Peloponnese Small-Group Tour

Enjoy 7-days touring one of the most beautiful locations in Greece on a journey through the olive groves, orchards, and blue Aegean views with our Peloponnese Small-Group Tour. Travel in style as we visit every highlight in this unique region including the Medieval cities of Nafplion & Monemvasia, UNESCO sites such as Ancient Mycenae, and explore the off-the-beaten-path sites such as the timeless rugged Mani Peninsula with its tower-house villages. Apart from the ‘highlights’, our tour is also packed with well-chosen accommodation & some of the best cuisine Greece has to offer.

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You may also be interested in Our 3 to 5-day Multi-Day range

Day 1.   Argolis. Ancient Corinth – Ancient Mycenae – Mycenae Museum – Great Theatre of Epidaurus – Sanctuary of Asklepios – Nafplion 

Day 2. Mystras & Monemvasia. Ancient Mystras – Museum of the Olive – Monemvasia

Day 3. The Mani Peninsula. Vathia – Kardamyli – Caves of Diros  

Day 4.   Methoni. Ancient Messini – Methoni Castle – Palace of Nestor – Voidokilia Beach – Pylos City

Day 5. Ancient Olympia. Archaeological Site & Museum 

Day 6. Dimitsana. Hydropower Museum – The Monastery of the Philosopher – Stemnitsa

Day 7. Kalavrita. Cave of Lakes – Kalavrita Railway – Athens 

Personalised, well organized Tours. Our small-group tours are limited to 17 persons, traveling by new Mercedes luxury class Sprinter. All our itineraries follow a well-paced pattern of morning visits to the Ancient sites, a traditional lunch in one of the best regional restaurants, and relaxed onward travel with free time to enjoy the next new location in the afternoon & evening. All other travel breaks & stops are built-in as necessary.

Luxury end travel at low prices. Our limited number of shared-group tours enables us to maintain a private luxury experience at a much lower cost than a fully private tour whilst allowing us to offer even more extras such as top-end restaurants as well as our usual minimum level of 4-Star & 5-Star, and Small-&-Friendly Boutique-Class Hotels.

Flexible Booking & Money-back Security. In collaboration with our Partner Bokun we are able to offer a full refund up to 7-days prior to your tour date in case of any travel disruption, or a transfer to any other tour date without cost.

During the Pandemic, we were the only company we are aware of in Greece to offer unconditional refunds. We operate a moral policy that if no service is provided by us or cost incurred, then no deposits or other payments are retained.

Experience & Local knowledge. With over 15 years of experience specializing in Private tours in Greece. Warmpenguin’s experienced Team of Guides and Local Travel Specialists are on hand throughout your planning phase for any questions & help. During your tour, you are accompanied by one of our highly experienced Drivers and a Tour Leader, and at each site, as described you will meet one of our Professional Tour Guides who is dedicated to our group alone to lead you through all the highlights, History & Mythology so you won’t miss anything.

Semi-Private Travel style & Inclusivity. A small group tour has the added advantage of sharing the enthusiasm of like-minded individuals whilst avoiding a mass tourism approach. Our tours have a Pre-Tour Cocktail/Mocktail hour where you have the opportunity to meet & get to know your tour leader and travel companions in a relaxed atmosphere. During the tour, lunches are provided where individuals can also come together, but afternoons & evenings are free & unscheduled to enjoy as you wish.

All our tours are family-friendly & equally suitable for couples, solo travelers, and all ages, from the most experienced travelers eager to set foot on the paths of the Philosophers to the youngest amateur Archaeologist fascinated by the legends of Ancient Greece.

Inclusions & Exclusions. A full list of both is viewable from the online Booking form & calendar at the end of the page below

Hotels. We have years of experience in tours around Greece. We understand that poor service, unhelpful staff, or a bad bed can dampen an otherwise excellent experience, which is why we consider these elements of your trip very important. Each day of our Peloponnese Small-Group Tour is well-paced and well planned & you will see the most amazing sites & landscapes in Greece so its important that all aspects of the tour are perfect.

For our Peloponnese Small-Group Tour, we use a mix of larger 4 & 5-star Hotels that may have extra services like an indoor pool or SPA, together with small-friendly boutique-style Hotels with unique atmosphere & owners for a more personal experience. Each of these is tried & tested by us and only the best in quality are selected for our tours.

Places. An inherent factor of our tour is the variety of places we travel to. Many of the Ancient sites for example are themselves situated on top of even older pagan sites that had their roots in the magical aspects of the local landscape.

Built into your trip is the time to enjoy each new scenery, be it from an all-important beauty spot to stop at for photographs, to the relaxation time you will have at the end of each day. Our tours are not aimed at rushing between tick boxes, rather the enjoyment of the total experience.

Culture & Stainability. Greek culture is famous throughout the world for good reason. Modern Greek culture has obvious links to its past with time to slow down, relax, and enjoy friends & acquaintances & new experiences.

During your Peloponnese Small-Group Tour, you will spend time with local Greek people who know & love their country and who are a strong part of their local economy. Most businesses in Greece are family run & offer a uniqueness that corporate or company philosophies can not provide. Our tours favor these and are a part of things where ever possible.

Pre-Tour Meet & Greet

19:00-20:00+ On the evening prior to your tour there is an informal Private Cocktail/Mocktail reception (optional attendance) where you can meet your Tour Leader & travel companions in a relaxed atmosphere.

Day 1. Argolos

08:00 Hotel Pickup. Your personal driver, assistant, and Licenced Archaeological Guide will be at your Hotel to meet you and start your tour. Our first day focuses on the classical sites of Argolis in the northern Peloponnese.

CORINTH

After leaving Athens we travel to the Peloponnese for our first main stop to explore the beautifully preserved remains of Ancient Corinth, one of Greece’s most powerful and influential city-states of Antiquity. You will have time to stroll through the streets, temples, markets, and fountains in the footsteps of the Classical Greeks, Ancient Romans & St. Paul before you. Our expert Licenced Archaeological Guide will be on hand to take you through all the sites of the day & refreshments & rest stops are available as required.

MYCENAE

After a short onward drive we come to the imposing remains of Ancient Mycenae, one of the most important sites in the development of Ancient Greece. Home to the citadel of the legendary Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War. The ‘Mycenaean period,’ from 1600 to 1100 BC, references this ancient city, indicating its importance in Greek civilization. Pass through the 20-foot-wide city walls, enter the Lion’s Gate to Agamemnon’s throne room, and explore the very buildings of his palace. We will also have a short stop nearby for the awe-inspiring treasury of Atreus and ample time to visit the modern on-site museum housing the many precious artifacts uncovered from the site.

EPIDURUS & THE SANCTUARY OF ASKLEPIOS

Our next stop is at the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios, the first healing center of the Ancient World. You will also see the impressive Great Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the most visited ancient sites in Greece. The temple and theatre date from the 4th century and feature masterpieces of classical Greek architecture. Join the other visitors who test its world-famous acoustics with a poem or a song in the center circle!

NAFPLION

After the sites of the morning, we enjoy lunch in the beautiful medieval & historical port city of Nafplio by the sea with views of the Venetian castle of Bourtzi in the bay.

GROUP LUNCH at 3Sixty Grill Dining

OVERNIGHT Nafplion or Tolo

Afternoon Tips. This city has a definite artistic feel so take time in the afternoon for a stroll and explore the many local craft shops & boutiques of the charming old city. An idyllic place to stay for the night, don’t miss out on dining at the seafront in the evening.

For those who want even more sightseeing, take the 999 steps up to Palamidi Castle! or a more leisurely water taxi to Bourtzi. You can also see our Guide to Nafplion Page for more in this city.

Day 2. Mystras & Monemvasia

MYSTRAS

After a leisurely breakfast, we wind our way down towards Mystras. Lying in the southeast Peloponnese we visit the 800-year-old ruins of the Medieval city & UNESCO site. Once the seat of Byzantine power in the region the city was abandoned rather than being destroyed and consequently its palaces, residences, mansions, churches, monasteries, water & drainage works, commercial workshops, extensive streets & fortifications all remain to explore.

MUSEUM OF THE OLIVE

From fossilized olive leaves to oil presses from Santorini, if you want to deepen your knowledge of this important aspect of Greek & Mediterranean Culture the Museum of the Olive is the place for an immersive experience.

GROUP LUNCH Kapari

MONEMVASIA

Originally separated from the mainland by an earthquake, this Gibraltar-like rock was an ideal inaccessible natural fortress for settlement in the 6th century by the local inhabitants seeking protection from Slavic invaders in the 6th century. Monemvasia sits on a plateau 100 meters above sea level you will find a remarkable walled city, constructed and added to by the Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans until its liberation in the Greek War of Independence in the early 19th century. Originally only reachable by ship, we can now traverse the long narrow causeway onto the rock & up to the imposing walled entrance where we must continue on foot into the old and well-preserved city.

OVERNIGHT Monemvasia

Afternoon tips. Monemvasia is a delight and a living history in which to wander with its twisting labyrinthine streets, heritage buildings, multi-colored bougainvillea-covered guesthouses, and sea views. A stroll in any direction will uncover hidden cafes bars & boutique Restaurants amongst the renovated mansions of the city so just follow your nose.

Day 3. The Mani Peninsula

Today’s tour is dedicated to touring the Mani Peninsula, famous for its tower houses built to protect the local population from the piracy & dangerous times during medieval life up to the nineteenth century. Its inhabitants are the descendants of the Ancient Spartans & this combination of geography & hardy people kept the region independent to develop its own character from the rest of Greece. Our tour chooses several of the most beautiful routes of the peninsula stopping as appropriate at some of the distinct villages like Githeo and its quintessential village of Vathia, as well as its charming capital Kardymili.

GROUP LUNCH Limeni

CAVES OF DIROS

At this extensive cave system, you will descend to the underground shores of the lake where special guides navagate you in a kayak through the Caves main chambers until finally emerging close to the sea where your driver will be waiting for you to continue.

OVERNIGHT. Kardymili

Afternoon Tips. At first glance, Kardamyli is a sleepy fishing town. However, it has a long history with a mention in Homer’s Iliad, written about 1200BC, and is the administrative capital of the local municipality of Lefktro. For a good walk, we recommend its upper town with many pretty buildings from the Venetian period as well as some tower houses reminiscent of Mani & built for similar reasons of security. For those who want something slightly less active, the main street has many upmarket boutiques, cafes and bars, and some ideal views from the Restaurants at the seafront.

Day 4. Methoni

ANCIENT MESSINI

Ancient Messini was founded in 371 BC after the Theban general Epaminondas defeated Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra. The Messenians were freed from 350 years of Spartan rule and built a new capital and stronghold enclosed by a 9km wall.

An extensive city, the Archaeological site is still under excavation but contains a well-preserved theatre, marketplace, Sanctuary of Asclepius, and large stadium.

METHONI CASTLE

Methoni Castle, an extensive & well-preserved ruin that is Game of Thrones worthy along with stunning sea views from its battlements & promontories.

PALACE OF NESTOR

Next, we visit the Palace of Nestor set in a beautifully excavated building with displays providing a good reconstruction of the original two-story Mycenaean palace constructed over 3000 years ago & mentioned in Homer’s Iliad. There are also some amazing items from the site in the nearby museum which is the next stop.

GROUP LUNCH

We also visit one of the most famous beaches in Greece, Voidokilia, before our last stop at the pretty town of Pylos.

OVERNIGHT Pylos

Afternoon Tips. Pylos is a mid-size town of around 2.500 residents & built amphitheatrically amidst the beautiful scenery of Navarino Bay.

Many call it ‘little Switzerland’ due to the white houses with gardens & a high level of service in the town. Easy to get around on foot, things center around the Three Admirals’ Square with its huge plane tree planted in 1880. For a little more history, Niokastro is a very complete Ottoman Castle of 1573 with a nice museum worth visiting

Day 5. Ancient Olympia

ANCIENT OLYMPIA

Our morning is dedicated to Ancient Olympia, and one of the most magical locations in Greece. After transfer to the site, you will meet our expert Licenced Guide who will take you through all the history as high points along with the stories & mythology of the pieces in the museum.

Famous for its Olympic Games of antiquity you will see the places where the original athletes trained, taught, and go through the tunnel to emerge in the stadium in which they competed. The site is still home to the Temple of Zeus and Hera where the Olympic Flame is lit, the workshop of Phidias. For more on Olympia, you can also browse our Guide to Olympia Here.

OLYMPIA MUSEUM

Not to be missed is the local museum housing many of the masterpieces uncovered from the Archaeological site from the very drinking cup of Phidaus to the sculptures that adorned the Pediment of the Temple of Zeus.

GROUP LUNCH at Taverna Orestis

OVERNIGHT Olympia

Afternoon Tips. The village of Olympia is set next to the Archaeological site & offers more touristy food outlets & shops.

A stroll through the main street to see the souvenir shops makes a nice evening’s walk but there is less to offer in the wider area so we recommend taking more advantage of the relaxation time in the comfort of your hotel. This is also why we prefer a slightly larger Hotel in this location with additional facilities such as an indoor & outdoor pool & SPA, Restaurant & Bar.

Day 6. Dimitsana

WATER MILL & MUSEUM

Your view of Greece and understanding of its local culture will be forever changed & enriched by your visit to the water power museum which provides an amazing window into the society of past generations and moreover, a world of lost sustainability. You will not only learn about the integral value of these watermills which were spread all over pre-industrial Greece but see many skills & crafts brought to life again before your eyes in this working facility & Museum. Such mills were a hub of life. Most simply in the production of flour & bread, they also provided everything from a point of trade where people met to exchange ideas & culture, to a place where local artisans produced leather & textiles, where clothes & other household items were carried for washing & grapes were processed into spirits such as ‘raki’. This particular Mill also played a key Historical role in gunpowder production in the 1821 war of independence. Set in tranquil surroundings this is a real highlight for anyone interested in learning & connecting with the local culture of a bygone era.

MONASTERY OF THE PHILOSOPHER

The Lousios Gorge is also known as the ‘Mount Athos’ of the Peloponnese” due to the many Monasteries that can be found hidden high up in the sides of its steep cliffs. On our tour, we take time to visit one of the most beautifully located and largest, the Philosophers Monastery, which can be reached after a 10-minute walk from the road along a stone path & where you can ascend to be welcomed by the local monks with a Traditional Greek Coffee & sweet they produce. On entering you will have the impression that nothing has changed in the hundreds of years since this Monastery was founded as you gaze at its rock frescos from as far back as the 16th Century and learn more about the role of Greek life & History, or just enjoy the peaceful panoramic views over the Gorge below in this isolated place of nature & peace.

DIMITSANA & STEMNITSA

GROUP LUNCH

For our lunch stop, we visit Stemnitsa, one of the most beautiful villages of the Peloponnese with its stone-built houses & mansions & find a sense of timelessness amongst the mountain views. With many local arts & craft shops, this is also an ideal place to just wander through & pick up some local ‘Mountain tea’ forest Honey, or a souvenir of your time.

OVERNIGHT Dimitsana.

Afternoon Tips. In the afternoon we arrive at the village of Dimitsana. Together with Stemnitsa these two villages are a mecca for Hikers in the summer & Ski weekenders in the Winter. A very easy place to pass a great evening with enough restaurant choice in an easy walk.

Day 7. Kalavrita Railway

CAVE OF LAKES

The Cave of Lakes is an increasingly popular draw for visitors to this area due to its extensive multicolor galleries & stalactite formations with cascading lakes that form three different levels within its mouth. The caves are almost 2km long and the remains of an old subterranean river.

ODONTOTOS RAILWAY & KALAVRITA

Built over 100 years ago, the little train starts at the seaside village of Diakopto and climbs alongside the Vouraikos River Gorge to the village of Kalavrita as it traverses bridges and tunnels allowing you to dive deep into the local scenery. Enjoy lunch with a view & a wonderful location to reflect on your days in the Peloponnese before returning to Athens

LUNCH KALAVRITA

RETURN ATHENS

Return to central Athens. Your driver will return you to any central Athens address or Hotel as convenient.