Olive oil and wine are traditional agricultural activities of the South Greece, while the properties of these products have been mythological since the ancient years. As the philosopher Theophrastus states in his work “About Plants History”, the local wine of Irea in Arcadia when drunk by men makes them excited while when drunk by women it makes them pregnant (according to Theofrastus).
Peloponnese is the land where vineyards have been abundant since antiquity and that’s why in mythology it was the realm of Dionysus, the God of wine. So, it is only natural that vine cultivation and wine making from excellent quality grape varieties flourished throughout the region.
Travelling through the wine roads of Peloponnese you will discover the magic of the most historic vineyard. Crossing landscapes of great natural beauty, the selected routes of Peloponnese wine roads bring you closer to one of the oldest vineyards globally, so that you get to know the world of wine at a great number of renowned wineries.
Discover great wine-tourism destinations, explore authentic Greek terroirs brimming with the colors and aromas of nature, taste exceptional locally-produced wines, sample Greek gastronomy and wander around traditional villages and alluring sights.
Plan your trip along the wine roads of South Greece and get ready for extraordinary experiences.
Why you’ll love this tour
- The Nemean lion, the Lernaean Hydra, the Stymphalean birds. Follow the steps of Hercules and see where seven out of his twelve labours took place.
- Raft down the river of Lousios, where Zeus used to bath.
- Explore the entrance of the Underworld! Get on the boat and discover a cave of unique beauty, formed by stalactites and stalagmites.
- Taste the exquisite Nemean wines in high quality boutique wineries.
- Get on the cog railway and climb up to Kalavryta passing through forests bridges and tunnels.
- Explore Mycenae, the legendary kingdom of the Atreides, surrounded by massive “cyclopean walls.
- Visit Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games!
Inclusions
Accommodation 8 overnight stays in double / twin rooms (single + 230 €) |
Meals • 8 breakfasts • 7 lunches • 8 dinners |
Transportation
• Luxury minivan or Car or 4wd SUV |
Entrance fees included • Museum Tickets and Archaeological Sites |
Activities Included • Wine Tasting at 5 selected wineries • Thermal spa in Loutraki • One Day Cruise to the Islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina |
Exclusions
Drinks and soft drinks (except the above)
Gratuites (optional)
1st Day
Arrival in Athens airport – transfer to your hotel – Wine and Dine with Greek music -Overnight in Athens
2nd Day
From the Acropolis to Omonia Square you will see all the sites of ancient and modern Athens with this morning trip. Offering a perfect overview of the modern city, this guided tour will help you navigate if it’s your first visit to Athens.
The day tour to Athens begins with a photo stop at the Panathinaiko stadium where the first Olympic Games were held in 1896. Proceed through Zappeion and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. You will then pass the trilogy of Athens which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens and the National Library. Continue through National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Schliemann House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square, Orthodox Church Russian, and finally the Acropolis.
Continue the guided tour at the Acropolis Athens museum. Major attractions such as votives, archaic statues, the caryatids, and of course the Parthenon Hall with metopes, pediments and frieze will impress you.
After a morning visit with full of pictures then we go for a wonderful drive along the picturesque coastal road which offers a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of the most beautiful coastal suburbs of Athens (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza) to the suburb of Mesogaia (meaning Middle Earth), the most famous wine region of Attica, where we will have our day wine tasting and lunch at the Papagiannakos estate. Later we make our way towards the Cape Sounion. After visiting the temple of Poseidon perched on a rocky hill, we ‘ll take our bath in one of the many beautiful bays of the area.
Back to Athens, a rest before our night exploration (Athens By night)
3rd Day
Departure from Athens for the region of Parnassus mountain. Our destination is the Argyriou Estate on the slopes of Parnassus mount (altitude 500 m). It we ‘ll take us 2,5 hours to get there with a stop for coffee in a traditional village. The winery produces the varieties of Malagousia, Sauvignon Blan, Merlot together with other local varieties.
After having lunch and a wine tasting we go south to the traditional village of Arachova for a refreshment and then we visit the archaeological site and the museum of Delfi, the famous oracle of the ancient Greeks. The popular Delphi, also known as “the navel of the earth”, it constitutes the point where the most important religious center of antiquity was founded and flourished. Their archaeological site was declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in 1987.
Later we move to the south to a seafront nice hotel in the coastal area to take our bath and the evening we ‘ll enjoy our dinner in a nearby tavern.
4th Day
Departure for the western coast of the Peloponnese region passing through Patras. We are moving southwards a little away from the sea coast. Our next stop is the coastal forest and the wetland of Strofylia, where together with the area of the Kotychi lagoon is a magnificent coastal mosaic of biotopes. We Swim in the famous paradisal beach of Kalogria. Then we leave for the area of Pyrgos and visit the winery estate Merkouri where we will have a tasting of the produced here well known in Greece Mercouri wines. Then we will enjoy a delicious meal in a seafront fish tavern.
After twenty minutes drive we get to the legendary Ancient Olympia, a journey back in time to the greatness of ancient Greece and to the place that gave birth to the Olympic Games.
We ‘ll visit the Museum, the big archaeological site (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument), the ancient Olympic stadium. Here we will have the opportunity to see the Temple of Zeus, the ancient stadium and the spot where the Olympic flame lights up before traveling to the place where the Summer and Winter Olympics take place.
An evening walk will take place in a scenic landscape on the road above the ancient stadium to the Olympic Academy premises. Dinner at a local tavern – Overnight
5th Day
We continue going towards the south Peloponnese in order to get to the world glorious ancient city of Sparta, the city of Tindareos, of Dioscuri, Menelaos and the beautiful Helen, of Leonidas.
The first stop is the enchanting castle of Mystras (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument), where from the top of the hill we will step down the narrow corridors and the narrow streets of this stunning castle-city and visit the Byzantine churches, the palace of Palaiologos, the last Byzantine emperors’ dynasty.
Then we will visit the city of Sparta, the river Evrotas, the statue of Leonidas and the archaeological museum.
We ‘ll take our lunch in the village Vellies together with a taste of the regional wines of Malvasia, Assyrtiko and Kydoniatis offered by the winery estate of George Tsimpides.
Then, after a 20-minute drive, we will get to the romantic Monemvasia, the picturesque Byzantine fortress, lying for centuries on the slopes of the windswept rock. We will wander in this uniquely preserved medieval castle-city with its arched alleys, churches and mansions. It is said that a total of around 40 churches existed in the past. They now number 24. Along with the Christos Elkomenos (Christ in Chains), we ‘ll see Agia Sophia on the top of the cliff, the gothic-tinged Panaghia Myrtidiotissa, and the Panaghia Chrysafitissa, next to the sea wall, where there are the stand-out churches.
In the evening we will have dinner in a tavern in the castle of Monemvasia and we ‘ll sleep in one of the romantic hotels of the old castle-city
6th Day
We turn backwards and we move north to the city of Tripolis, laying in the center of the region of Peloponnese. The area around Tripolis is called Mantineia (from the homonymous ancient arcadian city), a wine producing area, almost exlusively cultivating the variety of Moschofilero.
We will visit the district of Tegea, another Arcadian ancient city, the vineyards (altitude 800 m) and the winery of Tselepos, on the slopes of the mount Parnon. We ‘ll taste his white varieties of Moschofilero, Gewürztraminer (Traminer) and Chardonnay as well as the red ones of Agiorgitiko, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
We will enjoy our traditional local lunch in the magical amphitheatrical village of Ano Doliana before moving to Ancient Mycenae one of the oldest cities of Argolis, one of the World Cultural Heritage Monuments, which is one of the most popular archaeological sites in Greece. We will learn much about its history, as it was the realm of the mythical Agamemnon and is considered to be the most important and richest palace of the Late Bronze Age. The period of the Greek history between 1600 BC until around 1100 BC is called “Mycenaean”. Referring to Mycenae Homer first reports the city describing it as “golden”. We admire the Gate of the Lions, the Royal Palace, the treasure of Atreus and the tomb Klytemnestra.
Then we will take a bath at the beach of Karathonas, a beach hidden in the middle of two coves and behind the rock of Palamidi. Then we will visit Nafplio, one of the most beautiful and romantic cities, the first capital of Greece.
Here we will be in a host of attractions and beauties: Palamidi, Bourtzi, Syntagma Square. We will walk to Akronafplia and we will be lost in narrow alleys. The day will end with a dinner at Nafplio.
Overnight stay at Nafplion or Tolo.
*** In Mycenae, Argos and Tiryns, all important establishments strategically located in the fertile Argolic plain, lived once and dominated the names of Inachus, Phoroneus, Argus, Akrisius, Perseus, Proetus, Sthenelus, Capaneus, Lynceus, Evrystheus, Hercules, Amfiaraus, Agamemnon, Oreste, Diomedes, Aigisthos, Thyestes, Tissamenus, Danae, Io, Andromeda, Klytemnestra, Pheidon, Telesilla and the famous horses of Pegasus and Arion.
7th Day
We start the day with en early stroll in the streets of Nafplio and later we move to Skouras winery in the Argolic plain passing from the glorious city of Argos, the oldest city in Europe. After we have tasted some of the best wines in Greece we shall be driven to Ancient Epidavros to see and admire the archaeological site and the huge theatre (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument), famous for its symmetry and beauty and admired for its exceptional acoustics, used again today for dramatic performances in the summer time.
Then we drive down to the magical village of Palaia Epidavros – built between a lemon and orange tree grove. We swim and dive into a sunk ancient city and then we take our lunch in the shadow of the seafront tavern.
Tracing the steps of Theseus, the great ancient hero, back to Athens, we take the coastal road to Corinth and Isthmus canal, where we stop for taking pictures.
Then we head to Loutraki where in a super modern space, they offer a unique experience to rejuvenate body and mind as well as relaxation and welfare with body and face treatments, with Loutraki’s world famous thermal water.
Later we leave for Athens ending this wonderfull multi-day epic tour with a nice dinner and clubbing (greek music).
Overnight in Athens
8th Day
The visit in Greece must be completed with One Day Cruise to the Islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina in the Saronic Gulf. We start with an early pick up from your hotel to the port of Piraeus from where you will get your cruiser.
Dinner will be offered in a tavern by the Acropolis hill. Last night’s Clubbing.
Overnight in Athens
9th Day
We take our breakfast in our hotel and we are getting ready to depart for the airport.
Additional Information
All our Epic Tours offered are accompanied by one of our local English speaker group guides. The aim of the group guide is to take the hassle out of your trip and to help you have the best experience possible.
The guide has excellent knowledge of the places visited and will provide you information throughout the whole trip, including historical, cultural and social aspects. Your guide takes care of all the essential things of the tour, offers suggestions for things to do and see and introduces you to the local communities.
We use a minimum three-star rating,conveniently located hotels and apartments with all the essential modern conveniences. Lodges that practice good eco-tourism, use products and hire staff from the local villages, walk lightly on the surrounding environment and are true to the area they represent.
Accommodation on all our trips is on a twin or double bed basis. Single upgrades are available upon request and depend on availability.
Concerning the transportation, our company cooperates with leading transfer companies which use vehicles of the latest technology with the most stringent standards. All minivans are equipped with comfortable seats, air condition and large windows.
Our experienced drivers will do everything they can so that your transfer be safe and pleasant.
In all our Epic tours offered, we have made an effort to include as many attractions as possible, therefore reducing our stay in the bus to the minimum, by making many stops.
When it comes to meals, Epos Travel & Tours strikes a perfect balance, since gastronomy is one of the main aspects of the total tour experience offered.
We include most meals (at selected seaside or traditional taverns) to save you time and money, yet we also leave enough free time so you can sample Greece’s gastronomic delights on your own.
Epos travel packages vary as to the number of meals included.All provided meals are clearly stated on the tours’s inclusions section.
As most of our hotels offer anything from coffee to a full breakfast, you can start the day the way you like best with high quality local products.
Lunch is your chance to make culinary discoveries of your own – Your tour guide can give you tips about recommended places if asked.
When your itinerary includes a special experience, such as fishing on a hired boat,rafting or wine tasting, lunch will be included.
Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform us prior to the trip. We can provide vegetarian and vegan meals. Please feel free to contact us, regarding any questions you may have about food, so we can provide you the best options possible.
Meeting and finishing point: Most of our tours -unless otherwise stated in the trip’s information section- start and end at Syntagma square in Athens. Tours commence at 08:00 on the starting date and finish between 21:00 and 22:00 on the finishing point. Please note: In case you leave Greece on the day the tour ends,it is advisable to book your return flight at least 3 hours after our scheduled return time. That will give you the tranquillity and ease of mind, avoiding any unfortunate events that could blemish you vacation.
When you book with us, please have in mind that our tours don’t include any accommodation before or after the tour. So we advise you to make any stay arrangements for the date the tour ends. In relation to your arrival date and your stay in a hotel in Athens or in another city for one or more days before or after the trips, please feel free to contact us and we shall arrange it at no cost.
With regard to your transfer to and from the airport, we are able to help, if you ask us about it. We can arrange a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Athens and vice versa 24/7. Your private driver will be waiting for you at the exit of the airport, holding a placard with your name on it.
Regarding the issue of your air ticket you know that the sooner you buy it the more cheap it comes. You are most likely to find lower prices in your home country. But it is worth trying together.
Please check if you belong in one of the Free or Reduced admission categories below.
Free admission for:
• Members of the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece and equivalent Chambers of member-states of the EU, upon presentation of their membership card
• Members of the ICOM-ICOMOS, upon presentation of their membership card
• Students of University – Higher Education Institutes, Technological Educational Institutes, Military Schools or equivalent Schools of EU member states, as well as Schools of Guides, upon presentation of their student identity card
• Young people, up to the age of 18, upon presentation of their Identity Card or passport for age confirmation.
Reduced admission for:
• Greek citizens and citizens of other Member – States of the European Union who are over 65 years old, upon presentation of their ID card or passport for verification of their age and country of origin
• Students of University – Higher Education Institutes, Technological Educational Institutes or equivalent Schools of countries from outside the European Union, upon presentation of their student ID cards