8 Days Peloponnese: Sightseeing, Historical & Tasting Private Tour from Athens

ell as the Peloponnese peninsula with the central part of Greece. More than 2500 workers digging 6.400m for twelve years (from 1881 to 1893) Stop for photography, walk across on a pedestrian bridge and admire the canal from 80 m high

The town of Diakopto is situated on the Gulf of Corinth, near the mouth of the Vouraikos river and at the lower end of the Vouraikos Gorge.

The town of Diakopto is situated on the Gulf of Corinth, near the mouth of the Vouraikos river and at the lower end of the Vouraikos Gorge.

The monastery is located in a large cave in a sheer cliff, where the western slopes of Mount Chelmos drop down to the gorge of the Vouraikos river. The cave was known in antiquity, and the geographer Pausanias reports that the daughters of Proetus found refuge there during their madness. In the first Christian centuries, Christian hermits occupied the cave. According to tradition, the monastery is one of the oldest in Greece, reputedly founded in 362 by the Thessalonian brothers Symeon and Theodore, who with the help of Euphrosyne (a local shepherdess, honored as saint for her part in these events) discovered in the cave the icon of the Theotokos painted by Luke the Evangelist. Several of the monks became members of the Filiki Etaireia and took part in the Greek War of Independence. On 8 December 1943, the German 117th Jäger Division destroyed the monastery and executed 22 monks and visitors as part of reprisals that culminated a few days later with the Massacre of Kalavryta. Monastery and surrounding areas are great for photography.

It was built in 961 AD, on Chelmos Mountain, at an altitude of 961 meters, and can be described as the symbolic birthplace of modern Greece. It stands as one of the oldest monasteries in the Peloponnese. It was built in the 10th century but was burnt to the ground in 1585 by the Turks. It was rebuilt in 1600 while the frescoes by Anthimos were completed in 1645. It was burnt again in 1715 and in 1826 by the armies of Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt. In 1850 after the rebirth of modern Greece, the building was completely rebuilt. The monastery was burned down by German forces in 1943. It is famously linked with the Greek War of Independence, since it was here that the call for Eleftheria I Thanatos (Ελευθερία ή θάνατος) was first heard on 25 March 1821, launching the revolution against the Ottoman Empire. That day, Bishop Germanos of Patras performed a doxology and administered an oath to the Peloponnesians fighters. The revolutionary flag was raised by Bishop under the plane tree just outside the gate of the monastery. To this day, the vestments of Germanos, documents, books, icons, the Gospel of Tsarina Catherine II of Russia, sacred vessels, crosses, etc. are preserved in the Monastery's museum, along with the holy relics of St Alexios, given by Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaeologus in 1398. Pieces of embroidery, made with gold or silver threads woven in pure silk materials in Smyrna and Constantinople, are also possessions of the Monastery and they date from the 16th century. Winter hours: Daily 10:00-13:00 & 15:00-16:00. Summer hours: Daily 10:00-13:00 & 16:00-17:00.

within the Frankish Principality of Achaea, until it was reconquered by the Byzantines in the 1270s. After that it remained under Byzantine control until the fall of the Despotate of the Morea to the Ottoman Turks in 1460. With the exception of a 30-year interlude of Venetian control, the town remained under Turkish rule until the outbreak of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, in whose early stages Kalavryta figures prominently, it was here that on 21 March 1821 the flag of the revolt was raised at the monastery of Agia Lavra by bishop Germanos III of Old Patras Stay for overnight. We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 3/4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 110€ per double room / weekend-holidays 130€ per double room - if more than 1 room 15% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

It is 17 km from Kalavryta. The cave is an old subterranean river consisting of three levels. During the winter when the snow melts it is transformed into a flowing river with waterfalls. During the summer, it dries up, leaving behind 13 lakes. Daily from 09:30 to 16:30 Holidays and summer time extension Tickets Adults: 9 € - Children/ Over 65: 4,50 €.

Aroanian mount - Chelmos (2355m), which means ‘Snowy Mountain’ in Slavic, stands proud with its biggest section extending to the Kalavrita area. Is the third highest mountain in the Peloponnese and its natural beauties, the rare species of plants, birds and animals make it stand out. The mount attracts a large number of visitors mainly due to the ski-center that is situated in Vathia Lakka, 14 km. east of Kalavrita and the climbing routes. It offers an unsurpassed experience since there nest landscapes of unique beauty, traditional settlements, archaeological areas, caves and rivers. The mountain is suitable for excursions round the all year.

Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Archaia Olympia, of which it is a municipal unit. In 2011 the population of the village was 468, and of the community, which includes the village Amygdali, 529. Lampeia is situated south of Mount Erymanthos, in the valley of a tributary of the river Erymanthos. Its elevation is about 800 m above sea level, The name Lampeia was taken from the mountain Lampeia, which is part of the Erymanthos range. According to Pausanias the river Erymanthos has its source on the mountain Lampeia, which is sacred to Pan. The area was part of Arcadia. Due to its inaccessibility, Lampeia saw few invaders. Also the Ottomans stayed in the lower areas for strategic reasons. The Zoodochos Pigi monastery in Lampeia was a center of Greek culture and education. Several inhabitants fought in the Greek War of Independence, and some well known families of politicians (Petralias, Panagoulis, Stefanopoulos, Zafeiropoulos) came from Divri/Lampeia. Photography tour of the village

It’s the only flat forest in Greece situated on the boundaries between Elis, Arcadia and Achaia, at an altitude of 600meters. It covers a total surface of 218.000 acres and it consists mainly of broadleaf oaks.According to mythology, the forest was named after the Centaur Pholus, who gave roof to his friend, Hercules, on his way to locate the Erymanthian Boar. Pholus offered Hercules a divine wine which excited the rest of the Centaurs who attacked the two friends. During the battle, Pholus was injured by mistake from one of Hercules’ arrows. The hero decided then to name the forest Foloi after his friend. Photography tour of the magnificent forest and admire the breathtaking view to the plain of Alfeios and to the mountains.

It is is positioned in a serene and rich valley at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers. In antiquity it was famous beyond the borders of mainland Greece for hosting the Olympic Games every four years, starting in 776 BCE. The archaeological site is located withing walking distance of the modern village called Ancient Olympia and it includes ruins from Bronze Age to the Byzantine eras. The site covers an expanded area of ruins scattered among low trees, as well as the ancient stadium where the Olympics took place. An impressive array of artifacts which were unearthed during excavations are on exhibition at the nearby Olympia Museum. Entrance fees (Combine Site & Museum): Winter 6€ /Summer 12€. Under 19 y free

efinitive time of their inauguration can be identified with any certainty. The first Olympiad was held in 776 BC, and this is the year that provides the first accurate chronology of Greek history. That's because after that date, the names of all Olympic winners were officially recorded. Koroibos, a cook from Elis, had his name saved for posterity as the first winner of the games in the one-stadium race. The athletic games were held every four years during the second (or possibly the first) full moon in August, and the festivities lasted five days.

We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 110€ per double room / weekend-holidays 130€ per double room - if more than 2 rooms 10% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

n Homer's Odyssey and Iliad as Nestor's kingdom of "sandy Pylos". The best preserved of all Mycenaean palaces lies 17 km north of Pylos and is a thrilling sight. It's described in Homer's 'Odyssey' as the court of the hero Nestor, who took part in the voyage of the Argonauts and sent 90 ships to fight in the Trojan War. Originally a two-story building, the palace’s walls stand up to 1 m high, and from the raised walkways and explanatory text you get a good idea of the layout of a Mycenaean palace complex.

In the shape of the Greek letter omega (Ω), its sand forms a semicircular strip of dunes. On the land-facing side of the strip of dunes is Gialova Lagoon, an important bird habitat. The beach has been named "A Place of Particular Natural Beauty". It is part of a Natura 2000 protected area. Above the beach is Nestor's Cave and above this are the ruins of 13 century Frankish castle (Old Navarino or Palaiokastro). Overlooking the beach at the north eastern end is the tomb of Nestor's son, Thrasymedes of the Mycenaean period (1680–1060 BC) with Neolithic finds at the same site showing occupation as early as 4000 BC. The beach is presumed to be Homer's "sandy Pylos" where Telemachus was welcomed by King Nestor when searching for his father, Odysseus. According to myth, Nestor's Cave is where Hermes hide the cattle stolen from Apollo. If weather permits, photo tour & swim If weather permits photography tour & swim

The name derives from Greek γιαλός (shore) and Turkish ova (lowland) "lowland shore". Gialova's aquatic habitat, being an important stop for a variety of migratory birds, has been declared the southernmost Habitat of National Importance in the Balkans. It is considered a protected area hosting 258 species of birds out of which the 79 are included in the "Red Book" (species under threat of extinction). Time for photography and lunch in front water

Greek War of Independence (1821–32), in Navarino Bay (modern Pylos), on the west coast of the Peloponnese peninsula, in the Ionian Sea. Allied forces from Britain, France, and Russia decisively defeated Ottoman and Egyptian forces trying to suppress the Greeks, thereby making Greek independence much more likely. An Ottoman armada which, in addition to imperial warships, included squadrons from the provinces of Egypt and Tunis, was destroyed by an Allied force of British, French and Russian warships. It was the last major naval battle in history to be fought entirely with sailing ships, although most ships fought at anchor. The Allies' victory was achieved through superior firepower and gunnery. The sinking of the Ottomans' Mediterranean fleet saved the fledgling Greek Republic from collapse. But it required two more military interventions by Russia in the form of the Russo - Turkish War of 1828/9 and by a French expeditionary force to the Peloponnese to force the withdrawal of Ottoman forces from central and southern Greece, to finally secure Greek independence.

Navarino, overlooking the town of Pylos: the older castle of Navarino, called Palaiokastron or Palaionavarinon and the more recent castle, called Niokastron. The latter was built in 1573 by the Turks, and in 1686 was given over to the Venetians. It again came under Turkish domination in 1715, along with the castle of Koroni and Palaionavarino. In 1816 it was captured by Ibrahim Pasha and remained under his control until 1828 when it was liberated by the French general Maison. During the Second World War it was used as the seat of the Italian and, later, the German headquarters. Large-scale restoration work has been carried out for many years. The restored hexagonal Fortress on the top of the hill houses the Museum and the Underwater Archaeological Research Center.

y famous for its port because its spot had a great strategic and commercial importance. Its name may be derived from Mothona, a mythical rock. We will stay in Methoni for overnight. Take advantage of a breathtaking sunset for a unique photography We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 3/4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 100€ per double room / weekend-holidays 120€ per double room - if more than 1 room 15% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

The castle of Methoni - actually a fortified city- is one of the most important and the most beautiful castles in Greece. It was built by the Venetians after 1209 at a strategic location, on a rock penetrating the sea and is separated from the land by an artificial moat. Nowadays the fortress, even though in ruins, continue to be impressive. The castle of Methoni occupies the whole area of the cape and the southwestern coast to the small islet that has also been fortified with an octagonal tower and is protected by the sea on its three sides. Its north part, the one that looks to land, is covered by a heavily fortified acropolis.

The history of Kalamata begins with Homer, who mentions Firai/ Pharai, an ancient city built more or less where the Kalamata Castle stands today. It was believed that during ancient times the area that the city presently occupies was covered by the sea, but the proto-Greek and archaic period remains (Poseidon temple) that were unearthed at Akovitika region prove the opposite.

unning region in the southern Peloponnese, the coast of Greece defined by travel connoisseurs as the New Côte d'Azur. Set dramatically against a backdrop of crystalline aqua-blue waters, majestic cypress trees, wild olive groves, verdant rolling hills and distant snow capped mountains, it is one of the prettiest of villages that overlook the calm seas and splendid sunsets of the Messinian Gulf. Just 35 km from the nearby city of Kalamata, it remains one of the south Mediterranean's best-kept secrets: an exclusive, small, unspoiled resort that boasts stately villas, enchanting stone maisonettes, lush gardens, a picturesque harbor and fantastic beaches.

The caves were inhabited by people from Paleolithic times, but that ended when an earthquake struck the region in 4 B.C.E. Today, locals conduct boat trips on an underground lake here, taking visitors down narrow channels and into illuminated caverns festooned with stalagmites and stalactites. The boat tours take about half an hour, and the guides generally give their commentary in Greek only, but ask if your guide speaks English, many do. Note that you'll need to negotiate some steps to reach the entrance to the caves.

wer houses which were built for social and defensive reasons. The town took its name from the Greek God of War Ares and was the capital of the historical district of Inner Mani (Mesa Mani). Like the rest of the Mani settlements, Areopoli is known for the contribution during the battles of Greece against the Ottoman Empire. At the central square of the village “Platia Athanaton” you will come across the statue of Petrompeis Mavromichalis, the famous chieftain and offspring of the Mavromichali family. Mavromichalis family originated from Areopolis and is widely known for their fighting spirit during the battles of Greece. Around the central square there are a lot of traditional restaurants and cafes. We will take a walking photography tour and stay for overnight. We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 100€ per double room / weekend-holidays 130€ per double room - if more than 2 rooms 10% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

Τhe name, which means "Old Harbour", is thought to derive from the ancient "Ἱερός Λιμήν" (Hieros Limen), meaning "Sacred Harbor". One of the remotest settlements in the Peloponnese, until the 1970 it was reached mainly by boat. In the past it was a major fishing center, and featured substantial infrastructure such as a shipyard, ice supplies, and a fish market. Today the main industry is tourism.

It is known for its tower-houses built on a hill dominating the surrounding countryside. On the hills and mountain sides around Vathia proper are clusters of abandoned houses, towers and chapels known as the perichora, meaning environs. Currently, Vathia is a tourist attraction during spring and summer due to the abundance of wild flowers that cover the nearby hills and its scenic views. Moreover, it serves as an iconic example of the south Maniot vernacular architecture as it developed during the 18th and 19th centuries. Great opportunity for photography. Your driver will guide you through this unique abandoned village.

Cape is the southernmost point of mainland Greece, and the second southernmost point in mainland Europe. It separates the Messenian Gulf in the west from the Laconian Gulf in the east. Near Tainaron, there is a cave that Greek legends claimed was the home of Hades, the god of the dead. The ancient Spartans built several temples there, dedicated to various gods. On the hill situated above the cave, lie the remnants of an ancient temple dedicated to the sea god Poseidon (Necromandion - Death Oracle). Under the Byzantine Empire, the temple was converted into a Christian church, and Christian rites are conducted there to this day. Cape Matapan was once the place where mercenaries waited to be employed.

The modern name comes from the Venetian Porto Quaglio and the French (Frankish) Port des Cailles (Quail Port). Some 17th- and 18th-century maps called it "Maina", so some authors consider it to be a possible location for the castle of Grand Magne, but medieval portolans mention no such castle here. The Ottomans built a castle here in about 1568, to protect the port, which was used for galleys patrolling the Kythera Channel. The Venetians attacked the castle in 1570, and the Ottomans surrendered and abandoned it. In 1670, the Ottomans returned and built a new castle. They were driven out in 1770 during the Orlov Revolt. Porto Kagio was the base of Lambros Katsonis's pirate fleet, and it was at Porto Kagio that it was finally destroyed. In World War II, Porto Kagio was a place where many British soldiers escaped to Egypt.

The town is located on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese. The island is linked to the mainland by a short causeway 200 m in length. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau some 100 m. above sea level, up to 300 m wide and 1 km long, the site of a powerful medieval fortress. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period. The town's name derives from two Greek words, mone and emvasia, meaning "single entrance". Its Italian form, Malvasia, gave its name to Malmsey wine. Monemvasia's nickname is the Gibraltar of the East or The Rock. In more recent history, the town has seen a resurgence in importance with increasing numbers of tourists visiting the site and the region. The medieval buildings have been restored, and many of them converted to hotels.

Its neoclassical building was constructed between 1874 and 1876 in the center of the city and it has been declared a listed building for its architectural and historical interest. Ticket general 3€

d Classical periods and was famous for its military prowess. The professional and well-trained Spartan hoplites with their distinctive red cloaks, long hair, and lambda-emblazoned shields were probably the best and most feared fighters in Greece, fighting with distinction at such key battles as Thermopylae and Plataea in the early 5th century BC. The city was also in constant rivalry with the other major Greek cities of Athens and Corinth and became involved in two protracted and hugely damaging conflicts, the Peloponnesian Wars of the mid- to late 5th century BC and the Corinthian Wars of in the early 4th century BC. Thucydides wrote: Suppose the city of Sparta to be deserted, and nothing left but the temples and the ground-plan, distant ages would be very unwilling to believe that the power of the Lacedaemonians was at all equal to their fame. Their city is not built continuously, and has no splendid temples or other edifices.

ress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape. General ticket: Summer 8€ / Winter 4€

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. The Museum's objective is to highlight the ineffable relation of the olive with the identity of our country and, more generally, the Mediterranean basin. The olive and olive oil are presented here from different optical angles: the economy, nutrition and the olive's uses, religious worship, art and technology. The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil offers you the opportunity to see the very first testimonies about the presence of the olive tree and the production of olive oil in Greece: Rare fossilized olive leaves, 50,000-60,000 years old, from the island of Santorini, the oldest findings offering proof of the presence of the olive tree en Greece Linear B Tablets of the 14th century BC (exact replicas), with the first written testimonies about the olive and olive oil. General Ticket 3€

We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 3/4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 120€ per double room / weekend-holidays 130€ per double room - if more than 2 rooms 10% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

It is the ideal place for those who love peace, fresh air and mountain getaways. It offers good food in restaurants and taverns and accommodation in beautiful hotels and hostels.

e alleys and traditional tile-roofed houses, intensively resembles a Greek Island. Paralio Astros is the port of the historic Astros of Kynouria, where the 2nd National Assembly was convened in April 1823. At the port of Paralio Astros, you can see tourist boats, fishing boats and high-speed boats, while tourist hotels, cottages, restaurants and cafés spread around them. The medieval fortress, which looms at the top of the hill of Paralio Astros, offers a wonderful view of the surrounding area and olive grove.

e of the greatest achievements of Venetian fortification architecture. The hill of Palamidi, which takes its name from the Homeric hero Palamidis, does not seem to have been systematically fortified until the second Venetian occupation. The construction of the fort was basically carried out during the time of Venetian General Superintendent of the Fleet, Agostino Sagredo, from 1711 to 1714, marking the fort not only as a major feat in terms of its fortifications, but also in terms of the speed with which it was constructed. The engineers Giaxich and Lasalle designed a fort that was based on a system of mutually supporting and mutually defending bastions, which are built one above the other on a east-west axis, and are connected to each other by a wall. The total of eight bastions are self contained so that if one of them was breached, the rest could continue their defense Not only was the Palamidi a great fortress, it was also the site of a dismal prison. In 1833, during the time of the regency, when King Otto was still a minor, one of the leaders of the revolution, Theodoros Kolokotronis, was imprisoned here on the supposed charge of high treason..

as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece, Nafplio was the first capital of the newly born Greek state between 1827 and 1834. According to mythology, the town was founded by Nafplios, the son of god Poseidon and the daughter of Danaus (Danaida) Anymone. The town’s history traces back to the prehistoric era when soldiers from here participated in the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War alike. The town declined during the Roman times and flourished again during the Byzantine times. Frankish, Venetian and Turkish conquerors left their mark in the town and strongly influenced its culture, architecture and traditions during the centuries. Ancient walls, medieval castles, monuments and statues, Ottoman fountains and Venetian or neoclassical buildings mesmerize the visitor with their unique architecture and beauty. Stay for overnight. We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 110€ per double room / weekend-holidays 130€ per double room - if more than 2 rooms 10% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

ict in symmetry, stone-built Venetian structure which covers and encases the central, Syntagma Square on its west side. It was first built in 1713, during the second reign of the Venetians, under the Naval Proveditore Augustine Sagredo to be used as the navy's depository, according to the marble inscription fitted on the building's frontage, written in Latin. It is widely acknowledged as one of the best well-preserved Venetian structures in the whole of Greece.

Once the whole city existed within these walls. Parts of the castle was built already in the Bronze Age, and there are still remnants of these old walls in the western part of the castle. Acronafplia was later extended and amplified by respectively Romans, Franks, Venetians and Turks. The thick castle walls form a nice backdrop for the city, and in the last years, the castle is being restored. Especially the eastern parts deserve a visit. Explore this section on foot, by walking off the road that runs through the castle, and in between the old walls. However, there are more good reasons to visit Acronafplia. The view is beautiful, both to the northern parts of the city and towards the bay, and south to Arvanitia beach and the mountains of Arcadia.

with the institution of the Panhellenic Nemean Games in a region where human activity had been present since prehistoric times. The first temple of Zeus and the first two phases of the Heroon were constructed during the Archaic period while nine "Oikoi-Treasuries" were erected in the 5th century BC. At the end of the 4th century BC, a new temple of Zeus, baths, a hostel, a Stadium and the 3rd phase of the Heraion were built as part of a large construction project. After the transfer of the games to Argos, in 270 BC, the sanctuary fell into decline. During the 5th and the 6th centuries AD, a small community grew in the vicinity and a basilica was erected on the ruins of the hostel. This community was dissolved during the raids of the Slavs in 580-590 AD.

In 1959, in collaboration with the Greek Wine Institute, the Cooperative Winery made ​​the first experimental bottling of Agiorgitiko. After 82 years of operation and located in the new facilities, the Cooperative Winery has more than 500 members - growers of the native red grape variety "Agiorgitiko" – and it has the potential to vinificate up to 7,000 tons of grapes, which makes it one of the largest producers nationwide. Its primary objective is to preserve and spread the tradition of Agiorgitiko, which forms an integral part of the cultural heritage of the town. At the facilities, situated on 33 acres of land with a building area of 8500 m2, there are indoor stainless steel tanks (Inox) of a total capacity of 10,000 tons. With 3 production lines, the annual bottling capacity is of 6,500,000 bottles of 0,75 L and 3.000.000 L in Bag-in-Box. For the aging of the wine there is an underground wine cellar with 427 French oak barrels.

The Monastery is situated at the entrance of Nemea. A visit to this unique monastery - fort, it will give you the chance to enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley and the vine yards. Its a unique view for all seasons. See our Photos

The town is well known for its vast natural springs and its therapeutic spas. At the foot of Mount Geraneia, built in the northern part of the Corinthian Gulf’s cove, lies Loutraki; a coastal town which is internationally known for its thermal springs! During the ΄50s, ΄60s and ΄70s it was a very popular vacation resort both for Greek and foreign visitors. The first Casino in Greece was established in 1928 in Loutraki, whilst in 1995 the biggest Casino in Europe re-opened in Loutraki, which enhanced the city’s tourism. The thermal springs of Loutraki were famous since Antiquity, when the city was called Thermai, in honor of Thermia Artemis. The region is also famous for its natural mineral waters.