Day 1: Arrival in Athens

Arrival at Athens International Airport “ Eleftherios Venizelos” , meet and greet by our professional assistant and transfer to your hotel.  Orientation meeting and delivery of the necessary documentation.

Cooking class followed by dinner, in a private area.  The duration of the experience about 4 hours.

You will have the opportunity to experience a 4-part VIP Experience of the Mediterranean Diet.

EXPERIENCE TOUR ON UNESCO’S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

WELCOME DRINK (drink with Mastic)

1. Presentation by a UNESCO expert of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

Program Includes:

> Brief reference to UNESCO World Heritage Sites

> Special Reference to Greek World Heritage Sites

> Presentation of UNESCO’s International Program of Intangible Cultural Heritage

> Focus on Greek Elements registered in the UNESCO List for the preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

> Detailed reference to the Mediterranean Diet

> Special reference to any additional element of Intangible Cultural Heritage directly linked to the destination.

> Questions

1. Botany Laboratory:

Includes:

> Introduction to the herbs that grow in Greece and are used in Greek gastronomy in the context of the Mediterranean Diet

> Detailed reference to the herbs that grow in the destination, the ways of their use, as well as the role in preserving the local tradition

> Reference to recipes and herbs to be used in the cooking class (3rd part)

> Questions

1. Cooking Class by famous chef/famous food blogger, expert on the Mediterranean Diet cooking:

Includes:

> Brief presentation of the ingredients, their management and how to cook them in the context of the Mediterranean Diet

> Offer participants a cooking apron, which they will keep as a souvenir

> Cooking class: participants will prepare with the help of the chef traditional Greek recipes (including vegetarian or vegan recipes) which they will then enjoy

> Wine tasting: Participants during the cooking class will learn about Greek wines produced in the destination they will visit and match the recipes performed.

1. Dinner Party:

The participants will enjoy the dishes, which they have created with the help of the chef, accompanied by the wines presented in the previous part and Greek music.

Overnight in your hotel in Athens

Day 2: Athens City Tour with Museum

Breakfast at your hotel and pick up in the morning, at the indicated time, for a half-day tour of the city of Athens which includes a guided panoramic tour of the city and a visit to the Acropolis of Athens and the Acropolis Museum. Pick up from your hotel and return to your hotel. Tour duration: About 4.5 hours.

Next, we will do a panoramic tour of the main avenues of Athens, highlights of  Panepistimiou Avenue (University of Athens). We will pass through Syntagma Square, the Parliament, the monument to the unknown soldier that we will see next to the colorful uniforms of the Evzones guards outside the Royal Palace. We continue to the Kalimarmaro Stadium, site of the first Olympic Games of the Modern Age (1896). Then we will visit the sacred rock of the Acropolis, the cradle of Western civilization.

Among its many attractions, we will visit the Theater of Herodes Atticus, the Propylaea, the Parthenon temple, the Erechtheion temple or Temple of the Caryatids and the small Temple of Nike. A stop at the panoramic tower of the Acropolis will help us explain everything that we can see from here, such as the eight hills of Athens (Lycabettus, Pnix, Filopapou, and more) as well as the city of Athens. We will observe the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Arch of Hadrian, the Parliament, the Zappion, and other known monuments of Athens.

Next, we will contemplate the ancient theater of Dionysus and we will continue with the visit to the famous Acropolis Museum.

If you wish, when the tour ends you can stay walking through the picturesque streets of the Plaka neighborhood and return to the hotel on your own.

The rest of the day is free. Overnight in your hotel in Athens.

Day 3: Epidaurus – Mycenae – Kalamata

We will depart from Athens and travel to the Corinth Canal, where we will make a brief stop. We will reach Corinth, which was once among the most prosperous cities in antiquity. a city where the apostle Paul spent two years. The market and the Temple of Apollo are both included in your tour. The port of Kechraion, where Asclepius was born, will be met as we travel on to Epidaurus.

Next, we will visit the Ancient Theatre in Epidaurus, which is renowned for its outstanding acoustics. We will then travel to Mycenae to see the Agamemnon Tomb and the archaeological site.

As you stroll through this impressive archaeological site, you will discover more about classical Greek culture. Next, we will head to Kalamata where you will check in at your hotel.

Overnight at Kalamata.

Day 4: Koroni – Pylos – Methoni

After breakfast, we will head for Koroni which is included in UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. There we will have a Cooking and tasting experience activity and we will visit the Koroni famous castle. The castle of Koroni is one of the best examples of Venetian fortress architecture.

Next, we will visit Pylos and the Palace of Nestor Palace.

The Palace of Nestor or Palace of Nestor is a central palace of the Late Hellenic Period, surrounded by a fortified enclosure. It was a two-story building that included storage areas, laboratories, baths, skylights, reception areas, and a central drainage system.

Methoni Castle is one of the most important in Greece. It was built by the Venetians when they became masters of the city in 1209 AD. It is built on a rock that juts into the sea and is separated from the land by an artificial moat. It has an area of ​​93 acres. On its north side is the gate made of rectangular ashlars. The castle walls are reinforced at intervals with towers. South of the fortress is the Bourtzi tower, built on a small rocky island south of the castle. It is connected to the main fort by an arched bridge. On the eastern side of the castle there is today a small jetty that is part of the small port of Methoni. The walls, towers, bastions, north-west artillery platform, and the various gates of the castle have been dated thanks to the identification of the Venetian gates still in place.

Optional:

Sea Kayak Kalamata

Duration: 4 hours

This is a coast to coast trip along the seaside villages east of Kalamata. From the beachfront of the Messinian capital to the seaside villages of the region of West Mani such as Almyros, Mikri Mantinia, Paleochora, Akrogiali, Santova and Kitries, we discover numerous small beaches, spectacular rock formations and turquoise waters. At a distance we get a sight of the foothills of mount Taygetos and on our side constantly lies mount Kalathio, a mountain that literally touches the sea. This trip is suitable for everybody but ideal for families with kids. We will journey along the coastline at a relaxed pace, landing on beaches and just having a good time exploring. We’ll keep the pace relaxed, take a few breaks and make sure everybody is having a great time on the sea. Before departure, we prepare our equipment and attend a brief but comprehensive introduction to the principles of sea kayaking. During the trip we will enjoy the friendly Messinian gulf paddling next to scenic harbors with fishing boats. In the spots with the most beautiful water we take the advantage for a break for swimming and snorkeling. A break is scheduled halfway to relax, swim and taste a delicious picnic. Once the lunch stop is over we paddle back to the starting point to end a relaxing paddling day in Kalamata’s beachfront

Overnight at your hotel in Kalamata.

Day 5: Olympia

The Olympic Games’ birthplace, Olympia, is where we will travel next.

After breakfast, we will visit the impressive archaeological site of Olympia. Marvel at the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium, and the archaeological Museum.

We will visit the gymnasiums where athletes trained, the temple of Zeus, the temple of Hera, and the Olympic flame’s lighting ceremony.

Day 6: Olympia – Honey Tasting Experience

After breakfast, we will do a Honey tasting and agrotourism tour in Olympia.

What could be better than spending time with a Greek family while you hear their family stories, view old photos, sample freshly sourced local products, and more? This is in addition to visiting ancient classical monuments like Olympia, the Valley of the Gods, which is home to the most famous sanctuary of ancient Greece and the birthplace of the most significant athletic mega-event in history.

Dinner and overnight in Olympia.

Day 6: Nemea – Athens

Today we will depart for Athens through Nemea, where we will make a stop to have a break and visit the archaeological site.

Since the Nemean Games were held there in antiquity, the Nemea archaeological site has become symbolic. The site incorporates the history of sports in Europe as well as the ideals of traditional sports as part of its all-encompassing approach to educating young people. Beginning in 573 BC, every two years, the Panhellenic Nemean games were held. Hercules’ triumph over the lion of Nemea is a mythological event that ties the hero and the location together. It is frequently depicted in ancient Greek art and literature. In part because of the Nemean Sports Games, the Archaeological Site of Nemea is a collection of beautifully preserved and on display ancient artifacts.

Overnight in Athens.