Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, Ancient Olympia
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Corinth 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.
Nowadays it has little economic importance and is mainly a tourist attraction.
Duration: 20 minutes
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Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)
Ancient Corinth was a great city-state in ancient Greece with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC. The Romans demolished Corinth in 146 BC, built a new city in its place in 44 BC, and later made it the provincial capital of Greece.
For Christians, Ancient 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 Paul the Apostle’s missionary travels.
Duration: 1.5 hours
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Market of Ancient Olympia
The archaeological site of ancient Olympia in a beautiful natural environment consists of where we will visit the museum of the Olympic game and the various archaeological sites and its Museum.
This magnificent place, the birth of the Olympic games, was housing one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient world, the gold and ivory statue of Zeus, which was created by Phidias.
As you stroll by the ancient paths you will visit the Doric Temples of Zeus and Hera, the Bouleuterion, the Prytaneion, the Stadium, the Gymnasium, the Palestra, the Workshop of Pheidias and so many others.
Hermes and Infant Dionysus- Ancient Olympia Museum
At the Ancient Olympia museum, you will admire the masterpieces of the brilliant Hermes of Praxiteles, the Infant Dionysus, the Nike of Paionios and the pediments of Zeus temple, exhibits that everybody should see at least once in his life
Duration: 2 hours
Rio-Antirrio Bridge, Nafpaktos, Ioannina Lake, Ancient Dodoni, Zagorochoria
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Rion-Antirion Bridge
The Rio–Antirrio Bridge, is 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 the town of Rio on the Peloponnese peninsula to Antirrio on mainland Greece by road.
The Rio-Antirrio Bridge, also known as the “Charilaos Trikoupis” bridge, was completed in 2004 for the Olympic Games. The bridge is named after the Greek Prime Minister who envisioned the connection of the Peloponnese with Western Greece in 1889.
Duration: 15 minutes
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Nafpaktos Old Port
Crossing it, we leave the Peloponnese behind us and enter the mainland. The first stop is Nafpaktos, a scenic little Venetian port and castle, a popular escapade for a romantic weekend. You will have a shortstop and can have a coffee or tea at the port.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Ioannina
We then set off to Ioannina town and Lake. Ioannina is the capital of the Epirus region of Greece and of the most amazing cities built on the shores of Pamvotida Lake and at the base of Mount Mitsikéli. Lake Pamvótidha is spectacular to walk around and this is where you will have your lunch, at a traditional tavern with a panoramic lake view.
Duration: 2 hours
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Dodoni Sanctuary and Theatre
After your lunch, your driver will transfer you to visit the Ancient Theater of Dodoni, one of the largest and best-preserved theatres in Greece and the world. The Oracle of Dodoni was dedicated to Zeus, the King of the Olympian Gods. So it is a spiritual place, as much as a cultural hub for the Greeks and the rest of the world. It was built in the 3rd century BC during the reign of the mighty King Pyrros. Although it has suffered great damages due to natural disasters and the toll of time, the theatre is still undergoing renovations and excavations to reveal even more of its wonderment.
Right after Dodoni Archaeological Site, we will go to our final destination of the day at Zagorochoria with a free evening and overnight stay, in Aristi village, our picturesque home for the night.
Duration: 60 minutes
Megalo & Mikro Papigko, Kolympithres, Voidomatis River
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Papigko
The 3rd day of your tour can be a day of outdoor activities. We will visit Papigo, which consists of Megalo and Mikro Papigo, part of 46 villages of Zagorochoria.
These popular villages are known for the beautiful nature with the most striking spot being Vikos Gorge, the largest canyon in Europe.
The road leading to Papigo passes by the Voidomatis River a crystal clear waters river surrounded by stunning natural scenery.
Mikro Papigo is built on the steep slopes of Mt Timfy with remarkable natural beauty. You will walk the cobblestone square, the stoned alleys, and experience the Zagorian architecture all made of stone.
Some of the outdoor activities found in this region include rafting along the Voidomatis River, horseback riding, trekking, hiking and more.
Duration: 3 hours
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Voidomatis River
We can organise for you hiking to Vickos Gorge or Dragon Lake. Alternatively, you can choose to have Voidomatis Rafting, a 2 hours activity ideal for beginners. Voidomatis River is only 15 kilometres long and spends most of its short journey passing through the unspoiled nature of Vikos Aoos National Part.
Duration: 3 hours
Metsovo, Vickos Gorge, Kalambaka, Meteora Sunset
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Metsovo
An unforgettable trip to Metsovo with a simply breathtaking view!
You won’t believe this amazing area which has lakes, rivers, canyons, forests.
Metsovo town is a hidden gem, famous for its great museums, the local savoury and smoked cheeses, the nearby lake Aoos and numerous options for hiking, horseriding and Vikos Gorge crossing.
You can visit Anthochori, which has an open-air museum of water-driven movement, Chrisovitsa with Panagia Monastery and its famous potatoes, the villages Anilio and Votonosi, as well as the traditional settlement of Milia on the borders of the national forest.
Duration: 4 hours
2
Kalambaka
In the late afternoon, we will set off to Kalambaka and the Meteora Monasteries. If there is time and you would like that, your driver can take you up on the rocks for a spectacular sunset view.
Kalambaka is nestled at the foot of the Meteora district, characterised by its main street with traditional and family-run taverns where you can have your dinner. Souvenir shops in the town sell local handmade embroidery, leather sandals and carved wooden handicrafts.
Duration: 2 hours
Meteora Monasteries, Plastira Lake, Elati village
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Meteora
There are six monasteries on Meteora: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Roussanou, Agios Stefanos, Holy Trinity and St. Nikolaos. You will visit 2 or 3 of the Meteora monasteries, depending on the day and time we are visiting. If you would like to visit all 6 monasteries you would need to spend at least 2 days in Meteora.
Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989 and an official holy place for Greece since 1995. Meteora monasteries date from the 14th century and are unique in the world because of the amazing treasure of Byzantine and Christian items you can witness. Items such as the classic attire of the monks, wall paintings, etched glass, religious treasures, icons and libraries rich in old manuscripts. Most of them were built in the 1500s.
Proper attire is required. Women must wear skirts below the knees though in some monasteries these are provided for women in shorts or slacks. Men’s arms must be covered and they must wear long pants.
Duration: 4 hours
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Lake Plastira
Right after the visit to the Meteora Monasteries your driver will take you to another stunning place, Plastira Lake, where you will enjoy your lunch with the lake view.
The Lake holds up to 400 million cubic meters of fresh water. Due to its altitude (one of the highest in Europe), the Lake is a popular tourist resort in Greece, as the formed landscape is quite unique.
Later on, we will visit beautiful Elati village, the biggest village in the mountainous area of Trikala and one of the most beloved destinations in Greece. Built on the southwest side of Koziakas Mt at 950 meters, in a dreamlike mountainous landscape.
Free evening and dinner in the village of Elati.
Duration: 3 hours
Delphi, Arachova
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Thermopylae Museum
Returning to Athens, we will make a stop at Thermopylae and Museum the battlefield of 300 Spartans against the immortal soldier elites of the Persian empire. There we can see also the statue of Leonidas, king of Sparta as a memorial of the battle.
Full of beautiful and memorable experiences, we head back to Athens.
Duration: 30 minutes
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Delphi Archaeological Museum
We then visit Delphi, another UNESCO world heritage site and the centre of the ancient world, according to the Greeks.
You will walk through the ‘Sacred Way’ with the temple of Apollo, the theatre, the stadium, the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia with the Tholos and the Kastalia.
You will visit the Museum with rich collections of findings from the site including the famous bronze Charioteer, Sphinx of Naxos, friezes of the Siphnian Treasuries and Statue of a philosopher, said to be Plutarch or Plato.
For lunch, we have chosen a traditional tavern in Delphi “To Patriko mas” which combines an astounding view of the vast olive tree valley and sea with exceptional food and service.
Duration: 2 hours
3
Arachova
Our next stop is Arachova traditional village where you can taste the famous local formaela sheep cheese, which has been designated as a protected designation of origin.
Duration: 60 minutes
