Self Drive - Mythical Paths & Castles

On arrival in Athens International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the city of Athens. Overnight Athens

After breakfast, you will meet our representative to deliver you the car. Drive along the mainland coast to Peloponnese peninsula. First stop will be the Corinth Canal, which connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea 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. Continue the drive, until you reach the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus. It’s the best-preserved ancient theatre in Greece in terms of its perfect acoustics and fine structure. Next stop will be the picturesque town of Nafplio for lunch and walk around the old city. Continue your self drive to the archeological site of Mycenae. According to mythology, this was the town of the legendary king Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War. The most famous spots of Mycenae is the Lion Gate, the entrance of the town, and the Treasury of Atreus, the vaulted tomb of King Agamemnon. Your day will end on the famous town of Sparta for overnight.

One of the highlights of your trip is the visit to Mystras, the famous castle city, which during Byzantine period was the second most important town after Constantinople (Istanbul nowadays). The Castle is an old town surrounded by Byzantine walls and with an imposing palace on top of the hill. Most of all this place is famous for its Byzantine churches with the impressive frescoes inside. At the foot of the hill is the modern village of Mystras, with traditional architecture and nice squares. Enjoy a traditional Greek coffee before heading to the wonderful Monevasia, another well-preserved medieval city. Monemvasia was entirely carved on the backside of a sea rock in Medieval times. This huge sea rock is not visible from the mainland so that the locals could avoid enemy attacks. The only way to reach Monemvasia was by boat, while later on a paved pathway was constructed to connect the castle entrance to the mainland. This is how the name came out, meaning a single passage. A walk around the Castle Town is a travel to the past, while the sea view from the castle top is breathtaking. Return to Sparta for overnight

Full of experience, you will leave the beautiful Sparta and head to the one of the most important and spectacular lake-caves in the world! Visitors explore the cave with special boats which follow a peripheral route, so that anyone can admire the succession of the "Chambers". Fossilized bones of panther, hyena, lion, deer, ferret and the largest hippopotamus bone deposit in Europe have been found inside the cave. Ceramics, indicating human habitation, have been found near the natural entrance to the cave.
Continue you trip and don’t miss to stop on the beautiful village of Kardamyli. Set dramatically against a backdrop of crystalline aqua-blue waters, majestic cypress trees, wild olive groves, verdant rolling hills and distant snowcapped mountains, it is one of the prettiest of villages that overlook the calm seas and splendid sunsets of the Messinian Gulf.
Drive north to Ancient Olympia for overnight.

In the so-called "valley of the gods", Ancient Olympia grew to be the most celebrated sacred site of Ancient Greece, and the birthplace of the Olympic Games, the most important sports events in all antiquity. Start your day with a visit to Archeological Site & Museum of Ancient Olympia. See the ancient exhibits up close, the most important ones being the celebrated statue of Hermes by Praxiteles; Nike (Victory) by Paionios, a plastic arts masterpiece; and the sculptures that used to decorate the Temple of Zeus, considered among the greatest ancient Greek Art creations. After the visit, continue your trip by crossing the amazing bridge of Rio-Antirio. On your way to Delphi, make a stop for lunch in the city of Nafpaktos next to the Venetian Port. Continue to Delphi for overnight.

Delphi is famous for one thing in particular: it is home to the world-famous oracle of Delphi. This oracle was renowned in Ancient Greece, as pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean would visit it to receive the prophecies of the ancient Greek god Apollo. The prophecies were delivered by Apollo through the words of Pythia, the high priestess of his temple.
According to the myth, which the scientists have also confirmed, Delphi is the navel of the Earth, meaning it is the central point of planet Earth.
Today the museum accommodates one of the most valuable collections of ancient Greek art. These works, along with the architectural monuments, once adorned Apollo's sanctuary, which must have resembled a vast open-air museum. The museum shelters the famous Charioteer belonged to a statuary complex of a chariot run by four horses and included a second male figure, the statues of Kelobis & Biton & the Sphinx of the Naxians. Continue to Kalambaka for overnight.

Meteora means ‘suspended in space’. Your first, second and third sight of these impossibly tall, vertical rocks will have you gasping in disbelief. But it’s not just the incredible geology that stretches your imagination. It’s the monasteries balanced on these pinnacles. The biggest and most popular monastery in Meteora is the Grand (Megalo) Monastery. The Grand Monastery has a unique architecture and boasts a breathtaking view of the valley. But, if you want to visit a quieter monastery in Meteora, then you should opt for the Monastery of Agios Stefanos, which is a very interesting place to explore.
Many travelers also visit Meteora for hiking and climbing, two of the most popular things to do in Meteora. As for the landscape, it is, of course, perfect for nature exploration.
After your tour return to Athens. Our representative will meet you in order to collect the rental car. Overnight Athens

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Athens Airport for your International flight