Greece, Peloponnese

The best of the Peloponnese by car 3^*

Upon arrival at Athens Airport or Piraeus Port, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The afternoon is free.

Take the opportunity to rest and recover after your flight or head into town for a first glimpse of life in Greece's sprawling capital. You can visit Syntagma Square and soak up the atmosphere of the city or go shopping in one of the city's most popular streets in the Kolonaki or Ermou districts. Take a pleasant stroll through the beautiful alleys of Plaka (the old quarter), where you will also find a large number of small shops selling souvenirs and other local items.

Overnight stay in Athens.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then head to the city centre! Today is your day to explore and discover this impressive city on your own.

Overnight in Athens.

Enjoy your breakfast, then collect your car from the Athens city centre office after 9:00 am and head towards the village of Nemea. Make a short stop at the Corinth Canal, which separates the mainland from the Peloponnese.

When you arrive in the Nemea region, you can stop to visit a local vineyard and sample a variety of delicious wines, or continue to the village of Malandreni to visit the Skouras Winery, one of the most important in Greece. Tasting the estate's award-winning wines and learning about the winemaking process will provide insight into Greece's winemaking tradition. Next, visit the Silo Art Gallery, where an artist will guide you through his exhibition. Be sure to take some photos of the Trojan horse. Next, visit ancient Mycenae, the city of the legendary King Agamemnon. Take a stroll through this impressive archaeological site and visit the Tomb of Agamemnon.

To end your first day, head to Nafplio to explore this wonderful town, then check into your hotel for the night.

Overnight in Nafplio or the Tolo area.

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by another exciting exploration. Today, you will visit two castles in the city of Nafplio (Akronafplia and the castle/prison on Palamidi Island).

Next, head to the city of Sparta, where you will have the opportunity to visit the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, which showcases the culture and technology of olive production, which is inextricably linked to Greek and Mediterranean identity. Unique in Greece, it is located in the heart of Laconia, one of Greece's main olive oil production areas.

Check in at your hotel in Sparta and spend the rest of the day at leisure discovering legendary stories about this Greek city's greatest triumph over Athens.

Overnight stay in Sparta.

After breakfast at the hotel and before leaving Sparta, visit the Byzantine castle in the town of Mystras. Mystras, the “wonder of the Morea”, was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress in 1249 by the Prince of Achaea, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only breathtaking medieval ruins set in a magnificent landscape.

Continue to Monemvasia, a huge rocky island off the east coast of the Peloponnese, and visit the castles, the ruins of the fortress and the church of Agia Sophia perched on the edge of a steep cliff.

Once in Monemvasia, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Monemvasia, Gytheio or the Areopolis area.

Have breakfast at the hotel, then head to the village of Pyrgos Dirou to visit the spectacular underground cave complex, which offers a glimpse into the Neolithic era. The magical colours and beautiful shapes formed by the stalactites and stalagmites make this a truly unique p lace. The 2,800-metre-long wetland area can only be explored by boat, and the tour follows a circular route. Prepare to be amazed by the largest and most famous sea cave in Greece!

Overnight stay in Gytheio or the Areopolis area.

After breakfast at the hotel, head to Kalamata, passing by the fascinating unspoilt beach of Stoupa. Stoupa is a peaceful retreat in a quiet corner of Greece. Bordered by a vast bay, this town is ideal for resting and relaxing while sunbathing on its long white sandy beaches. Perhaps stop for a swim in its crystal-clear waters and relax amid the peaceful surroundings before continuing on to Kalamata.

Discover Kalamata, a dynamic city and the European Capital of Culture for 2021. Enjoy its long white sandy beach, excellent restaurants, elegant shops and lively nightlife. Stroll along the palm-lined promenade or through the trendy Amfia alleyway. Admire the romantic sunsets over the sea, which add to its picturesque charm

Overnight in Kalamata.

End your adventure on a high note with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before setting off on a must-see tour: the Palace of Nestor, one of Greece's best-preserved Mycenaean gems. Walk through its ancient walls and explore its iconic spaces, such as the great throne room, decorated with a circular hearth, a room with a clay bathtub, and storerooms filled with historic storage jars.

Take the time to admire the unique frescoes that adorn this legendary palace, which are a testament to a fascinating era. Then, bid farewell to Greece. Head to Athens International Airport, return your hire car, and catch your flight home. To make the most of this day, we recommend choosing an evening flight or extending your stay in Athens by one night.

All excursions mentioned in the programme are suggestions and are not included in the offer (unless stated otherwise).

• The itinerary of the tour may be subject to changes or reordering due to local requirements.
• The proposed itinerary is a suggestion. No visits or excursions are included in the offer (unless indicated differently).

The service includes the hire of a category B car for a period of five days. With unlimited mileage

Day 3: The car will be collected from the office in Athens city centre after 09:00 a.m.

Returning the car: The drop-off procedure and the exact location will be indicated by the car hire company when you collect the car.

Driver age: at least 25 years old

Licence validity: The driver's licence must have been issued at least 12 months prior to the car rental

Vehicle hire includes:

• CDW (collision damage waiver)
• TP (theft protection)
• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Replacement vehicle in the event of an accident or breakdown
• Safety equipment (warning triangle, high-visibility vest, fire extinguisher)

Vehicle hire does not include:

• Any additional equipment (GPS, baby seat, etc.)
• Additional charges for pick-up outside working hours
• Damage to the vehicle or to persons caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances
• Theft of the vehicle with the keys left in the ignition
• Fuel, fines, tolls, parking

Additional information:

• Pick-up outside working hours is subject to an additional charge
• Drivers who are not citizens of the European Union must present an international driving licence as well as the original licence from their country of origin.
• Deposit by Visa or MasterCard credit card only
• Accident/theft reports must be notified within 48 hours of the incident