Peloponnese Adventure day-by-day itinerary

Day 2, Athens
Today you will have a morning guided walking tour of Athens. You will start at the Acropolis, the most famous and impressive of Athens’ ruins. This dramatic citadel is perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city and contains a number of remarkably preserved ancient structures, including the Parthenon.

Acropolis

After time to explore, your guide will take you down off the hill into the maze of narrow streets that comprise Plaka village. This is the oldest part of Athens and a delightful place to wander with big bushes of pink bougainvillea spilling out over pavement cafes and souvenir shops. Continue on foot, weaving through the alleyways and taking in all of the most important Greek and Roman sites.

You can either have a free afternoon to further explore by yourselves or we can include a food tour. Greece’s cuisine is world-renowned and you will have the opportunity to sample some of the country’s most iconic dishes as well as less well-known delicacies. These may include little pastry parcels filled with feta, tasty skewers of marinated chicken doused in olive oil and gooey baklava, oozing sweetness.

Delicious Greek cakes

Day 3, Athens – Stemnitsa
This morning you will leave Athens behind and head deep into the less-touristy but spectacular mountainous region in the central Peloponnese, renowned for its historic villages. We suggest taking your time to get there and will recommend places to stop along the way.

Day 4, Hiking Lousios Gorge
Drive deeper into the less-touristy but spectacular mountainous region of the central Peloponnese, renowned for its historic villages. Your destination is the Lousios Gorge, which cuts through the mountains. You will spend the day hiking through the gorge, criss-crossing the Lousios River and passing Byzantine monasteries that appear to hang from the side of the cliffs. Stop along the way for a picnic lunch and to swim in the refreshing waters of the river.

Byzantine monastery, Lousios Gorge

The hike ends at the small archaeological site of Ancient Gortys, which you can visit before returning to your hotel.

Day 5, Stemnitsa – Kardamili
This morning you will head to the Mani peninsula, stopping en route to visit the ruins of ancient Messene, relatively recently excavated but still hugely impressive.

Afterwards, continue on through a lovely landscape of olives groves and fruit orchards with far-reaching views, to the sea-front town of Kardamili. This is a sleepy little place that radiates out from the main square with its cafes, church and shade-giving trees. Wander down to the harbour or find a spot in a neighbourhood taverna for a plate of fresh seafood.

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Day 6, Kardamili
The area south of Kardamili is spectacular, with a chain of beautiful beaches and villages all in gorgeous locations. We will recommend a driving route which takes you through the most beautiful area, with a superb lunch stop in a pretty fishing village.

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Day 7, Sea Kayaking
A wonderful day today as you head out from the old harbour by sea kayak.

Sea kayaking near Nafplio

The route can be tailored to your family, but the coast here is peppered with beautiful little coves, secluded beaches and dramatic rocky cliffs. You will stop along the way to swim, snorkel and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch of local delicacies.

Picnic at a secluded cove

Later you will continue by car to Nafplio, one of the prettiest towns in Greece, perched in an enviable location right on the Aegean, with the imposing Palamidi Castle on a hilltop behind. At its heart, the medieval Old Town is a wonderfully picturesque maze of little squares, classical mansions and narrow streets.

You will have the remainder of the afternoon to explore; perhaps climb the 999 steps up to the Palamidi to enjoy a panoramic view. This evening take a stroll along the waterfront promenade to enjoy the stunning outlook over the water to Bourtzi, a small Venetian fort situated on a tiny islet.

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Day 8, Epidaurus
Today we suggest that you visit Epidaurus, home to an impressively preserved amphitheatre that is renowned for its acoustics.

4th century temple of Asclepius

Here you can try out the ‘coin trick’, sending the kids up to the highest point in the theatre and then testing whether or not it is true that they can hear a coin dropped in the centre of the stage. After exploring the site, we recommend lunch nearby, then heading to the beach to cool off before returning to Nafplio.

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Day 9, Athens – Departure
Make your way back to Athens today, in order to connect with your flight home.