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Private Cephalonia Tour
Leaving the harbor of Argostoli, you will take the road leading up the slopes of Mount Ainos, heading to Melissani Lake in Karavomylos.
On arrival, with your guide, you will walk a short distance down the tunnel leading to the underground lake, where you will board small wooden boats for a short trip around the lake and the surrounding caves.
After you visit the lake, you will drive to the traditional village of Fragata. You will visit the Old Monastery of Saint Gerasimos, the patron Saint of Cephalonia, where his mummified body is kept.
You can also visit the crypt of the “Saint” hidden in the basement of the Monastery.
Very close to the Monastery, is the Robola Winery, where you can have a short tour around the winery plus a true insight to the production methods, followed by a taste of local wines.
Athens Explorers All-Inclusive
8 h. tour (Semiprivate tour, up to 18 people max. per guide)
Cost per person: 225 euro (175 euro for children up to 5 years)
(skip-the-line entrance tickets included)
(Transportation + guidance all the way + guided city bus tour of Athens + guided tour of the new Acropolis Museum + guided tour of the Acropolis and the Parthenon + walking tour of Plaka and free time there)
We are proud to introduce to you our premium Athens tour, which combined in a full tour, includes the most popular Athenian highlights. Athens is a city with some of the most important worlds history, great architecture, "hidden" old districts, some of the best museums in the world and of course a lot of great restaurants where someone can taste the famous Greek cuisine.
We have designed this exclusive tour, for the travelers that want to learn and experience everything off the beaten track, on a more personal way than being in a large group, getting the feeling of being on a private tour, although you pay for a shared one.
Maximum 18 people per guide, a luxurious and agile minibus and one of our carefully selected excellent professionals, a licensed tour guide who will augment your experience. This is the perfect tour for people that only have one day in Athens with several benefits, such a of being able to move around easier, with more flexibility and with your guide being there for all of you and answering everyone’s questions.
Except for visiting the Athens Highlights, the Parthenon and the Acropolis museum, you will also enjoy a walking tour pass Plaka, the Anafiotika district, as well as a dining experience at one of the most typical tavernas of "Old Athens". The dining experience will include typical and popular Greek dishes.
The tour with the licensed tour guide and the private vehicle will start from the port of Piraeus. Along the way you will keep seeing and hearing explanations about the different parts of Piraeus and Athens, such as the Kastela and Mikrolimano ports. Since Athens hosted the Olympic Games in 2004 and most of the Olympic settlements were located on the southern suburbs of it, you will cross an Olympic Venue and you will follow an open free way that will bring you right at the center of Athens. While being amazed by the first views of the Acropolis and the Parthenon as you will be driving though the city, you will also be impressed by the view of the massive remaining marble Corinthian columns of the temple of Zeus which still stand in the triangle between the Acropolis, the Panathenaic stadium and the Zappion Mansion which in 1896 was the Olympic Committee building. Next comes the Panathenaic marble stadium of the 1896 Olympics where you will stop for photos. The sightseeing will proceed passing the Parliament house, the Sydagma square, the Athenian Trilogy consisted by the Academy, the Library and the University buildings, the semi-byzantine building of the first eye clinic building in Europe and the church of St. Dionysios which is the Metropolis of the Catholic church in Athens. The drive will proceed through the Stadiou Avenue and the other side of Sydagma square, the Arch of Hadrian and will either end nearby so that your walking tour will begin.
It is 156 meters to the top of the Acropolis and most of the ancient marble paths are still there, for you to walk on and "travel" with your imagination, back in the glorious "Golden Age of Pericles", when most of the Classical period monuments you will admire were built. Climbing up you will see and hear explanations about the Filopappos hill, the Herodium Odeon, the Dionysius theatre and the Pnyx hill - birthplace of Democracy.
Stopping before the Propylaea, you will have an excellent view of the temple of Wingless Nike and the Ancient Agora, where Socrates, Plato and Aristotle introduced great philosophical schools. Walking through the Propylaea you will reach the top and you will see the breathtaking Parthenon and the Erechtheion temple ,where the Karyatides stood supporting the roof. Walking down you will have another beautiful view of the Ancient Agora and parts of Plaka, as well as the Observatory of Athens.
Next comes the visit of The New Acropolis Museum, characterized as one of the best museums in the world, where you will see parts of the excavations of the ancient city through its glass floor, an amazing exhibition of "Kores" and "Kouroi" statues, the Karyatides e.t.c. As you will be ascending the different levels of the museum, you will reach the top floor, all glass, where admiring the remaining pediments and frieze of the Parthenon you will also have an excellent view of the Parthenon itself. This is the next best view of the Parthenon, if any of you for any reason would prefer to not climb up the Acropolis hill.
Around Plaka and Anafiotika, both located next to the Acropolis, are some of the most reputable and old tavernas in Athens, popular to all visitors that first come to Athens, but also to all Athenians, that every chance they get, they will "get away" from the busy modern Athens, to "travel" to a district that reminds them of the alleys of their home villages or the islands. You will see that once you get there, you will get the feeling you are not in current Athens no more. Depending on the day and month of your visit we will arrange for your dining experience to be offered to you at the most appropriate taverna among the few we have selected for you. You will be served a typical Greek dining expeirence with traditional Greek cuisine dishes.
The order of the visits on this tour might change, according to your guide's judgment, depending on the weather, traffic or other reasons that might affect the timings and your enjoyment, which is our main goal.Full guidance by a professional officially licensed, fluent in English tour guide and private transportation by a luxurious fully air-conditioned private vehicle and a professional non smoking driver, entrance tickets for the Acropolis Hill and New Acropolis Museum, the dining experience ,as well as taxes are included.
Dense crowding is expected at the Acropolis Hill and there might be waiting times to enter the archaeological site.
Gratuities, as well as snacks and drinks either than the dining experience, are not included.
Private local tour of Meteora
Meteora is one of the most amazing places in Greece. Meaning "suspended in air" the name Meteora soon came to encompass the entire rock community of 24 monasteries, the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos. There were no steps and the main access to the monasteries was by means of a net that was hitched over a hook and hoisted up by rope and a hand cranked windlass to winch towers overhanging the chasm. Monks descended in the nets or on retractable wooden ladders up to 40m long to the fertile valleys below to grow grapes, corn and potatoes. Each community developed its own resources and by the end of the 14th century, the Grand Meteoron emerged as the dominant community. The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage.
There are six monasteries that can be visited: Grand Meteoron, Varlaam, Roussanou, St. Stephen, Holy Trinity and St. Nikolaos, that can be visited only specific days and times.
Please note that due to Covid-19 health protocol, guided tours inside Grand Meteoron are not allowed. If you'd like to visit this monastery, your guide will provide all information outside the monastery and you will visit it on your own.
Additionally, to visit the monasteries men should not wear shorts, and women must wear long skirts. If you don't have skirts with you, you can get them outside Varlaam monastery for the cost of 3.00 euro per piece.
For the local guided tour with a licensed tour guide of each monastery you will need approximately 1 hour. Usually during each local guided tour you will visit two of the monasteries, depending on the day and time of your visit.
Paleokastritsa and beach getaway
4 h. tour (Private tour)
(transportation + visit of Virgin Mary monastery + photo stop at Bella Vista/Lakones + free time at Paleokastritsa beach)
Departing from Corfu's port, you will drive to Paleokastritsa, the west coast's most picturesque resort. Paleokastritsa consists of two large peninsulas and five coves surrounded by wooded hills. There you will find the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary, founded in 1225, perched on the rocky northern promontory. The building which exists today was built later and houses a museum with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons. Its picturesque bell tower must be one of the most photographed sights in Corfu.
It's a short ride from there to the traditional small village of Lakones, that overlooks Paleokastritsa and the Ionian sea. You will make a short stop there for photos, before starting your drive back down to sea level.
You will then have time to visit the beach found in Paleokastritsa. There you can relax by the seaside, swim in the crystalline waters, and take photos of the beautiful scenery there.
At the end of your excursion you will be taken back to the port.
Private local tour of Ancient Messene
Ancient Messene or Ithome is a spectacular archaeological site, a UNESCO monument which combines diverse beauties as it is built on the slopes of mountain Ithome but also at the one side at the Messenian valley. It is a site that is not yet very well known of existing to the majority of the people that travel around Greece exploring great archaeological monuments, absolutely worth it to drive to.
The city was founded on the 4th century B.C. by Epaminondas, the general from Thebes and became the capital of the Messenian state, obtaining a colossal 9.5 kms long fortification, that still stands on most parts, along with its gates and towers.
Enjoy your guided tour, walking pass the theatre, the Arsinoe fountain, the Agora, the Vouleuterion and one of the most impressive ancient stadiums ever discovered. The restored columns of the gymnasium, the palaestra and the Heroon around the stadium are setting a truly unique scenery. You will need to do a lot of walking, most of it uphill on the way out, but it’s absolutely worth it.
For the guided visit of the site with a licensed tour guide you will need approximately 1.5 hours but you can easily spend one more hour afterwards, taking pictures, but also visiting the small archaeological museum on the top of the road.
Private local tour of Monemvasia
Monemvasia, the only still inhabited archaeological site in Greece, is a breathtaking medieval town, built in a Venetian castle, surrounded by the teal waters of the Aegean sea.
Its name “moni-emvasis” means only one way in. Once you pass that gate, you feel like time has stopped.
Enjoy a 1.5 hour guided tour through its little stone made alleys and admire the unique architecture. Your licensed tour guide will present you the history of this amazing city, and will connect it with its current life. There are several historical churches in it, with the most important being the one of Christ on the main square of Monemvasia, from where you will be able to enjoy the view to the Mirtoon sea.
If hiking a steep path is not a problem for you, you can extend your tour to 2.5 hours and allow your guide to present to you the history of the upper town, which was recently restored and reopened. One of the must see monuments there is the church of Agia Sophia.
Private local tour of Ancient Sparta
The glorious ancient city has been destroyed several times, but was also a city that wasn’t fond of colossal constructions or fancy living. Therefore, apart from a few ruins on the hill next to the Roman theater, there aren’t that many things to see, but there is a lot of interesting history and information to hear from your licensed tour guide.
Meet your licensed tour guide at the area next to the modern statue of Leonidas and travel back in time, hearing all about him and life in Sparta back in the 5th century B.C. Then start walking towards its Acropolis and see the ruins of the Roman theatre, the “circular” monument, the Basilica of Christ the Saviour etc.
You will need approximately 50 minutes for this visit.
If you would like to also visit the archaeological museum with your guide, you can drive to the modern city where it is located and spend another one hour there.
Private local tour of Mystras
The castle town of Mystras is a Byzantine monument that seats on the slopes of the steep mountain, on a very impressive way. It was established on the 13th century.
The steps of the visitors echo loudly in the magical silence of the castle. The city was divided in 3 sections, surrounded by big stone fortifying walls, having still today 2 gates, one on the top of the castle town and one at the end of it in the lower part.
Enjoy a 2 hour guided tour with a licensed tour guide being prepared for an extended walk on a steep path made of stone with several ramps and steps along the way.
All around you, you will keep seeing ruins of houses and churches of the times of glory of Mystras, as well as several of the still standing or under restoration churches as well as the very impressive complex of the palaces.
Agia Sophia, Agios Nikolaos, Agios Dimitrios, Pantanassa, Agioi Theodoroi are just a few of the several churches that still stand and you can choose to visit and allow your guide to tell you more about their architecture and the wonderful frescoes that have survived in most of them, travelling you back in time.
At the end of your tour you can spend more time walking around and taking pictures, or you can also visit the small museum which is housed in the building next to the Metropolis church of Agios Dimitrios.
Your tour guide can meet you at the lower part, where you can park your car, drive you to the top and start your tour, avoiding hiking up and getting to see the whole of the archaeological site from the top to the bottom.
Pyrgi and Mesta tour
You will be welcomed at the port by your English speaking driver and will start driving to the southern part of the island. Your driver who is a local expert will be able to point out some nice spots to stop along the way for photographs. Your first visit will be the famous “painted” village of Pyrgi. This village stands out from the other mastic villages because of its houses are painted with decorative motives in different shapes, the so called Xysta. Near Pyrgi is also the new Mastic Museum of Chios, that you can also visit if you are interested in learning more about the gum mastic of Chios. Continuing your drive, you will visit the village of Mesta, the most well preserved mastic village of Chios. The village was built in Byzantine times as a castle and walking through the windy alleys of the village, underneath the balconies of the houses is a memorable experience. In Mesta you can also make a short stop for coffee at a traditional coffee shop of the village, before starting your drive back to the port.
The Oia Experience
5.5 hour semi-private tour (maximum 18 participants)
COST: 165 EURO P.P. (CHILDREN UP TO 3 Y.O. JOIN FOR FREE)
(Private boat trip from Old port to Ammoudi port of Oia – Oia village – Blue domes – Winery and wine tasting experience – Fira)
This tour is specially designed to avoid queuing up at the cable car and getting to Oia within a short period of time, giving you a very good chance not to be there later on when it’s crowded. The tour emphasizes in Oia village, where you will spend a total of 2.5 hours but also includes the Santorini wine experience and the Blue Domes in Firostefani. Tour ends in Fira where you can spend time before taking the cable car back to the Old port.
Your qualified fluent in English tour director will be waiting to welcome you at the pier of the Old port at the point where your ship’s tender boats will let you off. Instead of taking the cable car, enjoy 20 minutes of cruising along the coastline of the 1,000 feet cliff on the gulf of the Caldera with the private boat that we will charter for our guests. As we understand that your limited time at the island is precious, we try to minimize all delays and this private boat will be only for our guests, and the tour will start at the designated time without any delays. Admire the spectacular view of the island from sea level, as the black cliff towers above you and take pictures of the houses that hang like grapes from the edge of the cliff.
You will then arrive at Ammoudi, the picturesque fishing port of Oia. It will take you less than 10 minutes with your private Mercedes Sprinter minibus to drive up to the village of Oia. Your local expert tour director will orientate you and give you information about the island of Santorini and Oia village, and then you will be free to wander around and explore on your own. The village of Oia is full of narrow streets, which typifies the white-painted houses of the Cyclades. In many cases they are built directly into niches which are cave houses used by the crew of the ships, on the lip of the volcanic crater, between which are narrow alleys and blue-roofed churches with cupolas and neoclassical mansions that used to be captain’s houses in the 19th century.
After you gather all together again, you will drive south towards a local winery, and along the way you will make a photo stop at Firostefani to take pictures at the most famous blue dome Christian Orthodox church of the island.
Continuing the drive you will visit one of the most famous and oldest wineries in Santorini. Established in 1880 inside a natural cave 8 meters below ground, there is also located the only wine museum in Greece which is considered one of the best wine museums in the world (ranked as #2). You will enjoy a tour of the wine museum that presents the history and life of wine from 1660, and then enjoy in a private hall a wine tasting experience of 4 wines, one of which is the famous Vinsanto, accompanied with hard dried bread. An electronic audio guide will be provided to you with information for both the wine museum, but also for the tasting experience. Then you will all get back to your vehicle and drive back to Fira.
In case there is no availability at the winery, we will visit a different carefully selected winery in Santorini for the tour and tasting experience of 4 wines, including the famous Vinsanto.
Once back at Fira your tour director will show you the way to the cable car, and also provide you a map of Fira, in case you would like to spend some time exploring the alleys.
Your transportation vehicle will be an agile Mercedes Sprinter or similar minibus, driven by an experienced professional non-smoking driver. Throughout the tour you will be accompanied by a fluent in English qualified tour director, who will provide interesting commentary on board. Your tour director will give you a tour of Oia village and the winery. Smaller vehicles may be used for 6 or less participants.
The price includes transportation, throughout escorting by an English speaking tour director, the wine tour and tasting in the winery.
Food, beverages, gratuities and return tickets for the cable car are not included.
* In the case that we are running more than 1 groups of the Oia Experience tour that day, a private boat big enough for all our guests will be chartered and each group will have a private tour director and a private Mercedes minibus.
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Important note: We feel obliged to notify the travellers that are wishing to visit Santorini island in a day's excursion from a cruise ship, as there are certain dates during the season that their cruise ship will arrive along with 2, 3 or more cruise ships. Having in mind that Santorini is a small island and with small villages and narrow roads, at these specific dates the places visited are bound to get very crowded. Even on those dates, we can guarantee the implementation of our excursion's itinerary and returning on time to get back to your cruise ship. On the other hand we cannot do anything about the crowded areas, eg streets of Oia, Old Port etc, that will not allow our guests to enjoy the magnificent environment the island offers as they should. Nevertheless we promise to do our best efforts for our guests to experience the best Santorini has to offer. |
