Argolis-Olympia

Day 1

We begin our journey from Athens in the morning and follow the coastal National Highway to the Corinth Canal where we make out first stop.  Moving along to the south, on the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, we arrive at the ancient city of Corinth.   The site of ancient Corinth was first inhabited in the Neolithic period (5000-3000 BC), and flourished as a major Greek city from the 8th century BC.

Corinth played a major role in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul.  At the archeological site you will visit the Bema, the public platform that was used for public announcements and judgments, and where St. Paul had to plead his case under the accusations of contrary teaching (50s AD).   Other major landmarks you will see are the 6^th century BC Temple of Apollo and the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of medicine and healing.  Next stop is Kechries, the port from where St. Paul sailed to Ephesus.

As we continue our journey, we stop at the beautiful port of Nafplio, where you can enjoy lunch beside the sea, with the view of Bourtzi, the castle that stands on a small islet in the middle of the harbor.

Our next destination is Mycenae, the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon and the most important and richest palatial center of the Late Bronze Age in Greece.  Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization (1600-1100 BC).  Taking a tour of the archaeological site, you will see the Lion Gate, located at the entrance of the Bronze Age citadel of the city.  The impressive Cyclopean wall surrounding and protecting the Acropolis, and the tomb of king Agamemnon, the biggest and best preserved of all the tombs.

We conclude our first day as we drive towards Ancient Olympia through the picturesque mountains of Peloponnese, where we will spend the night.

Day 2

We start in the morning our tour at ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the most important athletic event of all times: the Olympic Games founded in the 8^th century AD.  Among its extensive ruins, included are the Gymnasium and athletic training areas used by the athletes and the stadium.  Visit the celebrated Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the statues of Nike and Hermes of Praxiteles, as well as the altar where the Olympic Torch is ignited for the Modern Olympic Games.  After exploring the monuments and temples, it is the Archaeological Museum that will attract your attention.  You will find exhibitions of some of the most important excavation findings from the Prehistoric times to the Early Christian Period.

As we complete our tour and before we begin our return trip to Athens, we stop for lunch at a local tavern of Olympia.