PELOPONNESE ROAD TOUR. Five days from Athens to Corinth,Epidaurus, Micynae, Nafplio, Sparta, Mystras, Monemvasia, Gytheo, Cave of Diros, Areopoli, Olympia, Patras

Day 1: Mycenae, Nafplion, Epidaurus The first destination is Mycenae to visit the archaeological site which includes the Acropolis of Mycenae with the massive fortification walls, the Lion Gate and the famous tomb of Agamemnon or Treasury of Atreus. You will then head towards Nafplion which used to be the first capital of Greece back in the 19th century. The picturesque seaside town with the historic centre and the Palamidi castle on top of the hill is a popular destination for the Greeks, as well. After lunch, you will visit Epidaurus and the ancient theatre, famous for its exceptional acoustics. The theatre, built in the 4th century BC, is one of the best preserved theatres in Greece and is still used nowadays as it hosts the Epidaurus Festival every summer. Right next to the theatre you can visit Asclepieion, which was the most celebrated healing center of the Classical world, the place where ill people went in the hope of being cured by the God of medicine Asclepius. Dinner and overnight in the town of Nafplion

Day 2: Mystras After a good breakfast, we will start our day, heading for Sparta, where we will arrive after a journey of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. You will visit the small, archaeological site, and afterwards, our tour will continue towards the castle-town of Mystras. Mystras, also known as “Myzithras” was founded in 1248 by William II of Villehardouin, ruler of the Frankish Principality of Achaea. In 1259, William II is captured by the Byzantines at the Battle of Pelagonia and three years later the castle surrenders to the Byzantines and specifically Michael VIII Palaiologos. In the mid-14th century, Mystras became the capital of the Byzantine Peloponnese. In the area, you can admire numerous Byzantine churches, the palace of Palaiologos and many more. After your visit, you will have lunch at a local restaurant. After a good lunch, we depart for Monemvasia, where we are going to spend the night.

Day 3: Monemvasia, Gytheo, Cave Diros, Areopoli, After breakfast, you are free to explore the amazing fortified town and wander into it. Monemvasia is a famous fortified town on southwestern Peloponnese. It is built on limestone rock and has a length of one and a half kilometers, a maximum width of 600 meters and a height of 195 meters. It is linked to the mainland by a 200-meter short causeway, the shape of which resembles a human neck. Monemvasia was founded in the 6th century AD, after Sparta residents were relocated there. Its strategic position, the power of its fleet and the alliance with the Byzantine emperors, turned Monemvasia into a famous and powerful city. In its long history story, after a brief papal occupation, it was occupied by Venetians. Then, it fell under Ottoman rule, until its liberation in 1821.

Day 3: Monemvasia, Gytheo, Cave Diros, Areopoli, We will depart from Monemvasia and head north-east. After two hours , we will reach the town of Gytheo, short stop for a cup of cafe. Next, we head to Cave of Diros and after that we will have lunch at Areopoli. The final destination for the day will be the town of Kalamata, where you will stay overnight.

Day 4: Ancient Olympia. After a good breakfast in Kalamata, we depart for Ancient Olympia. After 1 hour and 30 minutes, we will reach Ancient Olympia, The historic and famous city of Ancient Olympia is located on the west side of the Peloponnese. The city of ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games that took place in 776 BC. You will visit the archaeological site, where you will have the opportunity to see the original stadium of the Olympic Games and the sanctuary of God Zeus, among several other structures and archaeological remains. Ancient Olympia has been the Centre of attention during the ancient years, and still today is the starting point of the Olympic Flame that is born here, every four years prior to the new festival. In addition, you will visit the Archaeological Museum as well as the Museum of the Olympic Games that showcase impressive collections of ancient Greek artefacts and items related to both ancient and modern Games. At Olympia, you will have lunch in a traditional restaurant and overnight.

Day 5: Visit Patras and return to Athens After a good breakfast, we depart for Patras. In an 1 hour and 30 minutes, before reaching the city of Patras, we will visit the historic winery of Achaia Clauss. It was founded in 1861 by the Bavarian Gustav Clauss, who, after becoming fascinated by the cultural quality of the Achaean capital and the delicious power of its vines, decided to establish the first winery of Greece. In 1873, Achaia Clauss created Mavrodaphne, a famous sweet wine with a dark purple color and in 1901 it produced another one of its famous wines, Demesticha. The location you will visit is amazing and has a great history. You will admire and taste wine varieties of many different flavors and you will be guided to areas with barrels where the wine has been aging for more than 130 years! The tour will be conducted by experts on wine and after it ends, it is possible for you to buy wine bottles of various types, aromas and flavors. We will have lunch in the city of Patras. After this unforgettable experience, we will take the way back to Athens, having the most incredible memories in our baggage!