Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Explore the Peloponnese
Ancient Sites, Picturesque Ports and Charming Villages

Greece - Athens - Peloponnese

Your trip

Starting from between £2,250 to £3,395 per person for 14 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • The Aegean sea is never too far away as it loops around the Peloponnese, the mountains and the ancient sites.


  • Settle into your beautiful stone house at the heart of traditional villages


  • In the itinerary is a cooking class with a Greek chef, and a tour of Athens in the footsteps of a local


  • A rental car, local concierge and the best, hand-picked locations are all part of the service
The Peloponnese is a Mediterranean offering as a tribute to beauty. It is a sacred land where the Greek, Roman and Ottoman civilisations shaped the landscape by building some of the greatest landmarks in the Ancient World, including Mycenae, Epidaurus, Mystra and Olympia. This journey will immerse you in the great Hellenic myths of Homer, Apollo or the kingdom of Agamemnon.



This is by no means just a cultural journey. Move from one temple to another, taking your time to stroll down the flower-lined streets or through small fishing harbours, take a dip in Elafonisi's turquoise waters and relax at sunset with a glass of Ouzo. Party lovers will love the Paniyiri, a local festival that brings life to the village all summer long, where religious ceremonies quickly turn into dancing until the early hours of the morning. This is an authentic experience of Greece which is so dear to the hearts of the Greeks, who love the fresh air of the hilltop villages on a warm day or simply love to wander around with an ice cream along the piers among the bustling fishermen. Authenticity is the best thing about this place.



Our choice of stops

Another great thing about this trip? Our choice of traditional and boutique accommodation aims to bring together tradition, a friendly atmosphere and Mediterranean charm. You will be able to sample homemade delights starting with local honey and jams for breakfast, which you can enjoy under the pergola.



Things we love...

Filling up on orange or mandarin honey at the Melokipos shop in Nafplio; the scenery of the Gerakas fjord; the timeless atmosphere of the Monemvassia town; the scent of orange and lemon trees; and the aromatic cuisine of Bacchus Tavern.

Go carefree

GPS included: when travelling in Greece by rental car, you will be provided with a GPS system which is pre-loaded with your itinerary, hotel details and favourite spots for each stop.
Mani Peninsula -Greece © Andreas Karelias / Fotolia.com
Mani Peninsula -Greece © Andreas Karelias / Fotolia.com
Nafplion - Peloponnese - Greece © efesenko / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Nafplion - Peloponnese - Greece © efesenko / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Nafplion - Peloponnese - Greece © Gargolas / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Nafplion - Peloponnese - Greece © Gargolas / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Galaxidi - Greece © Dmitry Berkut/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Galaxidi - Greece © Dmitry Berkut/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Olympia - Peloponnese - Greece © johncopland / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Olympia - Peloponnese - Greece © johncopland / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Theater of Epidaurus - Peloponnese - Greece © Droits reservés
Theater of Epidaurus - Peloponnese - Greece © Droits reservés
Mycenae - Peloponnese - Greece © pavlemarjanovic / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Mycenae - Peloponnese - Greece © pavlemarjanovic / Getty Images / iStockphoto
Boat on the sea - Greece © Maekfoto/stock.adobe.com
Boat on the sea - Greece © Maekfoto/stock.adobe.com
Sea and islands - Greece © Jana Janina/stock.adobe.com
Sea and islands - Greece © Jana Janina/stock.adobe.com
Beach in Greece © Lucian Bolca/stock.adobe.com
Beach in Greece © Lucian Bolca/stock.adobe.com
Theater of Herodes Atticus - Athens - Greece © Robert Herhold/stock.adobe.com
Theater of Herodes Atticus - Athens - Greece © Robert Herhold/stock.adobe.com
House and terrace - Greece © Droits reservés
House and terrace - Greece © Droits reservés
Greek orthodox chapel  - Greece © Droits reservés
Greek orthodox chapel - Greece © Droits reservés
Greek orthodox chapel  - Greece © Delphine Poggianti/stock.adobe.com
Greek orthodox chapel - Greece © Delphine Poggianti/stock.adobe.com
Ancient statue - Greece © Droits reservés
Ancient statue - Greece © Droits reservés

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Upon arrival, pick up your car and drive to Nafplio via the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow strip of land connecting mainland Greece to the Peloponnese. Located in a sleepy street that leads down to the sea, you will spend two nights in an old 19th-century manor house boasting period furniture and elegant decor. The rooms are decorated in wood and exposed stone, with furniture from Tuscany and heavy drapes. The shaded patio with its small swimming pool is the perfect addition to the peace and quiet.

Nafplio is a beautiful harbour nestled at the bottom of the Argolic Gulf, and has preserved a slightly Italian air from the Venetian occupation. Enjoy a stroll through the heights of the citadel and the streets of the Old Town, before stopping at Syntagma Square, where restaurants sit alongside historic monuments. If you feel like venturing out of the city, it's definitely worth taking a stroll through the Epidaurus Theatre, the most well-preserved theatre in ancient Greece.
The itinerary includes a private cooking class. Immerse yourself in Greek gastronomy under the expert guidance of a professional chef, showcasing traditional Greek recipes. This workshop is suitable for everyone from for the more experienced chef to those who simply love good food.
Option - Nafplio through the eyes of a photographer.

The next stop is Leonidio, a peaceful village situated on the banks of a river. Although the surrounding hills make beautiful walks hard to resist, you are sure to be drawn towards the infinite blue of the Aegean Sea in the east. The village has a small harbour, which is the starting point for long stretches of beaches.
Two nights' accommodation in a traditional manor house, which has been the centrepiece of the village since 1809. Exposed stone and wood precious come together beautifully to add a rural charm to the place. In the morning, after a hearty breakfast of organic and local produce, you will have the chance to explore the surrounding area before returning to enjoy the terrace in the evening.

You will then continue south to Monemvassia, a medieval city perched on a rock that connects a narrow pier to the mainland. Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish relics can still be found here. The quiet atmosphere of the small fishing harbour is occasionally interrupted by the lively atmosphere of the bars and restaurants. Two nights' accommodation inside the citadel, an area reserved for pedestrians. The rooms are nestled in several old houses and retain the character of the local architecture with their stone arches, beams, and ancient tiles.

Travel towards the Mani Peninsula and the village of Karavostasi Itilo. Spend two nights in a charming accommodation overlooking a unique landscape, still relatively untouched by tourism. One side boasts a view of the countryside and olive fields. The other side, the sea. The day starts with breakfast on the terrace under the shade of the orange trees, and ends by the pool, where the view of the bay is particularly impressive. The interior is just as beautiful, with is combination of blue, white and wood.

Journey to Olympia. Overnight accommodation half a mile west of the archaeological site of Olympia. The hotel is set around a huge, blue swimming pool lined with sun loungers. The rest of the hotel is comprised of spacious rooms, plenty of light and good food.
Option - Visit ancient sites with a private guide.

Travel to Galaxidi along Gulf of Corinth. The town is still relatively untouched by tourists, and you can enjoy pleasant stroll along the wharves of the fishing harbour and the taverns. About 12 miles away lies Delphi, one of the major sites of ancient Greece. Spend two nights in a pretty country house owned by a merchant navy captain. The two main buildings are connected by a courtyard adorned with flowers and green plants. Enjoy delicious breakfasts made even better with the owner's homemade jams.

Take to the road one last time to Athens for the last two nights. Settle into an elegant and contemporary hotel in the heart of the city, just across the street from the modern Acropolis Museum. The Parthenon can also be seem from the hotel rooftop, which has with tables and two Jacuzzis. It's just what you need after a day of sightseeing.

The itinerary includes Athens in the footsteps of a local guide. During the walk, your guide will tell you all about this city, its legends and tales, and will make sure it's based on your interests.
Option - A private tour of the street art in Athens.

Drive to the airport, return your hire car and catch your flight home.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

NAFPLIO THROUGH THE EYES OF A PHOTOGRAPHER

This trip offers you the chance to see the city from a different angle. Castles, towers, arches and cannons will be the centrepiece of your photographs. No matter the quality of the camera or you level of skill, the professional photographer guide will accommodate you and offer sound advice.

Optional



TRIP TO OLYMPIA AND THE ANCIENT SITES

Physical and intellectual prowess and a sense of harmony and peace were the focus of the games that brought the Greeks together in ancient Olympia. Now, 2,800 years later the modern Olympic Games still boast the same values. Within the idyllic Alfeios valley, which was ravaged by fires in 2007, the ruins testify to the magnitude of the shrine dedicated to Zeus. You'll be able to explore these ruins with a private guided tour.

Optional



ATHENS STREET ART

With a street artist as your guide, discover an irrepressible artistic scene along the streets of the Greek capital. When we say 'street art', naturally New York, Paris, London, or Berlin immediately spring to mind. But Athens? Actually, the city is full of street art, which emerged in the 1990s but has really taken off and acquired its own style recently. The tour will take you through the streets of the capital past everything from elaborate frescos to angry graffiti, where you can really take in the atmosphere and sense what's going on at its core.

Optional

Why visit Greece with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Greece

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The cost for this trip starts from £2,250 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £2,680 per person.
Included in this suggestion

  • International flights with a scheduled airline


  • Airline taxes and fuel surcharge


  • 12-day car rental


  • Two-night stay in Nafplio in a double room with breakfast


  • Two-night stay in Leonidio in a superior room with breakfast


  • Two-night stay in Monemvassia in a double room with breakfast


  • Two-night stay in Karavostasi Itilo in a double room with breakfast


  • One-night stay in Olympia in a double room with breakfast


  • Two-night stay in Galaxidi in a double room with breakfast


  • Two-night stay in Athens in a double room with breakfast


  • Cookery class with a chef in Nafplio


  • Visit Athens accompanied by a local guide


  • Our local Concierge service


  • Our app, loaded with your itinerary, hotel details and recommended places to visit

100% tailor-made holidays

Understanding Your Needs

Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday

Personalisation

We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities

Our Services

All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges