Discovering the Gems of the Argolis Region

Corinth Canal - The Corinth Canal links the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It traverses the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, effectively separating the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, thus arguably turning the peninsula into an island. The canal, dug at sea level without locks, stretches 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) and is 21.4 meters (70 ft) wide at its base, making it unsuitable for most modern vessels. Today, it holds little economic significance and serves primarily as a tourist attraction. The canal was first proposed in ancient times, with an unsuccessful attempt in the 1st century AD. Construction began in 1881 but faced geological and financial challenges, leading to the original builders’ bankruptcy. Completed in 1893, the canal’s narrowness, navigational issues, and occasional closures for landslide repairs from its steep walls limited its expected traffic.

Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos) - Visitors to Ancient Corinth can explore:

The Temple of Apollo
This temple is among the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and mainland Greece. Constructed around 560 B.C.E. from local oolithic limestone atop a prominent rocky hill north of Acrocorinth, the Archaic temple symbolized Corinth’s growth and prosperity.

The St. Paul’s Step
During Paul’s time in Corinth, he was judged by proconsul Lucius Junius Gallio Annaeanus for allegedly conducting illegal teachings. Tradition holds that Paul’s trial occurred at the Bema, a large elevated platform in the center of the Roman Forum of ancient Corinth, where city officials addressed the public. Due to its association with Saint Paul, the Bema was converted into a Christian church during the Byzantine era.

Archaeological Museum of Corinth - The museum showcases:

Artifacts from the Prehistoric Period from Ancient Corinth, Korakou Hill, and Zygouries (Prehistoric Gallery)
Artifacts from the Geometric, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic City of Corinth (Classical Gallery - under reconstruction - open to the public in 2016)
Artifacts from the Roman, Byzantine, and Frankish City.
Artifacts from the Sanctuary of Asklepios and the Early Christian cemetery (Asklepieion Gallery)
A selection of statues, sculptures, Greek and Latin inscriptions, and items related to the Jewish community in the area (Atrium).
A new (East) gallery, under construction, will be added to the Museum in 2016, featuring artifacts from the komai (smaller settlements) and sanctuaries of Corinth, as well as the twin Kouroi found in the ancient Tenea cemetery.

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus - Epidaurus (3rd Century B.C) is a spiritual destination worth visiting for its sites like the Sanctuary of Aesculapius and the ancient Theater with its exceptional acoustics. The Sanctuary of Aesculapius was a healing and cultural center of ancient times, and the Theater of Epidaurus, one of the few retaining its original circular Orchestra, remains a rare aesthetic marvel still in use today.

Tolon - Tolon is a seaside town, 7 kilometers (4 miles) east of Nafplion. Enjoy lunch at a traditional family-owned restaurant with a view of the Saronic Gulf.

Nafplio - Nafplio is a seaport town in the Peloponnese, Greece, expanding up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was a significant seaport under various royal houses during the Middle Ages as part of the lordship of Argos and Nafplia, initially held by the de la Roche after the Fourth Crusade, then under the Republic of Venice, and finally the Ottoman Empire. Nafplio was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and the Kingdom of Greece from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. It is now the capital of the Argolis regional unit.

Archaeological Site Mycenae - Mycenae was a power center in the Late Bronze Age from the 16th century B.C. to the 11th century B.C. The Acropolis of Mycenae protected royal families within the famous Cyclopean walls. The Lion Gates, followed by a steep path through ancient buildings and pathways, lead to the Palace of Agamemnon, the mighty Greek leader against the Trojans, who was murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover after returning victorious from the Trojan War. Leaving the Acropolis of Mycenae, a short stop on another hill opposite the Palace allows a visit to the impressive monument, the Treasury of Atreus, also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon.

Nafplio - The first day of the tour concludes with a drive back to Nafplion to spend the night.

Stay overnight at a local hotel.

Sparta & Mystras in a Day Tour

Archaeological Museum of Sparta - After a 2-hour drive through the mountains in central Peloponnese, arrive at Sparta, a prominent ancient Greek city-state on the banks of the Eurotas River in Laconia, southeastern Peloponnese. Key monuments at this archaeological site include:

The Temple of Athena Chalkioikos
The ancient theater of Sparta on the south side of the Acropolis
The so-called Circular Building of Unknown Destination, a circular structure made of hewn blocks and smaller stones.

After visiting the archaeological site of Sparta, continue to the archaeological museum of Sparta. The museum houses thousands of findings from the province of Lacedaemon, along with those from other areas of the Laconian prefecture not included in the archaeological collections of Gytheion and Neapolis Vion.

Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil - The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta (Peloponnese) immerses visitors in the culture, history, and technology of olive and olive oil production in Greece, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. The museum offers insights into the earliest evidence of the olive tree and olive oil production in Greece. For each historical period, visitors discover the olive and olive oil’s contributions to the economy and daily life: nutrition, body care, and now outdated uses like lighting.

Mystras - Mystras, the ‘wonder of the Morea,’ developed down the hillside from the fortress built in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William II of Villehardouin, atop a 620 m high hill overlooking Sparta. The Franks surrendered the castle to the Byzantines in 1262, making it the center of Byzantine power in southern Greece, first as the military governor’s base and from 1348 as the seat of the Despotate of Morea. Under the Despots, Mystras flourished with the construction of churches, outstanding examples of Late Byzantine church architecture. The city was a significant piece on the political chessboard of the time, developed and beautified to reflect its role as a center of power and culture. The city’s complex history is evident in its fortifications, palaces, churches, convents, houses, streets, and public squares.

Olympia - After the Sparta tour, continue driving through the mountains in central Peloponnese to reach the village of Olympia and stay overnight. Olympia is renowned for the Olympic Games, held every four years to honor God Zeus, starting in 776 B.C.

Stay overnight at a local hotel.

Sightseeing at Olympia

Archaeological Site of Olympia - The next morning, after breakfast, visit:

The Temple of Zeus
The massive Temple of Zeus, the most important building in the Altis, stands at its center and is the largest temple in the Peloponnese, considered by many as the perfect example of Doric architecture.
The Temple of Hera
The Temple of Hera, one of Greece’s oldest monumental temples, stands in the northwest corner of the Altis, on the south slopes of Kronios hill, protected by a powerful terrace wall. This temple is where the Olympic Flame is lit every four years.
The workshop of Pheidias
West of the sacred enclosure, directly opposite the Temple of Zeus, was Pheidias’ workshop, where the great sculptor crafted the gigantic chryselephantine statue of Zeus, listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

Ancient Stadium of Olympia

This is where the ancient Olympic Games and the Heraia, the women’s games in honor of Hera, were held.

Archaeological Museum of Olympia - The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, one of Greece’s most important museums, presents the long history of antiquity’s most celebrated sanctuary, the sanctuary of Zeus, father of both gods and men, where the Olympic Games originated. The museum’s permanent exhibition includes finds from excavations in the Altis, dating from prehistoric times to the Early Christian period. Among the many precious exhibits, the sculpture collection, for which the museum is most famous, the bronze collection, the richest of its type in the world, and the large terracottas collection are especially noteworthy.

Rion-Antirion Bridge - After visiting Olympia, continue driving towards Delphi. En route, encounter the Charilaos Trikoupis bridge, one of the world’s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges and the longest of the fully suspended type. It crosses the Gulf of Corinth near Patras, linking Rio on the Peloponnese peninsula to Antirrio on mainland Greece by road. It opened one day before the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics, on 12 August 2004, and was used to transport the Olympic Flame.

Nafpaktos Old Port - Nafpaktos, also known as Lepanto, is a seaside village on a bay on the north coast of the Gulf of Corinth. Make a short stop for pictures or enjoy coffee by the sea.

Galaxidi - The next picturesque village on the way to Delphi is Galaxidi. Little Galaxidi curves around a seafront hillock, with narrow cobblestone streets connecting the well-sheltered harbors on either side. The older harbor was a major shipbuilding center during the 19th century, a prosperous era when the town acquired its fine stone mansions. It’s known locally as Hirolakas, or ‘Widows’ Port,’ remembering the wives who waited in vain for seamen husbands whose ships never returned.

Itea - Itea is a new town founded in 1830, likely named for the many willows that grew in the region. Itea is a significant resort and the largest port in the Fokida prefecture. Its commercial port loads bauxites from the region’s bauxite mines.

Delphi - Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis. In Greek mythology, it was the navel of the earth, the site of the Delphic Oracle, and a major site for the worship of god Apollo after he slew the Python, a dragon who protected the navel of the earth.

Stay overnight at a local hotel.

Exploring the Navel of Earth

Delphi - The next morning, visit Castalia spring, the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the ancient Stadium, the ancient Theatre, the unique bronze Charioteer, the Temple of Athena Pronea, and the Gymnasium.

Delphi Archaeological Museum - The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of Greece’s most important, showcases the history of the Delphic sanctuary, site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections primarily consist of architectural sculpture, statues, and minor objects donated to the sanctuary, reflecting its religious, political, and artistic activities from its early years in the eighth century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.

The museum is housed in a two-story building with a total surface area of 2270 square meters, featuring fourteen exhibition rooms, 558 square meters of storerooms, and conservation laboratories for pottery, metal objects, and mosaics.

Arachova - The traditional town of Arachova is located just 10km from Delphi. A visit to Arachova reveals the charming blend of old and new at the sacred grounds of Apollo’s mountain.

Kalambaka - Continue driving through the mountains of central Greece to Kalambaka, a significant town known for the second largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries in Greece after Mount Athos, Meteora. Spend the night in a hotel in Kalambaka. If time permits, watch the stunning sunset from the rock of Meteora.

Stay overnight at a local hotel.

Visiting the Meteora Monasteries

Meteora - The next morning, visit three of the six monasteries suspended in the air, built on natural sandstone rock pillars. The Meteora Monasteries date back to the 11th century and are included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. The James Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only” was filmed at the Monastery of Holy Trinity.

Battlefield of Thermopylae - Thermopylae, also known as the Hot Gates, is a significant town famous for the battle between Greek forces, including the 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas, and the Persians in 480 BC, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, “Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie.” The monument of King Leonidas was erected at the battlefield, reminding everyone of the patriots’ sacrifice for a free country.

• Private transportation
• Bottled water provided
• On-board WiFi access
• Climate-controlled vehicles
• Breakfast included
• Professional drivers (site entry not included)

• All meals
• Five Local Licensed tour guides upon request, depending availability (Additional Cost: 1060 Euros)
• Airport pickup and drop off (Additional cost)
• Gratuities
• Hotel Accommodation
• Entrance Fees

Our offerings and facilities are versatile and can be tailored to meet the client’s requirements. All our skilled drivers hold necessary certifications and are proficient in English, their expertise ensures you feel secure and relaxed in our well-kept, cozy vehicles. One of the extra perks includes the chance to explore archaeological sites at times different from crowded tour bus schedules, thus, offering you an intimate interaction with magnificent monuments and their history when they are not overrun by visitors. The expense of engaging our services is less than buying separate tickets from major tour and travel corporations.

• Infant car seats are available upon request
• Your tour is totally private. No unknown passengers will participate in your group.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.