Cultural trip to the Peloponnese and Delphi

We leave Athens and head towards Corinth. Our first stop today is the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, which is at the crossroads between Central Greece and the Peloponnese, and between the Corinthian and the Saronic gulfs. The continuation of our quest brings us to the archaeological site of Mycenae, the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon and the richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Palatial complexes, Cyclopean walls, the famous “Tomb of Agamemnon” (also known as the “Treasury of Atreus”), huge arches, fountains and ramparts comprise one of the greatest architectural complexes known to the ancient world. Leaving behind the cyclopean fortifications and the vaulted tombs of Mycenae, we set off to visit Arcadia, the homeland of the ancient Greek god, Pan. In the city of Tripolis we have some free time for lunch, before we continue to the Kaltezes Monastery, one of the most impressive orthodox Christian monasteries where we learn about Greek herbs and their traditional uses. Leaving Kaltezes monastery in its calm isolation, we move south towards the city of Kalamata, where we have dinner and overnight.

Today we visit the city of Sparta and get to know about ancient Spartans and their laconic philosophy through a tour to the archaeological site of Ancient Sparta. We continue the day with a short walk through the byzantine ruins of the medieval fortified city of Mystras, that used to be the capital of the byzantine Despotate of Morea and the Paleologos dynasty. Built in a beautiful landscape on the slopes of mount Taygetos, this tower city is full of old medieval buildings and byzantine churches with impressive frescoes. Wandering through its cobbled pathways we explore it’s unique architecture and natural beauty. The view to the Laconian plain and mount Parnon from the castle of Mystras is unique. We have a short break for lunch in a traditional taverna and after lunch we take a tour to the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil and learn how the cultivation of olives and production of olive oil is connected to Greek everyday life throughout the centuries. We return to Kalamata for a stroll in the old part of the city.

We leave Kalamata in the morning and visit the archaeological site of Ancient Messene, a city built in 370 BC by the Theban Epameinontas. This city developed into an important cultural center of Messinia until 395 AD, when it was destroyed by the Goths. The Ancient Theatre, the Ekklesiasterion, the Asclepieio, the Temple of Artemis, the fountain of Arsinoe, the imposing Stadium and the Gymnasium, the Odeon and many other monuments testify to the wealth and size of Ancient Messene. Our next stop is up in the mountains to visit the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, where we enjoy a picnic next to the ruins. Our mythical journey continues as we drive to Ancient Olympia, where we have dinner and spend the night.

We spend our morning in Ancient Olympia, the place where the Olympic Games were held between 776 BC and 394 AD. This archaeological site is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is situated in an idyllic natural location. Later we visit one of the oldest vineyards of Greece and we taste Greek wines accompanied by a light meal. We depart from the vineyard and after a short stop we head to Delphi where we have dinner and stay for the night.

The elite ancient Greeks would come to the sanctuary of Delphi to get the prophecies of the famous oracle of Pythia. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world and was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre of ancient Greece. Visiting the archaeological site, exploring the sanctuary of Apollo, the tholos of Athena Pronaia, the stadium, the gymnasium and the theatre of Delphi, we immerse ourselves in the magical world of this ancient site. From Delphi we head back to Arachova, where we stroll through the picturesque alleys and traditional cafés of the village. In the afternoon we return to Athens for a farewell dinner.