Greece Self Drive 2 - Treasures of the Peloponnese

Leave Athens by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Ionian with the Aegean, & into the Argolis region. Mycenae is one of the great cities of the Mycenaean civilization which played a vital role in classical Greek culture.

Epidavros was the ancient centre of worship to Asclepios, god of Medicine. Its theatre seated 14,000 people in its heyday (its acoustics are so perfect that the merest whisper can be heard in the top row). The picturesque town of Nafplion nestles at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of its Palamidi Fortress.

** ADD an extra night in Nafplion to explore the ancient Argolis region in more detail; it is crammed full of sites and wonderful places to visit as well as allowing you time to relax in Nafplion.

Today you'll drive southwards to the former Byzantine-Venetian fortress-state of Monemvassia. This unique Greek town stands on a rocky promontory; from afar it looks like an island. Castles and ramparts, old mansions, little houses, narrow lanes paved with stone slabs, churches with crumbling facades, low archways and semi-destroyed stairways - it looks like time has stood still since the Middle Ages.

After exploring Monemvassia continue your journey to Gythion and overnight.

** ADD an extra night in Monemvasia to experience the town in the evening and early morning, too. This will also allow you more time to enjoy the journey down from Nafplion via Argos and the coastal route.

The Mani region is a land of rocks, stone walls, bare hillsides, bays and coves, small coastal hamlets & mountain villages. Tower houses are a feature of the Mani - these were home to feuding clans of Maniots who refused to succumb to Ottoman rule.

Your journey will take you to the bottom of the peninsula, to Vathia perched high above the sea and a favourite for photos. There are plenty of beautiful deserted beaches along this coastline should you wish to stop for a dip. Onwards to your hotel in Arepolis [which takes its name from Ares (Mars) god of war].

** ADD an extra night in Areopolis to relax mid-way through your trip and also to spend a full day driving around the Mani's small roads and villages; there are a number of lovely beaches, too.

Start your day with a visit to the spectacular Diros Caves then drive on to Kalamata, capital of the Messinia district, dominated by its 13th century castle. On the way you might like to stop off in some of the villages and small seaside resorts, such as Platsa and Kardymili.

Today your drive takes you through the province of Messinia. First to mediaeval Koroni with its old mansions, churches and castles, then to Methoni passing by little villages such as Finikounda. Homer called Methoni "rich in vines" and tradition maintains that the town is so called because the donkeys (onoi) carrying its wine used to get drunk (methoun), from the heady aroma.

You may consider a stop at the Polymnio Waterfalls prior to arriving in Pylos, a pretty little town built on a hill on the south coast of Navarino Bay.

Just a short drive north of Pylos is Nestor's Palace. Nestor took part in the Trojan War and his town was the second largest in the Mycenaean world. Built in the 13th century BC, the palace was destroyed by fire a century later. Excavations have revealed the remains of a luxurious two-storey central building and two auxiliary buildings.

In the afternoon drive through the lovely countryside of Laconia to Mystras. Enter Mystras through the castle gate into its narrow lanes. The castle of Mystra was built by the Franks in 1249. As time went by, houses were built on the hillside under the castle, and a town was born which would become the centre of Byzantine civilization.

Your journey ends in Sparti, a simple town built in the middle of the Evrotas river valley, on the same site as where the ancient city used to stand.

In the morning take the National Highway back to Athens via the towns of Tripolis, Nemea and Corinth.

Leisure time in Athens depending on your flight departure time; drive to Athens Airport and drop off rental car.*

* or you could chose to drop off the car the previous evening in Athens and take a private transfer to the airport.