios. The inspiration behind its construction and the architect is considered to be the great Ictinus. This universal architectural gem was the first of the great monuments of Greece to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temple was built at the height of the Greek civilization in the second half of the 5th century BC (420-400 BC). We leave from Vassae to reach at Ancient Olympia. Check in at your hotel and free time for yourself. Overnight in Olympia

DAY 8: ANCIENT OLYMPIA – IOANNINA:

• Self-guided tour at the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, the place that the first Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C., which lies in the lush valley formed by the Alfios River. There is the temple of Zeusone of  the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus which in antiquity was housing one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient world, the Treasury houses, the Gymnasium and the Palestra where they used to exercise for a month prior to the Games. Finally you come to the stadium, where the marble starting blocks are still in position. We will depart from Olympia towards Ioannina, the capital of Epirus. At Ioannina will admire onderful buildings like the house Matei Hussein, the Ottoman Mosque of Veli Pasha, Ioannina castle with its four sections, Lake Pamvotida and its Small Island or Perama, one of the most beautiful caves in Europe. You must not forget to sample the traditional spices and herbs harvested from the mountains of Epirus,  or the famous desserts of 'sker bourek' or 'sugar pie', and the exceptionally delicious baklava or other syrup pastries. Overnight in Ioannina

DAY 9: IOANNINA – METSOVO - VEROIA – VERGINA- THESSALONIKI: 

• Leave Ioannina to have our first stop at the traditional Village of Metsovo, one of the most well-known traditional villages located on the mountains of the largest mountain line of Greece Pindos at an altitude of 1.160m. It is worth to walk at the narrow streets and speak with the locals and to buy hand-made products. We have our next stop at Vergina (ancient Aigai), to live the experience of a visit to the unique Museum, created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. In only a few miles away is Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul's Bema, and then stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colourful market area. A walk in a city where the past is present and around. After that you will reach at Thessaloniki. Overnight in Thessaloniki

DAY 10: THESSALONIKI - PELLA- EDESSA - NAOUSA - THESSALONIKI:

• After your breakfast go ahead to visit City of Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas, in situ as well as in the new Museum. First stop at picturesque Edessa where we see the town's famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa, to a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle's School, the picturesque site where the great philosopher taught ‘the doctrines of morals and politics' to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Overnight in Thessaloniki

DAY 11: CITY TOUR THESSALONIKI - DION - METEORA:

• Depart from Thessaloniki to visit the Archaeological Park of Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of mountain Olympus) Continue to reach at Meteora so that to start the tour at the Monasteries. We will have our first stop at The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro which is 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 to the great monastery of St. Stephan. The Monastery of St. Stephan, which is a small church built in the 16th century and decorated in 1545. This monastery rests on the plain rather than on a cliff. At the end of this amazing tour we will return to Meteora. Overnight in Meteora

DAY 12: METEORA - LAKE PLASTIRA - DELPHI:

• Depart from Meteora and we reach at Lake Plastira which is located in Karditsa regional unit, near the city of Karditsa. Plastira Lake is an artificial lake in perfect harmony with nature, embraced by picturesque villages, fir forests and the imposing Agrafa mountain range. You can take breathtaking pictures overlooking the lake, taste authentic local flavors and wines, and explore old monastery of Panagia Pelekiti, which is one of the most impressive attractions in the area. It has two churches, Analipseos and Panagias, both built in 1640. After all we depart from Lake Plasrtira to reach at Delphi. Overnight in Delphi

DAY 13: DELPHI - ATHENS:

• We will visit Oracle, the Stadium, the Ancient Theatre where could seat more than 5000 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. Afterwards, we can visit and have coffee or lunch, at the most famous winter resort in Greece, Arachova (a traditional and at the same time modern small city in an altitude of 1000 meters)!  Here you can taste the traditional cheese, Arachova’s formaela and other hand-made local products. We will reach in Athens for Overnight

DAY 14: SELF-GUIDED TOUR ATHENS & CAPE SOUNION:

• Self-guided tour in Athens Sightseeing & Cape Sounio Tour. You will visit Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble. Proceed, we will visit Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus. You will then admire the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian's Arc, St. Paul's Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Schliemann's House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square, Russian Orthodox Church, and finally we will visit ACROPOLIS & ACROPOLIS museum. You will follow the Mediterranean coastline known as "Athenian Riviera" (if you wish we will have a stop for panoramic photos) in order to reach at the second most popular site of the Greek capital "Cape Sounio" and Temple of God Poseidon! Overnight in Athens

DAY 15: ATHENS :

• Self-guided tour to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, is the largest museum in Greece and one of the world's great museums. Although its original purpose was to secure all the finds from the nineteenth century excavations in and around Athens, it gradually became the central National Archaeological Museum and was enriched with finds from all over Greece. Its abundant collections, with more than 20,000 exhibits, provide a panorama of Greek civilization from the beginnings of Prehistory to Late Antiquity. Our representative will collect the vehicle from your hotel in the afternoon (time tbc) Overnight in Athens

DAY 16: DAY CRUISE TO THE SARONIC ISLANDS HYDRA-POROS-AEGINA:

• Pick you up from hotel to transfer you to Piraeus Port to take the boat. First stop, the cosmopolitan Hydra, with its cobblestone alleys, its unspoilt –over the centuries- unique architectural beauty, as well as the traditional means of transportation that you can find on the island, its donkeys, will make the visitors fall in love with it at first sight. Discover some of the most wonderful parts of the island, the beautiful forts and the impressive mansions, enjoying a walk along the picturesque alleys, or even discover the historic landmarks. Next stop, is the port of Poros. A leafy island, with an insuperable natural beauty and thousands of pine trees, expanding from the steep beaches to the sandy beaches, making Poros the island of romance and calmness. Last stop, is the historical Aegina. Aegina is well known across the world for the delicious pistachios, the beautiful, “virgin” beaches and the Temple of Afaia. There is enough time to enjoy your coffee and the pistachio sweets at the beautiful port, or to participate in the historical tour of the island and discover its hidden treasures. At the end of the cruise transfer you back to your hotel. Overnight in Athens

DAY 17: DEPARTURE DAY:

• Our driver meet you at your hotel to transfer you at Athens airport according to your flight details. 

***TRAVEL INSURANCE: We would also like to draw your attention to the importance of taking out an insurance policy in the event of an unexpected happening that may cancel or interrupt your trip.
Here is the link to see what the travel insurance covers: Click Here for Travel Insurance