Olympic Heritage: 2500 years Greece’s history in Peloponnese

Todays’ experiences include the Monastery of Agia Lavra, where in 1821 Greeks started the War of Independence against Ottomans, the magnificent Cave of the Lakes, with numerous tunnels forming 13 lakes on 3 successive layers, Planitero situated in a forest of plane trees with old watermills and windmills, Ancient Psophis where ruins of the ancient city and the fortification are still visible, and Foloi, one of the rarest oak forests in Europe and symbol in Greek mythology where Hercules elaborated his 4th labor, the annihilation of Erymanthus. Arrival to Olympia, check-in, dinner and overnight.

Guided visit to the archaeological site of Olympia (Unesco 1989), birthplace of the Olympics and very important spiritual, athletic and artistic center of the antiquity. Onsite you will see the Museum, the Gymnasium and the Stadium. Next, in Andritsaina you see beautiful mansions and the oldest fountain in Peloponnese (1724). A bit later, in Vasses, you visit the temple of Epicurean Apollo (Unesco 1986) considered to be miracle of ancient architecture. Todays’ programme ends in Katakolon where you will be informed about ancient mechanisms housed to the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology. Return to Olympia, dinner and overnight.

The last day of this journey to Peloponnese, you experience Ancient Nemea, famous in Greek mythology for the 6th labor of Hercules who killed the horrific Lion, also for the ancient Panhellenic games that held every 4 years in honor of Zeus. In Ancient Nemea you see the amazing Temple of Zeus and the Stadium. Before leaving Nemea, you will listen about the cultivation and the production of the famous Agiorgitiko red wine and enjoy a wine tasting to a premium local winery. Arrival to Athens in the evening.