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Packages in Greece: Special Interest packages: SUGGESTED HIKING TOUR IN MOUNT TAYGETOS TAYGETOS, the tallest mountain in the Peloponese, forms an impressive chain of peaks that begins in Arcadia and ends at the Southermost tip of the peninsula. A landmark that forms the boundaries of Laconia, Taygetos has a commanding view of the surrounding area. Its imposing peaks have marked the history of the region not least in the laws and habits of ancient Sparta. It was in a fortified promontory of this mountain that the dying embers of the Byzantine Empire were also jealously guarded. An indication of its continued symbolic importance is the annual pilgrimage to the summit on the feast day of Profitis Ilias on July 20th. Day 1: ATHENS Arrival in Athens – assistance and transfer to the hotel. Balance of day at leisure. Overnight in Athens. Day 2: ATHENS - MYSTRA - SPARTI Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning departure to Mystra through the lovely countryside of Argolida and Laconia. As you approach Mystra you feel as though you are making a pilgrimage to Byzantine Greece. Going up the hill you enter through the castle gate which welcomes you to wander for a while through the narrow lanes of this once invincible fortress. The castle of Mystra was built by the Franks in 1249 and later on Guillaume de Villehardouin erected bastions for his knights, dungeons, houses, storerooms and courtyards. As time went by, houses were built on the hillside under the Frankish castle, and a town was born whose fate was to become the center of civilization and the cradle of the last dynasty of the Byzantine Emperor. During its 2 centuries of Mystra’s existence as the Byzantine capital of Peloponese many churches and monasteries with domes and chapels were erected, representing all the painting trends of the capital. The most important monument you meet on your way up is the cathedral of Aghios Dimitrios. Also on the Northern corner stand the 2 most impressive churches, Aghii Theodori and Panaghia Odighitria. Near the highest gate you can see the 15th century monastery of Pantanassa with its impressive church. Pantanassa today is a hospitable convent looked after by gentle nuns, the only living beings in Mystra. See also the monastery of Perivlepto, leading down to the dead city with its winding stairways, arcades, courtyards and crumbling facades. Our journey ends in Sparti, simple town in the middle of the Evrotas river valley, in the same site where the ancient city stood. Overnight in Sparti. Day 3: SPARTI - XIROKAMBI - KOUMOUTSA Breakfast at the hotel. The day is devoted to a visit of the area, starting by a bus tour to Xirokambi where a large stone bridge has been preserved dating from the Hellenistic period. We continue our drive to Koumoutsa, a traditional settlement founded in the period of Venetian rule. Dating from 1689 the church of Profitis Ilias with its impressive bell tower is well worth a visit. From here we start our hiking to Pineri Laka and Pendavli (total duration 2 hours). From Koumoutsa the path crosses gentle slopes through forest and old fields until Laka Pineri where it forks, one path leading to the refuge and the other to Pendavli. Return to Sparti. Overnight in Sparti. Day 4: SPARTI - MONEMVASSIA Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we leave for a daily tour to the farther finger of the Peloponese. On the Southern coast of the peninsula, looking onto the Myrto sea, stands the former Byzantine-Venetian fortress-state of Monemvassia, on its rocky promontory. From afar it looks as if it could be an island. In Greek Monemvassia means one entrance: the long causeway joining it to the mainland was and is the only access to the rock. Time stopped here in the Middle Ages. Castles and ramparts, old mansions, little houses, narrow lanes paved with stone slabs, churches with crumbling facades, old low archways. Semi destroyed stairways. Every little detail calls up memories of Byzantium and the Venetians. Apses, escutcheons, imperial marble thrones, Byzantine icons give one the impression of an imaginary city, untouched by modern times. Return to Sparti late afternoon. Overnight in Sparti. Day 5: SPARTI - KALIVIA SOCHAS - SOCHA - LAKKOMATA Breakfast at the hotel. The bus will take us to the starting point Kalivia Socha. From here a well laid cobbled path sets out which passes by a Medieval tower and then heads up a steep slope offering a panoramic view of the plain. The path reaches Socha along the wall of the ridge where there are remains of a fortress (fortification, tower and dozens of smaller buildings). After Socha the path continues in dense forest till Lakkomata (total duration 3h30). Time for refreshment and lunch and then return to Sparti. Overnight in Sparti. Day 6: SPARTI - NAUPLIA - ATHENS Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning return to Athens passing by the charming small town of Nauplia nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of Palamidi fortress. Time at leisure for lunch and strolling. In the afternoon continue to Athens. Overnight in Athens. Day 7: ATHENS Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning city tour of Athens which will give you the opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Your guide will take you to the center: Constitution Square, the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier. Driving down Herod Atticus street you will see the Evzones in their picturesque costume and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Panathenaic stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896) and the Athens of the 2nd century A.D., the temple of Olympian Zeus and the Adrian’s Arch. On the Acropolis visit its museum and the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, the Erechteion and finally, the “harmony between matter and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Athens. Day 8: ATHENS Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. For details and prices, please contact us by email: info @ argonautravel.gr and let us know of the number of participants as well as your requested dates   Book     Back to packages page
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