Olive and Wine Roads
Athens-Olympia-Pylos-Kardamyli-Monemvasia
The Olive Tree, "the tree that feeds the children" according to Sophocles, is the protagonist of the Greek nature, history and especially the Greek diet. On this tour, we will explore the gorgeous regions in the Peloponnese where exceptional olive oil and wine are produced. We will taste various Greek wines, olives and deliciously heathy local cuisine during a relaxing journey, which promises to arouse the senses and the imagination.
Athens-Olympia-Pylos-Kardamyli-Monemvasia
The Olive Tree, "the tree that feeds the children" according to Sophocles, is the protagonist of the Greek nature, history and especially the Greek diet. On this tour, we will explore the gorgeous regions in the Peloponnese where exceptional olive oil and wine are produced. We will taste various Greek wines, olives and deliciously heathy local cuisine during a relaxing journey, which promises to arouse the senses and the imagination.
Athens
DAY 1 : Arrival in Athens-transfer to Electra Palace hotel. After lunch, tour Acropolis, Acropolis museum and historic center of Athens. Welcome dinner and overnight.
DAY 1 : Arrival in Athens-transfer to Electra Palace hotel. After lunch, tour Acropolis, Acropolis museum and historic center of Athens. Welcome dinner and overnight.
Olympia
DAY 2 : After breakfast pick up from hotel's lobby and depart for Olympia. Light lunch on the way. Guided visit at the archaeological site of Olympia. Overnight at Hotel Europa.
Olympia was founded when Herakles planted the olive tree on the site. A wreath made from olive branches was awarded to winners of the Olympic games and athletes anointed themselves with olive oil before competing.
DAY 2 : After breakfast pick up from hotel's lobby and depart for Olympia. Light lunch on the way. Guided visit at the archaeological site of Olympia. Overnight at Hotel Europa.
Olympia was founded when Herakles planted the olive tree on the site. A wreath made from olive branches was awarded to winners of the Olympic games and athletes anointed themselves with olive oil before competing.
Pylos
DAY 3: After breakfast depart for Pylos. Group dinner in town of Pylos, overnight at Zoe resort.
DAY 4: After breakfast, morning visit to Nestor's Palace. Afternoon free. Overnight at Zoe resort.
“Nestor’s Palace, is the site where 3200 year-old olive oil jars are found in a panoramic and atmospheric setting. It is said that Nestor's youngest daughter, Polykaste, bathed Telemachus, son of Odysseus when he came searching for his father. Homer describes her anointing him with oil: 'bathing him first, then rubbing him with oil. She held fine cloths and a cloak to put around him when he came godlike from the bathing place'.
King Nestor son of Nelios, was one of the Achaean chieftains who, according to the Iliad, went with his fleet of 90 black ships to Troy (only Agamemnon sent more ships) to wrest Menelaus' wife Helen back from Paris, and was one of the few to return safely. He was described by Homer as wise, eloquent and a peacemaker, and is said to have lived to over a hundred. He was one the king of Pylos--one of the most important cities in the Mycenaean period and the palace was occupied from 1300-1200BCE”
DAY 3: After breakfast depart for Pylos. Group dinner in town of Pylos, overnight at Zoe resort.
DAY 4: After breakfast, morning visit to Nestor's Palace. Afternoon free. Overnight at Zoe resort.
“Nestor’s Palace, is the site where 3200 year-old olive oil jars are found in a panoramic and atmospheric setting. It is said that Nestor's youngest daughter, Polykaste, bathed Telemachus, son of Odysseus when he came searching for his father. Homer describes her anointing him with oil: 'bathing him first, then rubbing him with oil. She held fine cloths and a cloak to put around him when he came godlike from the bathing place'.
King Nestor son of Nelios, was one of the Achaean chieftains who, according to the Iliad, went with his fleet of 90 black ships to Troy (only Agamemnon sent more ships) to wrest Menelaus' wife Helen back from Paris, and was one of the few to return safely. He was described by Homer as wise, eloquent and a peacemaker, and is said to have lived to over a hundred. He was one the king of Pylos--one of the most important cities in the Mycenaean period and the palace was occupied from 1300-1200BCE”
Kardamyli
“Kardamyli was one of the seven cities offered to Achilles by Agamemnon in the Iliad. This tiny village has one of the prettiest settings in the Peloponnese, nestled between the blue waters of the Messinian Gulf and the Taÿgetos Mountains. The Vyros Gorge, which emerges just north of town, runs to the foot of Mt Profitis Ilias (2407m), the highest peak of the Taÿgetos. Today the gorge and surrounding areas are very popular with hikers, with numerous trails passing through tiny, timeless villages.
Several scenes from the movie Before Midnight, featuring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy (released in 2013), were shot around Kardamyli. The area has also long been a place of pilgrimage for devotees of the legendary writer Patrick Leigh Fermor, who lived in nearby Kalamitsi Bay for several decades until his death in 2011. Fermor fought in the Greek Resistance in WWII and wrote Mani, which is considered by many to be the definitive book on the region.”
DAY 5: After breakfast visit the Olive groves of EVGE organic olive oil in the hills above Kalamata. A short description of olive growing and pressing will be given. Light lunch on the way to Kardamyli. Overnight at Melitsina hotel.
“Kardamyli was one of the seven cities offered to Achilles by Agamemnon in the Iliad. This tiny village has one of the prettiest settings in the Peloponnese, nestled between the blue waters of the Messinian Gulf and the Taÿgetos Mountains. The Vyros Gorge, which emerges just north of town, runs to the foot of Mt Profitis Ilias (2407m), the highest peak of the Taÿgetos. Today the gorge and surrounding areas are very popular with hikers, with numerous trails passing through tiny, timeless villages.
Several scenes from the movie Before Midnight, featuring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy (released in 2013), were shot around Kardamyli. The area has also long been a place of pilgrimage for devotees of the legendary writer Patrick Leigh Fermor, who lived in nearby Kalamitsi Bay for several decades until his death in 2011. Fermor fought in the Greek Resistance in WWII and wrote Mani, which is considered by many to be the definitive book on the region.”
DAY 5: After breakfast visit the Olive groves of EVGE organic olive oil in the hills above Kalamata. A short description of olive growing and pressing will be given. Light lunch on the way to Kardamyli. Overnight at Melitsina hotel.
DAY 6: Morning demonstration of olive oil soap and beneficial properties of olive oil. Transportation to the beach "Fonea". Afternoon free. Overnight at Melitsina hotel.
Monemvasia
“With the nickname Gibraltar of the East and bearing a strong resemblance to the Mont Saint-Michel in Brittany, the island town of Monemvasia topped by its medieval castle lies at the end of a 200-metre causeway with a wooden bridge connecting it to the east coast of the Peloponnese. On the peninsula, the buildings have been preserved and restored and comprise of shops, cafes, restaurants and quant B&Bs. Visitors are welcome to stroll up its winding streets, to admire the historic walls of the upper town, the numerous Byzantine and Venetian churches, and the Turkish mosque. As well as enjoying the views and ambience of this strikingly picturesque town, you can drop in to the Archaeological Museum of Monemvasia which displays antiquities from the various periods of its colorful history.”
DAY 7: After breakfast visit Sparta olive museum. Light lunch in Gythio. Overnight in Monemvasia, at Likinia hotel.
DAY 8 : Optional cooking lesson and various activities at Liotrivi mansion. Overnight at Likinia hotel.
Athens
DAY 9: After breakfast visit Palivou winery in Nemea for wine tasting and buffet lunch. Depart for Rafina. Farewell dinner and overnight at Avra Hotel, Rafina.
DAY 10 : Transfer to Athens Airport for departure flight.
Rates per person in double occupancy:
Cost per person: $3680
Single supplement: $575
Triple reduction: $125
RATES INCLUDE:
· All on land transportation and transfers
· Full time guide, who is fluent in Greek language and culture
· Local site guides and entrance fees
· Wine and olive oil tasting, cooking lesson and other culinary activities
· All meals
· Accommodation in 4 star hotels with character
Please contact carol@ambrosiasc.com or call 803-445-8545 for more information
“With the nickname Gibraltar of the East and bearing a strong resemblance to the Mont Saint-Michel in Brittany, the island town of Monemvasia topped by its medieval castle lies at the end of a 200-metre causeway with a wooden bridge connecting it to the east coast of the Peloponnese. On the peninsula, the buildings have been preserved and restored and comprise of shops, cafes, restaurants and quant B&Bs. Visitors are welcome to stroll up its winding streets, to admire the historic walls of the upper town, the numerous Byzantine and Venetian churches, and the Turkish mosque. As well as enjoying the views and ambience of this strikingly picturesque town, you can drop in to the Archaeological Museum of Monemvasia which displays antiquities from the various periods of its colorful history.”
DAY 7: After breakfast visit Sparta olive museum. Light lunch in Gythio. Overnight in Monemvasia, at Likinia hotel.
DAY 8 : Optional cooking lesson and various activities at Liotrivi mansion. Overnight at Likinia hotel.
Athens
DAY 9: After breakfast visit Palivou winery in Nemea for wine tasting and buffet lunch. Depart for Rafina. Farewell dinner and overnight at Avra Hotel, Rafina.
DAY 10 : Transfer to Athens Airport for departure flight.
Rates per person in double occupancy:
Cost per person: $3680
Single supplement: $575
Triple reduction: $125
RATES INCLUDE:
· All on land transportation and transfers
· Full time guide, who is fluent in Greek language and culture
· Local site guides and entrance fees
· Wine and olive oil tasting, cooking lesson and other culinary activities
· All meals
· Accommodation in 4 star hotels with character
Please contact carol@ambrosiasc.com or call 803-445-8545 for more information
