• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Athens
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Nafplion
• 1 night hotel accommodation in Pyrgos (Sparta)
• 1 night hotel accommodation in Kalamata
• 1 night hotel accommodation in Olympia
• 1 night hotel accommodation in Delphi
• Half day Athens sightseeing tour
• Car hire for 7 days, Category "B", Opel Corsa or similar manual car 
• All transfers as mentioned
• Entrance fees during Athens sightseeing tour
• Daily breakfast
• 24 hour assistance phone number
• All taxes and service charges

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: ATHENS
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure.
DAY 2: MORNING ATHENS GUIDED CITY TOUR
The striking contrast between breathtaking monuments of a glorious past and modern elegant structures is what you will enjoy during your tour of Athens. Visit the Acropolis,the crowning beauty and glory of Ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awesome Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympic Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium(site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), the Tomb of the unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House on Constitution  Square. See views of government buildings and elegant structures of the 19^th century. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University, National Library. In contrast,  conclude your tour with a visit to the new Acropolis museum (closed on Monday’s), a marvel of architecture with a full exhibition of the glory of Ancient Athens. Balance of day at leisure.
DAY 3: ATHENS / NAFPLION
Pick up rental car at your hotel in Athens at 9:00am

Car hire price includes third party insurance, Collision Damage waiver (Euro 700 deductable), unlimited kilometers, and tax.

Drive via the national road which leads you to the Corinth-canal, after just one hour drive. Make your first stop at the river bank – at Isthmia – and study the old bridge, which sinks into the bottom of the canal, every time a ship is crossing…

The 6 km. long canal, which was consecrated in 1893, makes the journey between Patras and Athens 200 nautical miles shorter and the seafarers save a daytrip round Peloponnese, going through the canal. Continue through Argos, the most beautiful and fertile part of Peloponnese, through valleys full of fruit orchards and the known and acknowledged wine district Nemea. Last, but not least, some of the biggest cultural treasures are located in Argos: the Royal Tombs and the “Lions Gate” at Mycenae and the ancient theatre in Epidaurus with the cult of Asklepios with the holly snake, which symbolizes the art and practice of medicine.

It’s in the middle of this nature- and cultural richness that Nafplion is placed. The city was the former capital of Greece, and is one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Small, but with a tremendous charm, you find the old part of town leaning up against the Akronafplio-hill with the impressive Venetian castle Palamidi on the top.

Life here can be enjoyed in full. Either by walking in the small and narrow streets between the neo-classical houses with the finest architectonic details, or sitting at one of the many cafes or restaurants along the harbour, enjoying the sea and the landmark of the city: the Burtzi, the little island with the famous fortress. Overnight in Nafplion.

DAY 4: NAFPLION

Free day to relax and visit the beautiful city of Nafplion and stroll through the ramparts of the old fortress of Palamidi. Overnight in Nafplion.

DAY 5: NAFPLION / SPARTA

After breakfast, depart for Sparta(Mystras). The journey continues south via Tripoli to the mountain village of Sparti. From here you can visit the unique Byzantine state of Mystras. Mystras occupies a steep foothill on the northern slopes of Mount Taygetos, 5 km. from Sparti. The castle on the top of the hill was founded in 1249 by the Frankish leader William II de Villeharduin. The whole area of Mystras is an open-air museum. A reminder of a glorious era of power and culture. Many of the small churches are still in function today. Overnight Sparti.

DAY 6: SPARTI / KALAMATA:
After breakfast depart for Kalamata. From Sparti you head to the beautiful fishing village of Gythion. We strongly recommend that you make a stop here and enjoy a plate of Kalamari in one of the countless “Ouzeri’es” along the harbour. The trip continues and after one hour via Areopolis, you reach the known ”Diros Caves”, which were discovered in 1895. Some people insist that they stretch all the way to Sparti. When you enter the caves you will walk down a stairway to an underground lake where there are boats waiting. You are given a life-vest and then each boat gets a guide who uses poles to journey through the caverns and tunnels, which are eerily lit and adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, many with interesting names.

After a visit here, you continue through the bare and rocky landscape of Mani. The population in this area has through the time been known for their desire of liberty. Until the War of Liberation was won, the Maniots were constantly in fights with one another, fighting for the limited, but fertile soil in this area. They were living in stone houses and the area has kept its original building tradition.

Along the way you will pass by small picturesque villages. In one of them, Thalernes, you can buy local products such as delicious marmalade, wine and olive oil. Make a stop in Stoupa and Kardamili, two of the most charming villages, and enjoy life among the locals. You can find an excellent choice of fish-taverns and very nice beaches here.

Reaching Kalamata let’s not forget to mention the rich selection of handicraft and specialities, that one shouldn’t miss: the known Kalamata olives, wine, figs, ”pasteli” made of nuts and honey and raisins. Kalamata offers also a delicious sausage with orange, which is served and enjoyed with ouzo or raki… The area of Mani is a joy for the eye and the taste! Overnight in Kalamata.

DAY 7: KALAMATA / OLYMPIA
Continue to Methoni - Pylos – Olympia, Drive through Messinia and experience the time of the crusades by visiting the Venetian castles of Koroni and Methoni. Methoni is one of the riches areas of wine production in the southern part of Peloponnese. According to the Greek poet Homer, Methoni has been given its name from the donkeys that were - and still are - used at the wine harvest… From Methoni you drive north the theatrically build fishing village of Pylos. Make a stop at the small harbour and enjoy cool refreshments. Then continue a bit further north and you will reach Olympia. The place where the Olympic Games were born and the athletes meet for the first time in 776. Overnight in Olympia.

DAY 8: OLYMPIA / DELPHI

After breakfast start the tour of the birthplace of the Olympic Games! Visit of the magnificent Museum housing the famous statue of Hermes by Praxitelis and the archaeological site with the temple of Zeus, temple of Hera, the Gymnasium, etc. Visit also the Old Olympic Stadium used for the Olympics of 2004!  

Drive via Patras to Rion, cross the channel to Antirion on the "state of the art" new suspended bridge considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe. Pass by the city of NAFPAKTOS and from there on, along the coastal road to Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova then continue to Delphi. Overnight.

DAY 9: DELPHI / ATHENS

Visit of Delphi in the morning. See the temple of Apollo, the theater, the stadium, the Athenian treasury, walking along the Sacred way of Delphi. Then visit the Museum housing some masterpieces of the Greek sculpture, such as the bronze statue of the Charioteer.

In the afternoon return drive to Athens via Arahova and Levadia.

Arrive in Athens in early evening. Drop off the rental car.

DAY 10. ATHENS / AIRPORT
According to your departure flight, you will be transferred to the airport.