Getaway from the hustle and bustle of Athens. Choose this PRIVATE & FLEXIBLE tour to experience the most essential region of Greece; the Mythical Peloponnese with the extra treat of the historic and cosmopolitan Hydra island. This is the "Favourite Destination" of the locals but only "emerging destination" for the tourists!
Explore Peloponnese's Unesco sites like Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Mystras/Sparta, and Ancient Olympia but also the fantastic Arcadia mountain villages & cliff-hanging monasteries, Nafplio town, the Mani peninsula, and the Odontotos cog railway.
You'll be enjoying and experiencing places, people, food&drink, hospitality, and real Greek life but only if you are easy-going and open to our suggestions & offerings!
We plan for you an experience and not a tour for ... tourists!
Your accommodation is TOP CLASS if you don't book last minute.
Don't book a food tour in Athens! You will have the real FOOD&DRINK experience while exploring.
An authentic tour of Real Greece!
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Private tour for 1-7 related ONLY people. Contact us if more than 7!
✔ Bottled Water
✔ In-car INFORMATION BOOKLET for all tour activities and sites.
✔ Lunch
✔ Breakfast
✔ Brand new vehicles only (2020-2022)
✖ Site, boat to Hydra, train tickets (6-12 EUR/person/site,etc)
✖ Shopping stops unless you wish to do so
✖ Gratitudes (optional)
✖ PROFESSIONAL/LICENSED GUIDE (optional)
Pickup Locations
1. Alter Athens Hotel
2. Zenith Hotel
3. Athens City Plaza
4. Wyndham Athens Residence
5. Apollo Hotel
6. Titania Hotel
7. Athens Zafolia Hotel
8. Philippos Hotel
9. The Editor Athens Hotel
10. Anixis
11. Crowne Plaza Athens - City Centre, an IHG hotel
12. Novotel Athenes
13. Hotel Tier Collection
14. Hotel Bryon
15. Bob W. Eolou Athens
16. Ambrosia Suites
17. Exarchion Hotel
18. Hotel Carolina
19. Brazil Hotel
20. Hotel Phedra
Additional Info: Any Athens hotel or Airbnb, the Athens airport, Piraeus and Nafplio port. Possible extra cost for some locations.
Itinerary
Corinth Canal - Mycenae - Nafplio - Epidaurus
1
A quick stop for photos of the canal. The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island.
Duration: 15 minutes
2
Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)
OPTIONAL: Ancient Corinth was inhabited in the Neolithic period (6500-3250 BC) but the big prosperity begins in the 8th century.
Corinth was a city-state on the Isthmus (canal) of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta.
Duration: 60 minutes
3
Archaeological Site Mycenae
Mycenae is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of King Agamemnon and the Mycenean civilization with some of Greece’s most famous ancient ruins. Wander around the archaeological site and accompanying museum.
Duration: 2 hours
4
Nafplio
Nafplio, the first capital of Greece, is one of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis (Eastern Peloponnese) as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece.
Duration: 2 hours
5
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Epidaurus, another Unesco World Heritage Site, is home to an ancient, beautifully preserved theater. The oldest theater with amazing acoustics.
Duration: 60 minutes
6
OPTIONAL: Enjoy an evening out to explore and dine at Nafplio port and Old Town. This is a free ride to drop you off and pick you up from Nafplio to your hotel.
Duration: 2 hours
7
Palamidi Castle
Walk through the Venetian castle and down the 999 steps that take you to the old Nafplio town.
Duration: 45 minutes
Cosmopolitan Hydra Island
1
Hydra Town
Visit the very historic and cosmopolitan island of Hydra; the hiding place of the rich, the famous and the artists from all over the world. No cars, no noise but still extremely popular and relaxed! Explore on foot and enjoy the views.
Duration: 5 hours
2
The house was built in 1750 and it is a great example of upper class island life of the 18th and 19th century when Hydra was the home to the shipping families. Inside the Manor of Lazaros Kountouriotis are displayed family heirlooms, personal belongings, paintings and exhibits from the folkoric and historical collections, which belong to the National Museum of History.
Duration: 60 minutes
3
Ermioni
After a quick 1 hour drive from Nafplio town we arrive at the beautiful peninsula village of Ermioni (or Metochi pier) to catch the boat to Hydra. This is a lovely, easy and quick 25 minutes ride (each way) from the Peloponnese mainland to take you to Hydra island and back.
Duration: 50 minutes
Monemvasia via the Coastline & Parnon's Mountain Range of East Peloponnese
1
Instead of taking the motorway route to Monemvasia, we'll enjoy the beautiful coastline after leaving Nafplio and then climb the mountain range of Parnon; with Greek coffee by the water and lunch at a mountain village.
Our first break/stop. We'll enjoy a coffee next to the ocean before climbing up the mountain range of Parnon.
Duration: 30 minutes
2
Leonidio is as impressive as any town in Greece with its Dafonas Gorge in between the red rock-climbing Parnon mountain. Famous to all Greeks for the sweet eggplant/aubergine.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Monastery Panagias Elonis
A quick stop at the cliff-hanging monastery of Elona. Amazing views of the red mountain rocks.
Duration: 30 minutes
4
Kosmas is a small village in the mountains of Arkadia on Mount Parnon at the east coast of the Peloponessos. Surrounded by forests of chestnut trees and pine, it is high enough for there to be a difference in temperature of ten or more degrees from all other places.
Our authentic lunch place under the huge plain trees of the traditional main square of the town.
Duration: 1.5 hours
5
Monemvasia Fortress
The Castle Town of Monemvasia is among the most impressive places in Greece. Located on the south eastern side of Peloponnese, Monemvasia was entirely carved on the back side of a sea rock in the Medieval times.
We shall arrival early enough for you to explore as much as you energy allows you!
Duration: 2 hours
The Mani Peninsula
1
Mani Peninsula
One of the most wild and beautiful areas of Greece.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
Caves of Diros
A vast cave structure is experienced from an expertly guided boat. The lighting and variety of rock formations and formations of stalagmites and stalactites lit with sympathetic lighting make you appreciate the passage of time.
Duration: 60 minutes
3
Areopoli
One of the typical stone-built towns where Pirates were a permanent threat.
Duration: 60 minutes
4
Vatheia is the most photographed location of the Mani Peninsula. Also, the best known and most beautiful castle town of Mani. It is an abandoned village today but with amazing views. the late '80s were not, unfortunately, followed through.
Duration: 60 minutes
Mystras & Sparta
1
Archaeological Site of Mystra
The famous Byzantine Castletown with the fantastic views of Sparta and the Laconic olive groves.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Leonidas Monument
The King Leonidas statue stands belligerently in front of a football stadium. When the Persians attacked at Thermopylae and told the Spartans and their allies to lay down their weapons, Leonidas' response, immortalised beneath his feet, was 'Molon labe' ('Come and get them').
Duration: 15 minutes
3
Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil
OPTIONAL: The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, in Sparta (Peloponnese), transports you to the culture, history and technology of the olive and olive oil production in the Greek realm, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century.
Duration: 30 minutes
Ancient Messene & Epikourios Apollon
1
Ancient Messene has much to offer. In size, form and preservation, Messene is one of the most important cities of antiquity. It boasts not only religious and public buildings, but also imposing fortifications, houses and funerary monuments.
It is a very significant ancient city in terms of its size, form, and state of preservation. It possesses not only sanctuaries and public buildings, but also imposing fortifications, and houses and tombs.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Temple of Apollo Epikourios
has much to offer
Duration: 60 minutes
Ancient Olympia and to the mountains of Arcadia
1
Archaeological Site of Olympia
Olympia hosted the original Olympic Games, founded in the 8th century B.C. Its extensive ruins include athletic training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus.
Duration: 1.5 hours
2
Archaeological Museum of Olympia
You will also visit the world-famous Olympia museum and get the chance to see some unbelievable sculptures such as the sculpted decoration of the marble temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the famous Hermes carved by the ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
After Ancient Olympia we head to the final destination of the day; the Arcadia mountain stone-built villages to overnight and be ready to explore on the last day.
Duration: 1.5 hours
The Arcadia Cliff-hanging Monasteries & Villages
1
Dimitsana
One of the most beautiful stone-built villages of central Peloponnese. Thanks to its striking beauty Dimitsana is one of the most popular all year round destinations in Greece along with the nearby Stemnitsa village, in the heart of Arcadia.
Duration: 30 minutes
2
The old fashion way of creating and using free water energy. We shall be visiting the Water-Power Museum containing a reconstructed watermill, tannery, and gunpowder mill showing how the basic pre-industrial techniques used water as the main energy source for the production of various products.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Moni Agiou Ioanni Prodromou
An amazing cliff-hanging monastery that we visit after a 20-minute hike through the forest.
Duration: 1.5 hours
4
Stemnitsa
A great mountain village for a great lunch. Another very popular village for the Greeks! Famous for its jewelry making.
Duration: 60 minutes
Cave of Lakes & Odontotos Rack railway
1
Kastria Cave of the Lakes
THE MYTHICAL 'CAVE OF THE LAKES' has something exclusively unique that does not exist in other well known caves. A rare creation of nature with mysterious galleries and strange stalactite formations.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
Kalavrita
Kalavrita town will be our amazing lunch place!
This beautiful town lies at the foot of Mt. Chelmos and it is a must-visit for the Athenians during the cold months of the year because of its ski center but not only!.
A dreamlike setting with stone-built houses, small squares, charming alleys, picturesque cafés and tavernas right next to the huge shady plane trees.:An ideal destination ideal for those aiming to combine their love for nature with their romantic mood.
Duration: 1.5 hours
3
The train takes passengers on a tour around Vouraikos Gorge and the route is considered as one of the most scenic in Greece. The train is now one of the area’s features, in harmony with the surrounding nature. The ride ends at the Corinthian Gulf shores.
Duration: 60 minutes
4
Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)
OPTIONAL: Ancient Corinth was inhabited in the Neolithic period (6500-3250 BC) but the big prosperity begins in the 8th century.
Corinth was a city-state and for Christians, Corinth is well known from the two letters of Saint Paul in the New Testament, First and Second Corinthians. Corinth is also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as part of the Paul the Apostle's missionary travels.
Duration: 45 minutes
5
Back to Athens and drop off at your accommodation or optionally port of Piraeus, airport, etc.
Duration: 10 minutes
Cancellation Policy
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.
Additional info
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
