Day 3 Epidaurus, Nafplio & Mycenae
We hit the road this morning as we drive to the Peloponnese to explore the Argolic plain. Our journey takes us across the bridge that spans the famous Corinth Canal. We'll stop here to take in the views of this narrow, steep-sided passage which connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf.
Our journey then continues to the ancient city of Epidaurus. Once a celebrated healing centre dedicated to the god Asklepios, here we'll see the immense Theatre of Epidaurus, the best-preserved in Greece, which could accommodate up to 14,000 spectators in its day.
The next stop is Nafplio, a pretty seaport town dominated by the Castle of Palamidi. During free time here, take a stroll through the medieval Old Town to see well-preserved neoclassical mansions, or walk along the seafront promenade. There's time for a spot of lunch too if you wish, before we head to the ruins of Mycenae, a kingdom that was the most powerful in Greece for 400 years. This fortified palace complex was discovered in 1874, and on our tour we'll see the magnificent Lion Gate, the royal cemetery known as Grave Circle A, the Royal Palace, which is located at the acropolis summit, and the Secret Stairway. This flight of 99 steps drops to a cistern deep beneath the citadel. We'll also visit the Treasury of Atreus, the most outstanding of the tholos, or beehive, tombs.
En route to our next base, Nafpaktos, we'll cross the impressive Rio-Antirio Bridge - one of the world's longest cable-stayed bridges – as we drive along the northern coast of the Peloponnese.
Meals included:
B,D