Roadtrip to the Peloponnesian Floating Castles

Duration: 9 days / 8 nights

Destinations:

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This winter package is tailor made for visitors who wish to discover the road less traveled by visiting destinations usually favored by locals, such as Nafplio and Monemvasia. These beautiful mainland towns host a multitude of castles built in different styles and eras. The town of Monemvasia, located on an island just off the coast of Peloponnese, is a medieval castle in and of itself, while in Nafplio you will find the castle of Palamidi, as well as Bourtzi, a Venetian construction on an islet just outside the harbor.

Your point of arrival will be Athens, where you will experience the ancient world coming alive through a private sightseeing tour. The evening food tour and wine tasting will act as a guide for your culinary explorations to come. Up next is a full day tour to Delphi, the ‘navel of the world’ as the Ancient Greeks used to call it.

However, this tour is designed to give you plenty of free time to explore on your own, so afterwards you will pick up your automatic car and cruise to the town of Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece. Venetian fortresses, medieval castles, Ottoman fountains and many more await you in this Peloponnesian jewel. Moving on, you will drive to Monemvasia, a city carved on a rocky plateau, on an island off the Peloponnesian coast, linked to the mainland by a short causeway. If that wasn’t reason enough to visit, traditional taverns and wineries will surely add to what is destined to be the vacation of a lifetime.

Valid from: November to March
Arrival in Athens: Monday or Wednesday

Program includes:

4 nights accommodation in Athens
2 nights accommodation in Nafplio
2 nights accommodation in Monemvasia
Private half-day walking Athens sightseeing tour with English speaking guide, visit to Acropolis and Acropolis Museum.
Private Athens walking evening food tour and wine tasting *
Full Day tour to Delphi with lunch (organized)
Entrance fees during guided sightseeing
Car rental (automatic 1.600cc - Group H1) for 5 days
Transfer service as per itinerary
Meals: 8 breakfasts, Greek specialties (served at 2 restaurants visited during the food tour)
VAT for all services

Not included:

International airfare
Personal expenses, beverages at lunch and/or dinner.
Customary tips to your drivers, guides and escorts.
Stayover hotel tax (to be paid directly to the hotels)
VISA expenses (if applicable)

* Private walking evening food tour and wine tasting:

Greek specialties and tastings
Foodie English speaking guide
Wine tasting of 5 different Greek varieties
Dinner at two local restaurants
Visit of an excellent wine bar
Duration approx. 4 hours
No transfers included

Optional: You can upgrade the Full Day tour to Delphi into a private tour at additional cost.

Day 1: Arrival in Athens
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel by your private driver. The remainder of the day is at your disposal to begin acquainting yourselves with Greece in your own way. Get an early start on your shopping in Ermou street or go antiquing in the Monastiraki flea market before ending up in a quaint traditional tavern and toasting your vacation with some ouzo and meze.
Overnight: Athens
Meals: -
Day 2: Athens – Private Walking Day Sightseeing Tour and Private Athens evening food tour including wine tasting
After breakfast we will meet you at your hotel in order to start the morning Private Walking Athens tour. Discover Athens with an expert guide that will take you to the most iconic sites of the city and of course the breathtaking Acropolis and its accompanying Museum which houses more than 4,000 exhibits from Ancient Greece. In the afternoon, a culinary surprise awaits, as you will walk to the fountain at Syntagma Square the very heart of the Greek capital, and meet our foodie-expert guide, with whom you will embark upon a gastronomical journey exploring the Athenian nightlife.
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Greek specialities (served at 2 restaurants visited during the food tour)
Day 3: Athens - Full Day Tour of Delphi
After breakfast we will meet you at your hotel and start the Full day tour to Delphi. Driving through the fertile plains of Beotia and crossing the town of Thebes, you will reach the Archaeological Site of Delphi, home to the legendary Oracle. The site is packed with incredible monuments, from the Temple of Apollo -which houses the Oracle, the Athenian Treasury, the Delphi Amphitheater and the Stadium which hosted the Pythian Games. You may be enthralles with all there is to see climbing up from one point of interest to the next, but don't forget to turn around and marvel at the awe-inspiring view of the Pleistos valley as it spills down towards the sea. Afterwards you will visit the Museum of Delphi whose collection includes exhibits like The Charioteer, the frieze of the Siphnian Treasury and Sphnix of Naxos. We will then stop by the town of Delphi for lunch and in the nearby town of Arachova to strech your legs and take pictures. You will be back to Athens in the afternoon and will have plenty of time to plan your evening activites in the city
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Arrival in Nafplio
In the morning you will meet our collaborator at the lobby of your hotel in order to collect your automatic car at your hotel and drive to Nafplio (approx. 2 hours' drive) to your selected hotel for 2 nights stay. During your stay you can explore the town, which is one of the most beautiful ones in Argolis (Eastern Peloponnese) as well as one of the most romantic Greek cities. Ancient walls, medieval castles, monuments, statues, Ottoman fountains and Venetian or neoclassical buildings create a unique amalgamation and renders Nafplio architecturally unique. Don't forget to take a picture of Bourtzi, the small Venetian fortress standing on the rocky islet of Agioi Theodoroi, just outside the city's harbor. For panoramic views and gorgeous pictures, climb up to the Castle of Palamidi and see the town spilling over the Argolic Gulf. In the evening, walk down the picturesque alleys on the town and enjoy a traditional dinner in one of the many quaint taverns that sprout up in every corner and before you call it a night, head over to Syntagma Square for some delicious gelato by the sea.
Overnight: Nafplio
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Explore Nafplio and the surrounding areas
This day is at your disposal to continue your exploration of Nafplion, or take full advantage of your rental car and drive to nearby iconic sites of Peloponnese. The Archaeological Site of Mycenaea -a major center of Greek civilization from 1600 to 1100 B.C.- is just 30 minutes away, and features the Lion's Gate and the splendid Tomb of Agamemnon which will make it instantly apparent why this is a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Site. Equidistant to Nafplion you will also find the Theater of Epidaurus, a marvelous example of Hellenic architecture and also a UNESCO protected Site. Home to the legendary theater known for its acoustics, as well as the sanctuary of Asklepios, the Greek God of medicine, Epidaurus was held in the highest of regards in the Ancient World. If you feel like driving just a bit further, teh region of Nemea, is home to numerous wineries and is the place to be if you happen to consider yourself an oenophile.
Overnight: Nafplio
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Arrival in Monemvasia
Jump in your car and drive south to Monemvasia, a breathtaking medieval town located on the south-eastern coast of the Peloponnese. On the way, we recommend a stop to the fortified town of Mystras, which is now an Archeological site. Influenced mainly by the Byzantines, but with obvious Frankish, Ottoman, Venetian and of course Hellenic touches, Mystras offers magnificent landscapes, especially during the desolate winter which augments the eerie atmosphere that surrounds the once great Despot of Morea. Once you reach Monemvasia, try not to be overwhelmed by the beauty of medieval city on the high plateau just off the Pelopponesian coast, which is connected to the mainland via a bridge.
Overnight: Monemvasia
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Free Day in Monemvasia
This medieval town is carved on rocky slopes, offers a breathtaking view of the sea from higher ground. You can stroll down the narrow cobbled streets and visit “Kastro” (castle) which is divided into two parts, the lower and upper town. In the lower part, you can admire the ruins of historic buildings situated there and in the uninhabited upper part of the town, you will come across the remains of old Byzantine facilities. If you visit during autumn or spring, hiking is highly recommended due to the areas natural beauty. Speaking of hiking, the Fortress of Youlas offers an outstanding view of Monemvasia and can be accessed through a whirling rocky path. As you explore you will most definitely notice old Venetian architecture popping up in fortifications, houses, arches and even churches all around town.
Overnight: Monemvasia
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Monemvasia - Return to Athens
You will depart from Monemvasia and drive back to Athens through the picturesque landscape of Peloponnese. Make sure to stop in a few of the most beautiful towns of your way, like Megalopolis, Tripoli, Molaoi or Sparta. In the evening you can drop off your automatic car at your hotel and head out to the city for one last night of culinary exploration. Perhaps one last meal overlooking the Acropolis from Plaka or Thissio is just the memory you need to wrap up a wonderful vacation to Greece.
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Depart from Athens
After you've had your breakfast you will meet your driver at the lobby of your hotel and be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Overnight: -
Meals: Breakfast

Day 1: Arrival in Athens
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel by your private driver. The remainder of the day is at your disposal to begin acquainting yourselves with Greece in your own way. Get an early start on your shopping in Ermou street or go antiquing in the Monastiraki flea market before ending up in a quaint traditional tavern and toasting your vacation with some ouzo and meze.
Overnight: Athens
Meals: -
Day 2: Athens – Private Walking Day Sightseeing Tour and Private Athens evening food tour including wine tasting
After breakfast we will meet you at your hotel in order to start the morning Private Walking Athens tour. Discover Athens with an expert guide that will take you to the most iconic sites of the city and of course the breathtaking Acropolis and its accompanying Museum which houses more than 4,000 exhibits from Ancient Greece. In the afternoon, a culinary surprise awaits, as you will walk to the fountain at Syntagma Square the very heart of the Greek capital, and meet our foodie-expert guide, with whom you will embark upon a gastronomical journey exploring the Athenian nightlife.
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Greek specialities (served at 2 restaurants visited during the food tour)
Day 3: Athens - Full Day Tour of Delphi
After breakfast we will meet you at your hotel and start the Full day tour to Delphi. Driving through the fertile plains of Beotia and crossing the town of Thebes, you will reach the Archaeological Site of Delphi, home to the legendary Oracle. The site is packed with incredible monuments, from the Temple of Apollo -which houses the Oracle, the Athenian Treasury, the Delphi Amphitheater and the Stadium which hosted the Pythian Games. You may be enthralles with all there is to see climbing up from one point of interest to the next, but don't forget to turn around and marvel at the awe-inspiring view of the Pleistos valley as it spills down towards the sea. Afterwards you will visit the Museum of Delphi whose collection includes exhibits like The Charioteer, the frieze of the Siphnian Treasury and Sphnix of Naxos. We will then stop by the town of Delphi for lunch and in the nearby town of Arachova to strech your legs and take pictures. You will be back to Athens in the afternoon and will have plenty of time to plan your evening activites in the city
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Arrival in Nafplio
In the morning you will meet our collaborator at the lobby of your hotel in order to collect your automatic car at your hotel and drive to Nafplio (approx. 2 hours' drive) to your selected hotel for 2 nights stay. During your stay you can explore the town, which is one of the most beautiful ones in Argolis (Eastern Peloponnese) as well as one of the most romantic Greek cities. Ancient walls, medieval castles, monuments, statues, Ottoman fountains and Venetian or neoclassical buildings create a unique amalgamation and renders Nafplio architecturally unique. Don't forget to take a picture of Bourtzi, the small Venetian fortress standing on the rocky islet of Agioi Theodoroi, just outside the city's harbor. For panoramic views and gorgeous pictures, climb up to the Castle of Palamidi and see the town spilling over the Argolic Gulf. In the evening, walk down the picturesque alleys on the town and enjoy a traditional dinner in one of the many quaint taverns that sprout up in every corner and before you call it a night, head over to Syntagma Square for some delicious gelato by the sea.
Overnight: Nafplio
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Explore Nafplio and the surrounding areas
This day is at your disposal to continue your exploration of Nafplion, or take full advantage of your rental car and drive to nearby iconic sites of Peloponnese. The Archaeological Site of Mycenaea -a major center of Greek civilization from 1600 to 1100 B.C.- is just 30 minutes away, and features the Lion's Gate and the splendid Tomb of Agamemnon which will make it instantly apparent why this is a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Site. Equidistant to Nafplion you will also find the Theater of Epidaurus, a marvelous example of Hellenic architecture and also a UNESCO protected Site. Home to the legendary theater known for its acoustics, as well as the sanctuary of Asklepios, the Greek God of medicine, Epidaurus was held in the highest of regards in the Ancient World. If you feel like driving just a bit further, teh region of Nemea, is home to numerous wineries and is the place to be if you happen to consider yourself an oenophile.
Overnight: Nafplio
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Arrival in Monemvasia
Jump in your car and drive south to Monemvasia, a breathtaking medieval town located on the south-eastern coast of the Peloponnese. On the way, we recommend a stop to the fortified town of Mystras, which is now an Archeological site. Influenced mainly by the Byzantines, but with obvious Frankish, Ottoman, Venetian and of course Hellenic touches, Mystras offers magnificent landscapes, especially during the desolate winter which augments the eerie atmosphere that surrounds the once great Despot of Morea. Once you reach Monemvasia, try not to be overwhelmed by the beauty of medieval city on the high plateau just off the Pelopponesian coast, which is connected to the mainland via a bridge.
Overnight: Monemvasia
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Free Day in Monemvasia
This medieval town is carved on rocky slopes, offers a breathtaking view of the sea from higher ground. You can stroll down the narrow cobbled streets and visit “Kastro” (castle) which is divided into two parts, the lower and upper town. In the lower part, you can admire the ruins of historic buildings situated there and in the uninhabited upper part of the town, you will come across the remains of old Byzantine facilities. If you visit during autumn or spring, hiking is highly recommended due to the areas natural beauty. Speaking of hiking, the Fortress of Youlas offers an outstanding view of Monemvasia and can be accessed through a whirling rocky path. As you explore you will most definitely notice old Venetian architecture popping up in fortifications, houses, arches and even churches all around town.
Overnight: Monemvasia
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Monemvasia - Return to Athens
You will depart from Monemvasia and drive back to Athens through the picturesque landscape of Peloponnese. Make sure to stop in a few of the most beautiful towns of your way, like Megalopolis, Tripoli, Molaoi or Sparta. In the evening you can drop off your automatic car at your hotel and head out to the city for one last night of culinary exploration. Perhaps one last meal overlooking the Acropolis from Plaka or Thissio is just the memory you need to wrap up a wonderful vacation to Greece.
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Depart from Athens
After you've had your breakfast you will meet your driver at the lobby of your hotel and be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Overnight: -
Meals: Breakfast

To ensure the safety of our guests, all transfers will be private and in line with health protocols.
The hotels included in our vacation programs comply with the mandatory health and safety protocols instituted by the Greek National Health Organization in collaboration with the Greek Government.

The following requirements are necessary for the car rental:

Clients are obliged to carry a major credit card and international driver's license
A year’s minimum driving license is required
Minimum age of driver(s) is 23 years old
If you should require an extra insurance that should be arranged on the spot with the car company's representative
For car delivery / collection between 8:30p.m. - 8:00a.m. there is an extra night supplement of 25 EUR
Rental does not include the fuel cost
GPS is provided at extra cost 10 EUR per day and is payable on the spot

Car rental includes the following services:

Unlimited kilometers,
Third Party Liability,
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance with deductible. Damage - to tires and under the car - due to bad driving are not covered by the C.D.W. insurance
Delivery / collection fees during office hours
Local Taxes (VAT)

Roadtrip to the Peloponnesian Floating Castles

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Roadtrip to the Peloponnesian Floating Castles