Unique Peloponnese Itinerary: 10-Day Self-Driven Tour of Greece

In Athens, you will be introduced to the beauty of Greece as seen beneath the looming pillars of the Acropolis and the city’s humming streets. From here, you will collect your rental car and voyage through the country’s prolific mainland on a self-guided tour. Your journey will lead you to the mountain-flanked pastures of Thermopylae, the site where Leonidas’ 300 Spartan warriors battled thousands of Persian forces. History will give way to seaside scenes on the flowered banks of fishermen town Galaxidi this afternoon, where you will indulge in succulent seafood dishes under the Greek sun.

Greece is steeped in mythology and folklore that will seduce you as you spend time exploring venerated archaeological sites. Today, you will have a guided discovery of Delphi. Surrounded by lush mountains that tower over ancient ruins, you will uncover the scenes where Apollo is believed to have spoken to his oracle. Historical finds will continue to present themselves as you pass through Nafpaktos, a naval destination dominated by spectacles of Venetian castles. After this brief stop, you will cross the Rio-Antirio Bridge to Olympia.

Olympia is sanctified, and its flowered gardens and Greek monuments are too marvelous for words. Today, you will meander through these archaic temples and monuments among the evergreen hills. You will also be able to indulge in visits to the Temple of Zeus and the athlete’s Stadium with augmented reality software that will bring life to the remains of these once-bustling archaeological sites. You may feel as though you were standing beneath the mighty constructs of Ancient Greece. This afternoon, you will appreciate rugged landscape views and age-old architectural buildings of the mainland en route to Kalamata.

Today, you can peruse century-old pathways woven into the very fabric of Ancient Messene. You can also stroll to stone sanctuaries, manicured gardens, and fortified tombs where royal remains were safely encased. The unspoiled site is one of the few that remains standing in its former glory and untouched by devastating wars or cultural gentrification. Afterward, you can enjoy lunch before continuing to the coastline to seaside destinations, such as Kardamili, which is a spectacular seascape that was offered to Achilles during the Trojan War. The sweet aromas of freshly brewed Greek coffee and images of sun-washed beaches lay between you and your next destination of Mani.

Isolated on the edge of the Peloponnese Peninsula, Mani is an uncrowded treasure of Byzantine history that you will be thrilled to enjoy today. Narrow cobblestone alleys weave between bricked buildings where fragrances of Greek meze, traditional Greek snacks served on platters, spill from the windows of sizzling eateries. Friendly locals welcome visitors to meander through their colorful curios stalls and are willing to chat in broken English about their culture. You may bask in the easy-going atmosphere that flows through Areopoli or visit the picturesque fishing village of Limeni and venture to the staggering Diros Caves.

Today, very little will be planned to allow you a few moments rest within the breathtaking splendor of Mani. You may luxuriate in the wonders of the Peloponnese Peninsula’s spectacles from golden beaches where the water is crystal-clear. You can also revitalize your mind and body with delightful therapies at fragrant spa centers. Every minute of the morning and afternoon will present a variety of ways to relax and unwind on Greek’s picture-perfect peninsula. At some point today, you will gather your belongings and continue your travels to Monemvasia.

The mysticism of Byzantine heritage will unravel itself as you tour to Mystras to trace back Frankish origins and empirical orders from 1249 to 1448 in palaces and spiritual monasteries. The ancient civilization will be spotlighted more as you arrive in the city of Sparta. The military destination, where feared Spartan hoplites trained, is littered with remarkable sites that reveal its warring eras, such as the Spartan Theater. You will learn more about the country’s dramatic past before enjoying a more subdued experience of tasting delicious oils and Greek cuisine in the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil.

En route to your final Greek destination, you will deeply enjoy the phenomenal sights, sounds, and smells that imbue the Argolis region. Images of rolling hills with preserved stone theaters will meet your eyes, and the delicate aromas of blossoming flowers will flood the landscape. Indelible beauty blankets this countryside. Here, the fabled archaeological sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus rest. You can discover the historical underpinnings within the hallowed atmosphere of their stoned constructs, which will reveal more fascinating truths into the world as it once stood.

A large part of European culture stems from its adoration of good wine, which is a facet that you cannot afford to miss on your travels to the fruitful wine regions in the country, Nemea. From rich soil, lush vineyards grow and stretch down the sweeping hillside that surrounds the region's wine estates. You will settle in at a neatly decorated table for a tasting experience that will be backdropped by spectacular countryside vistas. During your experience, you will delve into meticulously produced vintages.

Your tour will come to an end today after one last cruise through the bucolic countryside with brief stops at a few beloved destinations. Across a waterway lies Hydra, a heartthrob town emblazoned with decadent mansions and light-flooded town squares. Afterward, you will continue to Athens to drop off your rental car and prepare for your flight home. If you wish to see more of Greece’s spellbinding capital, you may arrange to stay for a few more nights of discovery.