This is Sparta..!

6 days Historical/ Cultural Guided Tour

Group Size
Small – Private

Age Range
7-90 years

From 
1.200€

Physical rating

HIGHLIGHTS:
Ancient Corinth Corinth Canal Cape Tainaron Monemvasia Mystras Sparta Ancient Epidaurus Mycenae Nafplio Leonidion Kalamata Diros caves

Group Size 
Small – Private

From 
1.200€

Ages
7-90

During the archaic and the historical period in the Peloponnese, tough city states were growing, such as Sparta, Argos, Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Corinth  and other smaller ones.
Although these cities were autonomous city-states with many conflicts with each other, they were fully aware of their common origin, which was confirmed by mythological elements, such as Pelops, the Peloponnesian ancestor.
Then there was the Greek Twelve Gods, the Olympian Gods, the common religion, which was not always favorable to the Greeks, especially when they were unjust or insulting.
This common corigin consciousness united them in the campaign against Troy, when Paris stole the beautiful Helen of Sparta, the wife of the king Menelaus, brother of Agamemnon  king of Mycenae.

On this trip, after passing through Corinth and Argolida, we will head to the area of Laconia and Sparta.

So we will see the Corinth Canal, the Epidaurus Theater, Mycenae, Argos and Nafplio in Argolis, Kynouria, an Arcadian region today, but in ancient times it was claimed, often with bloody wars, by the Argives and the Spartans and, driving continuously south, we reach Ancient Zarax and the Medieval Monemvasia.

When we make this trip in the summer we will visit the beautiful island of Elafonisos with the amazing beach of Simos, the unique sunken archaic city Pavlopetri, and Neapolis, a beautiful town built on the site of the ancient Boeae.

Then we will proceed to Sparta and we will see the Statue of Leonidas, the Archaeological site, the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Oil and Olive.

We are very close to Mystras, the city of the Byzantine castle with the arrogant castle hanging on the hill and we have to see it, starting from the top and walking down to the foot of the hill crossing the main downhill road of the city.

Then we will go to Gythio, a beautiful ancient coastal city, which was founded by Hercules according to mythology. We will admire the architecture and the color of the city, the port and the island of Kranai, where Paris and Eleni spent the first night together.

Leaving Gythio we will make a very interesting route through Eastern Mani, the so called Sunny Mani, to reach Cape Tainaro, the cave of Hades, the southernmost tip of mainland Greece and the second southernmost of Europe. We will pass Vathi, the coast of Agia Varvara, the village of Kotronas and other coastal maniot villages with big house towers, the necromancy of Tainaron, the lighthouse of Tainaron (Cavo matapan) and the beautiful bay of Porto Cayo.

Then we will visit the settlement of Vathia, the most photographed traditional settlement of the Peloponnese, and the beautiful settlement of Gerolimenas.

Throughout our journey we pass through cities that were part of the Koinon (Common) of free Laconians, most of which no longer exist. At this point (Kyparissos) there was the ancient Kainipolis, which was sunk by a deadly earthquake.

We are now in the heart of Mani, Mesa Mani (Inner Mani) and we are going up to Areopolis, whose central location in Mani makes it its capital.

We will have the opportunity to see this small town, the beautiful settlement of Limeni in the gulf of Itylos and to do a boat tour of the Caves of Diros.

Our journey will last six days and during this time we will have the opportunity to tell more about the mythology, the history and the social organization of the areas through the centuries.

Why you’ll love this tour


Inclusions

Accommodation
5 overnight stays in double / twin rooms
Meals
5 breakfasts
6 lunches with a soft drink or beer or local wine (250 g)
1 dinners in traditional taverns with a soft drink or beer or local wine (500 g)
Transportation
Car or Minivan
Entrance fees included
Tickets in caves
Activities Included
30mins of undercave boat trip

Exclusions

 Museum Tickets and Archaeological Sites

Transfer to and from the Airport

Drinks and soft drinks (except the above)

Gratuites (optional)


You can read more about why we have these inclusions and exclusions.

Need to know

  • The maximum number of participants per group is 6.
  • Our Tour runs with a professional driver and a local tour guide.
  • Our lunches and dinners have always a gastronomical character. You will taste plenty of authentic Greek recipes at selected tavernas where the locals eat. Read more about our meals!
  • Overnight at beautiful top-class locations & hotels taking full advantage of your evenings.
  • A typical day starts at 08:30 and it finishes at around 17:00-18:00
  • 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).
  • Our tour has an authentic and very flexible itinerary and is best suited for flexible people too. We can adjust and even add some special moments depending on your pace and good communication.

Itinerary

Map

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Available departure dates

MonthDeparture Date
October06, 13, 20, 27
November01, 10, 15
March 24'15, 22, 29
April 24'05, 12, 19, 26
May 24'03, 10, 17, 24, 31
June 24' 05, 12, 19, 26
July 24'03, 10, 17, 24
August 24'01, 08, 15, 22, 29
September 24' 04, 11, 18, 25
October 24' 02, 09, 16, 23

Select date

Departure:
Total: 1700

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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

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