The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for many modern ships. From high up, you can enjoy the best view of Corinth's isthmus and admire the steep limestone walls while you observe the vessels below you navigate their way through the canal.
The fortified citadel of ancient Mycenae, the seat of the mythical and mighty King Agamemnon. An impressive and well-preserved site, the city of Mycenae gave its name to an entire civilization. Admire sites such as the Tomb of Clytemnestra, the infamous Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean walls and learn of their blood-stained past. In the second millennium BC, Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece, Crete, the Cyclades and parts of southwest Anatolia. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to about 1100 BC is called Mycenaean in reference to Mycenae. At its peak in 1350 BC, the citadel and lower town had a population of 30,000 and an area of 32 hectares.
The archaeological site of Mycenae comprises the fortified acropolis and surrounding funerary and habitation sites, which are located mainly to its west and southwest. Most of the visible monuments date to the centre's great floruit, from 1350 to 1200 BC. Great Cyclopean walls surround the almost triangular acropolis, which is accessed from the northwest through the famous Lion Gate, the symbol of the Mycenaean rulers' power. The gate was named after the two opposing lions carved in relief and set into the relieving triangle, a typical feature of Mycenaean architecture, over the door.
The Lion Gate was the main entrance of the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, southern Greece. It was erected during the 13th century BC, around 1250 BC, in the northwest side of the acropolis and is named after the relief sculpture of two lionesses or lions in a heraldic pose that stands above the entrance. The Lion Gate is the sole surviving monumental piece of Mycenaean sculpture, as well as the largest sculpture in the prehistoric Aegean. It is the only monument of Bronze Age Greece to bear an iconographic motif that survived without being buried underground, and the only relief image which was described in the literature of classical antiquity, such that it was well known prior to modern archaeology.
The Archaeological Museum of Mycenae is found at the entrance of the ancient site, just a few steps before the Lion Gate.
The Treasury of Atreus or Tomb of Agamemnon is a large tholos or beehive tomb on Panagitsa Hill at Mycenae constructed during the Bronze Age around 1250 BC. The stone lintel above the doorway weighs 120 tons, with approximate dimensions 8.3 x 5.2 x 1.2m, the largest in the world. The tomb was used for an unknown period. Mentioned by the Roman geographer Pausanias in the 2nd century AD, it was still visible in 1879 when the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the shaft graves under the "agora" in the Acropolis at Mycenae.
Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus is a museum in Epidaurus, in Argolis on the Peloponnese peninsula, Greece. The museum, noted for its reconstructions of temples and its columns and inscriptions, was established in 1902 and opened in 1909 to display artifacts unearthed in the ancient site of Epidaurus in the surrounding area.
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a theatre in the Greek city of Epidaurus, located on the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. It is built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, near modern Lygourio, and belongs to the Epidaurus Municipality. It is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics. The monument retains the characteristic tripartite structure of a Hellenistic theatre that has a theatron, orchestra, and skene. During Roman times, the theatre (unlike many Greek theatres) did not suffer any modifications.
The Temple of Asclepius was a sanctuary in Epidaurus dedicated to Asclepius. It was the main holy site of Asclepius. The sanctuary at Epidaurus was the rival of such major cult sites as the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and Apollo at Delphi. The temple was built in the early 4th century BC. If still in use by the 4th century AD, the temple would have been closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire, when the Christian Emperors issued edicts prohibiting non-Christian worship.
Free time for lunch, coffee, or shopping at the ‘Naples of the East’ rich in Venetian architecture, cobbled squares, and towering castles with commanding views of the Argolic Gulf. Afterwards, unwind by the harbor or get lost in the colorful back streets of the most elegant town in mainland Greece. Nafplio is a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was an important seaport held under a succession of royal houses in the Middle Ages as part of the lordship of Argos and Nauplia, held initially by the de la Roche following the Fourth Crusade before coming under the Republic of Venice and, lastly, the Ottoman Empire. The town was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the regional unit of Argolis.
Enjoy the view of the water castle of Bourtzi, a Venetian castle located in the middle of the harbor of Nafplio, and take fascinating photos from the harbor side.
The Acronauplia is the oldest part of the city of Nafplion in Greece. Until the thirteenth century, it was a town on its own. The arrival of the Venetians and the Franks transformed it into part of the town's fortifications. Later, part of it was used as a prison until the Greek government decided that the view provided from its location would benefit the local tourism and built a hotel complex which still stands there today.
Palamidi is a fortress to the east of the Acronauplia in the town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill, the fortress was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686–1715). The fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Náfplio and the surrounding country. There are 913 steps in the winding stair from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress there are over one thousand, while locals in the town of Nafplion will say there are 999 steps to the top of the castle.
Costa picked us up on time in a roomy van, gave us fabulous information about each of the sites, and was so positive and chill. We had a delicious lunch included which we at at a seaside restaurant. Our entire day was a wonderful experience!
Mike (Menelaos) was absolutely wonderful! He was a great driver, very professional, friendly, and kind. While driving us to Nafplio, Mycenae, and Epidaurus, he shared interesting information about Greece and the places we visited, which made the journey even more enjoyable. He truly helped make our day special, and we highly recommend him to anyone visiting Greece. Thank you, Mike! Ivan, Sandra and Melissa
We are so happy we booked the tour. We wanted to see the beautiful Greece countryside and get out of the city for a day. Our driver Mike made our day even more amazing. He shared his experiences and love of his home country during our drive. He shared pictures and other fact about Greece that we found so fascinating. Such a joy! Each stop on the tour’s itinerary was perfectly timed. Never rushed. Mike gave us the site’s background info prior to each stop so we knew what we would be seeing. The last stop was for lunch at a seaside seafood restaurant which I found so fun. I ordered calamari and they showed me at actual fish they were going to prepare. Wow was it good!!! A memorable experiences. Thank You Mike!
Costa was very informative and accommodating. His knowledge of Greek mythology was impressive
We got picked up at the port by our driver, Mike. He was great. Took us to these interesting sites and made sure we were always aware of what we needed to do and see. We don’t like to ealk much so filled us in what activities we could do
Stefanos was awesome and the day was full of great sites. Highly recommended. Would have liked to spend couple days in Nafplio.
The tour was one of the best I have ever done. Costa, our driver, had so much knowledge and took us through the family tree of the gods of Greece showing how they linked to modern times and had common themes across different religions around the world. He also explained the different times frames throughout Greece from the Myceneans to the present day. There seemed to be no question he did not know the answer to including questions about modern day Greece.
The sights along the road were spectacular: the seas, the mountains, the castles, the fields of flowers & trees, the towns. Our guide (George) took very good care of us, assisting with my cane, my wife's & my trekking poles, her rollator, our heavy coats (which we rarely donned), helping us get in and out of the Mercedes-Benz, supplying us with water, introducing us to the host of the fine restaurant where we had a sumptuous lunch of bread & olive oil, platter of 6 or 7 vegetables, and platter of grilled sea bass. We visited two archaeology museums, whose layout and progression paths were exemplary. As an 82-year-old man, I was of course challenged by the many walks we had to undertake, but our guide George helped with special directions, and our son helped both his mother & me. Of special importance to me was learning about Mycenaean Greece & the fact that the stories of Homer were substantiated in fact only in the 19th Century. I must read the Iliad & the Odyssey again—if I live long enough.
We had a wonderful experience with Michael our guide. He was very professional, engaging and knowledgeable ! We couldn’t have asked for a better tour. Highly recommended.
Notis was an exceptional driver and guide. We so appreciated all the history he had to share with us. He also even gave us facts about how Greek is the root word for a lot of other languages. He had so much to share that made our visit so more with it. We were also grateful for the adjustment he made to our tour schedule by taking us to Corinth instead of one of the other locations. I wish all my tours could be done by him because of his dedication and honor to his love for his home country Greece.
That was an amazing trip. Very interesting and perfect for a day put of Athens. Lots of impressions, information and pictures. Our driver was attentive and careful, and vastly knowledgeable. And a perfect companion on any journey!
Lunch and walking in Nafplio and Mycenae archaeological site. Nafplio was a quaint coastal town with lots of shops and beautiful flowers. So much history in ancient Mycenae.
Our guide, Panos, was fabulous! He was so friendly, well informed about Greece and its history, and extremely passionate about Greece, its history and its mythology. We are so lucky he was a guide. After the tour, my wife and I thought of him as a close friend. We give him the highest possible recommendation! And the sites visited were glorious. Mycenae is a world heritage site. It is a place you should see at least once in a lifetime.
Stratos and Notis were an excellent team guiding my wife and I around Argolis. Stratos’ had exceptionally deep and wide knowledge of the history, geography, architecture and frankly, everything else Greek. He is warm, has a great sense of humor, and worked with us to be sure we visited what was important to us. Notis was our driver, and always made us feel safe. He is gracious, willing to answer questions and help however he can. This was truly an exceptional private tour. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The whole trip was amazing. The monuments were nice and the way from Athens to Peloponeso has the most amazing views. These factors along the amazing driving of Vasilis made it a very enjoying experience that I recommend to everyone. Thanks!
Our full-day tour was excellent. Georgi, our tour guide/driver was knowledgeable, efficient, and a delight to spend time with. All the sites visited were very interesting and despite the awfully hot day, the seemingly endless supply of cold water Georgi provided made it all tolerable. 5 stars!
Great experience with Demetrios driving us. The service was great and the itinerary was great. I would recommend this tour.
Tom was a Pleasant guide and very helpful and joyful .. he had good knowledge in ancient greek history .. many thanks and looking forward for another trip in the future 😊
Our guide Tom was THE BEST. We felt like we were hanging out with an old friend who was showing us around. He is a super fun person. He made us laugh so much. He clicked amazing pics of us and we were very very happy. If we were to visit Athens again, we would only do our private tours with Tom. He is a 10/10. God bless you brother 😍
Highly recommend this your. Sites were cool (especially the theater) and our guide, Thomas, was friendly and informative!
This was a great tour! Thomas was a great tour guide, knowledgeable and helpful. Would definitely recommend this tour!
Touring the city of Nafplio was incredible ! And just when we didn’t think it could get better… Afterwards we ate lunch ON the beach! Literally a few steps from the water. Our driver Dom was the best company and so knowledgeable! We really scored with him.
My family and I had such a beautiful day with our driver Panos. He is courteous, easygoing and respectful! He was on time at the apartment and pick us for an unforgettable day! Panos knows so much about the history of Greece. He taught us lot of things about all the beautiful places we visited. He never rushed us, he let us visit the monuments at our convenience. The icing on the cake is that Panos took us in a beautiful typical Greek village for lunch, a village you won't find on any tour agency's flyer. The food was delicious, (fresh sea food) the restaurant is a family business located in a jewel box! We enjoyed our food feet literally in the sea surrounded by little boats!!! I warmly recommend Panos to live a true Greek holiday and get great memories! Thanks a lot Panos
We requested George to give us another tour after a great first experience. The trip was very enjoyable, and we got lots of great memories from it.
My family and I had such a fun time touring these spots with our tour guid Tom. He taught us so much about the history of Greece and was so patient and funny. I strongly recommend this tour with Tom.
We were originally planning on renting a car and driving ourselves, but I am so glad we went with the tour instead. The site themselves were fantastic, and Tom really added to the experience overall. He was funny, energetic and easygoing. I really appreciated his genuine attitude—something you rarely get from a tour guide! I will recommend this tour to anyone visiting Greece! I hope Tom gets that iPhone, haha! =]
Our tour guide Tom was great. Fun and knowledable, I enjoyed having him as a guide. The sights were amazing and I have so many photos to go through now. A day well spent. Spent the most time wandering around the Fortress, picture is from the top
Excellent tour! This is a great day excursion from Athens. Our driver Tom took us all over and pointed out many additional interesting sights during our drive. This trip includes many great sites as well as the opportunity to see the Greek country side.
Vasilis took us from place to place. He is a very secure driver. I could have a lot of information. He also could remain silence. On the way back we made a detour along the coast. Wonderful landscape. Thank you for the experience.
We went for an 8 hours trip from Athens to Corrinth , Mycenae and Nafplio. Our driver, Andreas, was punctual in picking us up. He provided brief information of each place and gave us an option to replace Mycenae instead of Epidaurus. Polite and professional. He brought us to local restaurant in Nafplio serving delicious food. It was an enjoyable day out.
We really enjoyed the private excursion to the Peloponnese, especially thanks to Takis, our driver. He was friendly but discreet; he knew how to be in his place all the time while being friendly, smiling and attentive. We arrived at all destinations on time and was always on time to pick us up. A great Representative of Greek Hospitality, from which we received many samples.
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