Bourtzi Castle

Depart Athens with your friendly guide (archaeologist) by bus from the Halandri Metro station and reach the ancient city of Mycenae. Let the Cyclopean walls take your breath, and learn about the mysterious origins of this fantastic structure. Mycenae is considered the greatest and richest kingdom of the later Bronze Age around 1350 B.C. Walk around the archaeological park, pass through the great Lionesses Gate, explore the Ancient Treasure of Atreus also known as King’s Agamemnon Tomb as well as the Tomb of Clytemnestra. Admire the Palace and the Gold Mask of Agamemnon. After Mycenae enjoy a traditional Greek lunch in the beautiful seaside city of Nafplio. Naflpio used to be the capital of Greece before Athens and its architecture has Venetian, Byzantine, Ottoman and, Modern Greek influences. Admire the main attractions like the Castle of Bourtzi, the Acronauplia and the Castle of Palamidi built on the top of the hill as well as the various picturesque squares in the city center. Finish your day with a visit to the ancient theater of Epidaurus. This site is well known as the theater with the greatest acoustics and still hosts the Festival of Epidaurus every summer.

Embrark in our aircondironed modern bus from 4 central meeting points and travel for 1-hour to the area of Peloponnese. On the way to Mycenae, see the famous Corinth Canal and make a quick stop to admire this engineering marvel that connects the Aegean and Ionian seas. Continue towards Mycenae, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. Visit the Mycenaean Acropolis, the tomb of Agamemnon, and the ruins of the Cyclopean walls that protected this mighty city. You can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Mycenae. Enjoy an audio-guided tour of the archaeological sites in 8 languages, explore the ancient world with our Virtual Reality Device.. Continue on to the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, a 4th-century theater which is one of the best-preserved Classical Greek structures in existence. It is renowned for its amazing acoustics; a coin dropped in the theater's center can be heard from the highest seat. The theater seats up to 14,000 people and its entrance is flanked by restored Corinthian pilasters. It's now used for performances of Ancient Greek drama during the annual Hellenic Festival. Last but no least , make a stop in the picturesque city of Nafplion, which was the first capital of Greece after Independence and has been a major port since the Bronze Age. Its position was so strategic that the city has 3 fortresses: the massive fortress of Palamidi, the smaller Akronafplia, and the water castle Bourtzi on an islet west of the old town. Stroll through the attractive narrow streets, and admire the elegant Venetian houses, neoclassical mansions, and quayside cafes. Take the opportunity to go shopping, eat in a traditional restaurant, chill out at the cafes in the picturesque port, or when in summer take a swim in the crystal waters at Arvanitia beach. After a full day of exploring the area of Argolis-Peloponnese, filled with unforgetable memories of history and culture return to your preferred drop off point.

Discover the ancient sites of Mycenae, Nafplio, and Epidaurus on a guided tour from Athens. Learn about the fascinating history of some archaeological wonders of Ancient Greece with plenty of great photo opportunities. Start with pickup from your hotel and travel out of the city, making a short stop at the Corinth Canal which connects the Saronic to the Corinthian Gulf. Then, continue the journey as you enter the region of Argolis, the land of Homer’s Golden Mycenae. Visit Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the home of the mythical king Agamemnon. Explore the site with your guide and hear more about its myths and legends admire the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion’s Gate, the Royal Tombs of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, and the Treasury of Atreus. Travel next to picturesque Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece. Discover the Venetian Palamidi fortress and the fortified islet of Bourtzi located in the harbor. Enjoy some free time to explore the charming narrow streets of the town with classical buildings dating back to the 16th century. Continue to Epidaurus and visit its breathtaking ancient theater. Learn about the fascinating history of the 4th century UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved classical Greek theaters in the country, which is still used today due to its excellent acoustics. Leaving Peloponnese, relax on the return journey to Athens, with drop-off back at your hotel or apartment in the afternoon.

Meet your guide in Athens and travel for 1-hour to the area of Peloponnese. On the way to Mycenae, see the famous Corinth Canal and make a quick stop to admire this engineering marvel that connects the Aegean and Ionian seas. Continue towards Mycenae, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. Visit the Mycenaean Acropolis, the tomb of Agamemnon, and the ruins of the Cyclopean walls that protected this mighty city. You can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Mycenae. Continue on to the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, a 4th-century theater which is one of the best-preserved Classical Greek structures in existence. It is renowned for its amazing acoustics; a coin dropped in the theater's center can be heard from the highest seat. The theater seats up to 14,000 people and its entrance is flanked by restored Corinthian pilasters. It's now used for performances of Ancient Greek drama during the annual Hellenic Festival. Finally, make a stop in the picturesque city of Nafplion, which was the first capital of Greece after Independence and has been a major port since the Bronze Age. Its position was so strategic that the city has 3 fortresses: the massive fortress of Palamidi, the smaller Akronafplia, and the water castle Bourtzi on an islet west of the old town. Stroll through the attractive narrow streets, and admire the elegant Venetian houses, neoclassical mansions, and quayside cafes. Take the opportunity to go shopping, eat in a traditional restaurant, chill out at the cafes in the picturesque port, or take a swim in the crystal waters at Arvanitia beach. Return to any central point in Athens or Piraeus where you will be dropped off. 

Embark on a unique full-day journey through the historic province of Argolis! Departing from Athens, we follow the scenic coastal road, with our first stop at the Corinth Canal, a remarkable 19th-century engineering feat connecting the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Next, we visit Mycenae, the legendary citadel of one of the world’s earliest civilizations, known for the Trojan War and the iconic Golden Mask of Agamemnon. Explore the Lion's Gate, Cyclopean Walls, and the grand Treasury of Atreus. After a lunch break in Mycenae, we head to Nafplio, one of Greece’s most beautiful cities. Stroll through its charming streets, marvel at the Venetian Palamidi Castle, the Bourtzi fortress, and Saint George’s Cathedral. Enjoy free time in Nafplio before our scenic return to Athens, filled with vibrant memories and sensory delights.

Meet your tour leader your hotel inside the city limits or at the Land Gate, ready for your adventure in the venetian city.  Pass by the point where Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first ruler of Greece, was killed and will end up in the Syntagma Square, where Venetian and neoclassical buildings dominate your surroundings. Explore the old town's picturesque alleyways, where you will see historical buildings such as the First Parliament of the Greek State and the Archaeological Museum. You will then walk uphill to the Acropolis of Nafplion and marvel at the unique panoramic views of the bay. Continue the tour at the port of the city, where you'll learn about the Bourtzi castle, a Venetian fortress built on a a nearby island, which stands as the most recognized attraction of Nafplion. Then the tour ends at the port in front of the old city, where you'll have free time to continue exploring.

1. Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Loutraki 201 00 Greece, 20 minutes The Corinth Canal is a waterway that crosses the narrow isthmus of Corinth to link the Gulf of Corinth to the Saronic Gulf. As such, the canal separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese, turning it into an island 2. Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Argous 105 Corinth was a city-state on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta. The modern city of Corinth is located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) northeast of the ancient ruins. For Christians, Corinth is well known from the two letters of Saint Paul in the New Testament, First and Second Corinthians. Corinth is also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as part of Paul the Apostle's missionary travels. 3. Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth 200 07 Greece, 1 hour 30 minutes 4. Akrokorinthos, Corinth 200 07 Greece, 30 minutes Acrocorinth, "Upper Corinth", the acropolis of ancient Corinth, is a monolithic rock overseeing the ancient city of Corinth, Greece. With its secure water supply, Acrocorinth's fortress was repeatedly used as a last line of defense in southern Greece because it commanded the Isthmus of Corinth, repelling foes from entry by land into the Peloponnese peninsula. 5. Archaeological Museum of Corinth, Old Corinth, Corinth 20010 Greece, 30 minutes 6. Archaeological Site Mycenae, Mycenae 21200 Greece, The fortified citadel of ancient Mycenae, the seat of the mythical and mighty King Agamemnon. An impressive and well-preserved site, the city of Mycenae gave its name to an entire civilization 7. Mycenae, Mycenae, Argolis Region, Peloponnese, 1 hour 8. Lion Gate, Mycenae Greece, 29 minutes Archaeological Museum of Ancient Mycenae, 9. Mycenae Greece, 45 minutes Citadel and Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae Greece, 15 minutes 10. , Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese, 1 hour 30 minutes Nafplio is a seaport town in the peloponnese in Greece that was expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf.The town was an important seaport held under a successsional of royal houses in the middle Ages as a part of the loardship of ARGOS and NAUPLIA 11. Palamidi Castle, Eikostis Pemptis Martiou, Nafplio 211 00 Greece, 30 minutes One of the most well-preserved castles in all of Greece, Palamidi offers spectacular views of the city from its loopholes, wonderful routes inside and terrifying terrain in the hole-prison of Kolokotronis 12. Akronafplia Fortress, Nafplio Greece, 10 minutes 13. Bourtzi, The Harbor, Nafplio Greece, 10 minutes Nafplio, Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese, 1 hour A) Shopping B) Free time C) Lunch Greek Traditional Taverna

Nafplio is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece. Ancient walls, medieval castles, monuments and statues, Ottoman fountains and Venetian or neoclassical buildings mesmerize the visitor with their unique architecture and beauty. Join and explore Nafplio's medieval Old Town, the narrow cobblestone alleys as well as the neoclassical well-preserved mansions with the Bougainvillea trees adorning their yards and balconies. I live in Nafplio and my passion is exploring the city with you! Being a school teacher and a photojournalist for a travel magazine, I can offer you an amazing once in a lifetime experience at my hometown! We start our walk from the Land Gate, the only entrance to the Venetian city. We pass by the Cathedral of St. Spyridon, where Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of Greece, was murdered. We will end up in the Syntagma Square, where Venetian and neoclassical buildings dominate around. We will see historical buildings such as the First Parliament of the Greek State, the War Museum which used to be the first Military Academy of Greece, the Archaeological Museum which was the military warehouse built in 1713, on Filellinon square the old customs building since 1830 and many other monuments of incompatible beauty. We continue our walk to admire The Bourtzi, The Castello dello Soglio, as the Venetian castle was first called, has had a mixed past (from prison to hotel to concert venue) and is worth visiting by boat. But just gazing at it is enough to form a postcard-perfect memory of Nafplio. As we start our stroll along the waterfront, you’ll come across the “Five Brothers” – the five cannons that once protected the western side of the town and the entrance to the harbour. It’s the only Venetian bastion that escaped destruction. After walking around the old town’s picturesque alleyways, we will then climb to Akronafplia, the Acropolis of Nafplion and marvel at the unique panoramic views. Akronafplia fortress, originally built by the Romans and Byzantines, is the oldest of Nafplion's three castles and until the arrival of the Venetians, the town was restricted within its walls. The Turks called it Ic Kale (meaning inner castle). It was used as a Greek political prison from 1936 to 1956. As we go down to the city to end our walking tour, we visit The Three Admirals Square. It is located in the center of Nafplion and was built by the engineer Stamatis Voulgaris during the years of Ioannis Kapodistrias after the liberation of the city. Today, the three Admirals Square is surrounded by important historical and public buildings such as the first high school, the town hall and the Grand Street or King Constantine, which is also the most touristic street of Nafplion, passes in front of it. Across the street, let's meet the first governor of Greece, Mr. Ioannis Kapodistrias at Kapodistria's Square and enjoy an ice-cream at Kolokotronis Park.

This tour addresses to those who are not only interested in the imposing archaeological sites of the Greek countryside, but would also like to taste the famous Greek wine of Nemea by visiting one of its wineries. The region has produced the most qualitative and tasteful wine in Greece for thousands of years. The tour starts with a drive along the coast, on the way you will view of some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis (where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians). Your first stop will be the Corinth Canal. Opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese peninsula from the rest of Greece and connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. You will have time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge to admire the canal closer. Continuing you will be in Ancient Corinth. Historically the city was dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth, the old Castle, the oldest and largest castle in southern Greece. The site located at the base of the hill includes the Roman Agora of Corinth, the Temple of God Apollo and a small museum. In addition to its archaeological and historical interest, Ancient Corinth is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece. It was here that the Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of the time. Your Next stop will be the site of Ancient Nemea. Nemea has the most wineries in Greece as grape growing has been a tradition here since ancient times. In the site apart for the museum and the sanctuary, the stadium makes the difference. One of the best-preserved stadiums, located on a higher level still preserves the tunnel through which the athletes entered the stadium. After the visit to the site, we will head towards one of the Nemean wineries. Driving through the grape yards of the largest wine production zone in Greece, we will visit one of the best wineries. People will gladly give you a small tour showing you the grape yards, the storage barrels, explaining you the procedure that takes place until the bottling. In the end, you will be offered to taste some of their best varieties while having a view of the Nemean Valley. Lastly, you will be driven towards the city of Nafplio for your last stop, considered the most scenic city, it functioned as the capital of Greece until 1834. It offers you an outstanding combination of fortresses and castles (Palamidi, Bourtzi), a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea and the unique architecture of the old city of Nafplion revealing Venetian, neoclassical and oriental elements. After walking in the idyllic old city, you will make a stop for lunch at a traditional tavern by the sea and drive up to the castle of Acronafplia for a panoramic view of Nafplio.

TRAVELINSTYLE: • Travelers 1 to 3: Mercedes E- Class or Tesla Zero Emission or Limousine Mercedes S-Class EQS • Travelers 4-7 Luxury Mercedes MiniVan V-Class • Travelers 7-8 Mercedes MiniVan Vito •Travelers 8-12 Mercedes MiniBus Sprinter. Discover the treasures of Peloponnese on a tour that weaves through iconic landmarks and historic sites. • Isthmus of Corinth or Corinth Canal: Begin your journey at the breathtaking Isthmus, a narrow strip of land connecting the Peloponnese to mainland Greece, offering panoramic views. • Archaeological Site of Mycenae: Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Archaeological Site of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore ancient ruins, including the renowned Lion Gate and Royal Tombs. • Nafplio: Delight in the charm of Nafplio, a picturesque town with Venetian architecture and cobbled streets. Stroll through its historic center, capturing the essence of Greece's past. • Bourtzi Castle: Marvel at Bourtzi Castle, a fortress on a small island in Nafplio harbor. Admire its strategic position and learn about its historical significance. • Epidaurus Theater: Experience the ancient allure of the Epidaurus Theater, renowned for its exceptional acoustics. Step into the past as you explore this well-preserved amphitheater, a testament to Greek architectural brilliance. This tour seamlessly combines cultural exploration, scenic beauty, and historical immersion, providing a comprehensive and unforgettable experience.