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.  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: Corinthos – Epidaurus – Mycenae – Nafplio

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 Nafplio where you will check in at your hotel.

Nafplio

When Greece first gained independence following the Revolution in 1821, it was based in the Peloponnese, specifically in the city of Nafplio. Nafplio does not let down when it comes to romantic outings and exceptional beauty. It is a stunning city full of history, with architectural fusion styles from very different cultures, including Venetian, Byzantine, and Ottoman.

Overnight at Nafplio.

Day 4: Monemvasia

Monemvasia

The town’s name is derived from two Greek words, mone and emvasia, which mean “the one and the only entrance.”. The Malmsey wine is named after its Italian variety, malvasia. In 375 AD, an earthquake caused Monemvasia’s island to be cut off from the mainland. The town is situated on a slope to the south-east of the rock, overlooking Palaia Monemvasia bay, and is built on the plateau that makes up the majority of the island, which is about 100 meters above sea level. Many of the streets are cramped and suitable only for donkey and pedestrian traffic. In 583, Greeks from the mainland who were fleeing the Slavic and Avaric invasion founded the town and fortress. The medieval Chronicle of Monemvasia contains a history of the Peloponnese’s invasion and occupation. The town began to grow into a significant maritime and trade hub in the 10th century AD. The fortress withstood the Arab and Norman invasions in 1147; William II of Villehardouin took it in 1248 on honorable terms after three years of siege; William was captured by the Greeks in 1259 after the battle of Pelagonia; and in 1262 it was retroceded to Michael VIII Palaiologos as part of William’s ransom.

Overnight at Monemvasia.

Day 5: Mystras

Archaeological Museum of Mystras

The Agios Demetrios Cathedral’s courtyard is where you’ll find the Archaeological Museum of Mystras. It is in a two-story structure, from which guests can take in the magnificent surroundings. In 1952, the museum was founded. Most of the museum’s collection is made up of Byzantine-era artifacts, even though it is referred to as an archaeological museum. Sculptures, portable post-Byzantine icons, pieces of wall paintings, and small objects like coins and jewelry are all included.

The Palace of the Despots

The Upper Town of Mystra is completely dominated by the Palace of the Despots. It is a sizable collection of structures from various construction eras. The Despots’ residence, which is situated on a level area with a view of the Evrotas valley, was typically the second son of the emperor. These palaces are a superb example of Byzantine construction. The entire L-shaped building complex has survived to the present day in good condition. Four structures make up the palace. While some of them are two-story mansions, others have four stories. The noblemen’s homes were in the first structure, and the throne hall was in the second.

Overnight in Mystras.

Day 6: Areopoli

Areopolis

Areopolis, a city with stunning scenery, is in the Laconian prefecture of Mani at the base of Mount Agios Ilias. It is a traditional settlement, one of the most beautiful in Greece, and is situated at a height of 250 meters, 72 kilometers from Sparta. Tsimova was the area’s previous name until 1836 when Areopolis was adopted. One theory for the origin of its name is that the ancient Maniates gave it the name of the god of war Ares or that the name was given to it by the winds that blow through the region. You will be mesmerized by the stunning view of the Messinian Gulf to the west from Areopolis. You will be awed by the architecture and the distinctiveness of the Maniatic landscape in Areopolis’s center, which has been designated a protected settlement.

One of the most well-liked bases for excursions in the entire Laconian Mani is Areopolis and its surroundings. Small pebble beaches, impressive landscapes, and stone-built villages with tower houses in the sycamore trees (Vathia and Gerolimenas are two of the most well-known) will enchant travelers, while hikers will find plenty of opportunities. One of the main tourist destinations for the surrounding area is the Dirou Tower with its impressive caves.

Diros Caves

Old caves that you can take a tour in small boats where you can see stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations.

Overnight Kalamata

Day 7: Kalamata – Nemea – Athens

Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae of Phigaleia (UNESCO-protected site)

In the mountains of Arcadia during the fifth century BCE, a temple honoring Apollo Epicurius was erected. One of the best-preserved classical antiquity structures, according to UNESCO. It is the earliest monument to display all three classical orders, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The temple was abandoned after ceasing to be used and was left in obscurity for almost 1700 years. The 18th century saw its rediscovery, which drew the interest of academics and artists.

Nemea

Archaeological Site of Nemea tour & Archaeological Museum of Nemea tour

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.

Nemea Wine Tasting Experience with Lunch

Domaine Bairaktaris is housed in a modern and functional building at the entrance of Nemea. Surrounded by the famous vineyard of Agiorgitiko, it aims to produce high-quality wines. It always gives us great joy to share our passion for quality wine.

Discover wine tourism and live a unique wandering experience in the greek vineyard.

Visit us to get to know the secrets of wine production by taking a guided tour of the winery, where specialized staff explains step by step the winemaking process, the bottling, and the aging process in barrels and amphorae in the cellar of the estate. In a specially designed room, follows training in wine tasting, where the visitors can enjoy the high-quality wines of Domaine Bairaktaris.

Overnight in Athens.

Day 8: Departure

Enjoy your last breakfast in Athens. At the indicated time meet with our assistant and transfer to Athens Airport.  Embarkation to your international flight and return to your country after an unforgettable journey to Greece.