- "If you are looking for a unique and personalized experience/tour in Athens make sure you book with Greek TravelTellers! I went on 3 different tours with them and all were so different, informative and the tour guides were exceptional. They did an amazing job providing facts and information about Greece and Athens that only a local would know. I will be recommending them to everyone I know!"
- Alexandria D, TripAdvisor
|
2. What you can expect
In the morning, your driver and your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Athens and start your wonderful day trip to Nafplio and the Peloponnese region. On your way, you will make a quick stop to view the impressive Corinth Canal. The canal is the waterway that separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese. You can stop for photos while your guide gives you some background history behind the canal’s construction, and also reveals the rivalry that once existed between the ancient Athenians and Corinthians.
The next destination, before you head towards Nafplio, depends on your preference. You can visit and enjoy a guided tour of one of the below important archaeological sites:
Option 1: The Historic Mycenae
Mycenae is a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site and the capital of one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, the Mycenaean Civilization. Famous for its place in the epic poems of Homer, Mycenae was the home of the mythical king Agamemnon. Enjoy a walking tour and hear fascinating myths and history as you pass from the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion’s Gate, the Royal Tombs of Agamemnon and his wife Clytemnestra, and the Treasury of Atreus.
Next, enjoy a tour of the Archaeological Museum where you will have the chance to see the Golden Mask of Agamemnon, a grave mask that was found in the Treasury of Atreus. The archaeologist who unearthed the mask, Heinrich Schliemann, believed it was the actual funeral mask of King Agamemnon. You will also be impressed by the jewelry pieces exhibited in the museum, made of gold and with complicated designs.
Option 2: The Mythical Nemea
Nemea is famous in Greek mythology as the place where the great demi-god hero, Heracles, slew the ferocious Nemean lion. Nemea was also the venue for the famous Nemean Games, one of the four Panhellenic Games, alongside the Olympic, the Isthmian and the Pythian. Besides the impressive Temple of Nemean Zeus, you will also have the chance to visit the ancient stadium that still survives today, and, if you are up to it, race at the ancient track!
After learning all about the important Nemean Games and the true spirit of the Panhellenic Games, you will also take a guided tour of the archaeological museum. Nemea is actually the most important winemaking area in the Peloponnese, with the red Agioritiko being the primary grape being grown in this region. If you wish, we can tailor the trip so as to include a wine-tasting session in one of the local estates.
Option 3: The Sanctuary of Askleipius and the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus
The Sanctuary of Askleipius is another UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Peloponnese region, near Nafplio. Back in Ancient Greece, theatrical games were a big thing, many of them taking place in the epic Ancient Theater of Epidaurus. The ancient theater was so well designed all those thousands of years ago that, even today, you can hear people whispering on the stage when you are sitting up in the seats high above. The acoustics here are truly extraordinary and you will have a lot of fun testing them out for yourself, whether whispering or even singing!
The second outstanding feature of Epidaurus is the Asklepios Healing Sanctuary. People would once travel here for hundreds of miles to be healed from their ailments, and there were even guest houses available for the patients to stay in, over 2000 years ago! The Sanctuary is the earliest organized sanatorium and is significant for its association with the history of medicine, providing evidence of the transition from belief in divine healing to the science of medicine. The Sanctuary developed into the single most important therapeutic center of the ancient world.
After your insightful guided visit to one of the above important sites, you will arrive in Nafplio.
Nafplio is a picturesque, seaside town and the first modern capital of Greece. With its charming Venetian architecture and quaint little cobblestone alleyways, it offers an ideal setting for afternoon walks and is a very romantic destination for couples. Stroll around the winding backstreets to admire the stunning array of buildings influenced by Venetian, Frankish, and Ottoman architecture. You can’t miss Bourtzi Castle, which was built by the Venetians in 1473, located on a tiny island in the bay. The town’s oldest castle, Bourtzi is a fascinating sight to behold! During your walk of exploration, you will stumble upon the first Parliament of Greece and Syntagma Square.
Finally, your excursion from Athens to Nafplio has come to an end. You will meet up again with your drive, and start your return trip to Athens.
|
