Argolis Olympia & Delphi Three-Day Tour

Day 1: Exploring the treasures of Argolis Region

1. Corinth Canal
   20m
   The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth 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 kilometers (4 miles) in length and only 21.4 meters (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for most modern ships. Nowadays it has little economic importance and is mainly a tourist attraction.
   The canal was initially proposed in classical times and a failed effort was made to build it in the 1st century AD. Construction started in 1881 but was hampered by geological and financial problems that bankrupted the original builders. It was completed in 1893 but, due to the canal's narrowness, navigational problems and periodic closures to repair landslides from its steep walls, it failed to attract the level of traffic expected by its operators.
2. Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   At Ancient Corinth the traveler has the potentiality to visit:
   
   The temple of Apollo
   This temple is one of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland. Built around 560 B.C.E., of local oolithic limestone on top of an imposing, rocky hill to the north of Acrocorinth, the Archaic temple was an emblem for the Greek city of Corinth, reflecting its growth and prosperity.
   
   The St. Paul's Step
   
   During Paul s stay in Corinth, he was brought for judgment before the proconsul Lucius Junius Gallio Annaeanus on the accusation of conducting illegal teachings. According to tradition, the site of Paul s trial was the Bema, a large elevated rostrum standing prominently in the centre of the Roman Forum of ancient Corinth and from where the city's officials addressed the public. Probably because of the monument's connection to Saint Paul, the Bema was transformed into a Christian church during the Byzantine period.
3. Archaeological Museum of Corinth
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   In the museum galleries are exhibited:
   
   Finds dated to the Prehistoric Period from the area of Ancient Corinth, the Korakou Hill and the site of Zygouries (Prehistoric Gallery)
   
   Finds from the Geometric, Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic City of Corinth (Classical Gallery - under reconstruction - accessible to the public in 2016)
   
   Finds from the Roman, Byzantine and Frankish City.
   
   Finds from the Sanctuary of Asklepios and the Early Christian cemetery (Asklepieion Gallery)
   
   A selection of statues, sculpture, Greek and Latin inscriptions, as well as finds related to the presence of the Jewish community in the area can also be seen (Atrium).
   
   A new (East) gallery currently under construction, will be added to the Museum in 2016, hosting finds from the komai (smaller settlements) and the sanctuaries of Corinth, as well as the twin Kouroi found in the cemetery of ancient Tenea.
4. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   Epidaurus (3rd Century B.C) is a spiritual place worth visiting for its sites such as the Sanctuary of Aesculapius and the ancient Theater with its unique acoustics. The Sanctuary of Aesculapius was a healing and culture center of ancient times and the Theater of Epidaurus is one of the very few that retains its original circular Orchestra and it is a rare aesthetic sight, still used in our days.
5. Nafplio
   40m
   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 Nafplia, 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.
6. Tolon
   45m
   Tolon is a sea town, 7 kilometers (4 miles) east of Nafplion. You will enjoy your lunch at a traditional family owned restaurant enjoying the view of the Saronic gulf.
7. Archaeological Site Mycenae
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Mycenae was the center of power in the Late Bronze age from 16th century B.C. to 11th century B.C. The Acropolis of Mycenae protected the royal families inside the famous Cyclopean walls. The Lion Gates, followed by a steep path through ancient buildings and pathways, will lead you to the Palace of the mighty leader of the Greeks against the Trojans, Agamemnon who was murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover after he had returned victorious from the Trojan War.
   Leaving the Acropolis of Mycenae we make a short stop on another hill opposite the Palace, visiting an impressive monument, the Treasury of Atreus also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon.
8. Olympia
   10h
   After the conclusion of the Argolis tour, we will continue driving through the mountains, in central Peloponnese, reaching the village of Olympia, and stay for the night. Olympia is well known for the Olympic Games, held every four years to honor God Zeus, beginning in 776 B.C.
   We will spend the night at a local hotel.

Day 2: Sightseeing at Olympia

1. Archaeological Site of Olympia
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   The next morning after breakfast we will visit:
   
   The Temple of Zeus
   The massive temple of Zeus, the most important building in the Altis, standing in its very centre, is the largest temple in the Peloponnese, considered by many to be the perfect example of Doric architecture.
   The Temple of Hera
   The temple of Hera, one of the oldest monumental temples in Greece, stands in the north-west corner of the sacred precinct of the Altis, on the south slopes of Kronios hill, protected by a powerful terrace wall. This temple is the place where the Olympic Flame lights every four years.
   The workshop of Phedias
   West of the sacred enclosure, directly opposite to the temple of Zeus, was the workshop of Pheidias where the great sculptor crafted the gigantic chryselephantine statue of Zeus, listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
   
   Ancient Stadium of Olympia
   
   This is the place which hosted the ancient Olympic Games and the Heraia, the women's games in honour of Hera.
2. Archaeological Museum of Olympia
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, one of the most important museums in Greece, presents the long history of the most celebrated sanctuary of antiquity, the sanctuary of Zeus, father of both gods and men, where the Olympic games were born. The museum's permanent exhibition contains finds from the excavations in the sacred precinct of the Altis dating from prehistoric times to the Early Christian period. Among the many precious exhibits the sculpture collection, for which the museum is most famous, the bronze collection, the richest collection of its type in the world, and the large terracottas collection, are especially noteworthy.
3. Charilaos Trikoupis Rio-Antirrio Bridge
   Pass by
   Concluding our visit at Olympia, we will continue driving towards Delphi.
   En route we will find the Charilaos Trikoupis bridge, one of the world's longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges and longest of the fully suspended type. It crosses the Gulf of Corinth near Patras, linking the town of Rio on the Peloponnese peninsula to Antirrio on mainland Greece by road. It opened one day before the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics, on 12 August 2004, and was used to transport the Olympic Flame.
4. Nafpaktos Old Port
   10m
   Nafpaktos, also known as Lepanto, is a seaside village situated on a bay on the north coast of the Gulf of Corinth. We will make a short stop for pictures or we may enjoy our coffee by the sea.
5. Galaxidi
   20m
   The next picturesque village that we find on the way to Delphi is Galaxidi. Little Galaxidi curves around a seafront hillock, with narrow cobblestone streets connecting the well-sheltered harbours to either side. The older harbour was a major shipbuilding centre during the 19th century, a prosperous era when the town acquired its fine crop of stone mansions. It’s known locally as Hirolakas, or 'Widows' Port', remembering the wives who waited in vain for seamen husbands whose ships never came home.
6. Itea
   Pass by
   Itea is a new town founded in 1830 and probably owes its name due to the many willows that grew in the region.
   Itea is an important resort and the most important and biggest port of Fokida prefecture. In its commercial port are being loaded the bauxites from the bauxite mines operating in the region.
7. Delphi
   10h
   Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis.
   In Greek mythology, it was the navel of the earth, the site of the Delphic Oracle and a major site for the worship of god Apollo after he slew the Python, a dragon who protected the navel of the earth.
   We will spend the night at a local hotel.

Day 3: Exploring the Navel of Earth

1. Delphi
   1h 30m
   The next morning, we will visit Castalia spring, the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the ancient Stadium, the ancient Theatre, the unique bronze Charioteer, the Temple of Athena Pronea and the Gymnasium.
2. Delphi Archaeological Museum
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the most important in Greece, exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary, site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculpture, statues and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. These reflect its religious, political and artistic activities from its early years in the eight century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.
   
   The museum is housed in a two-storey building with a total surface area of 2270 square metres, with fourteen exhibition rooms, 558 square metres of storerooms and conservation laboratories for pottery, metal objects and mosaics.
3. Arachova
   30m
   The traditional town of Arachova is located just 10km from Delphi. A visit in Arachova, reveals the charming combining of the old with the new, at the holy grounds of the mountain of Apollo.
4. Monastery of Hosios Loukas
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   Hosios Loukas Monastery meaning “Esteemed Saint Luke” was not built in honor of Luke the Evangelist, but was established by the Greek monk Loukas. He was buried in the crypt of the monastery when he died in AD 953.
   One of the most striking aspects of the monastery is found at the entrance. If you look up, you will see a spectacular gold mosaic of the saint. Attached to the abbey is a large church, Katholikon, which in its turn is attached to a smaller temple, or Theotokos, erected between 997 and 1011 to honor the Virgin Mary.
   
   The temples are beautifully decorated with numerous frescoes and mosaics, all perfectly preserved. Underneath the Katholikon is the crypt where the remains of the saint lie.
   
   Although Hosios Loukas is smaller, the building may remind you of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul or St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.

Pickup details

Airport Pickup:Your driver will meet you upon your arrival at Athens airport at the customs exit holding an H.P.Tours sign with your name on.

Port pickup:Your driver, will meet you at Piraeus Port at the customs exit holding an H.P.Tours sign with your name on.

Notice that Piraeus port has three terminals, Terminal A, Terminal B and Terminal C.
If your ship docks at Terminal A, your driver will meet you at the Terminal A exit holding an H.P.Tours sign with your name on.
If your ship docks at Terminal B, your driver will meet you at the Terminal B exit holding an H.P.Tours sign with your name on.
If your ship docks at Terminal C, your driver will meet you at the Terminal C exit holding an H.P.Tours sign with your name on.

In case your ship docks at Terminal B or Terminal C and the exit gate is closed, you will need to take the shuttle bus to come to terminal A (3 MIN RIDE).
Your driver will meet you at Terminal A holding an H.P.Tours sign with your name on.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Your tour is totally private. No unknown passengers will participate in your group.
• Infant car seats are available upon request