The road of gold and art: an overnight trip to the Argolis region is always a good idea. If you want to visit Mycenae and the beautiful city of Nafplio without rushing, then this tour is for you. Spend an afternoon at the theatre of Epidaurus and test the amazing acoustics of the venue on your own. If you don’t want to be on the road for long but do want to visit some places that will remain imprinted forever on your memory, the land of Argolis is your perfect choice. Taste the wine, the culture, the history and create the most unique memories.
This tour can be customized according to your needs: Acrocorinth, the Nemea wine roads and Nemea archaeological site are just some of the alternatives. Keep in mind that your driver is at your disposal, so if you would like to adjust the proposed itinerary at all just let him know!
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Private transportation
✔ On-board WiFi
✔ Professional drivers with extensive knowledge of the area and its amenities
✔ Professional English-speaking drivers
✔ In-vehicle air conditioning
✔ Bottled water
✖ Site entrance tickets (standard entry €32, 1 Apr-31 Oct; €16, 1 Nov-31 March)
Pickup Locations
1. Foivos Hotel Athens
2. Alter Athens Hotel
3. Ruby Rooms Athens
4. Zenith Hotel
5. Athens City Plaza
6. Wyndham Athens Residence
7. Apollo Hotel
8. Titania Hotel
9. Athens Zafolia Hotel
10. Philippos Hotel
11. The Editor Athens Hotel
12. Anixis
13. Crowne Plaza Athens - City Centre, an IHG hotel
14. Novotel Athenes
15. Hotel Tier Collection
16. Hotel Bryon
17. Bob W. Eolou Athens
18. Ambrosia Suites
19. Exarchion Hotel
20. Hotel Carolina
Itinerary
Napflio
1
Corinth Canal
Our first stop is a photo opportunity at the breathtaking Corinth Canal. This major feat of engineering allows ships to enter the Aegean Sea when sailing from the Adriatic. Dug through the Isthmus at sea level, the canal is 6.4 kilometres long with a width of only 25 metres. Before its construction in the late 19th century, ships in the Aegean Sea that wanted to cross to the Adriatic or anchor in Corinth had to prolong their journey an extra 185 nautical miles by sailing around the entire Peloponnese.
Duration: 20 minutes
2
Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)
A short drive from the Corinth Canal, we reach the ancient town of Corinth, where St Paul lived and preached for two years. First inhabited in the Neolithic period (5000 – 3000 BC), Corinth flourished as a major Greek city from the 8th century BC until its destruction by the Romans in 146 BC. Its commanding position near the Isthmus of Corinth was the primary basis of its importance. Corinth controlled the “Diolkos”, the 6th-century BC stone-paved roadway that connected the Saronic Gulf with the Gulf of Corinth.
You are free to explore this remarkable site at your own pace. Don't miss the huge agora (market place) and the Temple of Apollo dating to the 6th century BC, both signs that Corinth was one of the richest cities in antiquity.
Duration: 1.5 hours
3
Archaeological Site Mycenae
Our next stop is Mycenae (meaning “rich in gold”), the kingdom of the historic figure of Agamemnon, first mentioned in the works of Homer. Mycenae was the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece, and gave its name to one of the greatest civilizations in Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization. The myths related to the history of Mycenae have inspired poets and writers over many centuries, from the Homeric body of work and the great tragedies of the Classical period to contemporary literary and artistic creations. Legend has it that Perseus named the new city Mycenae after the pommel (mykes) of his sword, which fell there, or after the Perseia spring, discovered at the site under the root of a mushroom (mykes).
You are free to stroll around this legendary site at your own pace. Take the time to marvel at its many spectacular remains, including the Lion Gate, the tomb of the Mycenaean king Agamemnon and the Palace.
Duration: 1.5 hours
4
Nafplio
We will be finishing the first day of our tour at the most romantic town in Greece, the charming, seaside town of Nafplio. Perfectly situated on a cape overlooking the Argolic Gulf, Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece after the Greek Revolution against the Turkish occupation. According to mythology, the town was founded by Nafplios, the son of the god Poseidon, and Amymone, the daughter of Danaus. Frankish, Venetian and Turkish conquerors have left their mark on the town, strongly influencing its culture, architecture and traditions over the centuries.
Make sure to visit the Palamidi Fort, reached by climbing 999 steps (for hiking lovers), or you can have your driver drive you right up to the main entrance. You can even take a small boat and visit the “Bourtzi”, a fortress at the entrance to the harbour and one of the town's trademark sites.
You'll have plenty of free time to explore this wonderful city during the afternoon and evening, as we overnight at Nafplio.
Duration: 3 hours
Epidaurus
1
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
After a relaxing morning exploring the old city of Nafplio, where we will grab an amazing lunch, we will continue our tour with a visit to Epidaurus.
According to Pausanias, the Greek geographer writing in the 2nd Century AD, the theatre at Epidaurus was designed and constructed by the architect Polykleitos the Younger, who also sculpted many famous athletes of his time. Pausanias notes that the theatre is particularly impressive not only for its acoustics, but also for its symmetry and beauty. Amazingly, you can talk in your normal speaking voice from the centre of the stage and it will be amplified so that every spectator can hear you perfectly – no fancy speaker system required! The theatre, one of the best preserved of the ancient world, seats up to 14,000 people and still hosts regular performances of drama, music and dance.
You will also have time to explore the widely famed sanctuary of Asklepios, the god of healing, before we head back to Athens in the early evening.
Duration: 3 hours
Additional info
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
