Eternal Greece Ltd

Mythical Peloponnese: Castles and Legendary Sanctuaries

  • Larissa cstale Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Palaiokastro (Palaionavarino) castle fortress and vicinity Peloponnese Greece copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Larissa castle Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Methoni castle / fortress Peloponnese copyright Eric Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Monemvassia Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Monemvassia Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, GreeceEternal Greece Ltd
  • Ancient Olympia Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Monemvasia Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Larissa castle Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Methoni castle / fortress Peloponnese copyright Eric Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Palaiokastro (Palaionavarino) castle fortress and vicinity Peloponnese Greece copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Larissa castle Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Methoni castle / fortress Peloponnese copyright Eric Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Larissa cstale Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Ancient Olympia Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Larissa cstale Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Larissa castle Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Larissa cstale Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Methoni castle / fortress Peloponnese copyright Eric Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Larissa cstale Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Methoni castle / fortress Peloponnese copyright Eric Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Argos Castle Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Larissa castle Argos Peloponnese Eric CB Cauchi Eternal Greece Ltd

A deeply informative and expert introduction to specially-selected archaeological wonders, spectacular sites and castles in the land of legends and heroes – the Peloponnese...

Introduction

We are a UK-based, specialist tour operating company which designs and runs thematic tours exclusively in Greece.

We are passionate believers in the miracle that is Greece and are equally passionate in the design and delivery of our programmes, all of which offer insights which resonate with the essence of Greece and which can foment thought, arouse the imagination and inspire interesting discussions during and after our tours. Our well-researched, perfectly-delivered and inspiring tours are conducted round-the-year and are all supported and escorted by our hand-picked specialist, licensed guides.

Greece has been a strategic crossroads since time immemorial and the legacy of its rich history is visible in the fortifications and archaeological sites which adorn every corner of this magnificent country

Specialist tour operator Eternal Greece Ltd has researched and designed, and now offers, an inspiring and illuminating ten-day­ guided tour of the fortresses and castles of the southern and eastern Peloponnese. The tour will start on 28 March 2020 and will mainly look at Venetian fortifications but will also include Turkish, medieval and some celebrated sites of Classical antiquity, in the splendid Spring countryside of Greece.

The typical audience of this programme would include avid admirers and connoisseurs of history and military architecture (Classical Greek, Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian and Ottoman), Classical Greek archaeology, and also of natural beauty, who would relish the experience of seeing the most evocative sites and monuments in combination with the splendid nature of Greece.

Are you more independent-minded?
This programme is also available in a self-drive version!
Find out more on our Self-Drive Tours

This tour is also offered on a private basis. Please contact us for more information.

Points of Interest

The main points of interest include the following, in chronological sequence. Clicking on an underlined link will open a new tab rich in information on the respective point of interest.

Itinerary

We will leave our central Athens meeting point in the early morning for our base in the vicinity of Pylos, travelling across the Corinth Canal, that magnificent feat of 19th-century engineering which transformed the Peloponnese from a peninsula to an island. Short pit stop for photos. Just a short distance after the bridge, we visit ascend the mighty Acrocorinthos, the acropolis of ancient Corinth. Crowned by an extensive fortress, Acrocorinthos is is a 575 m (1,886 ft) – high monolithic rock overlooking Corinth that was continuously occupied from archaic times to the early 19th century. The hill provides magnificent views to the Corinthian and the Saronicos gulfs, mount Helikon and mount Parnassus. Acrocorinth is an excellent specimen of incessant habitation from antiquity until the early 19th century.

We will then continue to our first base, in the vicinity of Pylos.

After settling in at our at leisure at our hotel, we will enjoy dinner at a typical Greek taverna.

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

 Visit to Niokastro, the splendid castle of Pylos, and to the Monument of the Admirals which commemorates the sea battle of Navarino and the resulting destruction of the Turkish fleet by the joint British, French and Russian fleets in 1827, during the Greek War of Independence. Overnight in the vicinity of Pylos. Trek to Palaiokastro castle and to famous Voidokilia beach for the hardy types, visit to the Palace of Nestor for the rest of us.

Niokastro of Pylos

Pylos and vicinity

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Visit the castle of Kyparissia and then on to illustrious Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games in 776 BC and home to the great sanctuary of Zeus. The archaeological site, surrounded by olive trees and vibrant nature, includes both sanctuaries and temples as well as the stadium and gymnasia and training grounds used by athletes. Legend has it that the training grounds were founded by none other than the demigod and hero Heracles (Hercules) himself! The superb museum contains an extensive collection of ancient Greek weaponry and armour, the wonderful sculptures from the Temple of Zeus and the Hermes of Praxiteles, arguably one of the very few surviving works by one of antiquity’s greatest sculptors.

Return and overnight in the vicinity of Pylos.

 

Ancient Olympia and Kyparissia Casttle

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

This will be the day we encounter a series of magnificent coastal castles and fortifications in the south-western Peloponnese.

We will start the day with the castle of Methoni, known in the ancient days as Pedasos. The walled city of Methoni lies on a rocky headland separated from the mainland by an artificial moat on the west coast of the Peloponnese around 7 miles south of Pylos. It is one of the most important castles (actually, a fortified city) in Greece and commanded a strategic position with its exceptional natural harbour being the first port of call for travellers approaching by sea from the south west. Still impressive today, the castle of Methoni occupies the whole area of the cape and the southwestern coast to the small islet that has also been fortified with an octagonal tower and is protected by the sea on its three sides. Its north part, the one that looks to land, is covered by a heavily fortified acropolis.

We will then drive to Koroni, a castle built on a rocky headland jutting into the Messenian Gulf. The site’s origins date back to the 8th century BC, but the castle now visible was constructed during the Byzantine era. Parts of the extensive site are still occupied today, though visitors are welcome to explore the surrounding walls and ruins. Scattered columns from the ancient Messenian temple remain as evidence of the distant past, next to the 4th century AD basilica of Aghia Sophia, the 17th century church of Aghios Charalambos, and the church of Panaghia Eleistria.

This long, tiring, yet rich day will reach its end when we arrive at the seaside town of Kalamata, where we will spend the night. 

Methoni fortress

Koroni castle

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Visits to Kalamata and Androussa castles and, time permitting, to the wonderful and extensive archaeological site of Ancient Messene. Overnight at Kalamata or Mystras.

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Monemvassia

Drive around the legendary Taygetos mountain range, the highest in the Peloponnese, to visit the extensive medieval site of Mystras. This is a renowned Byzantine citadel perched on the steep slope of a hill above the city of Sparta. Known as ‘the Wonder of Morea’, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989.

Mystras was once a thriving town that was the second most powerful town of the Byzantine Empire – second only to Constantinople, and is well worth our attention due to its significant role and colourful history during the last millennium from the time of the Crusades up to the beginning of the Greek Revolution against Turkish rule. Short stop at Ancient Sparta (Sparti) or Lacedaemon, which was once a rich and powerful city-state, famed for its military prowess. This was the place of legends, the city of mighty-warrior kings and where the epic myths of the war against Troy began when Paris, the prince of Troy, either abducted or eloped with Helen, ‘the face that launched a thousand ships’, the step-daughter of King Tyndareus of Sparta and wife of Menelaus when he was king of Mycenaean Sparta. Our day will include a visit to the Menelaion, in a spectacular setting overlooking the Laconian Plain and the Eurotas river. The Menelaion was built in honour of Menelaos and Helen, who became pan-Hellenic heroes through the distribution of Homer’s Iliad.

Drive to the remarkable castle-town of Monemvassia for our first overnight there.

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

The day is devoted to the exploration of this iconic destination, also known as the Gibraltar of the East and bearing a more than passing resemblance to Mont Saint-Michel in Brittany.

Monemvassia, its buildings restored and preserved, is still occupied today. We will walk up its winding streets to admire the historic walls of the upper town, the numerous Byzantine and Venetian churches and the Turkish mosque. As well as enjoying the views and ambience of this strikingly picturesque town, we will also visit a local winery producing the famous Malvasia wine. Overnight at Monemvassia.

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Drive to the stunning, but almost unknown, castle-town of Geraki. This castle-town is sometimes perceived as the poor man’s Mystra, but this site is an absolute gem, boasting fortifications, Byzantine churches and colourful frescoes. Onwards to the picturesque sea-side town of Nafplio. We may wish to either hop on our coach to explore the Venetian Fortress of Palamidi above the town or, for the energetic, there’s always the option of climbing the 999 steps!

Geraki (Yeraki) castle-town

Palamidi, Nafplio

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

We start the day with a visit to Boutrzi sea fort, which is situated a few hundred yards offshore of Nafplio town. 

A short drive will then bring us to the hilltop where Larissa, the medieval Castle of Argos, oversees the Argive Plain. Ruins within Larissa point to the occupation of the site in the 6th century BC, but it may be much older, not least as the town of Argos itself has been occupied for at least 7,000 years, rendering it one of the oldest settlements in the world. One can still see the remarkable Cyclopean wall sections of Larissa, dating all the way back to the Mycenaean period, while imprints have also been left by the Romans, Franks, Venetians and Ottoman Turks.

Our next stop is to the puzzling and mysterious Pyramid of Hellinikon, which was already old by the time 2nd century BC geographer Pausanias stumbled across them as he journeyed around the Peloponnese. Indeed, dating by thermoluminescence suggests that the pyramid’s spans back to around 2750 BC. This is contested however by archaeologists pointing to Mycenaean Bronze Age, about 1600-1100 BC. However, pottery shards found in the area belong to the 4th century BC, the height of Greece’s Classical civilisation, and more recent investigations suggest this is the more probable date.

The purpose of this bizarre structure remains a deep mystery.

An article by our Eric Cauchi on the pyramids of the Peloponnese published in Current World Archaeology magazine can be downloaded here.

Bourtzi sea-fort, Nafplio

Larissa castle, Argos

Pyramid of Hellinikon

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated

We start the day by visiting  the remarkably well-preserved Mycenaean archaeological site of Ancient Tiryns, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Though it is not so well-known to visitors as Mycenae itself, Tiryns was a major ancient settlement in its own right. Located close to the sea, it was built in a prime position to control trading routes between the mainland and the Aegean ports. Steeped in history and mythology, Tiryns dates as far back as Neolithic times (around 5000 B.C.)

We continue to the legendary Bronze Age site of Mycenae, with the imposing ruins of the greatest city of the Mycenaean civilisation, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century BC and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture. Mycenae, the city of King Agamemnon, with its Cyclopean walls, the Lion Gate and spectacular archaeological finds is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to our central Athens dispersal point via Ancient Nemea, famed for its local red wine, where a farewell lunch will be hosted by Eternal Greece Ltd.

 

Ancient Mycenae

Ancient Tiryns

Ancient Nemea

All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Included

  • Accommodation at specially-selected, European standard city and country hotels, basis bed and breakfast and double sharing. Single occupancy subject to supplement.
  • Ten lunches or dinners, i.e. one main meal per day
  • Expert, licensed Archaeologist-Guide accompanying the group throughout the duration of the tour
  • All tour legs by air-conditioned minibus or coach
  • Archaeological site and museum tickets
  • Free use of power packs for recharging mobile phone and portable devices on the move
  • Restaurant gratuities
  • Free WiFi in the coach and during all group activities

Not Included

  • Air travel to and from Greece
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Beverages
  • Coach driver and guide gratuities (optional)
  • Visas and travel document and formality costs, if and where applicable
  • Anything not explicitly mentioned in Included section

Points to note

The tour is accompanied by an expert, licensed guide who is fluent in English. Transport is by air-conditioned coach, accommodation is at specially-selected, European standard city and country hotels, whilst the price also includes daily breakfast, nine main meals, bottled mineral water daily, museum and archaeological site entrance fees and  restaurant gratuities. The price is on a double-room sharing basis. Free WiFi is available in all coach trips and also during the visits to the sites.

The programme does not include flights to and from Greece or personal travel insurance. An example of how to obtain travel insurance can be found here. For the full list of what is and what is not included in the price, please see below.

Good and comfortable footwear is a must. The tours take place nearly all the year, thus waterproofs and warm clothes in non-summer months are recommended. Some locations (such as the Acrocorinth) call for strenuous walking, including uphill stretches.

As the safety and comfort of all our travellers are of paramount importance to us, we might need to adjust at our sole responsible discretion the route and/or the activities should weather or other conditions so dictate.

We provide in the itinerary description the estimated daily driving distance and time, however these values are purely indicative approximations and may vary depending on traffic, weather and other factors.

The driving distance and time on the road of some of the tours’ days are fairly high however we do go to great lengths to make the trip as relaxed and pleasant as possible. Our coaches are modern, fully air-conditioned and with free WiFi, connectivity permitting. We ensure that we use 50-seater coaches which offer a generous surplus of space compared to the size of the travelling group.

Eternal Greece Ltd recommended on Tripadvisor
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Testimonials

  • An excellent tour of fortresses in the Peloponnese which also took in many of the classical sites.

    Our guide Eric organised the tour, hotel airport transfers, and advised on other sights so we really had nothing to do but enjoy the experience.

    Already looking forward to another trip with him again.

    Recommended on TripAdvisor Eternal Greece Ltd
    Peloponnese fortress tour, by Anhourused
  • Eric Cauchi, representing Eternal Greece Ltd, was one of the main people responsible for organising the tour for about 40 people.

    He paid great attention to detail both before and during the trip and on the tour nothing was too much trouble. I would not hesitate to go on future Eternal Greece tours.

    Recommended on TripAdvisor Eternal Greece Ltd
    Peloponnese fortress tour, by Auxfireman
  • We travelled through the Peloponnese with the Fortress Study Group on a 10 day tour organized by Eternal Greece Ltd. We visited a mix of sites from classical and pre-history, through Venetian and Ottoman times. This mix gave us a picture of the breadth of Greek history instead of just a single slice of time which we much appreciated. We had an excellent archaeologist guide and an excellent driver.

    Eric Cauchi, the proprietor of Eternal Greece, travelled with us as the tour director and trouble-shooter in chief. His own passion for archaeology and for his country added to the trip experience. The hotels he booked for us were excellent, all very clean and comfortable, with friendly staff and most on the sea with beautiful views. The restaurants he selected for our meals served delicious traditional Greek food family style, far superior to what one might expect for a group meal.

    Having never been to Greece before, we came into Athens 4 days early. We had many pre-trip questions which Eric always answered very promptly. He assisted us with several aspects of our planning before we set foot in Greece. He booked an Athens hotel in an excellent location for us and arranged airport transports which worked perfectly. When we decided to do a day-trip to Delphi and asked if he could recommend some companies for us to contact, he responded with the name and cost of a group tour company with pros/cons and the offer of arranging a private driver and guide for us with pros/cons. He also offered to, and subsequently did, email the rest of the group participants to see if anyone might be interested in sharing the private tour to bring down the costs. The driver and guide Eric arranged were very professional, tailored the day to our interests, and made the day a wonderful memory for us.

    When, as part of our planning, we decided that we might like to use our free time on the last evening of the Peloponnese tour to see an additional site some distance away from our hotel on our own, we emailed Eric to enquire as to whether time-wise this might be feasible and if we would have trouble finding a taxi to take us and wait. Eric advised that renting a car would be better. We expressed concern about finding a car rental place that would be open till 9:00 p.m. on a Sunday evening. Eric responded within hours with contact information for a rental location around the corner from our hotel that would be open till 9 p.m.

    Eric’s level of service was superb. We would travel again on a trip arranged by Eternal Greece and we definitely recommend Eternal Greece.

    Summerclouds053117
  • Dear Eric,

    Thank you so much for all the work you put in to organise such a wonderful trip. The time has flown and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope to come across Eternal Greece again.

    Recommended on TripAdvisor Eternal Greece Ltd
    Pamela M.
  • Dear Eric,

    Hope I am not disturbing you from your well-deserved slumbers, but just to thank you so much for organising an excellent programme for the FSG and looking after everyone so well.

    I hope our paths meet again some time.

    Recommended on TripAdvisor Eternal Greece Ltd
    Richard A.