Ancient Corinth-Epidaurus-Olympia
In a three-day tour visit some of the most historic parts of Greece. See World Heritage sites of UNESCO.
A tour for lovers of antiquity. Visit Corinth and see the places visited by the Apostle Paul. The market and the Temple of Apollo. Meet Mycenae, the theatre of Epidaurus and Olympia.
The Corinth Canal (isthmus):
The Corinth Canal (Greek: Διώρυγα της Κορίνθου, Dhioryga tis Korinthou) is a canal that connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, thus effectively making the former peninsula an island. The builders dug the canal through the Isthmus at sea level; no locks are employed. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for most modern ships. It now has little economic importance.
The canal was proposed in classical times and an abortive effort was made to build it in the 1st century CE. Construction finally got under way in 1881 but was hampered by geological and financial problems that bankrupted the original builders. It was completed in 1893 but, due to the canal's narrowness, navigational problems and periodic closures to repair landslides from its steep walls, it failed to attract the level of traffic expected by its operators. It is now used mainly for tourist traffic.
Corinth:
Ancient Corinth was one of the largest and most important cities of Greece, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC.[1] The Romans demolished Corinth in 146 BC, built a new city in its place in 44 BC, and later made it the provincial capital of Greece.
Epidaurus:
Epidaurus, was a small city (polis) in ancient Greece, on the Argolid Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf. Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros (Modern Greek: Επίδαυρος): Palaia Epidavros and Nea Epidavros. Since 2010 they belong to the new municipality of Epidaurus, part of the regional unit of Argolis. The seat of the municipality is the town Lygourio.
Epidaurus was independent of Argos and not included in Argolis until the time of the Romans. With its supporting territory, it formed the small territory called Epidauria. Reputed to be founded by or named for the Argolid Epidaurus, and to be the birthplace of Apollo's son Asclepius the healer, Epidaurus was known for its sanctuary situated about five miles (8 km) from the town, as well as its theater, which is once again in use today. The cult of Asclepius at Epidaurus is attested in the 6th century BC, when the older hill-top sanctuary of Apollo Maleatas was no longer spacious enough.
Nafplio:
Nafplio is a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was an important seaport held under a succession of royal houses in the Middle Ages as part of the lordship of Argos and Nauplia, held initially by the de la Roche following the Fourth Crusade before coming under the Republic of Venice and, lastly, the Ottoman Empire. The town was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the regional unit of Argolis.
Also during the early modern period, but this time under Ottoman rule, the Turkish name of the town was Mora Yenişehir, after Morea, a medieval name for the Peloponnese, and "yeni şehir," the Turkish term for "new city" (apparently a translation from the Greek Νεάπολη, Italian Napoli). The Ottomans also called it Anabolı.
In the 19th century and early 20th century, the town was called indiscriminately Náfplion (Ναύπλιον) and Nafplio (Ναύπλιο) in modern Greek. Both forms were used in official documents and travel guides. This explains why the old form Náfplion (sometimes transliterated to Navplion) still occasionally survives up to this day.
Mycanae:
Mycanae is an archaeological site in Greece, located about 90 kilometres (56 miles) southwest of Athens, in the north-eastern Peloponnese. Argos is 11 kilometres (7 miles) to the south; Corinth, 48 kilometres (30 miles) to the north. From the hill on which the palace was located, one can see across the Argolid to the Saronic Gulf.
In the second millennium BC, Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to about 1100 BC is called Mycenaean in reference to Mycenae. At its peak in 1350 BC, the citadel and lower town had a population of 30,000 and an area of 32 hectares.
The first correct identification of Mycenae in modern literature was during a survey conducted by Francesco Grimani, commissioned by the Provveditore Generale of the Kingdom of the Morea in 1700, who used Pausanias's description of the Lion Gate to identify the ruins of Mycenae.
Olympia:
The sanctuary, known as the Altis, consists of an unordered arrangement of various buildings. Enclosed within the temenos (sacred enclosure) are the Temple of Hera (or Heraion/Heraeum), the Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion, and the area of the altar, where the sacrifices were made. To the north of the sanctuary can be found the Prytaneion and the Philippeion, as well as the array of treasuries representing the various city-states. The Metroon lies to the south of these treasuries, with the Echo Stoa to the east. The hippodrome and later stadium were located east of the Echo Stoa. To the south of the sanctuary is the South Stoa and the Bouleuterion, whereas the Palaestra, the workshop of Pheidias, the Gymnasion, and the Leonidaion lie to the west.
Olympia was also known for the gigantic ivory and gold statue of Zeus that used to stand there, sculpted by Pheidias, which was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Antipater of Sidon. Very close to the Temple of Zeus which housed this statue, the studio of Pheidias was excavated in the 1950s. Evidence found there, such as sculptor's tools, corroborates this opinion. The ancient ruins sit north of the Alpheios River and south of Mount Kronos (named after the Greek deity Kronos). The Kladeos, a tributary of the Alpheios, flows around the area.
More about the tour:
1st Day: From Athens to Corinth, Epidaurus and Nafplio.
Starting from Athens, heading through the highway to Corinth. Reaching the isthmus of Corinth follows a short stop. We arrive at Corinth, one of the richest cities in ancient times. One city that Apostle Paul lived for 2 years. Your tour includes the market and the Temple of Apollo.
Arrival at Epidaurus where you will meet the port of Kexries, where Asclepius were born. You can visit the Amphitheater of Epidaurus, which has excellent acoustic and symmetry. Finally, we head to Nafplio and in old town with Venetian architecture. Browse the rest of the day in the city where we will stay overnight.
2nd day: From Nafplio to Mycenae and Olympia.
After breakfast, depart for Nafplio in Argolis, where we will arrive at Mycenae, one of the most ancient monuments of Greek civilization. Mycenae was the Kingdom of Agamemnon, leader of the Greek army during the trojan war. After Mycenae and after having lunch there, we depart for Olympia, driving through the mountains of Central Peloponnesus. Overnight in Olympia.
3rd day: From Olympia back to Athens.
After breakfast visit and explore the archaeological site of Olympia. See the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera where they lit the Olympic flame and the gym. Finally you can visit the Museum. You can have lunch and return to Athens in the afternoon.
Indicative programme: ( It can be formatted according to your own requirements).
1st DAY:
08.00: Departure from Athens.
09.15: Arrival at Isthmus (Half hour stop)
11.00: Arrival at Ancient Corinth (2 hours tour)
13.00: Lunch.
16.00: Arrival at Ancient stage of Epidaurus
18.00: Arrival at Nafplio (Free time - Overnight)
2nd DAY:
09.00: Visit the fortress of Palamidi (1 hour tour)
11.00: Arrival at Mycenae (2 hour tour)
13.00: Lunch.
16.00: Arrival at Ancient Olympia (overnight)
3rd DAY:
09.00: Tour at Olympia (about 4 hours).
13.30: Lunch.
18.00: Back to Athens
Note that photography is permitted throughout the tour. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also recommended.
Booking - Prices:
Prices vary according to the number of people involved and the car used. Indicative for three to four people with Mercedes A/Csedan car/taxi the price starts from 800 €.
Important information:
* While driving, the guides provide comments only when it is safe. Your safety is our first priority.
* Greece has strict laws and regulations on the tour to archaeological sites. For this reason, our guides can offer comments about sites only in the vehicle and always outside of archaeological sites.
* Only licensed guides can accompany you or guide you to the sites you visit. If you want to have a personal tour guide please include it with your request and we can hire one.
* Drivers will leave you as close as is permitted in the places of visit and according to the laws of movement of Greece. We will be waiting for you at the same point for the departure.
* Prices include all taxes, fuel, insurance and parking fees. Does not include tickets to archaeological sites and museums. Ask us for the prices of museums and archaeological sites.
* Also does not include the accommodation and personal travel expenses. We are on your disposal if you want to book a hotel room or a specific restaurant at lower prices and best quality.
Payment methods:
The payment for the trip is made in euros at the end of your trip. You can also pre-pay in advance via PayPal or credit card (Visa-Mastercard-American Express). Just let us know via e-mail if you want payment in advance.