Journey Through the Peloponnese
16 – 23 September 2016
The sacred site of Delphi
There are parts of Greece that are timeless, where
myths still seem to whisper across ancient stones.
This journey through the beautiful Peloponnese
takes you to evocative sites from mythology and
celebrated healing centres of ancient times. This
can be joined as a post cruise extension or taken
as a stand-alone Peloponnese tour.
Disembark from the Aegean Odyssey and transfer
to Delphi, one of Greece’s most important ancient
sites, once believed to be the centre of the world.
Explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, site of the Delphic
oracle, and walk along Delphi’s Sacred Way,
visiting the Treasury of the Athenians and the
5,000-seat theatre dating from the fourth century
BC. In the evening have dinner at a local restaurant
and spend the night at Fedriades Hotel.
Drive to Olympia, one of Greece’s most beautiful
ancient sites, set in a luxuriant valley of wild olive
and plane trees, set between twin rivers. Visit the
archaeological site, the birthplace of the Olympic
Games, and the museum, before continuing
along the coast to the lovely town of Pylos, which
presides over the southern end of an immense bay.
With its huge natural harbour, its medieval castle
and surrounding pine-covered hills, Pylos is not only
stunning but is also one of the most historically
significant towns in the Peloponnese, mentioned by
Homer and the site of a rare Spartan defeat at the
hands of the Athenians, as well as being the site of
the 1827 Battle of Navarino, which was a catalyst
for the birth of modern Greece. Spend the night
here at the Karalis City Hotel.
Next morning visit the Lagoon of Gialova, an
important wetland area and bird paradise, where
over 270 species of birds visit during their migratory
journeys. The green expanse of the lagoon makes
for a spectacular sight adjacent to the beach and
blue sea of Voidokilia. Visit the pretty Byzantine
town of Methoni, over which looms the most
impressive example of a 15th-century Venetian
fortress in the Peloponnese. Return to Pylos,
stopping at the site of King Nestor’s Palace en
route.
sheltered by
a rocky headland and large natural
fortress crowned by a Venetian castle, with
attractive narrow streets and squares. Spend the
night here with dinner at the stylish waterfront
Grand Bretagne Hotel.
The castle at Pylos
The vast site of ancient Messini is as extensive
as the ruins of Olympia and Epidavros, yet is
relatively unvisited. In a beautiful setting on
a hillside below the village of Mavromati and
still undergoing excavation, the site comprises
a large theatre, an agora, a vast Sanctuary of
Asclepius and the most intact and impressive of all
ancient Greek stadiums. Spend the morning here,
followed by lunch with an optional cooking class.
Afterwards visit an apiary and learn how honey is
used in traditional healing.
Next day drive to Epidaurus, birthplace of the son
of Apollo, Asclepius. The asclepeion at Epidaurus
was the most celebrated healing centre of the
classical world. Visit the theatre, the asclepeion
and the impressive amphitheatre, spread across a
hillside. Take a scenic drive through the Argos Plain
to Mycenae, where you will enter by the Lion Gate.
Explore the Royal Palace, the shaft graves and the
remains of the city walls. Return to Nafplio and
enjoy time at leisure to wander the narrow streets
and view the Venetian and Turkish architecture.
Next morning drive to Athens and check into
your hotel. In the afternoon take a guided tour of
the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, with a
farewell dinner at Strofi with superb views of the
Acropolis.
Transfer to the airport the following day.
Next morning drive to explore the site of Sparta,
which was once a city that feared no one, with no
walls or fortifications. Visit the Museum of the
Olive and Greek Olive Oil and learn of its many
uses of this product through history. Continue
your drive through the lush mountainous region
of Arcadia on your way to Mystras, the former
capital of the Byzantine Empire. A classic fortified
city, the wonderful medieval ruins are spread over
a steep mountainside, surrounded by verdant
olive and orange trees with spectacular views of
the Lakonia plain below. Explore the remains of
the magnificent city before continuing down to
the coast to Nafplio, once the capital of modern
Greece.
Situated in a breathtaking location on a small
port beneath the towering Palamidi fortress, the
stately Venetian elegance of Napflio makes this
an exceptional Greek town. The lovely harbour
is surrounded
by the Arcadian Mountains and
The elegant main square in Nafplio (top);
The Parthenon atop the Acropolis (above)
Itinerary
16 – 23 September 2016
B = Breakfast
L = Lunch D = Dinner
1 night Delphi – 3 nights Pylos – 2 nights Nafplio – 1 night Athens
B D
16 Sept (Fri) Athens / Delphi
Am
Pm
Eve
Transfer from the Aegean Odyssey and
drive to Delphi
Visit the Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo,
the site of the sacred Delphic oracle, and
walk along Delphi’s Sacred Way, visiting
the Treasury of the Athenians and the
5,000 seat theatre (4th century BC)
Overnight at Fedriades Hotel in the heart
of Delphi and dinner at a local restaurant
17 Sept (Sat) Delphi / Pylos
Am
Pm
Eve
Drive to Pylos via ancient Olympia and
visit the archaeological site and the
museum
Continue along the coast to elegant
Pylos, built around a beautiful square
Dinner and overnight at the Karalis
City Hotel, a lovely traditional building
situated near the main square,
overlooking the Bay of Navarino
B D
18 Sept (Sun) Pylos
Am
Pm
Eve
Visit the Lagoon of Gialova on the
southernmost point of the Balkans, on
which migratory birds, such as flamingos,
herons and sea eagles, nest
Explore the Byzantine town of Methoni
including its castle. On the way back to
Pylos there will be the opportunity to
visit the ruins of Nestor, King of Pylos
Dinner in a local taverna
19 Sept (Mon)Pylos
Am
Pm
Eve
Pm
Dinner and overnight at the elegant
Grand Bretagne Hotel, a beautifully restored classic hotel situated on the waterfront
B D
21 Sept (Wed) Nafplio
Am
Pm
Eve
Visit Epidaurus, birthplace of Asclepius. The asclepieion at Epidaurus was the most celebrated healing centre of the classical world. Visit the magnificent amphitheatre, asclepieion and museum
Visit the ruins of Ancient Mycenae including parts of the Acropolis and
the Lion Gate. Return to Nafplio, once
the capital of Greece and explore the elegant town
Dinner in a local restaurant
22 Sept (Thur) Nafplio / Athens
Am
Pm
Eve
B D
Drive to Athens and check into the Athenian Callirhoe Hotel, situated
near the Plaka and the Acropolis
Visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum
Farewell dinner at Strofi with views
of the Acropolis
B
23 Sept (Fri) Athens
Am Transfer to the airport
L D
Visit Ancient Messini, built in the foothills
of Mount Ithomi and surrounded by olive
trees, vines, orchards, figs and prickly
pears. Explore the sanctuaries, public
buildings, fortifications, dwellings and
burial sites
Lunch at Akrogiali with an optional
cookery class. Visit an apiary and learn
how honey is used in traditional healing
Dinner in a local taverna
20 Sept (Tue) Pylos / Nafplio
Am
B
Eve
B D
Drive to the site of Sparta and explore.
Visit the Museum of the Olive and
Greek Olive Oil
Drive through the lovely region of
Arcadia and visit the Byzantine city
of Mystras, on the steep slopes of the
mountain and explore the citadel, the
remains of the palace, the noble houses,
the quarters of the townsmen. See the
impressively painted church interiors.
Continue to Nafplio
Greece
Delphi
1
4
Athens
Olympia
Pylos 2
Ionian
Sea
Nafplio
3
Sparta
The ground only cost of the
tour is £1,380 / AUD $3,240 per
person and includes:
• 7 nights’ accommodation in twin-bedded
rooms in standard rooms in medium grade and boutique accommodation
• Single room supplement is £180 / AUD $420
• Breakfast daily
• Dinners daily with wine and water and one
lunch
• All admission fees
• Services of specialist English speaking tour
manager and guide
The cost excludes:
• Flights
• Meals not mentioned
• Tips
• All optional excursions, tours and visits
• Visa (if required)
The Lion Gate at Mycenae
Jon Baines Tours
1A Salcott Road, London SW11 6DG
info@jonbainestours.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 207 223 9485 / 5618
PO Box 68, Sth Brunswick Victoria 3055
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9343 6367
info@jonbainestours.com.au
www.jonbainestours.com
The Lagoon of Gialova (top); The castle of Nafplio;
Epidaurus amphitheatre; The coastline of Arcadia (above)