The Nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Southern Greece

Greece is home to seventeen UNESCO World Heritage sites, of which more than half are in the Peloponnese and southern Greece. This thrilling, enlightening and instructive programme will take us to the following illustrious examples of architecture, history and civilisation:
• The world-renowned theatre and Asclepium of Epidaurus
• The megalithic citadel of Tiryns, legendary birthplace of hero and demi-god Heracles
• Fabled Mycenae
• The Byzantine castle and citadel of Mystras
• The temple of Apollo Epicurius by Iktinos, designer of the Parthenon, perched on a remote mountain-top
• Olympia, cradle of the Olympic Games in 776 BC
• The sacred city and oracle of Delphi
• The Byzantine monastery of Hossios Loucas
• The Acropolis of Athens

Short stop at the Corinth Canal, which connects the Gulf of Corinth in the west with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea in the east. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, thus effectively making the former peninsula an island. The builders dug the canal through the Isthmus at sea level; no locks are employed. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for most modern ships. It now has little economic importance.

Drive through beautiful coastal scenery, to the charming coastal town of Palaia Epidaurus with its delightfully-set, small ancient theatre. Light lunch.

Onwards to illustrious Ancient Epidaurus, an UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for the perfect acoustics of its huge theatre, and the Asclepium, consecrated to the god of healing, Asclepius.

We will then proceed to our final destination of the day, the attractive coastal town of Nafplio with its imposing fortress crowning the craggy hill above the charming Old Town. This full and satisfying day will reach its pleasant and fitting end with dinner at a traditional taverna.

The day starts with a visit to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Neolithic and Mycenaean citadel of Tiryns (the birthplace of mythical hero Heracles).

We visit the renowned Bronze Age city of Mycenae, with the imposing ruins of the greatest city of the Mycenaean civilisation, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century BC and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture.

Mycenae was the city of King Agamemnon, with its Cyclopean walls, the Lion Gate and spectacular archaeological finds.

We visit the Byzantine citadel of Mystras , an UNESCO World Heritage site and the capital of the mediaeval Despotate of the Morea (as the Peloponnese was also named) and ranking amongst the most important of all Byzantine sites.

An atmospheric synthesis of its city walls, a castle, the Palace of the Despots and an impressive array of finely decorated monasteries and churches, Mystras rewards the visitor with its impressive riches.

We then proceed to Sparta and its small but very interesting museum. Dinner at a traditional taverna and overnight at Mystras.

This day will see us drive through magnificent mountain scenery, first to the remarkable temple of Apollo Epicurius at an altitude of 1,131 m (3,710 ft) on Mt Kotylion. Designed by Iktinos, architect the Parthenon in Athens, it was described by ancient writer and geographer Pausanias as eclipsing all others but the temple of Athena at Tegea by the beauty of its stone and the harmony of its construction.

This famous temple to the god of healing and the sun (Epicurius meaning ‘helper’ in ancient Greek) was built around the middle of the 5th century B.C.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Apollo Epicurius has the oldest Corinthian capital yet found and combines the Archaic style and the simple serenity of the Doric rhythm with some daring architectural features.

Onwards to illustrious Ancient Olympia (UNESCO World Heritage site) for dinner and overnight stay.

In the following morning, we will be visiting the archaeological site as well as the museum of celebrated Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games in 776 BC and home to the great sanctuary of Zeus. The archaeological site, surrounded by olive trees olive trees and vibrant nature, includes both sanctuaries and temples as well as the stadium and and gymnasia and training grounds used by athletes. Legend has it that the training grounds were founded by none other than the demigod and hero Heracles (Hercules) himself!

The superb museum contains an extensive collection of ancient Greek weaponry and armour, the wonderful sculptures from the Temple of Zeus and the Hermes of Praxiteles, arguably one of the very few surviving works by one of antiquity’s greatest sculptors.

Dinner at a local taverna and overnight stay.

Drive from Olympia crossing of the Gulf of Corinth over the spectacular bridge spanning 2,880 m ( 9,449 ft) to the picturesque seaside village of Galaxidi. Lunch at a traditional taverna and free afternoon for leisurely exploration of the village and its lovely surroundings. Dinner basis individual arrangements (not included in programme price) and overnight stay.

Drive to Delphi (UNESCO World Heritage site) for a full day of exploration of the extensive ancient site and the museum.

Steeped in myth, mystery and magic, Delphi is considered by many in ancient times as the centre or omphalos (navel) of Mother Earth and is located on the foothills of Mount Parnassus, in central Greece. With views overlooking the coast to the south and the valley of Phocis, Delphi is a destination that should definitely be included on any tour of ancient Greek sites. Its bespoke archaeological sanctuary, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and the quaint traditional mountain villages of Delphi and nearby Arachova offer any visitor a myriad of activities all year round.

The site is so vast and of such well-documented archaeological importance that we can merely scratch the surface in this brief review. The real feel of the magic that is Delphi can only come from the experience of being there.

Dinner at a local taverna.

Drive to Athens via the magnificent Byzantine monastery of Ossios Loukas .

Set in powerful yet peaceful rural natural surroundings, Ossios Loukas (Venerable Luke) is a large walled monastery complex located on the foothills of Mt Helikon, in Boeotia.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ossios Loukas is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine art and architecture and was founded by the hermit Hosios Loukas, whose relics are still kept in the monastery, in early-10th century AD. The main shrine is the mosaic-surrounded tomb of Hosios Loukas whilst the complex contains the Church of the Theotokos, which is the oldest in the site and the only church known with certainty to have been constructed in the tenth century in Greece.

Overnight in, or near, Athens.

Visit to the New Acropolis Museum, voted as being within the top-three such museums in the world.

• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Comfortable walking shoes a must

• Single room supplement
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• Bottled mineral water during the tours
• 9 nights accommodation basis double sharing, bed and breakfast
• Local taxes
• 9 meals (lunches or dinners depending on the day) total

• Driver and tour leader gratuities (optional)
• Travel to and from Greece
• Airport transfers
• Anything not specifically mentioned under Included.

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• This Tour is Provided by Eternal Greece Ltd.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Athens.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.