Epic 10-Day Grand Tour of Greece’s South and West:
Overview
Embark on a journey to the ancient treasures and the Christian miracles of Greek history with a ten days tour in Greece that combines history and nature.
Itinerary of the 10 ten days tour in Greece
Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplion, Epidaurus, Sparta, Caves of Diros, Gytheio, Messene, Andritsaina, Olympia, Rio bridge, Nafpaktos, Delphi, Meteora, Tempi, Zagori, Papingo, Perama Cave, Ioannina, Gorge of Vikos, Igoumenitsa, Preveza, Athens
Highlights of the Epic 10-Day Grand Tour of Greece’s South and West:
- A tour to the most important archaeological sites in Greece, including Mycenae, Epidaurus, Delphi
- Visit some of the most gorgeous sites and natural wonders of Greece
- Visit the deepest gorge in Europe
- Tour beautiful and picturesque towns in Greece, such as Nafplion and Ioannina
- Enjoy Greece in a hassle-free way, with a well-appointed tour designed for the sophisticated traveler
- An English speaking professional driver
- Possibility to customize the tour the way it suits you the best
Description
Description of the Grand tour in South and West Greece
Day1: Athens, Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplion, Epidaurus
Start your trip early in the morning with your driver taking you along the Saronic Gulf, until you get to the famous Corinth Canal that connects the two main seas of Greece and has a short stop there for beautiful pictures to bring home with you.
Shortly afterward you will reach Corinth, one of the major state cities of antiquity and a renowned stop of St Paul during his stay in Greece. Some of the great remains of the city that you will have the chance to see are the ancient agora the Temple of Apollo and the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked.
Next, you will visit Mycenae, the birthplace of King Agamemnon, and admire the spectacular Lion’s Gate, the Royal Tombs, and Atreus’ treasury.
Leaving Mycenae you will pass by Argos going to Nafplion for lunch. After lunch continues to Epidaurus, where you will visit the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its acoustics and the theatrical festival of the summer.
Overnight in Nafplion.
Day 2: Nafplion, Sparta, Diros Caves, Gytheion
Wake up in the beautiful town of Nafplion, and spend a leisure morning wandering around its cobblestone streets with the nice little shops.
Nafplion is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece, picturesque and friendly, with an imposing fortress overlooking the town.
Later we will drive to Sparta, the city of the braves, and visit the famous Caves of Diros, an astonishing natural phenomenon where you will see an array of impressive fossils, stalagmites, and stalactites.
Drive to Gytheio, the lovely seaside town, and enjoy a free afternoon, dinner, and overnight.
Day 3: Gythio, Messene, Andritsaina
On the morning of the third day, you will be leaving Gytheio driving to Messene, a nearby town and an important ancient town, founded by Epameinondas of Thebes. The town boasts well-preserved ruins that will give you an idea of how the city-state looked like in the ancient years.
Drive to Andritsaina for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Andritsaina, Olympia
The four days of the tour will bring you to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Olympia is among the most recognizable names in the world, thanks to the Olympic ideal and the Apollonian beauty of the sculptures of the ancient temple.
The modern myth reaches the forest of Folio with the Centaurs and the River Erymanthoa with the waterfalls, churches, and Erymanthian boar.
The Olympic Games were dedicated to God Zeus and are still today the center of attention every four years. Run the actual race track of the Games, and visit the museum of the Games along with the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, where you can admire artifacts from antiquity.
Dinner & overnight in Olympia
Day 5: Olympia, Patra, Rio, Antirio, Nafpaktos, Delphi
Another exciting day begins, with the tour taking you from Olympia to central Greece. Drive through Patras and cross the impressive bridge of Rio – Antirio.
You will enjoy a shortstop in the seaside town of Nafpaktos, which is also one of the most beautiful Greek towns. Head to Delphi for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Delphi, Arachova, Meteora
The sixth day of the tour finds you in Delphi, the hub of an ancient cult, the sanctuary of God Apollo, where you will have the chance to get to know everything about the Oracles and prophecies of God.
Visit the Delphi Museum and admire the unique bronze Charioteer, the Temple of Apollo, and the archaeological site.
Enjoy a tasteful lunch in Delphi or the nearby village of Arachova, which nestles at the feet of Mount Parnassus.
In the afternoon we will drive to Meteora through Karditsa and Trikala and arrive at Kalambaka, the town beneath the Rocks of Meteora late in the evening.
Overnight in Kalambaka, or Kastraki.
Day 7: Meteora, Zagorochoria, Papingo
The morning of the seventh day begins with a visit to the Monasteries of Meteora, built on the huge rock formations in the 11th century, providing a safe and quite refuge for monks and nuns till today, characterized as one of the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO.
Drive towards Epirus (North-Western Greece), crossing the valley of Tempi which was an important settlement in the Roman and Byzantine Era. After a short stop at the valley, you will reach Zagorochoria, the complex of traditional villages on the mountains of Northwest Greece.
The bridges, the cobblestone paths, the stone buildings, and the settlements are preserved in the best possible way, providing a romantic but also picturesque destination for everyone. You will spend the night in Papingo, the largest and most beautiful of the villages.
Day 8: Metsovo, Papingo, Gorge of Vikos, Cave Perama, Ioannina
The next morning will bring you to Vikos Gorge, another natural phenomenon of Greece, which is the deepest gorge in Europe and a major trekking and outdoor destination for adventure lovers.
Visit also the Perama Cave in Ioannina, one of the largest caves in Europe, 4km away from Ioannina, below Mt. Goritsa. In the cave, you will see fossils and remains that date back to the prehistoric era.
Head to Ioannina and enjoy your dinner by the Lake of the city that provides a unique background.
Overnight in Ioannina.
Day 9: Ioannina, Igoumenitsa, Parga, Preveza, Lefkada Island
The ninth day of the tour is another full and interesting day that brings you from Ioannina to Igoumenitsa, Parga, and Preveza.
These are some of the most beautiful seaside towns in Western Greece, caressed by the blue sapphire waters of the Ionian Sea.
Spend the evening on the Island of Lefkada, famous for its gorgeous beaches, and the Scorpio island of Aristotle Onassis.
Day 10: Lefkada Island, Corinth canal, Athens
After breakfast has a quick swim in the blue – turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea in Lefkada.
It is time to head back to Athens, driving through western Greece to reach Athens in the evening.
NOTE: You can customize your private tour at any time building it together with Athens Tour Greece
Details
Tour Type
- Shore Excursion – Private tour
- Activity level: Moderate
Included in the tour
- Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
- Your tour will be accompanied by a professional English-speaking driver or escort possessing in-depth knowledge of Greece’s history and culture. They will provide insightful commentary throughout the journey, guiding you until the entrance of archaeological sites and museums. However, please note that drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside these venues.
- If you desire a licensed state tour guide to escort you within the archaeological sites and museums, providing comprehensive insights and explanations, we can gladly arrange one for an additional cost. These licensed guides are freelance professionals, and their availability is subject to your tour date.
- When a licensed tour guide or English-speaking tour escort accompanies a group, the professional driver may not necessarily speak English fluently. Their role is focused on providing safe transportation.
- Pick up and drop off at your hotel in Athens. Extra charge for hotels outside Athens.
- Pick up and drop off at Piraeus Port or Athens Airport.
- Pick up and drop off at our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athens, Greece.
- Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
- Road tolls and all local taxes
Excluded from the tour
- Wine tasting fee (for wine tours)
- Olive oil tasting fee (for olive oil tasting tours)
- Optional Gratuities
- Food and beverage
- Your private chauffeur/guide will discuss a program best suited to your interest and mobile abilities. Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost. Read more for the Differences between a Tour Guide and a Tour Driver
Cancellation Policy
Additional info
- Dress Code: When visiting religious sites, shoulders and knees must be covered out of respect for the cultural norms.
- Please review our Terms & Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions
- Upon booking, an electronic voucher will be emailed to you containing our contact information, tour details, and all necessary instructions. This voucher serves as your ticket and proof of purchase. Please present a printed or digital copy of the voucher on the day of your tour to redeem your activity.
- City Tax for Hotel Stays: Effective from January 1st, 2018, a City Tax for hotel overnights is applicable and not included in our excursion rates. Clients will need to pay this tax directly at their hotel upon check-out. The amount per room is as follows: 5-star hotel: €4/overnight || 4-star hotel: €3/overnight || 3-star hotel: €1.50/overnight
- Opening Hours and Entrance Fees for Archaeological Sites and Museums in Greece
- Entrance Fees for Children from Non-EU Countries: Starting November 1st, 2019, children aged 6 and above from non-European Union (non-EU) countries will be required to pay the full entrance fee for Museums and Archaeological sites. For children from EU countries, the existing rates remain in effect. However, it is crucial to have their passports readily available to prove their nationality.
Persons with Disabilities
- Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Such sites are the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi and Meteora
- In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-solid walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
