Best of Greece: 7-Day Tour to Real Greece of the Peloponnese, Delphi and Meteora
Best of Greece: 7-Day Tour to Real Greece of the Peloponnese, Delphi and Meteora
This is a tour for the experienced traveler who can easily leave behind the easy solution of using the big noisy city (Athens) as a base, to enjoy the magic of real Greece.We plan for you an experience and not a tour for tourists! You will explore like a local the whole of the Mythical Peloponnese and then cross over the Rio-Antirio bridge to visit the "belly button" of the world at Delphi and the stunning Meteora monasteries. The Peloponnese itinerary includes both the well-known sites but also the amazing "for-Greeks-only " locations.Like all our multiday tours, this real Greek experience has an authentic and very flexible itinerary & is best suited for flexible people too.Expect top-class but unique too accommodation, as long as you don't book this experience last minute.
For some, this tour will be an authentic food & drink tasting encounter which means you can skip any touristy food tours in Athens. It will not be a "gourmet" style but for sure a "5-star" taste & atmosphere!
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
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.
15 minutesArchaeological Site Mycenae
Mycenae is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of King Agamemnon and the Mycenean civilization with some of Greece’s most famous ancient ruins. Wander around the archaeological site and accompanying museum.
2 hoursNafplio
One of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis (Eastern Peloponnese) as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece.
2 hoursPalamidi Castle
Walk through the Venetian castle and down the 999 steps that take you to the old Nafplio town.
40 minutesThe Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Epidaurus, another Unesco World Heritage Site, is home to an ancient, beautifully preserved theater. The oldest theater with amazing acoustics.
2 hoursAncient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)
Corinth was a city-state on the Isthmus (canal) of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta.
1 hourNafplio Port
Day 2: Monemvasia via the Coastline & Mountain range of East Peloponnese
2 hoursTyros
Our first break/stop. We'll enjoy a coffee next to the ocean before climbing up the mountain range of Parnon.
30 minutesLeonidio
Leonidio is as impressive as any town in Greece with its Dafonas Gorge in between the red rock-climbing Parnon mountain. Famous to all Greeks for the sweet eggplant/aubergine.
15 minutesMonastery of Panagia Elona
A quick stop at the cliff-hanging monastery of Elona. Amazing views of the red mountain rocks.
30 minutesKosmas
Our authentic lunch place under the huge plain trees of the traditional main square of the town.
1 hour 30 minutesMonemvasia Fortress
Day 3: Mani peninsula, Diros Caves, Mystras & Sparta
15 hoursMani Peninsula
One of the most wild and beautiful areas of Greece
1 hourCaves of Diros
A vast cave structure which is experienced from an expertly guided boat. The lighting and variety of rock formations and formations of stalagmites and stalactites lit with sympathetic lighting makes you appreciate the passage of time.
1 hourAreopoli
One of the typical stonebuilt towns where Pirates were a permanent threat.
1 hourArchaeological Site of Mystra
The famous Byzantine Castletown with the fantastic views of Sparta and the Laconic olive groves.
2 hoursVathia
OPTIONAL (alternative to Diros Caves): Vatheia is the most photographed location of the Mani Peninsula. Also, the best known and most beautiful castle town of Mani. It is an abandoned village today but with amazing views. the late '80s were not, unfortunately, followed through.
1 hourLeonidas Monument
Day 4: Ancient Olympia & (option) Ancient Messene
15 minutesArchaeological Site of Olympia
Olympia hosted the original Olympic Games, founded in the 8th century B.C. Its extensive ruins include athletic training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus.
1 hour 30 minutesArchaeological Museum of Olympia
You will also visit the world-famous Olympia museum and get the chance to see some unbelievable sculptures such as the sculpted decoration of the marble temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the famous Hermes carved by the ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles.
1 hourArcadia
After Ancient Olympia we head to the final destination of the day; the Arcadia mountain stone-built villages to overnight and be ready to explore on the last day.
1 hour 30 minutesDimitsana
Day 5: Cave of Lakes & Odontotos Cog Railway
1 hourKastria Cave of the Lakes
THE MYTHICAL 'CAVE OF THE LAKES' has something exclusively unique that does not exist in other well known caves. A rare creation of nature with mysterious galleries and strange stalactite formations.
1 hourKalavrita
Kalavrita and the surrounding area are a resort for all seasons. This is your lunch place! We explore the center of the town on foot before or after lunch.
1 hour 30 minutesDiakopto 250 03
The little train incorporated so well to the natural environment that it seems that it had always been there. The way it was constructed did not put a strain on the ecosystem of the gorge. Using stone and wood from the area the technicians' work is so perfect that someone may think that the nature worked on its own.
2 hoursNafpaktos 303 00
Nafpaktos is a beautiful seaside small town, where we'' stress our legs and enjoy coffee next to the water and the Venetian Castle.
30 minutesDelphi
Day 6: Delphi (plus Meteora late afternoon visit; time permiting)
1 hourDelphi Archaeological Museum
The Sphinx of the Naxians, dated to 560 BC, comprises one of the earliest representations in art of the demonic creature with a lion's body, bird's wings and a woman's head.
45 minutesDelphi Greece
The sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the 'navel of the world'. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.
1 hour 30 minutesTholos of Athena Pronaia
The first photo you see when you google "Delphi" but still a place that most tourists miss out on! We don't!
30 minutesAmfissa
A totally of the beaten path location for our lunch with authentic choices, treat of your driver/tour leader
1 hourMeteora
Day 7: Meteora (2-3 monasteries) & Thermopylae Battlefield
1 hourThe Great Meteoron Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour
The Great Meteoron Monastery, built on an imposing rock, is the oldest, the biggest, and the most important among the monasteries of Meteora which are preserved today.
1 hourVarlaam Monastery
In 1350 a daring ascetic named Varlaam ascended to the rock. The monastery was named after him. He built three churches, a small cell and a water tank. After his death the rock remained abandoned for about 200 years until 1517 when the two priest-monks Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades started to construct the first buildings from the beginning.
45 minutesHoly Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)
Probably the most photographed monastery. According to historical sources Holy Trinity must have been built between 1458 and 1476.
1 hourBattlefield of Thermopylae
We take a break at the Thermopylae battlefield location with King Leonidas statue. The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I over the course of three days, in 480 BC.
30 minutesSyntagma
Accommodation included: We return to Athens with drop off at your hotel.
2 hoursIncluded
- Completely private! No strangers in the same vehicle as your group! A great tour for 1-8 people
- Brand new non smoking 2020-22 vehicles: large saloon or luxurious minivan. Non smoking driver.
- Top quality accommodation/breakfast.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off but other locations are possible (ports, airports)
- In car tour information booklet and bottled water
- Optional: Vegetarian lunch can be arranged in most cases. Please let us know in advance.
- In-car INFORMATION BOOKLET for all tour activities and sites.
- Bottled Water
- 6x Breakfast
- 7x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 7 nights
Not Included
- Pickup and drop-off in areas outside of Athens
- Entrance fees to the sites; (€8 to €12 per site). Half price during off season (1.Nov to 31.Mar)
- Dinner (You are on your own... but your guide will let you know the best places to eat/drink out)
- PROFESSIONAL/LICENSED GUIDE (optional)
- Shopping & touristy stops unless required by your group
- Gratuites (optional)
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- We expect you to be healthy before traveling! We are in favor of "adjustive social distancing" and optionally wearing masks in crowded and enclosed spaces. Our guides are like family to us and care about your & our safety! Our tours have always been only PRIVATE and with spotless vehicles.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 4 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.