ITINERARY:

Day 1 -  ATHENS - CORINTH - PELOPONESE PENINSULA   Meet in central Athens at 2.00PM and board our private bus to head for the Peloponese Peninsula.  On our way to Tolo we pause at the Corinth Canal.  In ancient times the city-state of Corinth was a busy sea-port due to its location on the narrow isthmus joining the Adriatic and the Aegean.  Our route then takes us through Nemea where our mythic companion is Hercules (the legendary hero who performed 12 labours including slaying the Nemean Lion).

By late afternoon we reach our hotel in the pretty beachfront town of Tolo.  Like most places in Greece,  legends abound. Tolo was first written about by Homer who mentioned the Acropolis of Asine that still sits on a small hill near our hotel. It is claimed that the warriors from the Argos region set sail for the Trojan wars from Tolo.   

Day 2 -  COUNTRYSIDE WALKING  Our walking guides meet us at the hotel. You can choose a relaxed "Philosophers" walk or a more energetic "Olympian" hike.  Our coach then takes us a short distance to the lovely village of Kefalovrysso (pop 189).  This traditional village is nestled in the foothills of the Lirkio range and surrounded by trees said to date from the time of Menelaus (Helen of Troy's husband) in the 5th century BC. 

From our base at a sustainable agrotourism project we have a choice of two hikes on paths scented by wild thyme and oregano. The Philosophers' walk  (about 4 km) is quite flat going through the village and forests. Along the way is a spring with what is thought to have been an underwater temple.

The Olympian walk (about 9 km) takes walkers up the mountain overlooking the village.  This route is a short part of the Sparta to Athens ultra-marathon that recreates a gruelling run made by soldier/messengers during the Persian wars to ask for Sparta's assistance. 

Both groups meet for a picnic lunch in the agrotourism village.  After lunch both groups continue to a wine and olive oil producing organic farm.  At the farm we walk through orchards, olive groves and  a vineyard. 

Day 3 - EPIDAURUS - THE HEALING PATH -  This morning both the Philosopher and Olympian paths lead through pretty countryside and olive orchards. Along the way we see healing springs lined with wild lavender, sage and rosemary.  In ancient times the healing path was walked by the afflicted on their way to the Sanctuary of Epidaurus so our mythical companion for the day is Asklepios, the god of healing.   At the end of our walk we visit the amazing site of Epidaurus (UNESCO)  with an expert guide. We hear how, in the 6th century BC, the sanctuary was a temple where patients came to consult Asklepios.  But, over the centuries, priests of the temple accumulated wisdom about disease so what was once just a temple became a healing centre using surgery and potions as well as holistic therapies like dreams, serpents and theatre. These theories of healing spread throughout the Greco-Roman world so Epidaurus became the Mayo Clinic of ancient times. 

Day 4 - ONE DAY CRUISE from Tolo our ferry goes to the small islands of Spetses and Hydra. Of course our mythical companion for the day is Poseidon, god of the sea, and often dolphins accompany us frolicking in the ship's wake.  We explore both islands on foot (cars are not permitted on Hydra) and hear some of the islands' fascinating history.  Merchant seafaring was the main source of livelihood in these rocky islands and it brought prosperity - especially during the Napoleonic wars when Greek shipping magnates made fortunes working with  both belligerent sides. In 1821 Spetses was the first Greek island to raise the flag of Revolution. The wealthy sea captains who had been hoarding gold quickly dug up their buried treasure, funded the revolution and liberated the territory from the Turks.  We hear the story of Bouboulina, a swashbuckling female who used her own wealth to fund a fleet during the War of Independence. She survived the war but in the end was shot and killed in a family feud. Another Greek tragedy. Today, Spetses’ quiet beauty attracts Greek billionaires plus international novelists and pop stars looking for a retreat. Huge state-of-the-art yachts are moored at the marina alongside quaint fishing boats. There are pleasant coastal walks on both islands as well as cafes and shops. The cruise returns to Tolo harbour in time for dinner.

Day 5 - NAFPLION - Today there is a choice of either taking a coach transfer into the the romantic sea-side town of Nafplion (15 minutes) where the Philosophers do an easy 5 km walk.  The alternative for the Olympians is a more challenging 12 km walk.  Both routes lead to a medieval convent dedicated to the "virgin of the life-giving spring". Outside the convent walls we picnic and perhaps fill a water-bottle from the spring.  Legend says in ancient times the goddess Hera bathed in this water to annually renew her virginity. The convent is an 11th century Byzantine structure built on the ruins of an ancient temples and with a beautiful garden filled with roses and lavender.

From here we continue on foot into the enchanting town of Nafplion.  Here, we walk through Greek history from archaic times to the present. Legend says that the town was founded by Nafplios, son of the god Poseidon. Nafplios' son Palamides fought in the Trojan War and today, his namesake, the huge Palamides castle, still stands atop the hill overlooking the town. (Olympian walkers may choose to climb the 999 steps to the top).  But there is more here than history.  We have free time to browse in the shops or relax in the cafes. Sample some ice-cream with intense flavours such as Cretan honey or a little baklava. 

Day 6 -  Today we have a leisurely day to swim and to enjoy the seaside village of Tolo. Perhaps visit some of the small, uninhabited islands  - Romvi with its ancient fortifications, Koronisi with its little chapel of the Agioi Apostoloi and Daskalio where, during Turkish rule, children attended a secret school to learn their language and history.  Or visit the archaeological site at nearby Asini. Here, remains of prehistoric settlements and parts of ancient city walls estimated to have been built in 300BC can be seen.  Or you can climb a hill to find the Agia Kyriaki, a picturesque church. Or just explore the shops and cafes of Tolo. Or perhaps enjoy a cooking class to learn about Greek cuisine.

Day 7   MYCENAE - Today we visit nearby Mycenae (UNESCO). According to legend, Mycenae's founder was the hero Perseus, son of the god Zeus. In the second millennium BC this was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated the Hellenic world. At its height in 1350 BC, the town had a population of 30,000 and scholars still are puzzled about why it declined. We walk to visit the Citadel and the famous Treasury of Atreus. We marvel at the Cyclopean walls, built by giants or elephants - no one knows for sure.  After the tour we choose our walks. The 12 km Olympian route is on King Agamemnon's path where, according to legend, Agamemnon drove his golden carriage on his triumphant return from the Trojan war. Continuing on, the Olympians pass through olive and orange fields passing a strange stone building which local legend claims was a guard room to keep a watchful eye οn Hera, queen of all the gods,  when she passed by en route to her temple.  The Philosophers' walk is shorter (about 7 km) ending at the archaeological site of Heraio which was a religious centre dedicated to Hera. In ancient times women would travel on foot for many miles to ask Hera for their wish to be granted. 

Day 8 -  After an early morning check out of our Tolo hotel we transfer by coach to Athens Airport (about two hours) to arrive about 09.30.  The bus will then continue into central Athens.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION
3 night Iconic Aegean cruise