Mythical Peloponnese and Hydra Island Plus Amazing Food & Drink Included: Private 9-Day Fully Flexible Experience
€7,500
Why this tour? To have a real Greek experience exploring the most important & beautiful region of Greece; the Mythical Peloponnese. They call the Peloponnese the “Top Emerging Destination” in Greece, but this is only true for the tourists; for the locals, it has been the “Favourite Destination” for ages! We enjoy this tour and this means we try to be attentive to our visitors’ reactions, emotions & preferences in order to make the experience unforgettable for all of us!!! We have a personal connection to all the locations we visit.
So, leave noisy-touristy Athens behind and enjoy these 9-full-days, touring totally privately the best of the Peloponnese sites & Hydra island the way locals only do. Experience the beauty of the Mythical Peloponnese, the food, and the people by exploring some UNESCO sites and unique, authentic locations.
☼ Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplio town & Epidauros.
☼ Cosmopolitan Hydra island.
☼ Monemvasia – a medieval castle town located on a small island linked to the mainland by a short causeway.
☼ Mani & Diros Caves or Vatheia village or Cape Tainaron. A dramatic coastline of sleepy fishing coves and fortified villages. The beautiful Oitilo & Limeni villages.
☼ Sparta, Mystras & Olive Oil Museum (optional and time permitting).
☼ Ancient Olympia or/and Ancient Messene – Walk through the impressive ruins of the Olympia area or visit the most underrated but amazing Ancient Messene.
☼ Arcadia mountains, villages & cliff-hanging monasteries.
☼ The Mythical Cave of Lakes and the Odontotos Cog Railway.
☼ And an amazing Food, Accommodation & Landscape Experience.
The tour is beyond any dispute authentic, very flexible, and best suited for flexible people too. We can adjust and even add locations depending on your pace and good communication. So, do let us know as much as possible about yourselves (likes/dislikes, etc) and we’ll make this tour a great experience!
Duration: 9days – 8nights. Language: English Departure: 8:00 a.m. from Athens
You can book this tour online now. The pricing shown is for 1 or 2 people (not per person).
For more pricing details & options please see the “Pricing” tab below or Contact Us to get a quote for more than two people. And … don’t forget to select the tour “Start Date” before “Adding to the cart”!
Ideal tour for those looking to visit some amazing sites without wasting time driving in & out of Athens, but instead overnight & enjoy beautiful, authentic “Greek” locations like Sparta & Mystras, Monemvasia, Nafplio town, and Dimitsana village. All with great accommodation that you can’t experience in the big cities. For up to 7 (related only) people but we can do bigger groups too as long as you are related.
Day 1: Corinth Canal – Mycenae – Nafplio – Epidaurus
At your hotel, meet your private driver/tour leader for your 8:00 a.m. departure. On a short trip of no more than 1 hour, you enter the Mythical Peloponnese through the Corinth Canal for this “real Greece” experience.
The Corinth canal is the first stop and then on to MYCENAE home to some of Greece’s most famous ancient ruins. Wander around the site & museum before hopping back in the vehicle and exploring the “old town” of NAFPLIO, the famous Venetian fortress of Palamidi with its 999 steps. Then head to EPIDAURUS, home to an ancient, beautifully preserved theater. Overnight at probably the most beautiful Greek town, Nafplio.
Day 2: Cosmopolitan Hydra Island
After a quick 1 hour drive from Nafplio town, we arrive at the beautiful peninsula village of Ermioni (or Metochi pier) to catch the boat to Hydra. This is a lovely, easy and quick 25 minutes ride (each way) from the Peloponnese mainland to take you to Hydra island and back. Note: This area of Ermioni, Hydra & Spetses islands, Portoheli is a hidden gem that Greeks only explore, and which the rich & famous residents from all over the world try to hide even more to preserve the family holiday style.
Hydra is a very historic and cosmopolitan island but also the most relaxing Greek island. No cars, no noise but still extremely popular and “real Greek” unlike places like Mykonos or Santorini! Explore on foot and enjoy the views, the water, the coastline, and the beautiful narrow cobblestone streets, doors, windows, and houses.
[Video: Eudaimonia Private Tours – Summer 2019]
Visit places like the Manor of Lazaros Kountouriotis. The house was built in 1750 and it is a great example of upper-class island life of the 18th and 19th centuries when Hydra was the home to the shipping families. Inside the Manor are displayed family heirlooms, personal belongings, paintings, and exhibits from the folkloric and historical collections, which belong to the National Museum of History. A coffee or drink next to the water is a must!
Day 3: Monemvasia Castletown via the Coastline & Parnon’s Mountain Range of East Peloponnese
Starting from Nafplio, our destination is Monemvasia but -should you agree- taking not the fast/shorter motorway route but exploring the glorious coastline of the East Peloponnese before climbing up the mountain range with several stops and lunch on the way.
Late afternoon and the evening is dedicated to the Monemvasia castle/town where you will spend the night (if you book early enough to secure one of the great guesthouses) enjoying the magic atmosphere, the views of the castle, and the water, plus food & drink. The name MONEMVASIA (derived from two Greek words, mone and emvasia) means “single entrance” and refers to the narrow causeway which is the only way to enter the town. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period.
If you don’t make a last-minute booking overnight will be inside the atmospheric Monemvasia castle town.
Day 4: The Mani Peninsula
Leaving behind Monemvasia, there will be a long great day in the MANI Peninsula, one of the wildest and most beautiful areas of Greece. A dramatic coastline of sleepy fishing coves and fortified villages like the beautiful Oitilo, Gerolimenas & Limeni. The amazing DIROS caves that you will optionally visit with a guide and a boat and/or explore the peninsula as far as the beautiful Vatheia village and Cape Tainaron. Vatheia is a small settlement of stone towers and abandoned houses that became a ghost village, but in recent years, it has become one of the must-see destinations in the Mani Peninsula. Next is lunch at one of the stone-built villages where Pirates were a permanent threat.
Overnight will be at one of Mani’s best sunset locations (if you book early enough).
Day 5: Mystras & Sparta
Breakfast and a morning visit to Sparta for the statue of King Leonidas and his famous 300 warriors. Sparta is the ancient rival of Athens known for its fierce warriors! The King Leonidas statue stands belligerently in front of a football stadium. When the Persians attacked Thermopylae and told the Spartans and their allies to lay down their weapons, Leonidas’ response, immortalized beneath his feet, was ‘Molon labe’ (‘Come and get them’).
Wandering around the byzantine castle town of MYSTRAS is probably the highlight of the day. Mystras, the best-preserved example of a medieval walled town in the Greek region, is today a standing ghost city that fascinates the visitor with its castle, churches, and the palatial complex of the ruling Byzantine dynasty, bearing witness to its bygone greatness.
Option: The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, transports you to the culture, history, and technology of olive and olive oil production in the Greek realm, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. This area is the ideal place to purchase olive oil after visiting the impressive museum of Olives & Olive Oil.
Overnight at lively Sparta or Mystras will allow us to visit (next morning) a couple of amazing sites that very few visitors of Greece or even Greeks have seen.
Day 6: Ancient Messene
After a great breakfast, we will drive a circle to visit Ancient Messene and the Temple of Epicourios Apollon.
Ancient Messene has much to offer. In size, form, and preservation, Messene is one of the most important cities of antiquity. It boasts not only religious and public buildings, but also imposing fortifications, houses, and funerary monuments. It is a very significant ancient city in terms of its size, form, and state of preservation. It possesses not only sanctuaries and public buildings, but also imposing fortifications, houses, and tombs.
One more night at the same location and hotel. A great hotel to enjoy its facilities and relax in the evening.
Day 7: Ancient Olympia and to the mountains of Arcadia
From Sparta, it is a 1h.30′ drive to ancient OLYMPIA to walk through the impressive ruins of the area where athletes trained and ran in the old stadium, just as ancient Olympians did after victory 3,000 years ago. See the temple of Hera and some unbelievable sculptures such as the statue of Zeus and the Hermes of Praxiteles. The city has the rare advantage of not having been destroyed or covered by later settlements. Ruins that have withstood the test of time and remain standing for travelers to marvel at.
Next, we carry on towards the Arcadia mountain range past Lagadia, the hometown of the best stone builders in Greece to end up in the mountain air and the view of Lousios gorge from DIMITSANA & STEMNITSA villages at 3,000 ft altitude.
We overnight in a great stone-built guesthouse and explore the beautiful village before or after dinner.
Day 8: The Arcadia Cliff-hanging Monasteries & Villages
Dimitsana is one of the most beautiful stone-built villages of central Peloponnese. We will be visiting the Open-Air Water Power Museum which highlights the importance of water power in traditional society. Focusing on the main pre-industrial techniques that take advantage of water to produce a variety of goods, it links them to the history and daily life of the local society over the ages.
The first monastery we visit is Moni Amayalon and then we continue to St. John Bastist’s which is the most amazing cliff-hanging monastery of Lousios gorge. A short hike through the forest is easy to manage for anybody in order to experience this site! Next is another very popular mountain village for a great lunch. Just like Dimitsana, this is also a very popular village for the Greeks! Famous for its jewelry making. A nice day with relatively limited driving and plenty of time to self-explore or walk.
Finally, we head back to our beautiful accommodation with the amazing views and sound of the river.
Day 9: Cave of Lakes & Odontotos Rack railway
We will start with breakfast in the mountain air and the view of the Lousios gorge before driving and crossing the mountains to visit the Cave of Lakes. The Mythical Cave of 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.
We drive on to climb the mountain range towards the top and the ski center of this area to enjoy one of our best lunches at the mountain village of Kalavrita. After exploring the village you will be boarding the ODONTOTOS rack railway to take you from the top of the mountain, through the Vouraikos Gorge to the coastline and the Corinthian Gulf. This is considered one of the most scenic routes in Greece.
Back in the car for a great ride next to the coastline to arrive back in Athens in less than 2 hours.
It is important to remember that this is a very flexible and personalized tour. The Peloponnese is full of amazing locations that we can include or substitute or leave out of your itinerary. So, do let us know as much as possible about yourselves (likes/dislikes, etc) and we’ll make this tour a great experience!
☼ Private tour!
☼ Hotel/Airbnb/cruise ship pickup and drop-off from/to Athens.
☼ Private driver/tour leader.
☼ Non-smoking vehicle and driver.
☼ Eight-night accommodation (including breakfast), all arranged at awesome stonebuilt guesthouses and luxurious countryside hotels. It is based on double or triple occupancy depending on your group/family. Contact us if in doubt.
☼ Lunch is also included on 8 out of 9 days (not on day2) and at selected locations. You might discover that this is a food tour that is included … within the tour!
☼ Each person is allowed one normal size suitcase and a small carry-on bag.
☼ Full and detailed itinerary of the trip.
☼ In-car bottled water & information booklet.
☼ Evenings out transport.
☼ Flexible itinerary.
☼ Free online consultation for all aspects of your planning and staying in Greece from the first moment you book the trip or any other day or multi-day trip of Eudaimonia. We will answer all your questions based on our insider knowledge and experience (best location to stay, eating out, safety, tips, dos & donts, etc).
☼ Optional: Vegetarian lunch can be arranged in most cases. Please let us know in advance.
☼ Excess luggage is not allowed.
☼ Entrance to the sites.
☼ Dinner & personal expenses.
☼ Lunch not included on day2 (Hydra)
☼ Professional/Licensed tour guide (available on request).
Total pricing for 2 persons is €7.500 (not per person). If you are a solo traveler, we will provide a small discount.
For larger groups of up to 11 (or even more) related only people (couples, groups of friends, or large families), please get in touch with us to get the best rate depending on the exact number of people and their age group. All our vehicles are brand new. For example, if 1-3 people, a typical large four-door 2022 vehicle will be used, whereas, for 3-8 people, a large 2021 minivan will be used for the trip.
PS. Payments made by Paypal are subject to an additional cost of 5%-6% (the approximate fee that Paypal charges on all transactions), and prices by Amex are subject to an additional 2.80%-3%, which the client must include in the payment or pay to Eudaimonia on the day of the booked tour. There is no extra charge if you pay by any other credit card.
From your Athens hotel, Airbnb, cruise ship (Piraeus port), or a pre-arranged meeting point very near to your location. For other starting locations please contact us.
Many thanks to Discovery UK for the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus video. Also, thank you BS8, for the drone footage of the amazing Monemvasia castle, and Rocher Bros for the great video footage of Nafplio town.
Please contact us for details and pricing. Not all add-ons can be included in all tours either because of time limitations (daylight time, closing times of sites) or because of the time of the year, etc. Some add-ons require an earlier starting time than the typical 8:00 a.m. pick-up.
You can always consider the extensive version of the Peloponnese tour which includes a couple more sites plus Hydra island:
☼ All our tours include lunch and drinks and all multiday tours include quality accommodation. Professional guide, dinner (on multiday tours), and tickets to the sites are not included. You can read more about why we have these inclusions and exclusions.
☼ Children must be accompanied by an adult.
☼ Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not suitable for people with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
☼ We are flexible and the duration of the tour is flexible, so there is no rushing during the tour except when there are specific restrictions (like not to miss the closing time of the sites during off-season).
☼ If our agency cancels due to bad weather or any other extreme last-minute situation, you will be given the option of an alternative date or a full refund.
‘Eudaimonia’ is the trading name of Eudaimonia Private Tours of Greece, a tour provider officially registered under the Greek National Tourism Organization with business license number: 1245E70000044101. The ‘client’ or ‘customer’ is the person or persons who have made a confirmed booking with Eudaimonia.
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR TOURS AND SERVICES
(A) Cancellation Policy for the day or half-day tours or transfers:
☼ Cancellations made greater than 40 days prior to the scheduled tour date will be fully refunded minus expenses and/or services fees.
☼ Cancellations made between 30 to 40 days prior to the scheduled tour date will be refunded 80% of the agreed total tour fee.
☼ Cancellations made between 20 to 5 days prior to the scheduled tour date will be refunded 50% of the agreed total tour fee.
☼ Cancellations made 5 days prior to the scheduled tour date will incur a 100% charge.
Additionally to the above but after the 40-day full refund period, all of Eudaimonia’s expenses agreed upon through the email exchange of communication concerning the day or half-day tours or transfers, such as site tickets or train tickets or bookings for the client (train/ boat tickets, wine tasting, restaurants, etc) will be deducted from the amount to be refunded.
Finally, a service fee of 8% (of the total amount agreed) will also be deducted from any refundable amount including the 40-day full refund case. This corresponds to the time spent on the client’s booking.
(B) Cancellation Policy for multi-day tours:
☼ Cancellations made greater than 60 days prior to the scheduled tour date will be fully refunded minus expenses and/or services fees as mentioned below.
☼ Cancellations made between 60 to 30 days prior to the scheduled tour date will be refunded 80% of the agreed total tour fee minus expenses and/or services fees.
☼ Cancellations made between 30 to 20 days prior to the scheduled tour date will be refunded 50% of the agreed total tour fee minus expenses and/or services fees.
☼ Cancellations made 20 days prior to the scheduled tour date will incur a 100% charge.
Additionally to the above but after the 60-day full refund period, all of Eudaimonia’s expenses agreed upon through the email exchange of communication concerning any multiday tour, such as site tickets, train tickets,hotels booked for the client, and other bookings (like wine tasting, restaurants, etc), will be deducted from any amount to be refunded after the initial 60-day full refund period. This will be an amount of 25%-30% of the total tour cost.
Finally, a service fee of 15% of the total amount agreed will also be deducted from any refundable amount including the 60-day full refund case. This corresponds to the time spent on the client’s booking.
(C) Special client-specific arrangements/agreements:
It is possible that there will be client-specific payments & bookings (full or partial) agreed upon through e-mail communication mentioned -for example- as “non-refundable”. Then, these client-specific agreements will precede any other interpretations made from this cancellation policy, and it is only at Eudaimonia’s discretion to refund fully, partly, or not at all, even under certain conditions including “Force Majeure”. Therefore, it is the specific written (email) agreement between each client and Eudaimonia that can only precede this main cancellation policy -if it is different- and determines the agreed cancellation policy for each client.
D) Other issues:
Eudaimonia reserves the right to make subtle changes to tour itineraries. Eudaimonia reserves the right to substitute vehicles and/or drivers should they arise. Eudaimonia reserves the right to change or cancel your booking in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. Should change and/or cancellation prove necessary we will give you reasonable notice thereof, in the circumstances, & where available, offer you a comparable alternative. If an alternative is not available or acceptable you will be entitled to either a full refund or monies paid by you to us or you can transfer to another Eudaimonia tour without payment of any transfer fee.
Eudaimonia encourages all clients to communicate as early as possible concerning cancellation issues which can allow the agency to offer a better refund – partial or full- to a client despite the standard policy described in this document. This is a decision to be made entirely by Eudaimonia in an effort to better serve the client.
Eudaimonia itineraries are flexible, and if possible, the requirements of clients will be facilitated. Eudaimonia reserves the right to vary, modify or cancel any itinerary, either partly or wholly. Itineraries published are sample itineraries only and may be amended without notice. Eudaimonia also reserves the right to use alternative vehicles to those advertised.
Eudaimonia is not responsible for the costs of any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations or rescheduling of any tour departure.
Dietary requirements must be requested from clients and forwarded at the time of booking or at least one week before the tour.
Bookings can only be used by the client/s to whom the booking was initially arranged; no other person can use the booking in any circumstances.
The client may also be asked to produce a valid photo or/and passport number identification.
Eudaimonia strongly recommends that the client purchases travel insurance.
VALIDITY & DISPUTES
Any disputes will be resolved by the Greek legal system and its laws without the need for any arbitration.
The Client agrees to all the above when booking any of Eudaimonia’s tours and services.
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