3 Days Laconia private tour: Sparta, Mystras, Mani, Diros Caves, Monemvasia

The marvelous man-made Corinth canal connecting the Aegean and Ionian seas, as well as the Peloponnese peninsula with the central part of Greece. More than 2500 workers digging 6.400m for twelve years (from 1881 to 1893) Stop for photography, walk across on a pedestrian bridge and admire the canal from 80 m high

Drive via Parnon and Taygetus mountains to Mystras. The parts of mountains we drive are between 800 m and 1,800 m elevation and are covered with pine forests. The higher areas consist of grasslands and barren rock.

Mystras, the 'wonder of the Morea', was built as an amphitheater around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape. General ticket 20€ / Reduce 10€

The Archaeological Museum of Sparta comprises the oldest provincial archaeological museum of the country. Its neoclassical building was constructed between 1874 and 1876 in the center of the city and it has been declared a listed building for its architectural and historical interest. Ticket general 10€

Thucydides wrote: Suppose the city of Sparta to be deserted, and nothing left but the temples and the ground-plan, distant ages would be very unwilling to believe that the power of the Lacedaemonians was at all equal to their fame. Their city is not built continuously, and has no splendid temples or other edifices it rather resembles a group of villages and would therefore make a poor show. We visit The Acropolis and the Ancient Theater of Sparta. Built of local white marble during the Roman period, the late first-century B.C theater was one of the Classical world’s largest. Said to be capable of holding an estimated 16,000 people, it featured a mobile stage and was considered a tourist destination in ancient times. Much of the auditorium was destroyed during the Byzantine period, and the remaining marble and limestone blocks have suffered from erosion.

The King Leonidas statue stands belligerently in front of a stadium. When the Persians attacked at Thermopylae and told the Spartans and their allies to lay down their weapons, Leonidas' response, immortalized beneath his feet, was 'Molon labe' ('Come and get them'). Excavations carried out during the previous century, north of the modern town of Sparta, brought to light an impressive construction. The edifice that dates back to the 5th century B.C. was made from large limestone. Archaeologist who carried out the excavations in 1892, initially thought it was a small temple. Although its use is not yet verified, it is believed to be the tomb of Leonidas. According to Pausanias, it was here that the remains of the legendary king of Sparta were transferred and buried after the battle in Thermopylae. The tomb of Leonidas is the only preserved monument of the Ancient Agora.

Areopoli is a well preserved historical town with stone paths and traditional tower houses which were built for social and defensive reasons. The town took its name from the Greek God of War Ares and was the capital of the historical district of Inner Mani (Mesa Mani). Like the rest of the Mani settlements, Areopoli is known for the contribution during the battles of Greece against the Ottoman Empire. At the central square of the village “Platia Athanaton” you will come across the statue of Petrompeis Mavromichalis, the famous chieftain and offspring of the Mavromichali family. Mavromichalis family originated from Areopolis and is widely known for their fighting spirit during the battles of Greece. Around the central square there are a lot of traditional restaurants and cafes.We will take a walking photography and sunset tour and stay for overnight.We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 100€ per double room / weekend-holidays 130€ per double room - if more than 2 rooms 10% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

The Mani Peninsula, also long known by its medieval name Maina, is a geographical and cultural region in southern Peloponnese that is home to the Maniots (Mανιάτες, Maniátes in Greek), who claim descent from the ancient Spartans. The capital cities of Mani are Gytheio and Areopoli. To the east is the Laconian Gulf, to the west the Messenian Gulf. The Mani peninsula forms a continuation of the Taygetos mountain range, the western spine of the Peloponnese. Like many of the buildings in Mani, especially in the older villages, most of the structures are built like many fortresses. The people of the region, at one time, fiercely guarded their land and livelihoods, either from foreign invaders or rival families. The fortress-like homes provided inhabitants with the ideal opportunity to keep a lookout in the case of a potential invasion. Essentially, the head of each household was considered to be a mini-ruler (or a mini warlord) who had the interests of the family at the center of his concerns. The region of Mani maintained its independence from the Ottoman Empire, and between the fierceness of the people, the rugged terrain, and the strategic location of the homes helped keep Mani free from invaders.

The Diros Cavеs аre a natural phenоmеnοn and arе one оf the mοst importаnt cavеs in Greeсе.The cavе сomplex cоnsists οf threе cаves but only twо οf them, Vlусhada аnd Alеpotrypa are оpen fοr visitors. The routе thrоugh the caves inсludеs wаlking thrοugh narrow passаges, sailing with bоats in the river thrοugh cave tunnels (by a licеnsed guide) аnd thе last part of the rоute is wаlκing again. The cavеs hаve beautiful stalасtites and stalаgmitеs but the most interеsting part is the bоat trip. The wholе trip lasts 30 min. Ticket: Full Price €15, Reduced Price €8

Cape Tainaron is situated at the end of the Mani Peninsula. Cape is the southernmost point of mainland Greece, and the second southernmost point in mainland Europe. It separates the Messenian Gulf in the west from the Laconian Gulf in the east.Near Tainaron, there is a cave that Greek legends claimed was the home of Hades, the god of the dead. The ancient Spartans built several temples there, dedicated to various gods. On the hill situated above the cave, lie the remnants of an ancient temple dedicated to the sea god Poseidon (Necromandion - Death Oracle). Under the Byzantine Empire, the temple was converted into a Christian church, and Christian rites are conducted there to this day. Cape Matapan was once the place where mercenaries waited to be employed.

The site was that of the ancient port of Psamathous, mentioned by Pausanias. The modern name comes from the Venetian Porto Quaglio and the French (Frankish) Port des Cailles (Quail Port).Some 17th- and 18th-century maps called it "Maina", so some authors consider it to be a possible location for the castle of Grand Magne, but medieval portolans mention no such castle here.The Ottomans built a castle here in about 1568, to protect the port, which was used for galleys patrolling the Kythera Channel. The Venetians attacked the castle in 1570, and the Ottomans surrendered and abandoned it. In 1670, the Ottomans returned and built a new castle. They were driven out in 1770 during the Orlov Revolt. Porto Kagio was the base of Lambros Katsonis's pirate fleet, and it was at Porto Kagio that it was finally destroyed. In World War II, Porto Kagio was a place where many British soldiers escaped to Egypt.Time for swim and lunch in front water

One of the most charming things about the Mani Peninsula on the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece is how austere it is. The terrain is incredibly rugged, and fortress-like homes are perched in strategic areas throughout the region. The coastline is just as rugged as the land, and both give the place a feeling of rugged beauty. One can’t help but feel as if you’ve take a step back into history while visiting Mani. It’s history is just as fierce and rugged as the landscape.Nowhere are all these things more keenly felt than in the ghost village of Vathia, which is a short drive from the coast. What’s interesting about Vathia is that it is completely abandoned. Despite that (or because of it) the village of Vathia is worth a visit.

Monemvasia is a town in Laconia. The Medieval town is located on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese. The island is linked to the mainland by a short causeway 200m in length. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau some 100 metres above sea level, up to 300 m wide and 1 km long, the site of a powerful medieval fortress. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period.We will take a walking photography and sunset tour and stay for overnight.We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 100€ per double room / weekend-holidays 130€ per double room - if more than 2 rooms 10% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

The Castle Town of Monemvasia was constructed in the Medieval Times. From that moment on, the rich history of Monemvasia has been full of prosperity and glory, as well as declination and invasions. From the 10th century, it started to develop in economic terms, becoming an important trade and maritime center. Then, the city bravely resisted the Norman and Arab invasions in the mid 12th century.However, this was followed by another effort of invasion by William Villehardouin. Unfortunately, this time the town was defeated in 1249, due to the hunger caused by the three-year siege. Ten years after this, Michael Paleologus imprisoned Villehardouin, who recovered his freedom by taking the side of the Byzantine rule, helping them to regain the fortresses of Monemvasia, Mystras, and Mani.This Byzantine rule benefited the development of Monemvasia in the economic, cultural, and military field. However, this gradual progress attracted the pirates causing the famous raid by the Catalans in 1292. The efforts of keeping the pirates away brought inhabitants in touch with naval resources in terms of warfare. In 1419, the Venetian invasions caused the decline of the Byzantine Empire. In 1460, Mystras was being ruled by the Ottomans, leaving Monemvasia as the only city that kept its autonomy. In the middle 15th century, the Venetians recaptured Monemvasia as it was considered a strategic point in the Aegean Sea.Eventually, Monemvasia was sold to the Ottomans in 1715. Around 1770, when the Russian-Turkish War occurred, Monemvasia started to fall apart economically. Monemvasia was finally liberated on July 23rd, 1821 and became part of the first Greek State.

We will depart from Peloponnese via Corinth Canal (last stop), to return in Athens or request another drop off location

Selinitsa beach Gythio:Selinitsa is one of the finest beaches in the surroundings of Gytheio, just 1km far from the town centre. Its coastline is sandy and extends for over 150m.Its waters are clean and, in fact, this beach has been awarded the Blue Flag award. It has varied tourist facilities, such as hotels, campsites and rooms to let to stay, as well as beach bars and taverns by the seaside. Selinitsa beach is well- known because the caretta-caretta sea turtle, which is in danger of extinction, goes there in the summer to lay its eggs.That is why Archelon, a Greek society for the protection of this species, in cooperation with the municipality of Gythio, makes sure that the beach is clean and safe enough for this process. Take into account Selinitsa beach when you visit Gytheio and enjoy its high-quality waters, sport facilities and relaxing environment.

It was the seaport of Sparta, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north. Gytheio is the site of ancient Cranae, a tiny island where according to legend Paris of Troy and Helen from Sparta spent their first night together before departing for Troy, thus igniting the Trojan War.Gytheio used to be an important port until it was destroyed in 4th century AD, possibly by an earthquake. Even thereafter its strategic location gave Gytheio a significant role in Maniot history. Today it is the largest and most important town in Mani. It is also the seat of the municipality of East Mani.

We will depart from Peloponnese via Corinth Canal (last stop), to return in Athens or request another drop off location