Upon arrival at Athens airport, pick up your car and drive to Nafplion, the first capital of Modern Greece and by many considered the most beautiful town in Greece.
Time permitting; a visit at the site of Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth is well worth a stop.

Overnight in Nafplion.
(If preferred, accommodation can be arranged in Tolo, a lovely sea resort, approximately 11 km. southeast of Nafplion.)

Nafplion and the surrounding region offer a wide range of possible excursions for this day: You can drive to the top of the Palamedes fortress (or walk 1½ hrs), from there you will enjoy a fantastic view of Nafplion and its bay.

Ancient Mycenae with the imposing Lion’s Gate and Tomb of Agamemnon, and the theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its acoustics, are certainly the highlights.
If you happen to be in Nafplion on Friday or Saturday evening during the summer festival (usually from the end of June until the end of August), held at the theatre of Epidaurus, you should certainly try to attend a performance.

At the end of the day you may drive to nearby Tolo for a quick dip in the sea.

Overnight in Nafplion.

Before leaving Nafplion, take a stroll along the narrow streets of the old Venetian center!

Drive to Gythion, a picturesque seaside town at the foot of the Taÿgetos mountain range, known for its excellent seafood. On your way southbound you can visit Mystras, an old Byzantine city on the slopes of Mount Taÿgetos.
It was once the Byzantine capital of the Peloponnesus and of the last Byzantine civilization. While wandering through narrow alleys and winding streets, you will pass by numerous small churches, with excellent restored frescoes.

Overnight in Gythion.

Again you have many options on how to spend this day:
Visit the magical town of Monemvasia, called the Gibraltar of Greece, a massive rock rising dramatically from the sea just off the seacoast. You cannot see this medieval town with its many Byzantine churches until you emerge from a narrow tunnel in a massive fortifying wall, which makes the impact of the first encounter and the delights of exploring it extraordinary.

Or explore the barren landscape of Inner Mani, visiting Vathia with its tower houses and the cave of Pirgos Dirou with its stalactites and stalagmites - a wonder of nature not to be missed.

Overnight in Gythion.

If you have not visited Mani yet, you can do so this morning.
For those, who like hiking through the mountains, a stop at Kardamyli is recommended.
There are several walking paths, varying from 2 hrs up to 6 hrs
On request, we can provide you with a map showing different routes.

Overnight in Kalamata.

Driving towards Olympia again you have a wide range of possibilities on what to see today: explore Pylos with its huge natural harbour and delightful tree-shaded central square and visit the Venetian castle at Methoni.
Or drive to the site of Ancient Messene, once the capital of the Messenians, entirely enclosed by a massive wall, and built as a fortification to keep watch over Sparta.
Other places of interest are the Palace of King Nestor and its museum at Chora.

Overnight in Olympia.

Needless to say that visiting the site of Ancient Olympia is an absolute must:
The sanctuary of Olympia spreads around the green wooded feet of the Kronion hill. The valley is full of olive trees, poplars, oaks, pines and plane trees. Dedicated to the god Zeus, every four years Pan Hellenic contests were held attracting the athletes from all Greek city-states.

If you have already visited Ancient Olympia the previous day, then you have ample time on your way to Athens to make a stop at Ancient Nemea and, if you did not have the opportunity to do so on your arrival day, Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth are worth a visit as well.

Upon your arrival at the hotel in Athens the rental company will collect your car.

Overnight in Athens.

You have now reached the end of your program.
Upon request, our agency can arrange transfer to Athens airport.

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