DAY 1: Athens – Corinth Canal – Epidaurus – Nafplio – Mycenae – Olympia (overnight)
Meet your driver/guide at your hotel or Athens Airport and hop on your private vehicle from your location without wasting time picking up unknown people. Begin the drive towards the famous and mythical Peloponnese region.
We drive along the Attica coastline and make a quick stop at the famous Canal of Corinth which connects the Saronic to the Corinthian gulf. Walk on the bridge and enjoy a view from 80m height above sea level and the 6km length of the canal. The next stop is the 4th century BC Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its acoustics. We continue to one of the most beautiful towns of Greece, Nafplio. We visit its Palamidi castle and walk the 999 steps enjoy amazing views of the port and ‘’Bourtzi’’; a small isle that was used as a prison by the Venetians. Following our amazing lunch & drinks (included), we head for the famous ancient town of Mycenae with its Archaeological site, the museum, the Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, the Palace, and finally the tomb of Agamemnon. After leaving Mycenae behind us we will arrive in Olympia (overnight) and explore the birthplace of the Olympic Games the next morning.
DAY 2: Ancient Olympia – Nafpaktos – Galaxidi town – Delphi (overnight)
Olympia is a small town on the west side of the Peloponnese peninsula famous for the nearby archaeological site of the same name. Enjoy breakfast in your hotel and then we visit this major religious sanctuary of ancient Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games were held. The site was primarily dedicated to Zeus and drew visitors from all over the Greek world which helped to build the identity of the ancient Greeks as a nation. Despite the name, it is nowhere near Mount Olympus in northern Greece, where the Twelve Olympians, the major deities of Ancient Greek religion, were believed to live.
The archaeological site held over 70 significant buildings, and ruins of many of these survive, although the main Temple of Zeus survives only as stones on the ground. You can walk through the impressive ruins of the area where athletes trained and ran in the ancient stadium; just as the ancient Olympians did after their victory 3,000 years ago. In front of the Temple of Hera burns the Olympic Flame during the modern-day Olympic Games. Tour the monuments of the archaeological site, including the former gymnasium and Palaestra (where athletes practiced before competing), stadium, hotel & crypt. Let your imagination run to the times that Greece’s finest athletes strove to honor the gods through the Olympic ideal.
We depart from Olympia after lunch and will cross over the amazing bridge of Rio – Antirio, in order to leave behind the Peloponnese region and reach Nafpaktos town for a coffee break next to the Venetian Port and possibly lunch too depending on our timing. We will depart from Nafpaktos aiming to reach Delphi in the late afternoon giving time to enjoy the area even before the next day’s explorations. Should you book early enough we can arrange a surprise location and accommodation less touristy than the obvious hotels of Delphi!
DAY 3: Delphi – Meteora – Athens
After breakfast, we visit and explore the classical treasures, theater, the museum, and the ancient ruins of Delphi best known for the oracle at the sanctuary that was dedicated to Apollo. You see the Stadium, the Ancient Theatre which can host more than 5,000 spectators, the Stadium, and of course the Museum of Delphi, with the bronze statue of the ‘’Charioteer’’. Delphi is perhaps during the classical period. We will also be visiting the 2nd Delphi site of “Athina Pronaia”.
On the way to the Hosios Loukas monastery, we stop to enjoy the scenic Arachova village which is at the top of a cliff on the side of Mt Parnassus. This beautiful and peaceful monastery is located in a great location with excellent views. A 1,000 years old monument preserved to perfection still active with its monks and also people using it for the normal church services but also baptisms and weddings!
Our lunch will be determined by our time spent at each site, but we have the options open and without compromises when it comes to food & drink.
Heading towards the scenic Amphissa mountain town we should arrive at Meteora by 16:30. Before checking in to your hotel, we will visit the rocks for a complimentary evening photo shooting with the evening light and with multiple stops at selected spots. We will spend the evening relaxing at a great hotel facing the amazing Meteora rock formations. You can (optionally), explore the bustling but not touristy Trikala town, relaxing over dinner!
DAY 4: Meteora – Athens
Meteora Unesco site is home to more than 20 rock monasteries. Originally occupied by 11th-century hermits, the monasteries later became hiding places for monks when the Roman Empire started to fall. We visit two (maybe 3) of the incredible monasteries depending on the available time, your rhythm, and fitness!
Monastery of Holy Trinity and Kalabaka town
After breakfast, we approach the monasteries. Depending on the time available and your fitness, you have the option of visiting 2 or 3 monasteries such choosing from the Grand Meteora Monastery, Moni Agiou Stefanou, Holy Trinity, Rousanou, or Moni Varlaam. This visit is subject to change depending on your day of the visit since there are different opening days for each monastery.
After our last great lunch, we drive towards Athens. However, we will still stretch our legs at the famous Thermopylae battlefield of King’s Leonidas 300 against the 200,000 Persians. You will be dropped off directly at your hotel, Airbnb, or even cruise ship.
PS. Please request and discuss the alternative route of this tour. It is of the same cost but depending on the time of the year we travel in the opposite direction starting our tour from Meteora on day-1 instead of Epidaurus/Nafplio/Mycenae. This changes and makes more interesting the overnight locations!
Totally private tour. No last-minute cancellations; no endless pickup and drop off of strangers. Stop anytime, anywhere; non-touristy itinerary. Before booking this tour, we advise that you google the less touristy/known places mentioned: Acheron springs, Metsovo, Galaxidi & Nafplaktos.
☼ Private tour with a tour leader.
☼ Hotel/Airbnb/cruise ship pickup and drop-off.
☼ Non-smoking vehicle and driver.
☼ Three-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 & drinks are also included on all 4 days 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 if needed.
☼ Flexible itinerary.
☼ Optional: Vegetarian lunch can be arranged in most cases. Please let us know in advance.
☼ Pickup and drop-off in areas outside of Athens or Piraeus port.
☼ Excess luggage not allowed.
☼ Shopping stops (unless specifically requested).
☼ Entrance fees to the sites are Mycenae and Epidaurus at 12 EUR/each, Olympia 12 EUR, Delphi 12 EUR, Meteora monasteries 3 EUR/each.
☼ Dinners.
☼ Professional guide (available on request before the tour).
☼ Gratuities (optional).
From your Athens hotel, airbnb, cruise ship (Piraeus port) or a pre-arranged meeting point very close to your location.
For other starting locations please contact us.
If you are looking into exploring more great sites, mix with less touristy but authentic locations and stay out of Athens as much as possible, take a moment to consider these tours:
☼ The 5-Day Peloponnese: Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidavros, Monemvasia, Mani, Sparta, Mystras, Olympia, Arcadia tour
☼ The Ultimate Greek Experience: 7-Day Tour to Real Greece of the Mythical Peloponnese, Unique Locations, Food & Drink, plus Delphi and Meteora
Both are very popular tours that include a great mix for well-traveled visitors.
Please contact us for more details or if you have questions to ask.
☼ 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’ is the person or persons who have made a confirmed booking with Eudaimonia.
ALL TOURS AND SERVICES HAVE THE FOLLOWING CANCELLATION POLICY
For “booking” dates on or after July 1, 2020
☼ Cancellations made greater than 15 days prior to the scheduled tour date will be fully refunded.
☼ Cancellations made between 7 to 15 days prior to the scheduled tour date will be refunded 80% of the agreed total tour fee.
☼ Cancellations made within 7 days of the scheduled tour date will be refunded 50% of the agreed total tour fee.
☼ Cancellations made within 48 hours prior to the scheduled tour date will incur a 100% charge.
If any specific client’s payment -full or partial- for a tour is labeled as “non-refundable” (e.g. last-minute bookings, etc), this will proceed to 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”.
In all other cases: 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.
If the change or cancellation is due to force majeure (i.e. circumstances like political unrest, war or threat of war, riots, civil strike, closure of airports or ports, industrial disputes, terrorist activity, natural & nuclear disasters, fire, epidemic or health risk, Acts of God, adverse weather conditions or other similar events beyond Eudaimonia’s control) we will give a full refund of any monies paid to us less reasonable expenses incurred by us in respect of your booking (hotels, tickets, etc).
Eudaimonia is not responsible for the costs of any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations or rescheduling of any tour departure.
The client’s booking does not cover travel insurance. Eudaimonia strongly recommends that the client purchases travel insurance.
Dietary requirements must be requested from clients and forwarded at the time of booking or at least one week before the tour.
VALIDITY
The above terms and conditions are valid for all booking dates from July 1st, 2020 to December 31st, 2021.
Any tours booked on previous dates (before July 1st, 2020) are subject to the initially agreed terms which, in all cases, would have been “non-refundable”. However, following the COVID-19 issues, it is also offered credit for the rescheduling of such tours until December 31st, 2021.
