Overview
Join us in this legendary two days private tour to Sparta, home of the three hundred and King Leonidas, and feel the power of the citizen-soldiers that have inspired nations and generals!
Highlights of the 2 days private tour to legendary Sparta & Mystra’s in Greece
- Sparta
- Experienced English-speaking tour driver
- Visit the Acropolis of Sparta, the theater
- Mystras
West from Athens is Corinth (Greek Κορινθία- Korinthia). Ancient Corinth is 76 Km/48 miles west of Athens on the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece. Ancient Corinth was an important city in ancient Greece, with a major role in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul. Ancient Corinth was first inhabited in the Neolithic period (5000-3000 BC) and flourished as a major Greek city from the 8th century BC until its destruction by the Romans in 146 BC. Nowadays, Corinth is the second-largest city in Peloponnese with reach in several sites of interest and tourists.
Sparta…
Sparta or in ancient Greece Lacedaemon. Sparta was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, south-eastern Peloponnese. Sparta emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. Then from c. 650 BC it rose to become the dominant military land-power in ancient Greece. Sparta was recognized as the overall leader of the combined Greek forces during the Greco-Persian Wars, and unique in ancient Greece for its social system and constitution, which completely focused on military training and excellence. Spartan (Spartiates) underwent the rigorous agoge training and education regimen, and its phalanxes were widely considered to be among the best in battle. Women in Sparta enjoyed considerably more rights and equality to men than elsewhere in the classical world. Finally, Sparta was the subject of fascination in its own day, as well as in the West following the revival of classical learning and continues to fascinate Western Culture; an admiration of Sparta is called laconophilia.
Mystras…
Mystras: As it’s called; the ‘Wonder of the Morea’. Mystras occupies a steep foothill on the northern slopes of Mt. Taygetos, 6km. NW of Sparta. Mystras was built as an amphitheater around the fortress erected in 1249 by William of Villehardouin. Mystras reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832. The result of it is leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape. The Mystras complex ruins offer the image of a city with a brilliant destiny that was deserted by men and threatened, and by the return of encroaching vegetation, which is splitting the walls and covering the slopes, thus destroying here and there fragile traces of history. The beauty of Mystras churches, which during the Paleologus Renaissance had been covered with dramatic frescoes, the Mystras renown libraries, and the glory of its writers, including Georges Gemiste Plethon and Jean Bessarion who brought neo-Platonic humanism to Italy, gave substance thereafter for the legend of the ‘Wonder of Morea.’
Itinerary
Drive & See | Stop | Walking & Visit |
---|---|
Athens | Elefsina | Ag. Apostoloi | Kineta | Corinth canal | Ancient Corinth | Sparta | Mystras | Lagadia | Corinth canal | Ancient Corinth | Sparta | Mystras |
Description
Tour description
Day 1: Athens | Corinth Canal | Ancient Corinth | Sparta
Travel the coastline of the Saronic Gulf with the Greece tours private chauffeur to reach after 50 minutes the Corinth canal – ancient Corinth and its monuments. Drive westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (short stop for pictures).
Greece tours chauffeur will reach the ancient town of Corinth, the pace St. Paul lived and preached for two years. In ancient times Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge ancient agora ( market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th C.B.C). a brief stop at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked. Time for lunch and walk around the pedestrian paths of ancient Corinth with its many shops, cafes, and restaurants.
After lunch drives through the picturesque land of Peloponnese towards the mount line of Taygetos to reach Sparta late in the afternoon. Free evening. Overnight.
Day 2: Sparta | Mystras | Corinth | Athens
Today you will visit the ancient and modern part of Sparta and Mystra, as it’s called; the ‘Wonder of the Morea’. visit the acropolis of Sparta, the famous statue of King Leonidas, the archaeological site, the museum, and the monasteries in the castle of Mystras and admire the breathtaking views of Sparta.
Return to Athens where one of the most interesting ancient & Christian Greece Tours ends.
Here celebrate the glory of ancient and new, in this gallery of images of the original fields of dreams
Details
Important notes
Tour Type
- Shore Excursion – Private tour
- Activity level: Moderate
Included
- A professional driver with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle appropriate for the size of your group
- Accommodation is based on availability (for multiple-day tours only)
- Pick-up from and return to your hotel
- Free Pick-up & drop off from Piraeus cruise port
- First-class transport: By Mercedes E-Class or similar; Mercedes minivan or Mercedes minibus according to the size of your party. All new models with full leather and A/C.
- Road tolls and local taxes
- Our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athina, Greece.
- The private tour is 100% exclusive for your party
Excluded
- Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
- Wine tasting fee (wine tours)
- Athens Airport transfer: arranged on request with a surcharge
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food and beverage
- Your private chauffeur/guide will discuss a program best suited to your interest and mobile abilities. Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost.
Additional info
- Dress: religious and marmoreal sites: shoulders and knee must be covered
- Terms & Conditions, F.A.Q , Privacy policy & Cookies
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
- A voucher will be emailed to you with our contact numbers and all necessary information for your tour.
- This is your ticket and proof of purchase. On the day of the tour please present a paper voucher in order to redeem your tour/activity.
Persons with Disabilities
- Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Such sites are the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi, and Meteora
- In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-soled walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Opening hours & Admission fees
- Opening Hours: Summer April 1st to October 31st from 08:00 AM to 07:30 PM
- Winter: November 1st to March 31st from 08:30 AM to 03:00 PM
- Free admission fees: Children under 18 & Students from E.U.
- Reduced admission fees: Citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 & Students from countries outside the E.U.
Free admission days
- March 6: In memory of deceased Minister of Tourism & visionary Melina Mercouri
- June 5: Environment international day
- April 18: International monuments day
- May 18: International museums day
- September 27: International tourism day
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
- National Holidays
- Sundays in the period between 1 November and 31 March
- The first Sunday of every month, except for July, August, and September
- NOTE: If the first Sunday is a holiday then the second is the free admission day
Holidays in Greece
- January 1: closed
- January 6: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
- Shrove Monday: 08:30AM – 03:00 PM
- March 25: closed
- Good Friday: 12:00 PM – 03:00 PM
- Holy Saturday: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
- Easter Sunday: closed
- Easter Monday: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
- May 1: closed
- Holy Spirit Day: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
- 15 August 15: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
- October 28: 08:30 AM- 03:00 PM
- December 25 & 26: closed
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