| SS-04 Corinth - Mycenae & Epidaurus (Full Day Excursion with lunch) |
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Duration: 10 ½ hours
This very interesting excursion will take you away from Athens to the Peloponese where the ancient Mycenean Civilization once ruled supreme. Drive on the new highway through olive fields and numerous small villages, one of them Megara, a city state whose inhabitants under the leadership of Byzas colonised Asia Minor and founded the city of Byzantium, giving its name to the Byzantine Empire later. Following the coastal road you arrive at Corinth Canal where a stop for photographs will be made. The canal separates the Peloponese from mainland Greece but joins the Aegean to the Ionian Sea.The first attempt to built the canal began in the 6th century B.C. followed by the Roman Emperor Nero's work which again came to an end due to his death. In 1881 construction started once again, achieving completion in 1893, following closely the engineering designs of Emperor Nero's team of engineers.
Continue to Ancient Corinth, in antiquity was one of the most important classical cities visited by St. Paul to preach Christianity. See the 6th century B.C. Temple of Apollo and the Market Place, where St. Paul went on trial for his beliefs. From Corinth drive to Homer's golden Mycenae. A stronghold commanding the road from Corinth to Argos, it was occupied by Greek speaking people from the second millennium B.C. According to Greek legend, Mycenae was the royal seat of the Atreus Dynasty and King Agamemnon was the leader of the Achaeans against Troy. Mycenae gave its name to the civilization on Mainland Greece and the Greek Islands. Tombs discovered here are acclaimed for the wealth of objects found in them, such as golden death masks, jewellery, diadems, bronze weapons inlaid with gold, bracelets and numerous other funerary ornaments. According to legend, the massive walls surrounding the Acropolis of Mycenae were built by Cyclops.
Visit the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion's Gate, the Royal Tombs and the Treasury of Atreus, a magnificent structure of the 14th century B.C.
Relax and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, then drive to Epidaurus to visit the world famous ancient theatre with its remarkable acoustics. Performances of ancient Greek drama and comedy are still held each year in the summer and are considered the highlight of cultural events in the Peloponese.
Return to Athens after your visit of the theatre.
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Notes:
Tour participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes and to have hats with them as they will be exposed to the sun for a considerable length of time.
Handicapped persons may join the tour but will have to remain outside the sites that are not accessible.
The itinerary of this tour may vary depending on the traffic conditions prevailing that day.
Transportation : Deluxe air-conditioned coaches, mini-vans or private cars depending on the number of participants.
Guiding : Multilingual Licensed Guides
Minimum participation: No Minimum
Maximum participation : Unlimited
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