Journey through Ancient GreeceMainly Peloponnese
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Athens on Aegean Airways at 1210 from Terminal 2, Heathrow. Coach to Hotel Cypria, just off Platia Syntagma and a few minutes walk from the Akropolis (about one hour from the airport).
Overnight Athens
The Parthenon marbles displayed in the new
Akropolis Museum;
Day 2 We will spend the day in Athens. In the morning we we will visit the new Akropolis Museum; it is truly superb. The sculptures from the Parthenon, those which escaped the attention of Elgin and others, are most imaginatively displayed, in the relative positions in which they were placed on the Parthenon, with natural light from a huge glazed wall which looks out onto the Akropolis and the Parthenon. It is worth coming to Greece for this museum alone!
After a break for lunch we make our way up to the Akropolis where the famous buildings, including the Parthenon and the Erechthion, never fail to thrill.
On Day 3 we will visit the magnificent National Archaeological Museum which contains treasures from all over the Greek world, including a fabulous collection of vases, sculpture and the frescoes from Thira (Santorini). We can also go to the Kerameikos, the ancient cemetery, before leaving Athens in the afternoon for Delphi, in the most dramatic setting beneath Mount Parnassos, where we stay the night at the Akropole Hotel, http://www.delphi.com.gr/. Overnight Delphi
Temple to Hephaistos in the Ancient Agora
On Day 4 we visit the site of the ancient oracle and sanctuary of Apollo, a short walk from our hotel. With mountains towering above the sanctuary (sometimes with eagles soaring above) this is a truly dramatic place. The 4th century BC sanctuary was the most famous of the cult sites in Greece. Among the many treasures in the museum are the fabulous bronze charioteer & some stunning gold & ivory items and beautiful archaic sculptures. The site which is within walking distance of our hotel, opens at 0800.
Leave Delphi 1400. From here we have a beautiful drive along the Gulf of Corinth, cross the Gulf on the new suspension bridge and travel to Olympia where we stay the night where we stay the night at the Olympic Village Hotel, http://www.hotelolvillage.gr/ . There is an outdoor swimming pool here. The hotel is within walking distance of the site. Overnight Olympia
The tholos at the Marmaria or 'lower site'
On Day 5 we visit the wonderful & atmospheric site of Olympia, the 5th century BC Sanctuary of Zeus, the stadium where the first Olympic games were held in 776 BC, and the museum where you will see some of the superb sculptures from the temple of Zeus and the famous statue of Hermes by Praxitiles. The site is within walking distance of the hotel so you can go as early as you like!
From Olympia we go to the Temple of Apollo Epkiourios at Vassae, set in the mountains, before driving to Nauplion, in the Argolid, where we will stay 3 nights in the Victoria hotel, in the old town. Nauplion is a lovely elegant Venetian port with no fewer than 3 castles, excellent museums, plenty of good restaurants, many churches, tempting shops & two beaches. It is an excellent base for visiting the many nearby archaeological sites.
Overnight Nauplion at the Hotel Victoria in the old town: http://www.hotelvictoria.gr/index,
Temple to Apollo at Vassae
Day 6 First we will visit Ancient Corinth site of one of the oldest temples on the Greek mainland, and the important Roman city where Saint Paul preached. We will of course stop at the Corinth Canal, an awesome sight, especially if there is a boat going through.
Next we will go to Ancient Nemea to visit the Sanctuary of Zeus, bath house, stadium (complete with tunnel) and superb museum. We can picnic on marble benches under the pine and olive trees here. Overnight Nauplion
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Temple to Zeus at Nemea
On day 7 we will go to nearby ‘wall girt’ Tyrins, even older than Mycenae and the magnificent theatre & Asklepion (healing sanctuary) at Epidavros. We will return to Nauplion for the afternoon.Overnight Nauplion
Day 8 we will visit Mycenae, Homer's 'city of gold' built c.1500 BC, from where Agamemnon set off for Troy & where he was murdered by Klytemnestra; there is a fine museum here now with gold replicas of the treasures unearthed by Schliemann. Overnight Nauplion
Day 9 We will leave Nauplion for the airport and the early afternoon flight back to Heathrow.
A view of the old town of Nauplion