Things to do in Laconia

Embark on a full-day guided trip to northeastern Crete and take a boat trip to Spinalonga Island. Visit Agios Nikolaos with its famous lake, and explore the picturesque village of Elounda. Begin the day with the visit to Agios Nikolaos, and see the shore of Mirabello Bay. Explore the town, famous for the lake at its center and its shopping and cafes. Take your time for a walk to enjoy the views, enjoy some shopping or have a drink in one of the numerous cafes around the lake. Explore an open-air market on Wednesdays. Move on to see Elounda village, a former fishing village on the northern coast of the island. Depart from Elounda for the cruise to Spinalonga Island. Learn about the island's vibrant history, from a home for the Venetians and Turks to a place of isolation for those suffering from leprosy. Experience the island, more popular after the 2005 historical novel “The Island” about how lepers lived in Spinalonga. Join the hundreds of people who come to the island every day to visit and learn its history.

The first stop is the town of Rethimno, the third biggest town in Crete west of Heraklion on the north coast of Crete. Here, archeological monuments of the Ottoman and Venetian eras co-exist. Enjoy a stroll in the alleys of the old town, a visit to the Turkish minarets and the Venetian fortresses, or a coffee at the magnificent harbor. The next stop is Chania town, the second largest town of Crete on the north coast west of Rethymno. The city of Chania is divided into the Old City, with the gorgeous harbor, and the New City, beyond its Venetian fortifications. The Old City is one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean and is called “Venice of the East”. You can find Turkish minarets and mosques, Muslim neighborhoods, Venetian fortresses, dockyards, fountains, squares, arches, mansions, Loggia and the Lighthouse. Visit the famous Agora (market), which houses traditional little shops and taverns. The last stop of the day is Kournas lake, a beautiful habitat with natural freshwater, one of a kind in Crete. The whole area of Kournas is protected under 'Natura 2000', as it's a designated wetland. Vast greenery, steep cavities between hills, and rare species of fish and birds make Kournas the ideal place to enjoy an early afternoon walk.

Start your day with pickup from selected regions in Crete and first head to Heraklion for a guided tour of Knossos Palace. Walk through this Minoan palace with your guide and find out how people lived here 4,000 years ago. The Throne Room, the frescoes, and the Minoan columns will allow you to imagine how the Minoans once lived. Continue towards the city center of Heraklion where you can visit the Archaeological Museum and the town itself. The Archaeological Museum brings together findings from all over Crete, covering over 5,500 years of the island's history.   Head to the Heraklion town center and walk through Daidalou Street to Lion Square and the famous Morosini Fountain of the Venetian era. Explore the permanent outdoor market of the town and the Valide Mosque, a remnant of Turkish influences. Explore the Venetian Loggia and head to the sea and the Koules Fortress before being dropped back off at your hotel.  

Travel from selected locations on Crete by bus to the town of Ierapetra and board a comfortable boat. Set sail towards the island of Chrissi and enjoy deep water swimming stops nearby pristine beaches.  Choose from tour options that offer hotel pickup from many of Crete's towns. Hop aboard a spacious bus and relax on the ride to Ierapetra. Take in the stunning port as you board the boat and embark on your adventure around Chrissi Island.   Cruise to this uninhabited island that is around 15 kilometers south of Ierapetra. This small island is only 7 kilometers in length and covers an area of 4,743 kilometers.   Moor on either south or north side of the island, swim in Chrissi Island's most stunning turquoise waters and soak up the sun in this magical place of natural beauty. Return to the port in Ierapetra by boat, taking in views of the fort as you land. Transfer by bus back to your accommodation.

Follow the footsteps of Apostle Paul, one of the most emblematic personalities of the early Christian era, a supporter of the universality of Jesus' teaching. Be amazed by the modern engineering masterpiece of the Corinth Canal (Isthmus Canal). Discover and explore the ancient passage from the Corinthian to Saronic gulf and the sub-ducting bridge. Here you can enjoy a coffee or snack at a wonderful cafe while you admire the views and wait for boats to pass through the canal. Explore the large citadel of Acrocorinth. Through its imposing entrance gates, you will enter the castle and you will discover its hidden gems. You will also experience the spectacular panoramic views which will amaze you. Explore the incredible archaeological site of ancient Corinth, which includes a fabulous museum, courtyard, temple of Apollo, Fountain of Glauke, Sacred Spring, Peirene, Asklepieion, Odeion, Bema, Agora, and much more. After your shopping time you will be driven to the port of Kechries. Total Duration: 8 hours Athens, Athens, Attica, pass by without stopping Flisvos Marina, Palaio Faliro, Paleo Faliro 17561 Greece (15 minutes) Areopagus Hill, Theorias 21, Athina 105 55, Greece (20 minutes) We will visit the Pagos Hill on the Acropolis site, where the apostle Paul preached the gospel to the Athenians about the unknown God. 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 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. 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. In addition, the second book of Pausanias' Description of Greece is devoted to Corinth. Ancient Corinth was one of the largest and most important cities of Greece, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC. The Romans demolished Corinth in 146 B.C. Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth 200 07 Greece (1 hour) The Diolkos, Palaia Ethniki Odos Athinon-Patron Poseidonos 76, Loutraki 201 00 Greece (10 minutes) Akrokorinthos, Corinth 200 07 Greece (30 minutes) Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Argous 105 Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth 200 07 Greece (pass by without stopping) Temple of Apollo, Ancient Corinth, Corinth 20007 Greece (10 minutes) Apostolou Pavlou, Korinthos 201 00, Greece (20 minutes) Archaia Korinthos, Archaia Korinthos, Corinthia Region, Peloponnese (pass by without stopping) Kechries, Kechries, Corinthia Region, Peloponnese (30 minutes) Corinth, Corinth, Corinthia Region, Peloponnese (45 minutes)

Our journey starts from your hotel making our way through the breathtaking mountains of Crete we visit the Aposelemis basin reservoir and an ancient Roman aqueduct. From here, we will visit the quaint village of Kastamonitsa nestling in the foothills of the Afendi Mountains where you will be introduced to a local product, Raki. Now brace yourselves for dirt tracks, following the Minoan path going through mountain passes, experiencing spectacular wildlife, unbelievable scenery, mythology, history and enjoy seeing the local nature at its best. For our next stop, we will relax with a glass of prosecco with fruits whilst admiring the birds-eye view of the plateau of Lassithi and the North coast, a great photo opportunity not to be missed. After building up an appetite we head for a Cretan-style evening meal at a local taverna with lots of surprises. Where you will have the opportunity to try a selection of traditional local starters and main courses (vegetarian option available) and enjoy a glass or two of the unlimited wine! Leaving the tavern, meandering down the mountain roads we will take in the views of the moonlit coastline dotted with the twinkling lights of the towns and villages.

See the Gates of Fire, deriving from the hot sulphur springs and the cavernous entrance to Hades. Experience the monument of King Leonidas, erected in 1955 and created by the sculptor Vasos Falireas. At the Thermopylae Museum, learn about the 480 BC battle that changed the course of Greek history and western civilization before seeing the baths of Thermopylae. In Delphi, see the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Theater, the Stadium, the Athenian Treasury, the Gymnasium, and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. The Naxian Sphinx, which dates to 560 BC, is a fascinating stop before seeing the Metopes of the Athenian Treasury, Omphalos, Kleobis and Biton, Statue of Antinoos, and the famous Charioteer. Enjoy a traditional lunch on the Caldera at Delphi, overlooking fabulous Itea and Amfissa before driving back to a designated location in Athens.

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

After pickup from your hotel in the Heraklion area at approximately 7:30 AM, journey by bus to the Imbros Gorge in the eastern part of the White Mountains of Crete. Upon arrival, enjoy an easy 3-hour hike through the narrow passages and marvel at the stunning rock formations. The Imbros Gorge is the second most popular gorge for walkers in Crete after the gorge of Samaria. This picturesque gorge is smaller (8km long) than the Samaria but is just as beautiful. During your descent you will visit various famous locations such as the Stenada (the gorge's narrowest passage), Mesofarango (a wider passage) and Xepitira Arch (a natural stone arch). You'll then arrive at Komitades Village where buses will be waiting to bring you to Chora Sfakion for some relaxing free time at one of the taverns or cafés overlooking the sea. Continue by bus to the south coast and visit a beautiful beach for a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea. Relax and enjoy a traditional lunch before the bus trip back to Herakleion area at approximately 5:30 PM.

Sparta is one of Greece's most fascinating archaeological sites. Save hours by taking this day excursion, which includes air-conditioned private transportation to Sparta and the neighboring remains of Mystras. The tour also includes a visit to the award-winning Domaine Skouras winery for a tasting.A unique private tour that includes history, culture and tastings.Once known as the wonder of Morea, the ancient city of Mystras is an impeccably-preserved Byzantine city built into a towering mountain. It can be difficult to make your own way to Mystras; this private tour takes that difficulty out of the equation. Explore the city described by the UNESCO World Heritage List as a splendid complex of palaces then drive to historic Sparta, where you’ll visit an ancient citadel and the statue of King Leonidas.Learn about the history of the Spartan city-state at the Archeological Museum of Sparta.Enjoy an authentic mediterranean lunch at quaint local taverna.