This tour gives you the opportunity to explore the antiquities and beauties of Argolis leisurely, with an overnight stay in the picturesque town of Nafplion.
Itinerary
Day 1
Leaving Athens behind we drive on the coastal road towards the West. Our first stop, after approximately one hour, is the Corinth Canal. There we’ll make a short stop, enough to see the Canal, (approximately 6 km long connecting the Aegean with the Ionian Sea) take photos and visit the local cafeteria. Twenty minutes later we’ll arrive at the small town of Ancient Corinth where we’ll visit the archaeological site with the unique monolithic Temple of Apollo (one of the oldest in Greece 585 B.C.,) the Bema from where St. Paul preached and the Museum.
Driving afterwards through the hills of Corinth, among thousands of olive trees and vineyards, we’ll arrive at the prefecture of Argolis where we’ll visit the archaeological site of Mycenae.
Mycenae, ‘Rich in Gold’, was the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon who dominated the Aegean Sea after the distraction of the Minoan Empire. The city looks out across the plain of Argos to the sea. Its elevated position and its huge Cyclopean Walls offered protection from surprise attacks by pirates and enemies. At the peak of its power (1300 B.C.) the population resided outside the fortress where the Royal Family had its Palace. The Palace, symbol of the power of the Mycenaean rulers, was reached by a large ramp beginning at the Lions Gate.
Outside the fortress lie the impressive beehive tombs including that ascribed to Agamemnon also known as the Treasury of Atreas.
After concluding our visit to Mycenae we’ll drive through the plain of Argos among endless farms of orange trees and forty minutes later we’ll arrive to the picturesque town of Nafplion (First capital of modern Greece, from 1829 to 1834).
Nafplion is the most ancient city in Greece. According to the myth it was founded by Theseas who first conceived the idea of organized cities where people could live together. The city lies under the imposing rocks of Palamide the most formidable Venetian Castle in the Eastern Mediterranean. The smaller Castle of Acronafplia (where the ancient city was founded) crowns Naflion and at the entrance of the harbor, in the Argolic Gulf, there is yet another, third Castle Bourtzi, situated on a small islet.
We’ll arrive at the hotel and the afternoon will be free to explore the old medieval quarter with the traditional restaurants hidden in the narrow, stone paved streets and the port with all the modern cafeterias with view to the Bourtzi Castle.
Alternatively you can enjoy swimming in the beaches near by. (Weather permitting).
Day 2
After breakfast we leave the hotel to visit Palamide fortress. Here you will have a choice of either climbing the authentic stairway of 999 steps to the entrance of the castle or driving directly to the top!
Leaving Nafplion and driving through the winding roads of Argolis we are going to visit Epidaurus, famous for its ancient Theatre and the sanctuary of Asclepios.
The sanctuary of Asclepios was a healing centre as well as a cultural centre in ancient times. Epidaurus was built around the 4th Century B.C. and has a multitude of buildings most famous of which is the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
The Theatre of Epidaurus has reached our days almost intact. The view, aesthetics and acoustics of the theatre are breathtaking. It’s still in use today and hosts carefully selected theatrical plays, concerts, and festivals during the summer. For an actor to perform in the Theatre of Epidaurus is considered the greatest honour and the ultimate acknowledgement of his or her talent, if he wins over the tough audience.
After concluding our visit to Epidaurus, we’ll start out return trip to Athens.
All my tours are private (vehicle reserved exclusively for you) and flexible. It is always up to you to modify the suggested itinerary according to your personal preferences, even during the tour, if feasible.
