Greece and Peloponnese Group Tour from Athens

There is probably no better place to start your discovery tour of Greece than in the city where democracy was born.

After your flight to Athens your tour guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a guided evening tour. You will pause at the Greek Parliament to watch the Greek Presidential Guard or “Evzones” and continue your walk to the Temple of Zeus to admire the largest temple in Greece. Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll through the most beautiful pedestrian zone in Athens in Plaka - Dionysiou Areopagitou.

Gradually it gets darker in Athens and you walk along the wooded slopes to the origin of democratic power - on the hill Pnyx. From there, watch as the last rays of sunlight envelop the Acropolis and let your gaze wander over the Byzantine churches and tourist-oriented tavernas. But don't worry, you won't find a tourist menu on the menu where you are about to eat, instead you will enjoy authentic Greek cuisine.

After an excellent meal, you can relax and enjoy your first evening in Athens.

After a restful night, start your day where it all began. The sacred rocks of the Acropolis have been inhabited since the Neolithic Age. Your local guide will introduce you to the history of the Acropolis and give you interesting insights into times long past (information: uneven ground, steps uphill).

After this monumental morning, you will get to know Athens in a culinary way on a street food tour. You will have the opportunity to taste a variety of local products, from koulouri to traditional loukoumades. You will also visit the spice market, where you will experience a real Athenian atmosphere with intense scents and intoxicating colours.

Afterwards, there will be time for a visit to the NGO Shedia, which campaigns against poverty and exclusion. You will take part in an upcycling workshop in the heart of Athens and learn more about this charitable organization.

In the afternoon, explore Athens at your own pace or cycle along the Athens Riviera on an additionally booked add on.

Today you will first stop at the UNESCO site Osios Loukas, a breathtaking Byzantine monastery in a picturesque valley full of olive and almond trees.

Then continue to Delphi, which was considered the center of the world in ancient times. According to mythology, the god Zeus once sent two eagles, one from each end of the world, to meet at the exact center of the world, in Delphi. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site with your local guide and immerse yourself in the history and significance of the oracle for Ancient Greece.

Your minibus will take you to Chrisso, a traditional and quiet village with breathtaking panoramic views, where you will also spend the night.

Today you will take a private bus to the Rio Andirrio bridge. For a long time it was considered impossible to build a road bridge across a strait without stable ground in an earthquake zone, but on this day you can admire the structure that was once thought impossible.

On the onward journey to the Peloponnese to the coastal town of Diakopto, the most picturesque train in Greece awaits you. The Odontotos rack railroad is so remarkably integrated into the landscape that you feel as if it is part of it. After your arrival in Kalavryta, your tour guide will let you in on the dark secrets of the past of this picturesque little town.

Continue by bus to Langadia, a mountain village on the Arcadia plateau. Here, the buildings have literally grown out of the rocks and you will understand why Langadia is also known as the “hanging village of the Peloponnese”.

Enjoy your stay in a family hotel and listen to the sounds of untouched nature at night.

From Langadia's neighboring village, you will embark on a spectacular hike today with your local guide, Dimitris, who helped create Greece's first certified European hiking trail. Together with Dimitris you will explore the Menalon Trail, which is now one of the best hiking routes in Europe.

During the hike on the Menalon Trail, you will discover the Lousios Gorge and river, enchanted villages and ancient ruins. During a stopover at the monastery of Prodromos, the friendly monks offer you sweet “loukoumi” and Greek coffee for refreshment and also explain the special significance of the monastery. The route ends in the ancient town of Gortys.

Would you like to spend the day without hiking? Alternatively, you can explore the beauty of the surrounding villages on your own until you meet the rest of the group again for lunch.

After this eventful hike, you will drive to the historic village of Stemnitsa. There, Dimitris will introduce you to everyday life in this small village. In the meantime, the locals will provide you with delicious local desserts.

Information about the hike: Difficulty: High (Steep ascent for the first 150-200m and the terrain is uneven. It is also unsuitable for people who suffer from a fear of heights or acrophobia. The entire hike is not recommended for people with knee problems, diabetes (instability) or similar health impairments. We advise against open footwear (e.g. sandals or flip-flops) and recommend sturdy, sure-footed and closed hiking boots.) Distance: 4km (total ascent: 180m, total descent: 435m) Time: 3 hours (time including visit to the monastery: 4 hours)

On your adventure in Greece today, you will travel back in time once again. This day holds both past and present. You start in Greece's past, more precisely in the ancient site of Olympia, where the Olympic Games have been held since the 8th century BC. You will visit Olympia with your local guide, who will take you past some of the most important buildings of early classical architecture, such as the Temple of Zeus.

The tour continues into the Greek present. You will visit Klio, a modern farmer. The friendly Greek woman welcomes you with freshly squeezed juice and coffee in her garden full of fruit trees and vegetables. Klio introduces you to the world of bees with confidence. Of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, which is why you will also try traditional diples, a Greek dessert made with fresh honey.

After some relaxing time out on the kilometer-long sandy beach, you can enjoy dinner in an authentic taverna right by the sea.

Today Dimitra will awaken your passion for olive trees. You will visit a 100-year-old olive mill, where the owners will reveal some secrets about olive oil to you. Your taste buds will be amazed when you taste the oil. Have you ever tasted the different types of extra virgin olive oil and do you know the differences between them? Dimitra will also actively introduce you to Greek cuisine. During a cooking course, you will learn the traditional tricks of the trade of Hellenic cuisine. Afterwards, you will certainly never refer to fries and gyros as Greek cuisine again.

This evening, your minivan will take you to the Messenia region. You will spend the night in Kalamata, a charming port city.

Few tourists venture further into the Peloponnese region you'll be exploring today, but that's where one of Greece's best-kept secrets lies: the depths of Manis, or as the locals proudly call it, the real Mani. The land of vendettas and clans is the only place in Greece that has remained untamed throughout its long history of conquerors and invaders. To truly understand the land, however, you must meet the “Maniates”, who claim to be direct descendants of the ancient Spartans.

After a short drive, you arrive in the small town of Areopoli, the dreamy capital of Mani. There you will settle down in a traditional taverna and sample local specialties for lunch.

After a stopover in Limeni, a charming town in Mani with crystal-clear bays, you then continue to the beautiful coastal town of Monemvasia.

A well-deserved day off! Make the most of it - for example, book an optional excursion to the paradise island of Elafonisos - the Caribbean of Europe.

Would you prefer to take it easy for the day? Stroll through the picturesque old town of Monemvasia. Whatever your heart desires - you'll find it!

Your day begins in Monemvasia, from where, after a hearty breakfast with your guide, you set off for Mystras. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mystras was the second most important city of the Byzantine period after Constantinople. This impressive medieval Greek ruin stretches across a steep hillside, lined with olive trees and countless churches and palaces.

With the memories of times gone by in your luggage, continue to the port city of Nafplio and let yourself drift in the irresistible charm of the former capital. For many it is the most beautiful city in the country, and today it may also cast a spell over you - Nafplio is full of life and at the same time preserves its mystical legends.

Dine in a traditional taverna and immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of this picturesque town.

From Nafplio, your local guide will take you to Mycenae, one of the richest and most powerful centers of the pre-classical period. This place gave its name to an entire civilization, the Mycenaean culture of the late Bronze Age. In Homer's Iliad, Mycenae is described as the kingdom of the legendary King Agamemnon, the ruler of the Greeks during the Trojan War.

The Greek wine-growing region of Nemea is located very close to Mycenae. Where Hercules once killed a lion, the most delicious wines in Greece are grown today. Here you can learn more about the production of wine and taste the best wines from a family-run winery. After a tour of the winery, enjoy an excellent lunch with your Greek wine before returning to Nafplio and strolling through the alleyways of the harbour town in the evening.

Optionally, you can also follow the 999 steps up to the top of Palamidi Castle, lost in thought. Or is it 857 steps? Try not to lose count as you walk towards the spectacular panoramic view of the city.

Then it's time to move on, because your voyage of discovery would not be complete without a visit to a Greek island. The island Hydra is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in Greece and has already enchanted international jet-setters and famous artists such as Chagall, Picasso and Leonard Cohen with its charm. From the very first steps on the cobblestones, you will be immersed in the island's everyday life, which doesn't feel at all like a day in the 21st century.

With some free time, you can explore the famous museums, such as the Lazaros Kountouriotis mansion, stroll through the small town or get to know the island better on a short hike. Alternatively, water cabs are available to take you to secluded bays.

When the sun slowly begins to set, the time has come: you get on a small boat and sail towards the sunset. Lean back, let the fresh sea breeze blow through your hair and enjoy this perfect moment.

Today we return to the Peloponnese by boat and continue to Epidaurus, the most beautiful open-air theater in the world. Once you arrive in the birthplace of entertainment, you will immediately understand why the ancient Greeks once chose this place to build the most famous holistic healing center. You will feel the fresh air flowing through your lungs as you gaze pensively at the grandstand where musicians once unleashed their talents.

In the afternoon, you will leave the Peloponnese and make your way to Athens via the Corinth Canal, where you will end your round trip with a festive farewell dinner. Beforehand, however, you will receive a small souvenir gift from Barbara, an admired Athenian artist who supports Feast.

For the last time, you taste the finest Greek food, enjoy the Athenian atmosphere and catch a last glimpse of the Acropolis, which towers majestically over the city, before you leave the land of myths and legends the next day.

The last two weeks almost feel like half a lifetime for you, you have come so close to everyday life in Greece on your journey of discovery. So instead of saying “goodbye”, you say “see you soon” to the country on the drive to the airport and perhaps make plans to see it again.

From the plane, you can then take one last look at the legendary Mediterranean world.

If you'd rather not fly back home just yet, why not spend a few more days in Athens or visit the surrounding Greek islands? Whatever you decide to do, our tour guides will help you discover the most beautiful places.