Things to do in

Corinthia

With a guide, experience the Athens Riviera and uncover the history behind each turn. Witness the sun melt over the Aegean Sea on Cape Sounion and see the Temple of Poseidon. Depart Athens by bus from Halandri Metro station and reach Cape Sounion in time for the mesmerizing sunset. Learn about Sounion’s past and present from your archaeologist guide. Explore the Temple of Poseidon, one of the most important temples in Greece. See the signatures on the temple marble left by famous authors who visited, including the Romantic poet Lord Byron. Watch the sunset over the clear waters of the Aegean Sea. After, a short stop at the magical Lake Vouliagmeni, a unique natural treasure on the Athenian Riviera.

Experience the Greek capital on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour along 3 different routes. You’ll travel on an open-top, double-decker bus as you take in the many important sights and attractions of the city. The tour takes around 90 minutes and encompasses central Athens, commencing at Syntagma Square. With the help of the onboard multilingual audio guide you can trace the history and culture of Athens from ancient times to the present day. In addition to the city’s many monuments, you’ll come across a multitude of shopping opportunities along the route. You can visit world-renowned museums and marvel at the ancient temples - the Acropolis and Parthenon. Athens Route Stops: Stop 1 - Syntagma Square Stop 2 - A Melina Merkouri / Plaka Stop 3 - A Acropolis Museum Stop 4 - A The Acropolis & Parthenon (Interchange: Piraeus route) Stop 5 - A Temple of Zeus Stop 6 - A Parliament / National Gardens Stop 7 - The Four Museums Stop 8 - The National Gallery Stop 9 - A Ancient Olympic Stadium Stop 9 - B Parliament / National Gardens Stop 10 - National Library Stop 11 - National Archaeological Museum Stop 12 - Omonoia Square Stop 13 - Karaiskaki Square Stop 14 - Monastiraki Square Stop 15 -Kotzia Square Piraeus Route Stops: Stop 1 - Pantion University Stop 2 - Niarchos Foundation Stop 3 - Municipal Theatre Stop 4 - Cruise Terminals A & B Stop 5 - Lions Gate Stop 6 - Cruise Terminals A & B Stop 7 - Archaeological Museum of Piraeus Stop 8 - Votsalakia Beach Stop 9 - Mikrolimano Harbour Stop 10 - Planetarium Stop 11 - Athens Ledra & Intercontinental Beach & Riviera Route Stops: Melina Merkouri/Plaka Pantion University Niarchos Foundation Falire/Flisvas Edem Ag.Kesmas Beach Bomo Palace Asteria Beach Divani Apollon Oceanis Beach/ Atrir Palace Vouliagemi Lake Pigadakia Blazer Suites Glyfada town Golf Ag.Kosmas Kalamki Poseidon Hotel Marriot/Planetarium Grand Hyatt/ Intercontinental Temple of Zeus

Leave Athens and drive southwest until you reach the Corinth Canal that connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea (short stop). Drive on and visit the ancient town of Corinth, where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. The remains of the city, which include the agora (marketplace) and Temple of Apollo (6th-century BC) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in ancient times. A short stop at the site of the ancient Port of Cehrees, where St. Paul disembarked will conclude the visit. Return back to Athens by the same route. If you are staying near the coast, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 15:00 with the tour bus.

Starting from Athens we drive by bus westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (short stop). Shortly thereafter we reach the ancient town of Corinth (visit) where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. Back in the ancient times, Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge Agora (market place) and Apollo’s Temple from the 6th century B.C. We will also do a brief stop at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked. Finally, return to Athens in time for lunch.

Start your tour with a visit to the Corinth Canal, a site of utmost historical significance. Enjoy a brief 15 minute stop here and take plenty of pictures whilst you have a refreshing beverage. Next, continue your travels to Ancient Olympia, where you will get to stop and discover with your driver for around 5 hours.  During your time here, you will get to visit some of ancient Greece's most iconic landmarks, such as the Archaeological Site of Olympia, the Philippeion, the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, the Museum of the Olympic Games and the Archimedes Museum. Whilst in the city of Olympia, your driver will be able to suggest a delicious, traditional Greek tavern for you to stop and have lunch.

Discover the rich history of Corinth, a city that played a major role in Ancient Greece. On a half-day excursion from Athens, you‘ll visit the highlights of one of the first cities in Europe that embraced Christianity. Visit the Corinth Canal, and hear how the Corinthians pulled ships from one sea to the other. Head to the archaeological site to see the Temple of Apollo, and the spot where St. Paul spoke to the Corinthians. At the museum you’ll see statues of Roman emperors and the Labors of Hercules, along with many other artifacts. Experience the Peloponnese countryside and have lunch in a restaurant near the archaeological site.

After your morning pick-up from your centrally located hotel, the bus will drive to Corinth via Iera Odos (the Sacred Way). It was so-called this because it was the route taken by a procession celebrating the Eleusinian Mysteries. Initiations were held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based in Eleusis. Your first stop will be the Monastery of Daphni, a 11th-century Byzantine monastery listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Monasteries Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios. The interior of the church is decorated with superb mosaics, a unique, fine example of the classical idealism of Middle Byzantine art. The crowded scenes of the mosaics narrate scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin.  Driving along the coastal road, reach Corinth Canal, which merges the Aegean with the Ionian Sea (short stop for photos of the breathtaking view). Shortly thereafter, reach the ancient town of Corinth, where St. Paul lived and preached for two years (Acts 18:1-18). Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla, see the remains of the first century shops, the agora where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene and one of the most outstanding monuments of the pre–Roman period, the Temple of Apollo.

Begin your journey with a stop at the archaeological site of Mycenae. Visit the mythical Kingdom of Agamemnon, where one of the most brilliant cultures of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization, developed. Then, head to the Lions Gate, the monumental entrance of the palaces. Next, marvel at the impressive Cyclopean walls around the Acropolis, and the tholos tombs of Atreus and Clytemnestra’s. Then, head out to see the famous Corinth Canal and make a quick stop to admire this engineering marvel that connects the Aegean and Ionian seas. Here you can find the famous temple of Apollo and the steps of Apostle Paul. Head towards the ancient Epidaurus and explore the ancient theatre, one of the most famous archaeological monuments in Greece. Visit the Asclepieion of Epidaurus, the healing temple of serious diseases in ancient Greece. See the monuments that developed around the Asclepieion, most notably the temple of Asklepios, Tholos and others. The tour ends with your return to Nafplion.

Learn about winemaking at a family-owned organic winery in Corinth. Tour the property with the winemaker and discover his winemaking secrets. During a guided tasting, experience the scents and flavors of 4 local wines with a plate of cheeses, tomatoes, olives, and breadsticks. Start with a walk through the organic vineyard and discover how a good wine bases its roots in the vineyard from healthy and natural vines. Continue to where the wine is made, ending at the wine cellar with its beautiful tasting room. At the tasting room, take your time to wind down and be seduced by the flavors and aromas of local wines. Complete your visit with a guided tasting while learning about modern Greek wine, the indigenous grape varieties, and the unique terroir. All wines produced at the winery you’ll visit are single varietal so that your winemaker guide can show his passion for quality and give each grape variety the attention that it deserves. He has won awards at several international wine competitions in France.

Day 1: Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then, proceed to the town of Nafplio (short photo stop), drive on to Mycenae and visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then, depart for Olympia through central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games (dinner) Day 2: In the morning, visit the archaeological site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ancient stadium, the spot where the torch of the modern Olympic Games is lit and the Archaeological Museum. Then, drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the magnificent bridge that crosses the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea. Arrive in Delphi (dinner and overnight) Day 3: In the morning, visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi, the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, surrounded by gigantic rocks (dinner and overnight) Day 4: Visit Meteora, a striking scenery perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road to Leonida's Monument). Arrive in Athens early in the evening.