Eternal Greece Ltd

The Nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Southern Greece

  • Detail of the tholus at the temple of Athena at Delphi, Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Apollo Epikourios Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, GreeceEternal Greece Ltd
  • Ancient Olympia Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Athens Acropolis Eternal Greece Ltd
  • The temple of Athena at Delphi, Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Eternal Greece Ltd
  • The theatre/theater at Ancient Delphi, Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Aspect of Hossios Loukas, Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • The theatre/theater at Ancient Delphi, Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Apollo Epikourios Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Hossios Loukas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site GreeceEternal Greece Ltd
  • Ancient Olympia Eternal Greece Ltd
  • Athens Acropolis Eternal Greece Ltd

Greece is home to seventeen UNESCO World Heritage sites. This thrilling and instructive programme will take us to nine illustrious examples of architecture, history and civilisation...

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 crossroads of civilisations 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

Greece is home to seventeen UNESCO World Heritage sites, of which more than half are in the Peloponnese and southern Greece.

Specialist tour operator Eternal Greece Ltd has researched and designed, and now offers, an inspiring and illuminating eleven-day­ guided tour of nine illustrious UNESCO World Heritage sites of Southern Greece.

The typical audience of this programme would include avid admirers and connoisseurs of history and architecture (Classical Greek and Byzantine), 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 autumn nature of Greece. 

Accommodation is in specially-selected, European standard, high-class city and country hotels. Transportation is by modern, air-conditioned coach with WiFi, whilst the venues for lunch and dinner have been carefully chosen, not least with the hungry explorer in mind – but also to respect and reflect the ancient Greek tradition where eating is central to social interaction and happy bonding.

This thrilling and instructive programme will take us to the following illustrious examples of architecture, history and civilisation:

> The world-renowned theatre and Asclepium of Epidaurus
> The megalithic citadel of Tiryns, legendary birthplace of hero and demi-god Heracles
> Fabled Mycenae
> The Byzantine castle and citadel of Mystras
> The temple of Apollo Epicurius by Iktinos, designer of the Parthenon, perched on a remote mountain-top
Olympia, cradle of the Olympic Games in 776 BC
> The sacred city and oracle of Delphi
> The Byzantine monastery of Ossios Loukas
> The Acropolis of Athens

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

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

Points of interest

All images and clips copyright Eric CB Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Recommended on TripAdvisor Eternal Greece Ltd
ASTA membership vertical logo

Itinerary

Arrival at Athens international airport and transfer to the hotel.

Drive to the Corinth Canal (short stop for photos) en route, through beautiful coastal scenery, to the charming coastal town of Palaia Epidaurus with its delightfully-set, small ancient theatre.

Light lunch and onwards to illustrious Ancient Epidaurus, an UNESCO World Heritage site,  renowned for the perfect acoustics of its huge theatre,  and the Asclepium, consecrated to the god of healing, Asclepius.

We will then proceed to our final destination of the day, the attractive coastal town of Nafplio with its imposing fortress crowning the craggy hill above the charming Old Town. This full and satisfying day will reach its pleasant and fitting end with dinner at a traditional taverna.

The day starts with a visit to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Neolithic and Mycenaean citadel of Tiryns (the birthplace of mythical hero Heracles), followed by the renowned Bronze Age city 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, was the city of King Agamemnon, with its Cyclopean walls, the Lion Gate and spectacular archaeological finds.

After lunch we leave the Argolid to drive through the high plateau of Arcadia and into Laconia, past the city of Sparta to Mystras for dinner and our overnight stay.

Ancient Tiryns

Ancient Mycenae

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

We visit the Byzantine citadel of Mystras , an UNESCO World Heritage site and the capital of the mediaeval Despotate of the Morea (as the Peloponnese was also named) and ranking amongst the most important of all Byzantine sites.

An atmospheric synthesis of its city walls, a castle, the Palace of the Despots and an impressive array of finely decorated monasteries and churches, Mystras rewards the visitor with its impressive riches.

We then proceed to Sparta and its small but very interesting museum. Dinner at a traditional taverna and overnight at Mystras.

Mystras

All images copyright Eric CB Cauchi / Eternal Greece, unless otherwise stated.

This day will see us drive through magnificent mountain scenery, first to the remarkable temple of Apollo Epicurius at an altitude of 1,131 m (3,710 ft) on Mt Kotylion. Designed by Iktinos, architect the Parthenon in Athens, it was described by ancient writer and geographer Pausanias as eclipsing all others but the temple of Athena at Tegea by the beauty of its stone and the harmony of its construction.

This famous temple to the god of healing and the sun (Epicurius meaning ‘helper’ in ancient Greek) was built around the middle of the 5th century B.C.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Apollo Epicurius has the oldest Corinthian capital yet found and combines the Archaic style and the simple serenity of the Doric rhythm with some daring architectural features.

Onwards to Ancient Olympia (UNESCO World Heritage site) for dinner and overnight stay.

Apollo Epicurius

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

Today we will be visiting the archaeological site as well as the museum of celebrated 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 olive trees and vibrant nature, includes both sanctuaries and temples as well as the stadium and 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.

Dinner at a local taverna and overnight stay.

All images and clips copyright Eric CB Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Galaxidi Eternal Greece Ltd

Drive from Olympia crossing of the Gulf of Corinth over the spectacular bridge spanning 2,880 m ( 9,449 ft) to the picturesque seaside village of Galaxidi. Lunch at a traditional taverna and free afternoon for leisurely exploration of the village and its lovely surroundings. Dinner basis individual arrangements (not included in programme price) and overnight stay.

All images and clips copyright Eric CB Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Drive to Delphi (UNESCO World Heritage site) for a full day of exploration of the extensive ancient site and the museum.

Steeped in myth, mystery and magic, Delphi is considered by many in ancient times as the centre or omphalos (navel) of Mother Earth and is located on the foothills of Mount Parnassus, in central Greece. Just over two hours drive from Athens, with views overlooking the coast to the south and the valley of Phocis, Delphi is a destination that should definitely be included on any tour of ancient Greek sites. Its bespoke archaeological sanctuary, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and the quaint traditional mountain villages of Delphi and nearby Arachova offer any visitor a myriad of activities all year round.

The site is so vast and of such well-documented archaeological importance that we can merely scratch the surface in this brief review. The real feel of the magic that is Delphi can only come from the experience of being there.

Dinner at a local taverna.

Ancient Delphi

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

Hossios Loukas Eternal Greece Ltd

Drive to Athens via the magnificent Byzantine monastery of Ossios Loukas .

Set in powerful yet peaceful rural natural surroundings, Ossios Loukas (Venerable Luke) is a large walled monastery complex located on the foothills of Mt Helikon, in Boeotia.

UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ossios Loukas is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine art and architecture and was founded by the hermit Hosios Loukas, whose relics are still kept in the monastery, in early-10th century AD. The main shrine is the mosaic-surrounded tomb of Hosios Loukas whilst the complex contains the Church of the Theotokos, which is the oldest in the site and the only church known with certainty to have been constructed in the tenth century in Greece.

Overnight in Athens.

All images and clips copyright Eric CB Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Visit to the illustrious Acropolis of Athens (UNESCO World Heritage site), followed by lunch. Visit to the New Acropolis Museum, voted as being within the top-three such museums in the world.

Overnight stay in Athens.

All images and clips copyright Eric CB Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.

Departure to Athens International Airport for the flight home.

Itinerary Overview

Points to note

The tour is accompanied by an expert, licensed guide who is fluent in the group’s language. Transport is by air-conditioned coach, accommodation is at specially-selected, European standard high-class city and country hotels, bed and breakfast basis double sharing, whilst the price also includes daily lunch and dinner, welcome and farewell dinners, Athens airport transfers, bottled mineral water, museum / archaeological site entrance fees and hotel porter gratuities.

The programme does not include flights to and from Greece and personal travel insurance. An example of how to obtain travel insurance can be found here.

Included

  • Accommodation at specially-selected, European standard high-class city and country hotels, basis bed and breakfast and double sharing. Single occupancy subject to supplement.
  • One main meal a day, usually dinner
  • Greek airport transfers on first and last day of tour
  • Expert, licenced Guide accompanying the group throughout the duration of the tour
  • All tour legs by air-conditioned coach with WiFi
  • Archaeological site and museum tickets
  • Free use of power packs for recharging mobile and portable devices on the move
  • Hotel porter and restaurant gratuities

Not Included

  • Air travel to and from Greece
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Beverages
  • Coach driver and guide gratuities (optional)
  • Anything not explicitly mentioned under 'Included'
Recommended on TripAdvisor Eternal Greece Ltd

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.