Welcome to Sparta
Sparta, fearing no one, was without city walls or fortification, which is probably why so few traces are left of a remarkable people. At the height of their power, Greece's toughest, incorruptible, legendary warriors triumphed over Athens and the rest of Greece in the Peloponnesian Wars (431–404 BC). However, the decisive defeat by the Thebans in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC was the beginning of the end for Sparta, which was followed by successive subjugation by the Macedonians, Romans, Goths and Slavs.
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Sparta Mystras Private Day Tour
This amazing tour will give you an excellent to discover the history of Laconia combining Ancient Greek and (the lesser known) Medieval Greek history. We will begin with a drive along the coast. On the way, you passing some Greek seaside villages and the heroic Salamis Island (where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians). Soon after will be our first stop the Corinth Canal. Operating since 1892 and dividing the Peloponnese Peninsula from the rest of Greece while connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. Walking across the pedestrian bridge will be in awe of what has been accomplished here. If your game, on some days bungee jumping is an option. Leaving the canal we will head towards Mystras driving into the southern Peloponnese Peninsula through the mountainous landscape of the Greek countryside. Reaching Mystras you will automatically understand why this location stands so unique within the Greek sites. Known as the ghost city, fortified on a citadel, Mystras is one of the two locations in Greece that preserves not only medieval churches but also ordinary houses, mansions and palaces of the Byzantine Empire in combination with Frankish elements. Walking in the site on the upper point you will reach the citadel and enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding areas while walking downhill you will meet the palaces and the Royal courtyards. Although known as the ghost city most of the monasteries are still in use and the monks will gladly show you around their small society. Before you exit you will come across the chapel of St. Demetrios, on its floor survives a plaque depicting a two head eagle (the symbol of Byzantium). It was on this very plaque that Konstantine Palaiologos kneeled before he was crowned the last Byzantine emperor. Before visiting Sparta we will stop at a traditional Greek tavern at the small village of Mystras. Following we will spend the rest of our time in Sparta, known as the eternal rival city of the Athenian Democracy. Sparta revolved around a different Cosmo theory for the ancient Greek standards. Initially known as the birthplace of Helen of Troy and the Kingdom of Menelaus (in Mycenaean period), Sparta was organized as a purely military society in the ancient Greek period. It was the city of the two Kings were a few aristocrats ruled and of course the city where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans marched from to face the Persian army in Thermopolis in 480BCE. The city whose one soldier counted as ten soldiers from any other Greek city. Reaching Sparta we will visit the ancient citadel of Sparta where you will have a view of the ancient theater being revealed gradually in front of your eyes. Continuing we will pass in front of the stadium where the statue of King Leonidas stands marking the ending point of Spartathlon race (Athens – Sparta 245,3 km). Lastly, we will visit the archeological museum of Sparta and before we depart for Athens.
Mystras Private Day Trip from Athens or Nafplio with Lunch
Ideal tour and sightseeing for both summer time or winter time!> From Athens: Meet your private driver in the lobby of your hotel for your early departure. Begin your drive towards the west area of Athens and make a quick stop to see the Corinth canal.> From Nafplio town: Ride on to the central of mythical Peloponnese and you will arrive at the 1989 declared UNESCO world heritage archaeological site of the mystical tower town of Mystras (next to Sparta town) in just over 2 hours, without any unnecessary stops that many scheduled bus tours make. >Sparta was the ancient rival of Athens and known for her fierce warriors. The Mystras Byzantine ruins are one of the best archaeological sites you can see in the area. Be the knight or princess of your childhood fairy tales in the Byzantine town of Mystras. Wander around the castle city and sense through the silence the city's sheer grandeur: the Palace of the Despots, the Houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantanassa, and of Our Lady Perivleptos.> Next, let your driver/guide treat you to some really authentic Greek culinary delights for lunch (traditional Greek "meze" - small typical Greek dishes accompanied by drinks) in an non touristy location observing the locals in their every day life. An important part of all of the operator's tours; authentic food, mixing with the locals, breath in the aroma of the country.> In the town of Sparta, visit the modern Olive and Greek Olive Oil Museum or the small but interesting archeological site. It is highly recommended that you research and consider the optional exciting alternative return route through the mountains, lunch at the highest mountain village, visit of a cliff hanging monastery, before reaching the beautiful coast line and making a stop in a great seaside village.
Greek Dinner Overlooking the Acropolis
APPETIZER Greek aperitif accompanied by bites of typical Greek flavors FIRST COURSE Traditional homemade spinach-cheese pie with handmade phyllo pastry (secret recipe) SECOND COURSE Fine chopped smoked aubergine with baked Thracian garlic THIRD COURSE Stuffed zucchini with velvet egg-lemon sauce FOURTH COURSE The famous Greek salad (our version) FIFTH COURSE Soutzoukakia (traditional meat balls) slow cooked in wine and tomato sauce with Eastern Mediterranean herbs GREEK POTATOES IN THE OVEN Greek style roasted potatoes in the oven with lemon from Sparta, rosemary, thyme,oregano and olive oil. SIXTH COURSE Kamaki ice cream flavored with mastic of island of Chios, sweet sour cherries The excellent Greek yogurt with nuts and honey DRINKS & BEVERAGES Wine, AperitifThe menu usually includes 6 to 7 course and it can change depending on the season, the availability of the ingredients, and the inspiration.
6-Day Classical Tour Greece,Mycenae,Sparta,Diros Caves, Mystras, Delphi, Meteora
ItineraryDay 1: DAY 1: ATHENS - ARGOLIS -SPARTAStop At: Corinth Canal, Corinth, Corinthia Region, PeloponnesePick you up from your hotel and driving along the mainland coast to Peloponnese, we will have our first stop, 1 hour later, at the Canal of Corinth (6 km length and 80m height).Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Epidaurus Archaeological Museum, Epidavros, Argolis Region, PeloponneseSoon we reach the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best Ancient Theatres worldwide with amazing acoustics. Duration: 1 hourStop At: NAFPLIO.CITYWe will stop for lunch or a coffee break, at one of the most romantic towns of Greece, the seaside town of Nafplio, first capital city of Modern Greece.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: MycenaeWe will continue to the archaeological site of Mycenae, an ancient town with great power during the ancient years, with the famous ‘’Gate of Lions’’ and ‘’Atreus King Tomb’’.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Mystras, Sparta, Sparta Municipality, Laconia Region, PeloponneseOur first day will be finished at the famous town of Sparta for overnight.Duration: 10 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Overnight at either a 4* or a 3* hotelDay 2: DAY 2: SPARTA - MYSTRAS - MONEMVASIA - SPARTAStop At: Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, Sparta, Sparta Municipality, Laconia Region, PeloponneseDuring our second day we will first visit the unique Museum of Olive Oil of Sparta, a great Museum showing the unique history of olive production in Greece. Also we will visit the Memorial of King LeonidasDuration: 45 minutesStop At: Mystras Castle Town HotelWe continue to the nearby glory Byzantine town of Mystras and let yourself be captivated by this destination’s medieval splendour. Wander around the castle city the Upper and the Lower Town, and sense through the silence the city's sheer grandeur: the Palace of the Despots (Anaktora), the Houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa, and of Οur Lady Perivleptos.Duration: 2 hours 30 minutesStop At: Monemvasia Fortress, Monemvasia, Monemvasia Municipality, Laconia Region, PeloponneseAfterwards, we visit the second famous Tower Town of Peloponneses, Monemvasiá,a mystical stone-built settlement, nestled at the edge of a big rock by the sea, that was founded by the Byzantines in the sixth century. Peer into the history of the fortress –the so-called “Gibraltar of the East”–, which was occupied by the Byzantines, the Crusaders, the Venetians, and the Turks in the past. Wander around its narrow cobbled streets, the Upper and the Lower part of the town, and admire the beautifully restored stone buildings. Taste culinary delights at a fine restaurant on the roof of a tower house.Duration: 3 hours 30 minutesStop At: Mystras, Sparta, Sparta Municipality, Laconia Region, PeloponneseLate in the afternoon we return in Sparta for overnight.Duration: 8 hoursMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Overnight at either a 4* or a 3* hotelDay 3: Day 3: SPARTA - ANCIENT OLYMPIAStop At: Caves of Diros, Diros, Laconia Region, PeloponneseAfter our breakfast, we leave Sparta and after a short stop at the picturesque small coastal town of Gythio, we arrive at Areopolis and Diros, famous for its marvelous subterranean caves as a part of an underground river. About 5,000 meters have been exposed and accessible by small boats and through narrow passageways and one is surrounded by formations of stalagmites and stalactites. Caves have served as places of worship in Paleolithic and Neolithic times and their inhabitant believed that the caves were the entrance to the underworld. We can also visit the local museum and then we continue to some of the most beautiful places of Southern Peloponnese, the coastal villages of Stoupa and Kardamili, for swimming or lunch.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Archaeological Site of OlympiaWe pass by the town of Kalamata and we finally arrive at Ancient Olympia for overnight.Duration: 2 hours 30 minutesMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Overnight at either a 4* or a 3* hotelDay 4: DAY 4: ANCIENT OLYMPIA - DELPHIStop At: Archaeological Site of Olympia, Olympia, Elis Region, West GreeceStart in the morning, visiting the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, the place that first Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C., lies in the lush valley formed by the Alfios river. There is a temple of Zeus the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus which in antiquity was housing one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient world, the gold and ivory statue of Zeus, which Phedias had created. Then visit the temple of Hera , the shrine of Pelops (one of the oldest in the sanctuary), the Council house where the athletes took the Olympic oath, the Treasury houses, the Gymnasium and the Palestra where they used to exercise for a month prior to the Games. Finally come to the stadium, where the marble starting blocks are still in position. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic centre in Greece. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutesStop At: Nafpaktos Old Port, Naupactus, Aetolia-Acarnania Region, West GreeceLeaving Ancient Olympia, we will cross over the amazing bridge of Rion – Antirion, one of the biggest in Europe, in order to reach at Nafpaktos, a beautiful seaside small town, where you can visit the Venetian Castle, the Venetian Port, and have lunch.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central GreeceWe finally reach at Delphi for overnightDuration: 1 hour 30 minutesMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Overnight at either a 4* or a 3* hotelDay 5: DAY 5: DELPHI - METEORAStop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central GreeceAfter your breakfast, we will visit Castalia Spring, visit at the archaeological site and view the monument of the Argive Kings, the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and the Temple of Apollo famous for its oracle and Delphi museum, with it's spectacular exhibits include the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos the metopes of the Athenian treasury, the famous bronze Charioteer, originally created to commemorate a victory during the 476 B.C. Pythian Games, and many other artifacts.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: MeteoraAfterwards, we visit the most famous winter resort in Greece, Arachova, a traditional and at the same time modern small city in an altitude of 1000 meters. We continue our trip to reach Kalambaka (Meteora) for overnight. Duration: 4 hoursMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Overnight at either a 4* or a 3* hotelDay 6: DAY 6: METEORA - ATHENSStop At: MeteoraVisit Meteora and enjoy a unique and most impressive scenery of ageless monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between Earth and Sky atop huge rocks. We visit the first great monastery of Varlaam, founded on the 16th century and located on the top of a rock at 380m height! Our second visit will be at the Monastery of St. Stephan, of the 15th century, also built on the top of the top of another huge rock where you will admire a small treasure of Byzantine and Christian items, at the museum inside the monastery!Duration: 2 hours 30 minutesStop At: Battlefield of Thermopylae, Thermopylae, Phthiotis Region, Central GreeceReturn to Athens passing by the small towns of Domokos, Kamena Vourla at the seaside and Thermopyles where there is the statue of Leonidas as a memorial of the battle of the 300 Spartans against thousands of Persian soldiers of the Persian Empire. Drop you off at your hotel in Athens late afternoon.Duration: 20 minutesMeals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.
Hiking the Spartan Trail
Day 1 – Arrive in SpartaArrival day. Get any flight arriving to Kalamata or Athens airports. Meet your guide at the airport for a drive to your hotel in the town of Mystras a suberb of Sparta. Group meeting and briefing about the next days followed by a dinner together.Accommodation: Hotel in MystrasMeals: DinnerDay 2 – The Byzantine Town of MystrasMorning meeting with your guide at your hotel’s lobby. Our first hiking day starts from the overwhelming castle town of Mystras built during the Byzantine period.Trail distance: 12 kilometersAscend:800 meters,Time: 6 hours. Rating: Easy to moderateAccommodation: Family owned guesthouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunchbox, DinnerDay 3 – Hiking the E4 TrailAfter breakfast, we fill our flasks with fresh water from the fountains of Anavriti and start our ascent heading to the mountain refuge that will accommodate us for tonight. Trail distance: 15 kilometersAscend: 1200 metersTime: 7 hours. Rating: Easy to moderateAccommodation: Mountain RefugeMeals: Breakfast, Lunchbox, DinnerDay 4 - Hiking at the SummitAfter breakfast we start a difficult and ultimately rewarding hike to the highest peak of the mountain at 2407 meters. Our summit is rewarded with spectacular views of the mountain range,into the Spartan valley of Evrotas and to the Mediterranean Sea.Trail distance: 12 kilometersAscend: 1100 metersTime: 8 hours. Rating: ModerateAccommodation: Mountain HutMeals: Breakfast, Lunchbox, DinnerDay 5 – Hiking the Royal Trail A region so remote that conquerors through time left it alone. This part of the trail was frequently used by ancient Spartans as an access route to the sea. It passes through Vasiliki (Royal) forest where an amazing diversity is found with Pinus Negra, the black pine tree dominating this ancient forest.Trail distance: 19 kilometersDescend: 1150 metersTime: 8 hours. Rating: ModerateAccommodation: Family Owned HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunchbox, DinnerDay 6 – Departure Awake and energize with a breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Our last day is a relaxing day where either we can take time to swim and explore the town of Kardamyli. Your trip ends about noon either catching a transfer to the airport or extend your travels.Meals: Breakfast
Mythical Peloponnese: Castles and Legendary Sanctuaries
Day 1: Drive to Acrocorinthos, the acropolis of ancient Corinth. This is a 575 m (1,886 ft) – high rock overlooking Corinth that was continuously occupied from archaic times to the early 19th century. Prior to arriving at Acrocorinthos, we make a short stop at the Corinth Canal, which cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, thus effectively making the former peninsula an island. Onwards to our first base in the vicinity of Pylos.Day 2: Visit to Niokastro, the castle of Pylos, and to the Monument of the Admirals which commemorates the sea battle of Navarino and the resulting destruction of the Turkish fleet by the joint British, French and Russian fleets in 1827, during the Greek War of Independence. Overnight in the vicinity of Pylos.Day 3: Visit to illustrious Ancient Olympia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its wonderful museum and to Kyparissia castle on the way back. Short walk at Yalova lagoon and Voidikoilia cove, both beautiful scenic spots. Overnight in the vicinity of Pylos.Day 4: Visit to impressive Methoni and Koroni castles. Overnight at Kalamata.Day 5: Visits to Kalamata and Androussa castles and, time permitting, to the wonderful archaeological site of Ancient Messene. Overnight at Kalamata.Day 6: Drive to the remarkable castle-town of Monemvassia via a visit to the citadel of Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a short stop at Sparta, the birthplace of fabled Leonidas and his 300 fierce warriors. Overnight at Monemvassia.Day 7: Exploration of Monemvassia - and of the famous Malvasia wine at a local winery. Overnight at Monemvassia.Day 8: Drive to the picturesque sea-side town of Nafplio and visit of Palamidi fortress and the sea-fort of Bourtzi. Overnight at Nafplio.Day 9: Full day and overnight at Nafplio.Day 10: Return to Athens via Ancient Tiryns and illustrious Ancient Mycenae, both being UNESCO World Heritage sites.Accommodation is at specially-selected, European standard city and country hotels. Transportation is by modern, air-conditioned coach whilst the venues for lunch and dinner have been carefully chosen, not least with the hungry explorer in mind – but also to reflect the ancient Greek tradition where eating is central to social interaction and happy bonding.