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Home > Greece > 12 DAYS ULTIMATE PELOPONNESE

12 DAYS ULTIMATE PELOPONNESE

Athens, Arcadia, Olympia, Kalamata, Mani, Monemvasia, Porto Heli

Outdoor & Adventure, History & Culture

Highlights

  • Explore picturesque Arcadia, a tangle of medieval villages, remote monasteries, and narrow roads that wind through the valleys of Menalon Mountain
  • Visit Olympia the origin place of modern Olympic Games.
  • Discover the Mani region, one of Greece’s least visited areas, known for its rugged terrain, vast olive groves, Byzantine churches, castles, and stone hilltop villages.
  • Walk through the narrow streets of Monemvasia medieval castle and climb to the ruins of the old fortress on the top of the hill.
  • Stay in amazing boutique hotels that enhance local & authentic feel without sacrificing luxury, including the opulent Amanzoe

The Peloponnese, one of Greece’s best kept secrets. Home to ancient sites that bring legends to life. Architectural gems abound, with Byzantine cities, Venetian fortresses and classical temples and Mycenaean palaces. This is nature’s playground, from snow-capped mountains, lush gorges, valleys of citrus groves and vineyards, to sun-speckled beaches. A place to experience authentic Greek filoxenia (hospitality) without the tourist hordes.

We start our journey in Athens, the birthplace of western civilization before departing to Arcadia, with dramatic hills crowned by traditional towns, and a stone’s throw to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic games. Travelling south, visit Kalamata and ancient Messina, and then to Mani Peninsula, a rugged region known for its tower houses, sun-speckled beaches and authentic atmosphere. Not to be outdone, Monemvasia wows with its medieval village framed by sheer cliffs and the coast. End your trip on a high at the luxurious Amanzoe, one of Europe’s best hotels.

From

HKD 63,280 Per Person

12 Days 11 Nights

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01 Arrival in Athens

Athens
Athens
N.A.

Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel.

Ancient and modern, with equal measures of grunge and grace, bustling Athens is a heavy mix of history and edginess. Iconic monuments mingle with first-rate museums, lively cafes and al fresco dining, and is downright fun. The historic centre is an open-air museum, yet the city’s cultural and social life takes place amid these ancient landmarks, merging past and present. The magnificent Acropolis rises above the sprawling metropolis and has stood witness to the city’s transformation.

In the afternoon, enjoy a private tour in Acropolis hill & Acropolis Museum.

If this is your first time in Athens, we recommend adding an extra night to explore this dynamic metropolis on a local Food Tour to get a sense-provoking insight into Greek gastronomy, or to catch the sunset at the majestic Temple of Poseidon along the impressive Attica coast.

Day 02 Athens / Arcadia

Arcadia
Arcadia
Breakfast included

After breakfast, you will drive towards the Arcadia prefecture (approx. 165km, 2hr). The region is a tangle of medieval villages, remote monasteries, precipitous ravines and narrow roads that wind their way through the valleys of the Menalon Mountains. Its name evokes images of grassy meadows, forested mountains, gurgling streams and shady grottoes, some of the most breath-taking scenery in the Peloponnese. Join your private guide along Lousios Gorge, taking monasteries including Prodromou and Philosophou amidst magnificent surroundings.

Day 03 Arcadia

Ancient Olympia
Arcadia
Breakfast included

After breakfast, depart for the site of Olympia (approx. 100km, 1hr 50min), which has been inhabited since prehistoric times – a centre for the worship of Zeus in the 10th century B.C. In addition to temples, there are the remains of all the sports structures erected for the Olympic Games, which were held here since 776. With your guide, visit the must-see archaeological site and the museum housing some of the most important works of classical art.

Following Olympia, you can visit a seafront winery & olive oil estate and experience some Greek Grand Crus.

Day 04 Arcadia / Kalamata

Kalamata
Breakfast included

Today we will drive towards Kalamata (approx. 130km, 1hr 30min), which is located on the coast and presides over the southern end of an immense bay. En route, we will visit ancient Messina with a local guide that will elaborate on the rich history of this impressive site. You will continue towards Kalamata and stay for the evening, where you can enjoy walks in the beautiful promenade and have dinner in the port.

Day 05 Kalamata / Mani

Mani
Breakfast included

After breakfast we will drive towards Mani region (approx. 105km, 2hr 15min), which is still one of the least visited areas in Greece. To this day the architecture of the area is famed for the tower houses and fortified family dwellings from the period of the Ottoman occupation of Greece, where you will spend a night in to soak in the atmosphere of this remote region. The steep tumbling skirts of the Taygetos Mountains and the tiny coves and ports nestling beside them make for some memorably dramatic scenery. Dotted around the territory, you will find bizarre tower settlements that were built as refuges during clan wars from the 17th century onwards and as well as the towers, there are magnificent churches and caves.

On our way to hotel, we will visit the impressive Diros Caves which are full of stalagmites & stalactites formed millions of years ago, when the sea, located just a few meters away, started to rise and formed the lake we see today.

Day 06 Mani

Mani
Breakfast included

Today we will do a driving tour in the area and we will hike (2h) the path, which leads to the Cape Tenaron (one of Europe’s most southern points) towards a beautiful lighthouse. Return to Gerolimenas port and enjoy sunset & dinner next to the sea.

Day 07 Mani / Monemvasia

Monemvasia
Breakfast included

Today we will drive towards Monemvasia area (120km, 2hr 15min) to the award-winning Kinsterna hotel, a restored Byzantine mansion with great respect for its long history. Winner of numerous international distinctions and awards, the Kinsterna today is a fertile 25-acre estate with centuries-old olive trees and an orange grove producing the famous Monemvasia oranges, as well as the hotel’s private vineyards featuring native Greek varietals such as Kidonitsa, Assyrtiko, Agiorgitiko and Monemvasia – from which they produce their own vintage wines. Kinsterna’s owners have revived the traditional agricultural practices and occupations of the estate, such as: harvesting grapes, making olive oil, distilling tsipouro (traditional Greek spirits), baking bread and producing soap – creating a working model of sustainability that lies at the heart of their goal to make the estate as autonomous and self-sufficient as possible – as it was centuries ago.

Day 08 Monemvasia

Monemvasia
Breakfast included

The vast, imposing, spectacular Monemvasia rock is the Greek equivalent to Gibraltar, thus earning the nickname ‘Gibraltar of the East’. This perfect fortress is an iceberg-like slab of rock moored off the coast, with sheer cliffs rising hundreds of meters from the sea. A medieval village is enclosed within the walls of the rock’s castle with narrow, cobbled streets, flanked by winding stairways that weave between a complex network of stone houses with walled gardens and courtyards. Monemvasia is a great place to wander. In the morning we will explore the medieval village and then you can ascent towards the citadel of the town. From there you will enjoy the truly spectacular views down to the red-tile roofs of Monemvasia, out across the sea and deep into the mountains of the Mani peninsula.

Day 09 Monemvasia / Porto Heli

Porto Heli
Breakfast included

After breakfast, we will depart to the Porto Heli region (300km, 4hr 30min). On the way we will stop in the fortress town of Mystras, a World-Heritage listed site, spill from a spur of the Taygetos Mountains. It is among the most important historical sites in the Peloponnese and here is where the Byzantine Empire’s richly artistic and intellectual culture made its last stand. Then we will continue north towards the mighty ruins of World-Heritage listed Ancient Mycenae, which stands at the barren foothills of two mountains. For 400 years this vestige of a kingdom was the most powerful in Greece and is synonymous with the names of Homer and Schliemann. Drive towards Amanzoe resort where you will spend the next 3 nights.

Day 10 Porto Heli

Porto Heli
Breakfast included

After breakfast, drive towards the spectacular archaeological site of Epidavros ancient theatre (approx. 55km, 50min) where you will have a private tour with your local guide. Admire the ancient theatre, the Sanctuary of Asklepius – considered to be the birthplace of medicine – and the Ancient Stadium of Epidaurus.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You could relax in your gorgeous pavilion, or arrange an excursion to explore the resort’s surroundings, from treks through undulating olive groves, visiting a local beekeeper who still uses traditional techniques that has been passed down for generations, or explore the care-free island of Spetses known for its faring traditions, neoclassical mansions and horse-drawn carriages. Enjoy dinner at one of its excellent seafood restaurants.

Day 11 Porto Heli

Porto Heli
Breakfast included

The sleek Amanzoe has an enviable hilltop location amid olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees, with spectacular views to the Aegean sea. There is plenty to do, from group sessions in the Yoga Pavilion, water sports at the beach club, a luxuriating holistic healing at the spa or enjoy a cocktail using herbs from the hotel’s garden at the outdoor terrace, perfect for catching jaw-dropping sunsets.

Day 12 Porto Heli / Departure from Athens

N.A.
Breakfast included

After breakfast, transfer to Athens International Airport (approx. 200km, 2hr 30min) for your departure flight.

Hotels & Tour Price

Category 1

Indicative Cost Per Person (HKD)

Minimum 2 Pax
Mid Season: HK$ 91,780
High Season: HK$ 111,380
Minimum 4 Pax
Mid Season: HK$ 63,280
High Season: HK$ 82,180
Single Supplement
Mid Season: HK$ 32,780
High Season: HK$ 51,980

Mid Season: March, April, October
High Season: May – September
Electra Metropolis Athens • Vitina House • Garden City Resort • Kyrimai Hotel • Kinsterna Hotel • Porto Heli

Athens

Athens

Electra Metropolis Athens (Classic Room)

The former modernist Ministry of Education building by architect Patroklos Karantinos has now been converted into a modern design hotel with retro chic aesthetics. The roof garden on the 10th floor offers a stunning 360° panoramic view of Athens and beyond. (Opened: 2018; Rooms: 216)

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Arcadia

Arcadia

Vitina House (Superior Room)

This luxurious hotel lies at the foot of the majestic Menalo Mountain, its seven stone and wood buildings blending in beautifully with the surrounding Arcadian landscape. Facilities include a restaurant, a cosy coffee-bar, an outdoor pool and a veranda offering spectacular views over the mountains. (Refurbished: 2018; Rooms: 35)

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Kalamata

Kalamata

Garden City Resort (Deluxe Double Room)

A newcomer located in the heart of Kalamata, this boutique hotel boasts of 25 modern minimal rooms. Facilities include a small restaurant with an outdoor terrace opening out to a tranquil garden where there is an outdoor swimming pool, as well as a small spa and fitness centre. (Opened: 2020; Rooms: 25)

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Mani

Mani

Kyrimai Hotel (Premier Room)

Housed in a fully restored nineteenth century building complex just off the southernmost tip of Mani, Kyrimai Hotel combines traditional architecture with modern comfort. Its one-of-a-kind menu embraces local elements that have stood the test of time, but with a modern twist. (Refurbished: 2016; Rooms: 33)

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Monemvasia

Monemvasia

Kinsterna Hotel (Double Room)

Winner of numerous international distinctions and awards, the impressive mansion and sprawling estate has been meticulously restored to its former glory with an air of discrete luxury. The owners have revived the traditional agricultural practices – harvesting grapes, producing olive oil, distilling tsipouro (traditional Greek spirits) producing soap on their 25-acre estate, creating a working model of sustainability as it was centuries ago. (Refurbished: 2016; Rooms: 33)

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Porto Heli

Porto Heli

Amanzoe (Pool Pavilion)

This luxurious resort lies in a tranquil spot on the east coast of the Peloponnese, a modern-day Acropolis from which 360-degree views encompass olive groves and Aegean blue. There are 33 pavilions and villas with private pools open onto fragrant gardens, and a comprehensive spa offering a range of holistic products and ritual. (Refurbished: 2016; Rooms: 33)

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Category 2

Indicative Cost Per Person (HKD)

Minimum 2 Pax
Mid Season: HK$ 101,480
High Season: HK$ 125,980
Minimum 4 Pax
Mid Season: HK$ 72,880
High Season: HK$ 96,880
Single Supplement
Mid Season: HK$ 40,980
High Season: HK$ 64,280

Mid Season: March, April, October
High Season: May – September
Athens Capital Hotel MGallery • Villa Vager • Camvillia Resort • Aria Estate • Kinsterna Hotel • Amanzoe

Athens

Athens

Athens Capital Hotel MGallery (Junior Suite)

Brand new in 2020, the hotel brings an understated level of finesse to this cosmopolitan and vibrant city, with a timeless and worldly elegance that blends art and business. Located at Syntagma Square in the beating heart of Athens, this is the perfect choice for a city break. (Opened: 2020 Rooms: 177)

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Arcadia

Arcadia

Villa Vager (Superior Junior Suite)

Set in a magnificent traditional stone-built villa in the charming mountain village of Levidi, this family owned and run boutique hotel welcomes guests with an atmosphere of warm, genuine mountain hospitality. (Refurbished: 2017; Rooms: 9)

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Kalamata

Kalamata

Camvillia Resort (Junior Suite)

This is a complex of independent houses which beautifully fuses modern interior design with traditional stone architecture of the region, set in a pretty location with an infinity pool overlooking the azul waters of Messinian Gulf. (Opened: 2015; Rooms: 47)

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Mani

Mani

Aria Estate (One Bedroom Sea View Superior Suite)

Strategically located in a place where history meets nature, this refined and authentic gem has elegant apartment style suites constructed using local materials that pay homage to the rugged beauty of Mani. The rooms, restaurant and infinity pool commands wonderful views of the Messinian Bay. (Opened: 2018; Rooms: 16)

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Monemvasia

Monemvasia

Kinsterna Hotel (Junior Suite)

Winner of numerous international distinctions and awards, the impressive mansion and sprawling estate has been meticulously restored to its former glory with an air of discrete luxury. The owners have revived the traditional agricultural practices – harvesting grapes, producing olive oil, distilling tsipouro (traditional Greek spirits) producing soap on their 25-acre estate, creating a working model of sustainability as it was centuries ago. (Refurbished: 2016; Rooms: 33)

View More
Porto Heli

Porto Heli

Amanzoe (Deluxe Pool Pavilion)

This luxurious resort lies in a tranquil spot on the east coast of the Peloponnese, a modern-day Acropolis from which 360-degree views encompass olive groves and Aegean blue. There are 33 pavilions and villas with private pools open onto fragrant gardens, and a comprehensive spa offering a range of holistic products and ritual. (Refurbished: 2016; Rooms: 33)

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COST INCLUDES:

  • Accommodation in double rooms in hotels as stated, on bed & breakfast basis
  • An experienced and knowledgeable English-speaking driver throughout your trip
  • Transfers for all destinations as described in the itinerary.
  • Guided tours and admission fees as per itinerary (Athens, Arcadia Hike, Olympia, Messina, Diros Caves, Mystras, Mycenae, Epidaurus)
  • Local taxes and service charges.

COST EXCLUDES:

  • International airfares
  • Visa
  • Meals unless otherwise specified
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses e.g. laundry, bar, spa services
  • Phone and internet charges
  • Adventure options not listed in included activities.

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