Magical Wine Tasting 4-H Katakolon Private Shore Excursion

This tour is specially designed for those visitors arriving in Katakolon on a cruise ship and aspire to make the most out of their time. This private tour combines the excitement of reliving the Olympic Games, getting to know one of the most significant and historical sites in the world together with the smooth taste of the local wine production by the care of family making wine in their own vineyards.

Highlights of the Magical Wine Tasting 4-H Katakolon Private Shore Excursion

• An exciting 7 hours tour to ancient Olympia
• Visit the Museum of the Olympic Games and the original site of the Games
• A professional English speaking driver, who will pick you up and drop you off at your cruise terminal
• Visit a local winery with a great tradition in wine production including wine tasting

Description of the private shore excursion tour to Olympia

The shore excursion tour starts from the port of Katakolon, where your cruise ship will dock upon arrival to the Ionian Sea. The port of Katakolon is the entry gate to the Peloponnese peninsula from the sea and will lead you to ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

Olympia has been a milestone and a starting point for all mankind throughout the ages since it has introduced the world to the spirit of the Olympics, which can again become the foundation of a more humane society.

Ancient Olympia was a significant athletic and religious center of ancient Greece, due to the Olympic Games held every four years to honor the father of Gods, Zeus.

The archaeological site of Olympia

You can visit the archaeological site of Olympia and the museum as well as the area in which the remains of ancient buildings were discovered. The museum in the courtyard houses works by contemporary Greek artists, while inside you can admire many of the findings of the excavations. At the same time, you can draw valuable information about your visit to the rest of the site.

Among the important buildings encountered here are: the Roman portico, the Prytaneion the Philippeion, Heraion where Hermes of Praxiteles was found, the Pelopeio, the Nymphaeum, the Registry and, below, the stage with the gallery of Echo.

The Stadium of the Olympic Games could accommodate 40,000 spectators and its perimeter is equivalent to 600 steps of Hercules. Besides the stadium lies the majestic temple of Zeus, the greatest monument in wealth, size, and symbolic value in the ancient years.

The Temple of Zeus is a Doric temple with exquisite decoration and is definitely still breathtaking. Here was the gold and ivory statue of Zeus, depicting him sitting on his throne. After the temple, the buildings below are the Deputies, South gallery, the Palaestra of the 3rd BC Century, and the High School which was a place of preparation of athletes.

You will also visit the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games, which hosts 463 ancient works, from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, but also from other museums of the Greek territory.

The winery

Our next visit is at the family-owned winery OLYMPIA LAND – LIAROMMATIS ESTATE. You’ll find the winery in the valley of the river Kladeos and just 2 kilometers from the heart of Anc. Olympia. Taste some of the wineries produce high-quality wines from local varieties, like the white Roditis, Assyrtiko, and the red Agiorgitiko.

After the welcoming of the owners the tour begins by walking close to the vineyards, continue to the production area and the cellar with the oak barrels. At the end of the winery tour, you will taste two bottles of wine, olive oil, olives, and other delicacies.

You will have free time for lunch and shopping too.

You will end your private tour with our Athens Tours Greece driver taking you back to Katakolon and to your cruise ship.

Find Here More Shore Excursions From Katakolon To Ancient Olympia!

Important notes

Tour Type

• Shore Excursion - Private tour
• Activity level: Moderate

Included in the tour

• Car and Driver
• A professional English-speaking driver or escort with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you'd like to have a licensed state tour guide to escort you inside the sites and museums, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
• Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
• Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
• Pick-up from and return to your hotel
• Pick-up from the Port of Piraeus
• Private tour, Road tolls and local taxes
• Our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athina, Greece.

Excluded from the tour

• Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
• Wine tasting fee (wine tours)
• Olive oil tasting fee (olive oil tasting tours)
• Gratuities (optional)
• 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 difference between a STATE LICENSED TOUR GUIDE and a TOUR DRIVER GUIDE in Greece!

Additional info

• Dress: religious and marmoreal sites: shoulders and knee must be covered
• Terms & Conditions and Frequent Questions
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
• A voucher will be emailed to you with our contact numbers and all necessary information for your tour.
• This is your ticket and proof of purchase. On the day of the tour please present a paper voucher in order to redeem your tour/activity.

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.

Restrictions:

• Please note that on this tour, your tour driver is not licensed to accompany you on your climb. If you want this service you may book a licensed by-state tour guide for an extra cost.
• In case a group is followed by a licensed tour guide or an English speaking tour-escort the professional driver is not obliged to speak English!

Opening hours & Admission fees

• Opening Hours:Summer April 1st to October 31st from 08:00 AM to 07:30 PM
• Winter: November 1st to March 31st from 08:30 AM to 03:00 PM
• Free admission fees: Children under 18 & Students from E.U.
• Reduced admission fees: Citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 & Students from countries outside the E.U.

Free admission days

• March 6: In memory of deceased Minister of Tourism & visionary Melina Mercouri
• June 5: Environment international day
• April 18 : International monuments day
• May 18: International museums day
• September 27: International tourism day
• The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
• National Holidays
• Sundays in the period between 1 November and 31 March
• The first Sunday of every month, except for July, August, and September
• NOTE: If the first Sunday is a holiday then the second is the free admission day

Holidays in Greece

• January 1: closed
• January 6: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• Shrove Monday: 08:30AM - 03:00 PM
• March 25: closed
• Good Friday: 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
• Holy Saturday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• Easter Sunday: closed
• Easter Monday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• May 1: closed
• Holy Spirit Day: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• 15 August 15: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• October 28: 08:30 AM- 03:00 PM
• December 25 & 26: closed