Your Katakolon Splendid Greece Tours private chauffeur  will pick you up at Katakolon port, and drive you to Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games in the heart of the Peloponnese Peninsula.

Port of call Katakolon

Katakolon is situated at the western edge of Greece’s Peloponnese Peninsula, and it is the gateway to Olympia archeological site.

Katakolon village is a small quite vivid and busy, mostly due to the ships and tourists that flock the area. The village is within a gulf overlooking the Ionian Sea, surrounding of small hills with forests and lush greenery.

Ancient Olympia

Olympia stillremains a unique place, starting from the 8th century BC, featuring lush greenery and a vast array of monuments and landmarks. The most important sanctuary of God Zeus is situated here, as well as Altis and the original stadiums of the Games.

Your private Greece tour driver drive take you to the exact location of the Olympic Games. Admire the grandeur of the environment and setting, where Greeks assembled for more than 1,000 years to celebrate strength, beauty and capabilities and honor the father of all gods, Zeus. The starting line is still visible; take your position and run this historical course, competing with the athletes of the past, or simply the tourists that flock to this area. Ancient Olympia has been the center 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.

Your private Greece tour  includes a visit to the Olympia Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Olympic Games, where artifacts and collections related to both ancient and modern Games are housed.

The Statue of Niki (Nike, Victory) and Hermes are also found in the museum.

Lunch in a traditional home made Greek taverna your Greece tours  private chauffeur will take you back to the port of Katakolon where you will embark to your cruise ship.

Specially designed for cruise travelers visiting Katakolon port for the day.

€ 170,00 for 1 to 3 participants.

How it works:

Pick up at the Athens International Airport or Piraeus cruise port.

Half day Athens Sightseeing.

Drop off at the Cruise terminal or your Athens hotel or drop off at the airport if you have started from Piraeus port.

Grece Tours Departures: Daily

Greece Tours Duration: 10 Days/ 9 Nights

Tour Greece  to Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplion, Epidaurus, Sparta, Caves of Diros, Gytheio, Messene, Andritsena, Olympia, Rio bridge, Nafpaktos, Delphi, Meteora, Meteora Monasteries, Tempi, Zagori, Papingo, Perama Cave, Ioannina, Gorge of Vikos, Igoumenitsa, Preveza, Nafpaktos, Athens

Day 1st: Athens, Corinth canal, ancient Corinth, Myceneae, Nafplion, Epidaurus

Splendid Greece Tours will drive you along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (short stop). Shortly thereafter we reach ancient Corinth (visit) where St. Paul lived and preached. Back in the ancient times Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge ancient agora (market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th C.B.C) ,visit Isthmian at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked. We will visit MYCENAE, the remains of the ancient city, including the lionesses gate, the tomb of Agamemnon and the Palace. Then we’ll drive through ARGOS on to NAUPLION. After lunch Athens Tour Greece will drive you to EPIDAURUS and its ancient Epidaurus theatre, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Return to Nafplion dinner & overnight.

Day 2nd : Nafplion, Sparta, Diros Caves, Gytheion

Morning at leisure, we will drive with Greece tours to Sparta one of the most famous ancient kingdoms in ancient Greece. Diros. Experience the Caves of Diros in Vlyhada. See the featuring fossils, stalagmites, and stalactites dating 2million years back, a unique place that is considered one of the greatest caved lakes in the world. Free afternoon in Gytheio, dinner & overnight.

Day 3rd: Gythio, Messene, Andritsena

Splendid Greece Tours will take us to Messene, ancient city; it was founded by Epaminondas (c.369 BC) under Theban auspices to be a capital and fort for the Messenians, whom the battle of Leuctra had just freed from the Spartans. The ruins are well preserved, notably of the city walls dating from the 4th cent. BC. The modern city of Messíni is at some distance and is highly developed, where we’ll have dinner & overnight or Andritsena a near by town.

Day 4th: Andritsena,  Olympia

Tour Greece,  will drive you towards the city of Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic centre in Greece. Olympia is a unique place, featuring lush greenery and a vast array of monuments and landmarks. The most important sanctuary of God Zeus is situated here, as well as Altis and the original stadiums of the Olympic Games 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. The starting line in the original Olympic stadium is still visible, take your position, and run this historical course, competing with the athletes of the past, or simply the tourists that flock to this area. Your sightseeing tour includes also a visit to the Olympia Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Olympic Games, where artifacts and collections related to both ancient and modern Games are housed. Dinner & overnight

Day 5th : Olympia,  Patra, Rio, Antirio, Nafpaktos, Delphi

In the morning  Greece tours will drive you from Peloponnese to the other side of Greece (West Greece) crossing the new bridge from Rio to Antirio. We’ll have a short stop in Nafpaktos and we’ll ahead on through a spectacular landscape to Delphi. We’ll overnight in Delphi or Arachova.

Day 6th: Delphi, Arachova, Meteora

Drive with Greece tours, to ancient DELPHI, the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. Visit the Delphi Museum where one can see among other archaeological treasures, the unique bronze Charioteer, then proceed through the sacred way to the Athenian treasury. Visit the Temple of Apollo. Lunch in Delphi or Arachova a picturesque mountain village, the jet set of the winter, built on the south slopes of Parnassus. Drive to Meteora through Karditsa and Trikala to reach Kalambaka late in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 7th: Meteora, Zagorochoria, Papingo

Morning Splendid Greece Tours will drive you to the breathtaking METEORA and its monasteries built on the top of high rocks. The visit included the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. Driving through central Greece we’ll stop in the valley of Tempi, witch was dedicated to God Apollo. It was a large fortified settlement used by both Romans and Byzantines. Today, you can see the ruins of the fortress and the temple of the gods. At our next stop will be gorgeous Zagorohoria located to northwest Greece, with its traditional Western Greek Architecture. The stone bridges and cobblestone paths, maintained in an excellent condition, are the trademark of this region. You will overnight at Papingo, be amazed by the relaxing and rejuvenating feeling as well as the beauty of the place. Overnight in Metsovo.

The monasteries of Meteora are:

• The Monastery of Great Meteoron. It is the biggest of the Meteorite monasteries.
• The  Monastery of Varlaam is the second, after the Great Meteoro, big in size monastery.
• The Monastery of Rousanou. It is dedicated to ‘The Transfiguration’ but honoured to Saint Barbara.
• The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas. It is the first to meet on our way from Kastraki to Meteora.
• The Monastery of St. Stephen. It is one of the most attainable as we don’t have to cope with innumerable stairs to reach it.
• The Monastery of Holy Trinity is very difficult to reach. The visitor has to cross the valley and continue high up through the rock before we arrive outside the entrance.

Day 8th: Metsovo, Papingo, Gorge of Vikos, Cave Perama, Ioannina

Next morning Greece tours will drive us to Gorge of Vikos, the deepest Gorge in Europe. Outdoor activity clubs, trekking groups visit the impressive area, traveling from all over the world to cross it. Our next stop is at the Cave of Perama, in Ioannina, the largest cave in Greece and one of the largest in Europe, covering a total area of 14,000 sq. meters. It is located 4km from Ioannina, in Perama, at the foot of Mt. Goritsa. Follow the main road of Ioannina to the north, the 20/E90. At the northern end of the city is a turnoff right towards Metsovo, Trikala, Larissa, 6/E92. Perama is the first village after about 2km.

1940 discovered by a resident of the village who was looking for a shelter to avoid bombardments during the Greek-Italian war.

1951-1955 the speleologists IOANNIS PETROCHEILOS and ANNA PETROCHEILOU explored the cave and discovered teeth and bones of ancient cave bears.

1956 opened to the public.

You inside the caves where you can see fossils and remains from the prehistoric Era and impressive murals dedicated to the Gods of the Underworld, Pluto and Persephone. Free evening in Ioannina. You will enjoy your dinner over the lake with its magnificent view to the island in the lake. Overnight in Ioannina.

Day 9th: Ioannina, Igoumenitsa, Parga, Prevesa, Lefkada Island

At morning leisure we’ll leave from unforgettable Ioannina and  Greece tours will drive us through Igoumenitsa- Parga – Preveza while we have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Ionian Sea waters and some of the Ionian Islands. Visit & overnight at the wonderful Lefkada Island one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands.

Day 10th: Lefkada Island, Corinth canal, Athens

In the morning, after breakfast we will continue our private tour crossing Rio Bridge and the Corinth Canal and we will return to Athens late in the afternoon.

You can customize your private tour at any time building it together with Splendid Greece Tours.

We think the same goes for most resorts. Meanwhile, the cruise industry goes on reinventing itself. Each new ship offers….

West from Athens is Corinth .  Ancient Corinth is 76 Km/48 miles west of Athens on the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece. Ancient Corinth was an important city in ancient Greece, with a major role in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul. Ancient Corinth was first inhabited in the Neolithic period (5000-3000 BC), and flourished as a major Greek city from the 8th century BC until its destruction by the Romans in 146 BC. Nowadays, Corinth is the second largest city in Peloponnese with reach in several sites of interest  and tourists.

Sparta or in ancient Greece Lacedaemon. Sparta was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, south-eastern Peloponnese. Sparta emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. Then from c. 650 BC it rose to become the dominant military land-power in ancient Greece. Sparta was recognized as the overall leader of the combined Greek forces during the Greco-Persian Wars, and unique in ancient Greece for its social system and constitution, which completely focused on military training and excellence.  Spartan (Spartiates) underwent the rigorous agoge training and education regimen, and its phalanxes were widely considered to be among the best in battle.  Women in Sparta enjoyed considerably more rights and equality to men than elsewhere in the classical world. Finally Sparta was the subject of fascination in its own day, as well as in the West following the revival of classical learning and continues to fascinate Western Culture; an admiration of Sparta is called laconophilia.

Mystras: As it’s called; the ‘Wonder of the Morea’. Mystras occupies a steep foothill on the northern slopes of Mt. Taygetos, 6km. NW of Sparta.Mystras was built as an amphitheater around the fortress erected in 1249 by William of Villehardouin. Mystras reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832. The result of it is  leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape. The Mystras complex ruins offers the image of a city with a brilliant destiny that was deserted by men and threatened, and by the return of encroaching vegetation, which is splitting the walls and covering the slopes, thus destroying here and there fragile traces of history. The beauty of Mystras churches, which during the Paleologus Renaissance had been covered with dramatic frescoes, the Mystras renown libraries, and the glory of its writers, including Georges Gemiste Plethon and Jean Bessarion who brought neo-Platonic humanism to Italy,  gave substance thereafter for the legend of the ‘Wonder of Morea.’

Diros Caves: Situated 8 Km south to Areopolis. An underground river runs through the caves, and passages of about 5000m have been explored while its total extent is 33.400sq.rn. are fascinating. Starting from the entrance, skillful, whistling gondoliers steer small boats through narrow passageways, around beautiful formations of stalagmites and stalactites, their colors created by rain water penetrating the calcium carbonate in the rock. The caves have served as places of worship in Paleolithic and Neolithic times; they are thought by many to be connected to the Underworld. The cave’s temperature fluctuates from 16°C to 20°C. The temperature of the water is around 12°C. The existence of the cave has been known since 1900 and in 1949 it was explored by John Petrochilos. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful lake caves in the world. In its interior fossil animals have been discovered that existed 2 million years ago.

Greece Tours Departures:  all year round

Pick up / Drop off: from / your Athens hotel, cruise terminal

Itinerary:

Tour Greece to the most historical, Christian, and Nature private tour in Greece.

Day 1: Athens | Corinth Canal | Ancient Corinth | Sparta

Tour description:

Travel the cost line of the Saronic Golf with your Greece tours private chauffeur to reach after 50 minutes the Corinth canal – ancient Corinth and its monuments.

Tour Greece starting with Splendid Greece Tours  from Athens. We drive westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (short stop for pictures).

Greece tours chauffeur will reach the ancient town of Corinth, the pace St. Paul lived and preached for two years.In ancient times Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge ancient agora ( market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th C.B.C).  brief stop at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked.

Day 2: Sparta | Mystras | Corinth | Athens

Tour description:

Today you will visit the ancient part of Sparta and Mystra, as it’s called; the ‘Wonder of the Morea’. visit the monasteries in the castle and admire the breath taking views of Sparta. Overnight.

Day 3: Sparta | Mystras | Corinth | Athens

Splendid Greece Tours will take you today to the most famous cave in Greece, and it is regarded as one of the most beautiful lake caves in the world. In its interior fossil animals have been discovered that existed 2 million years ago.

Return to Athens  where one of the most  interesting ancient & Christian Greece Tours ends.

Special designed for cruise passengers, shore excursion.

Here celebrate the glory of  ancient and new, in this gallery of images of the original fields of dreams ….

Photo Gallery >>>

West from Athens is Corinth (Greek Κορινθία- Korinthia).  Ancient Corinth is 76 Km/48 miles west of Athens on the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece. Ancient Corinth was an important city in ancient Greece, with a major role in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul. Ancient Corinth was first inhabited in the Neolithic period (5000-3000 BC), and flourished as a major Greek city from the 8th century BC until its destruction by the Romans in 146 BC. Nowadays, Corinth is the second largest city in Peloponnese with reach in several sites of interest  and tourists.

Sparta or in ancient Greece Lacedaemon. Sparta was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, south-eastern Peloponnese. Sparta emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. Then from c. 650 BC it rose to become the dominant military land-power in ancient Greece. Sparta was recognized as the overall leader of the combined Greek forces during the Greco-Persian Wars, and unique in ancient Greece for its social system and constitution, which completely focused on military training and excellence.  Spartan (Spartiates) underwent the rigorous agoge training and education regimen, and its phalanxes were widely considered to be among the best in battle.  Women in Sparta enjoyed considerably more rights and equality to men than elsewhere in the classical world. Finally Sparta was the subject of fascination in its own day, as well as in the West following the revival of classical learning and continues to fascinate Western Culture; an admiration of Sparta is called laconophilia.

Mystras: As it’s called; the ‘Wonder of the Morea’. Mystras occupies a steep foothill on the northern slopes of Mt. Taygetos, 6km. NW of Sparta.Mystras was built as an amphitheater around the fortress erected in 1249 by William of Villehardouin. Mystras reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832. The result of it is  leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape. The Mystras complex ruins offers the image of a city with a brilliant destiny that was deserted by men and threatened, and by the return of encroaching vegetation, which is splitting the walls and covering the slopes, thus destroying here and there fragile traces of history. The beauty of Mystras churches, which during the Paleologus Renaissance had been covered with dramatic frescoes, the Mystras renown libraries, and the glory of its writers, including Georges Gemiste Plethon and Jean Bessarion who brought neo-Platonic humanism to Italy,  gave substance thereafter for the legend of the ‘Wonder of Morea.’

Greece Tours Departures:  all year round

Pick up / Drop off: from / your Athens hotel, cruise terminal

Itinerary:

Day 1: Athens | Corinth Canal | Ancient Corinth | Sparta

Tour description:

Travel the cost line of the Saronic Golf with your Greece tours private chauffeur to reach after 50 minutes the Corinth canal – ancient Corinth and its monuments.

Tour Greece starting with Splendid Greece Tours  from Athens. We drive westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (short stop for pictures).

Greece tours chauffeur will reach the ancient town of Corinth, the pace St. Paul lived and preached for two years.In ancient times Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge ancient agora ( market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th C.B.C).  brief stop at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked.

Day 2: Sparta | Mystras | Corinth | Athens

Tour description:

Today you will visit the ancient part of Sparta and Mystra, as it’s called; the ‘Wonder of the Morea’. visit the monasteries in the castle and admire the breath taking views of Sparta.

Return to Athens  where one of the most  interesting ancient & Christian Greece Tours ends.

Special designed for cruise passengers, shore excursion.

Here celebrate the glory of  ancient and new, in this gallery of images of the original fields of dreams ….

Photo Gallery >>>

Tour Greece from Athens to Corinth canal | ancient Corinth | Mycenae tours | Nafplion tours | Epidaurus tours | Ancient Olympia

The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth (Ionian See) with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland, thus effectively making the former an island.Greek & French builders dug the canal through the Isthmus at sea level; no locks are employed. It is 6.3 Km (3.9 mi) in length, 8,5 mt deep, 24 meters (79 ft) wide, 52 metres highland, and built between 1881 and 1893. Finally it is the Shortest Route, and the Safest Waterway.

Ancient Corinth: Splendid Greece Tours will drive you westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views. Shortly we will reach the ancient town of Corinth  where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. In the ancient times Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge agora (market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th C.B.C) brief stop at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked.

Ancient Mycenae is located in the North-East part of Peloponnese in Argolis, about 1,5 hours away from Athens, and it is an imposing site on top of a rocky hill. The citadel of Mycenae was the center of power in the Late Bronze age (1600-1100 BCE), and the excavated ruins that sculpt the top of the rocky hill protected the royal families inside the famous Cyclopean walls. Legend has it that Mycenae was founded by Perseus, and the entire culture of mainland Greece during the Bronze age was named Mycenaean during the late Hellenic period. The Mycenaean culture is the source of ancient epics and legends such as the dynasty of Atreids, the labours of Hercules, the Trojan war, the Thyestian Feast, and Agamemnon’s tragic life and death, and with its legends, art, and ideas, Mycenaean culture reached its zenith from 1300 BCE until 1100 BCE.

Nafplio is a seaport town in Peloponnese, that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town of Nafplion was the first capital of modern Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the peripheral unit of Argolis, a graphical resort town, the entry to Mycenae , and Epidaurus theater for cruise ship passengers.

Epidaurus theaters: What makes it great and so famous; Built during the last quarter of the 4th century B.C. The theater, the harmony of its cavea, the way it ‘sits’ in the landscape with the semicircle hollowed out of the side of the hill, and the quality of its acoustics make the Epidaurus theater one of the great architectural achievements of the fourth century, wile the circular orchestra provides the link with the stage buildings.

Ancient Olympia: An experience that lives since 776 BC. The Olympic spirit started hear. The Olympic flame lighted. The Olympic games begins here. If you are or you have an athlete in your family, this the best present ever. If you are not an athlete experience the strength of the environment and heaviness of  the importance. Olympia begins..

Greece tours departures: Daily

Itinerary:

Tour description:

Day 1: Corinth canal | Ancient Corinth  the ancient Epidaurus theater | Nauplio | Mycenae  | Olympia

Tour Greece  to enjoy one of our most historical, interesting, and picturesque, Greece Tours in a full day private tour. Let your Splendid Greece Tours private chauffeur drive you to some of the most important sites of the world’s history.

Mini Bus, Coach & Winter Season Itinerary: Corinth canal| Epidaurus Theater | Epidaurus Asklepieion | Nafplion | Mycenae

Pick up from your hotel or cruise ship, and Splendid Greece Tours will drive you westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views. Shortly we will reach the ancient town of Corinth  where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. In the ancient times Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge agora (market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th C.B.C) brief stop at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked.

Visit MYCENAE, the remains of the Mycenaean ancient city, including the lioness’s gate,the tomb of the Mycenaean king Agamemnon and the Palace. Splendid Greece Tours chauffeur we’ll drive through ARGOS on to NAUPLIO, for lunch.

After lunch Splendid Greece Tours will drive you to EPIDAURUS and its ancient Epidaurus theater, famous for its remarkable acoustics.

Your Splendid Greece Tours private chauffeur will travel now through the picturesque mountains through lagatdia to reach Olympia late in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 2:  Ancient Olympia | Pirgos | Patras | Athens

Tour description:

Visit this morning the archaeological site, the museum, and take place to run because the starting line of the first Olympic game is still there.

Ending of your Greece  private tour your Greece Tours private driver will drive  back to your Athens Hotel or your cruise ship.

Celebrate now the glory of Argolis, and the Olympics, ancient and new, in this gallery of images of the original fields of dreams ….

Photo Gallery >>>

Greece Tours Departures: Daily

Tour Greece through our Splendid Greece private tours, touring from Athens to  Corinth | Mycenae | Nafplion | Epidaurus | Caves of Diros | Gytheio | Messene | Andritsena | Olympia | Rio bridge | Nafpaktos | Delphi | Meteora | Meteora Monasteries | Tempi | Dion | Katerini | Thessaloniki | Pella | Vergina | Zagorochoria | Papingo | Perama Cave | Ioannina |, Gorge of Vikos | Igoumenitsa | Preveza | Nafpaktos | Athens

Day 1:   Athens | Corinth | Epidaurus | Mycenae | Nafplion

Splendid Greece Tours private chauffeur will drive you along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (short stop). Shortly we reach ancient Corinth  where St. Paul lived and preached. In the ancient times Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge ancient agora (market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th C.B.C) ,visit Isthmian at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked.Visit MYCENAE, the remains of the ancient city, including the lionesses gate, the tomb of Agamemnon and the Palace. Then we’ll drive through ARGOS on to NAUPLION. Lunch and Splendid Greece Tours will drive you to EPIDAURUS and its ancient Epidaurus theater, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Return to Nafplion dinner & overnight.

Day 2 :  Nafplion, Sparta, Diros cave, Gytheio

Morning at leisure, and drive with Splendid Greece Tours to Sparta & Diros. Experience Sparta & the Caves of Diros in Vlyhada. Admire the featuring fossils, stalagmites, and stalactites dating 2million years back, a unique place that is considered one of the greatest caved lakes in the world. Free afternoon in Gytheio, dinner & overnight.

Day 3:  Gytheio, Messene, Andritsena

Splendid Greece Tours will take us to Messene, ancient city; it was founded by Epaminondas (c.369 BC) under Theban auspices to be a capital and fort for the Messenians, whom the battle of Leuctra had just freed from the Spartans. Here the ruins are well preserved, notably of the city walls dating from the 4th cent. BC. as well as the modern city of Messíni is at some distance and is highly developed, where we’ll have dinner & overnight or Andritsena a near by town.

Day 4:  Andritsena,  Olympia,

Splendid Greece Tours drive you towards the city of Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic center in Greece. Olympia is a unique place, featuring lush greenery and a vast array of monuments and landmarks. Most important sanctuary of God Zeus is situated here, as well as Altis and the original stadiums of the Olympic Games. It has been the center 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. The starting line in the original Olympic stadium is still visible, take your position, and run this historical course, competing with the athletes of the past, or simply the tourists that flock to this area. Your Splendid Greece Tours includes also a visit to the Olympia Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Olympic Games, where artefacts and collections related to both ancient and modern Games are housed. Dinner & overnight

Day 5:  olympia, Patras, Rio, Antirio, Nafpaktos, Arachova, Delphi

In the morning Splendid Greece Tours private chauffeur will drive you from Peloponnese to the other side of Greece (West Greece) crossing the new bridge from Rio to Antirio. Short stop in Nafpaktos and we’ll ahead on through a spectacular landscape to Delphi. Overnight in Delphi or Arachova.

Day 5:  Delphi, Arachova

Drive with Splendid Greece Tours, to ancient DELPHI, the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. Visit the Museum, see among other archaeological treasures, the unique bronze Charioteer, then proceed through the sacred way to the Athenian treasuryand visit the Temple of Apollo. Overnight & dinner in Delphi or Arachova a picturesque mountain village, the jet set of the winter, built on the south slopes of Parnassus.

Day 6:  Delphi, Meteora, Tempi valley, Katerini, Thessaloniki

Morning Splendid Greece Tours will drive you to the breathtaking METEORA and its monasteries built on the top of high rocks. In this private tour a visit is included to the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. As we will be driving through central Greece we’ll stop in the valley of Tempi, witch was dedicated to God Apollo. It was a large fortified settlement used by both Romans and Byzantines. After lunch Splendid Greece Tours will start the drive through the towns of Central Greece crossing the Thessalian plain, the granary of GREECE, Larisa, Tempbi mountains, Katerini to reach late in the afternoon Thessaloniki the capital of north Greece.  Overnight.

The 6 monasteries of Meteora are:

• The Monastery of Great Meteoron. It is the biggest of the Meteorite monasteries.
• The  Monastery of Varlaam is the second, after the Great Meteoro, big in size monastery.
• The Monastery of Rousanou. It is dedicated to ‘The Transfiguration’ but honoured to Saint Barbara.
• The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas. It is the first to meet on our way from Kastraki to Meteora.
• The Monastery of St. Stephen. It is one of the most attainable as we don’t have to cope with innumerable stairs to reach it.
• The Monastery of Holy Trinity is very difficult to reach. The visitor has to cross the valley and continue high up through the rock before we arrive outside the entrance.

Day 8:  Dion, Thessaloniki, Mount Olympus

After breakfast Splendid Greece Tours will drive us to the famous, sacred Macedonian town of DION . Visit Litochoron the entrance to Mount Olympus. Lunch in Katerini in a nice taverna by the sea. Then continue our private tour to THESSALONIKI, the largest town in Northern Greece. Visit the most interesting museum of THESSALONIKI and sightseeing of the city with its modern unique night life. Overnight.

Day 9:  Thessaloniki, Pella, Vergina, Veria

In the morning Splendid Greece Tours will drive us to PELLA, its Alexander the Great’s capital . Continue to VERGINA to visit the tomb of the King PHILIP and the famous ‘’Vergina Treasures’’. Head on to LEFKADIA where you visit the excavations. Return to THESSALONIKI through VERIA. Overnight & free evening.

Day 10:  Thessaloniki, Zagorohoria, Papingo

See now the ruins of the fortress and the temple of the gods. At our next stop will be gorgeous Zagorohoria located to northwest Greece, with its traditional Western Greek Architecture. The stone bridges and cobblestone paths, maintained in an excellent condition, are the trademark of this region. Overnight at Papingo or Metsovo, be amazed by the relaxing and rejuvenating feeling as well as the beauty of the place.

Day 11:  Papingo, Perama cave, Ioannina, Metsovo

Next morning Splendid Greece Tours will drive us to Gorge of Vikos, the deepest Gorge in Europe. Here find outdoor activity clubs, trekking groups visit the impressive area, travelling from all over the world to cross it. Next stopat the Cave of Perama, in Ioannina, the largest cave in Greece and one of the largest in Europe, covering a total area of 14,000 sq. meters. Located 4km from Ioannina, in Perama, at the foot of Mt. Goritsa. The villageof  Perama is the first village after about 2km. In year 1940 discovered by a resident of the village who was looking for a shelter to avoid bombardments during the Greek-Italian war. 1951-1955 the speleologists IOANNIS PETROCHEILOS and ANNA PETROCHEILOU explored the cave and discovered teeth and bones of ancient cave bears. In 1956 opened to the public.

Splendid Greece Tours privet chauffeur will take you to the entrance to visit inside the caves where you can see fossils and remains from the prehistoric Era and impressive murals dedicated to the Gods of the underworld, Pluto and Persephone. Free evening in Ioannina. Enjoy your dinner over the lake with its magnificent view to the island in the lake. Overnight in Ioannina.

Day 12:  Ioannina, Igoumenitsa, Parga, Preveza, Nafpaktos

At morning leisure we’ll leave from unforgettable Ioannina and Splendid Greece Tours will drive us through Igoumenitsa- Parga – Preveza while we have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Ionian Sea waters and some of the Ionian Islands. Visit & overnight at the wonderful town of Nafpaktos.

Day 13:  Nafpaktos,  Rio, Antirio, Corinth canal, Athens

After breakfast we will continue our private tour crossing Rio Bridge and the Corinth Canal and we will return to Athens in the afternoon.

Greece  Tours Departures: Daily

Tour  Greece in to a unique private tour from  Athens to  Corinth canal | ancient Corinth | Mycenae |  Nafplion | Epidaurus | Olympia | Patras | Nafpaktos | Arachova | Delphi | Kalampaka | Meteora | Larisa | Mount Olympus | Dion |  Tempi | Katerini | Pela | Vergina | Thessaloniki

Day 1: Athens, Corinth canal, ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Olympia

Splendid Greece Tours private chauffeur will drive you along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (short stop). Shortly thereafter we reach the ancient Corinth city (visit) where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. In the ancient times Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge ancient agora (market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th C.B.C) ,visit Isthmian at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked. We’ll visit EPIDAURUS and its ancient Epidaurus theater, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Splendid Greece Tours will drive you to the pretty town of Nafplion, the first capital of Modern Greece for lunch. After visit the castle of Nafplio and will then drive you to MYCENAE through ARGOS, we’ll visit the archaeological site, the remains of the ancient city, including the lionesses gate, the tomb of Agamemnon and the Palace. Continue our private tour driving to Olympia through Tripolis & megalopolis. Overnight in ancient Olympia.

Day 2:  Olympia | Patras | Rio | Antirio | Nafpaktos | Arachova | Delphi

Start in the morning, and  your Splendid Greece Tours private chauffeur will drive towards the city of Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. In 776 BC, Iphitos, king of Elis, Kleosthenes of Pisa and Lykourgos of Sparta reorganized the Olympic Games in honour of Zeus and instituted the sacred ekecheiria, or truce and, very fast the quadrennial festival acquired a national character. Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious one world-wide, which was held every four years to honour Zeus. 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. Run to experiance the starting line is still visible in the original Olympic stadium, take your position, and run this historical course, competing with the athletes of the past, or simply the tourists that flock to this area. The Olympia Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Olympic Games, where artifacts and collections related to both ancient and modern Games is not to miss. Splendid Greece Tours will take us now from Olympia through Patras to Rion, we’ll cross the Corinthian bay to Antirion via the bright new bridge, the biggest in Europe. Drive to picturesque Nafpaktos and via the new road along the coast, to Delphi. Visit in the afternoon the picturesque mountain village of Arachova for dinner. Overnight in Delphi or Arachova.

Day 3:  Delphi, Klamabaka, Meteora

In the morning our Splendid Greece Tours private tour continues visiting DELPHI, the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. We will visit the Museum in Delphi where one can see among other archaeological treasures, the unique bronze Charioteer, then proceed through the sacred way to the Athenian treasury. Visit the Temple of Apollo, and Splendid Greece Tours will depart for KALAMBAKA a small city by the feet of Meteora. You will be traveling through the towns of Central Greece (AMPHISSA, LAMIA and TRIKALA) crossing the Thessalian plain, the granary of GREECE, to reach KALAMBAKA late in the afternoon. Overnight by the feet of Meteora.

The 6 monasteries of Meteora are:

• The Monastery of Great Meteoron. It is the biggest of the Meteorite monasteries.
• The  Monastery of Varlaam is the second, after the Great Meteoro, big in size monastery.
• The Monastery of Rousanou. It is dedicated to ‘The Transfiguration’ but honoured to Saint Barbara.
• The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas. It is the first to meet on our way from Kastraki to Meteora.
• The Monastery of St. Stephen. It is one of the most attainable as we don’t have to cope with innumerable stairs to reach it.
• The Monastery of Holy Trinity is very difficult to reach. The visitor has to cross the valley and continue high up through the rock before we arrive outside the entrance.

Day 4: Meteora, Tempi valley, Katerini, Thessaloniki

This morning you will visit of the breathtaking METEORA and its monasteries built on the top of high rocks, standing between winds sky & earth. Visit now one from the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos.  The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage and they form one of the most important stations of cultural map of Greece. The monasteries belong to a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks. On these ‘columns of the sky’ monks have settled from the 11th century onwards where twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of the eremetic ideal in the 15th century. After lunch Splendid Greece Tours will start the drive through the towns of Central Greece crossing the Thessalian plain, the granary of GREECE, Larisa, Tempbi mountains, Katerini to reach late in the afternoon Litochoron, the entrance to Mount Olympus. Free night and Overnight

Day 5 :  Thessaloniki, Dion | Mount Olympus

After breakfast Splendid Greece Tours will drive us to the famous, sacred Macedonian town of DION and Litochoron, by the foot of Mount Olympus.  Lunch in Katerini in a nice taverna by the sea. Continue our private tour to THESSALONIKI, the largest town in Northern Greece. Visit the  museum of THESSALONIKI and sightseeing of the city with its modern unique night life. Overnight.

Day 6:  Thessaloniki, Pella, Vergina, Veria

In the morning Splendid Greece Tours will drive us to PELLA, its Alexander the Great capital . Continue to VERGINA to visit the tomb of the King PHILIP and the famous ‘’Vergina Treasures’’. We’ll head on to LEFKADIA where you visit the excavations. Return to THESSALONIKI through VERIA. Overnight & free evening.

Day 7: Thessaloniki, Tempi valley, Larissa, Lamia, Thermopylae, Athens

After breakfast we’ll start the return drive to Athens through the TEMPI VALLEY, LARISSA, LAMIA, THERMOPYLAE famous for the ancient battle between the Leonides & his 300 Spartans, Xerxis & the Persians, that took place there , KAMENA VOURLA, and we’ll end our Splendid Greece Tours private tour in your ATHENS  hotel.

Celebrate now the glory of ancient and new, in this gallery of images to the original fields of dreams ….

Photo Gallery >>>

Athens to Delphi (Delfi) through central Greece .Tour Greece to meet the ancient history. Delphi was the most celebrated place in ancient world, Here the democratic lows of Athens where approved. The uncompromising philosophers respected Delphi. Even the wised of men Socrates respecter Delphi. Learn the future secrets discovering the secrets of the past here in Delphi.

Meteora is in a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks & nuns settled on these ‘columns of the wind & sky’ from the 11th century onwards. 24 of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of the eremetic ideal in the 15th century.

Greece Tours Departures: Daily

Itinerary:

Day 1: Levadia | Arachova | Delphi | Thives | Distomo | Bralos | Lamia | Karditsa | Trikala | Kalambaka

Tour Description: Delphi Greece is one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece, the most important in ancient world, and accordingly, it seems to appear in the itinerary of every traveler who is attracted to the oracle that influenced affairs in the known world for over a thousand years.

Start your Greece private tour from your cruise ship or your Athens hotel to a through the centures trip.

Greece  tours private chauffeur will drive you through the fertile plain of Beotia, passing through THERMOPYLAE (hot gates) about 220 km from Athens, the place that the battle of the 300Spartans and LEONIDES took place.

Visit the modern memorial to King Leonidas on one side of the highway that shows the Spartan King on the top of a memorial wall with the words “Molon Lavei” written under the statue. The phrase means, “Come and get it”, this is the phrase that Leonidas said to the Persian king Xerxes when he told Leonidas to hand over his weapons. The phrase has become a slogan of defiance all over the world. Shortly After the battle the ancient memorial was placed just across the highway from the modern memorial. It is a small carved stone plaque that says, “Stranger, tell the Spartans that we lay here obedient to their laws”. This ancient memorial is on the small hill across the national road from the modern one,  and KAMENA VOURLA.

Arrive at Delphi, the centre of Ancient World – the «Omphalos» (Navel of Earth) – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios.

Our private Greece tour continues visiting Delphi’s Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Delphi Museum containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Lunch in Delphi, and start travelling through central Greece to Kalambaka. Overnight.

Day2:  Kalambaka | Meteora | Zagorochoria

Tour Description: Begin in the morning traveling with Splendid Greece Tours to reach Meteora . Here visit the unique in the world the breathtaking METEORA and its byzantine monasteries built on the top of high rocks standing between Sky earth & wind. You will visit one from the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos, the rock monasteries of Meteora . The Monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage and they form one of the most important stations of cultural map of Greece. Belonging to a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, on these ‘columns of the sky’ , monks have settled from the 11th century onwards where twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of the eremetic ideal in the 15th century. Their 16th-century frescoes mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine painting.

The monasteries of Meteora are 6:

• The Monastery of Great Meteoron. It is the biggest of the Meteorite monasteries.
• The  Monastery of Varlaam is the second, after the Great Meteoro, big in size monastery.
• The Monastery of Rousanou. It is dedicated to ‘The Transfiguration’ but honored to Saint Barbara.
• The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas. It is the first to meet on our way from Kastraki to Meteora.
• The Monastery of St. Stephen. It is one of the most attainable as we don’t have to cope with innumerable stairs to reach it.
• The Monastery of Holy Trinity is very difficult to reach. The visitor has to cross the valley and continue high up through the rock before we arrive outside the entrance.

Have lunch in Kalambaka  in a traditional home made Greek food restaurant  by the feet of Meteora.

After  lunch, Greece tours private chauffeur will start traveling to northwest Greece and our next stop will be at  gorgeous Zagorohoria , with its traditional Western Greek Architecture. Overnight in the picturesque villages of Metsovo.

Day 3: Metsovo | Zagoria

Tour Description:Splendid Greece Tours continues, in the morning.  Now visit the traditional Zagorochoria and admire the stone bridges and cobblestone paths, maintained in an excellent condition, are the trademark of this region. You will overnight at Papingo, be amazed by the relaxing and rejuvenating feeling as well as the beauty of the place.will start the drive to Zagoria some of the most picturesque and traditional villages in Greece. Overnight in Metsovo.

Day 4:  Papingo | Gorge of Vikos | Ioannina

Tour Description: Your Splendid Greece Tours private chauffeur  will drive you today to Gorge of Vikos, the deepest Gorge in Europe. Outdoor activity clubs, trekking groups visit the impressive area, traveling from all over the world to cross it. Late lunch and  our next stop is at the Cave of Perama, in Ioannina, the largest cave in Greece and one of the largest in Europe, covering a total area of 14,000 sq. meters.

The cave is located 4km from Ioannina, in Perama, at the foot of Mt. Goritsa. Perama village is the first  after about 2km. 1940 discovered by a resident of the village who was looking for a shelter to avoid bombardments during the Greek-Italian war. During 1951-1955 the speleologists IOANNIS PETROCHEILOS and ANNA PETROCHEILOU explored the cave and discovered teeth and bones of ancient cave bears. Opened in 1956 to the public.

Visit inside the cave where you can see fossils and remains from the prehistoric Era and impressive murals dedicated to the Gods of the Underworld, Pluto and Persephone. Free evening in Ioannina. Enjoy your dinner over the lake with its magnificent view to the lake island . Overnight in Ioannina.

Day 5:  Ioannina, Igoumenitsa, Parga, Prevesa, Agrinio, Nafpaktos, Antirio, Rio, Athens

Tour Description: Morning at leisure. Begin oue drive back and leave from the unforgettable Ioannina and Splendid Greece Tours will drive us through Igoumenitsa- Parga – Preveza while we have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Ionian Sea waters and some of the Ionian Islands. Your Greece private tour ends in Athens in the afternoon.

Celebrate now the glory of ancient and new, in this gallery of images to the original fields of dreams ….

Photo Gallery >>>