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Olympia Project
Katakolon

Olympia Project

6 h. tour  (Semiprivate tour, up to 25 people max. per guide)

Cost per person: 108 euro (96 euro for children up to 5 years)

(skip-the-line entrance tickets included)

(children up to 3 y.o. free)

(Transportation + guidance all the way + guided tour of ancient Site + guided tour of the archeological museum + free time in Olympia + Greek cuisine gourmet buffet)

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The concept of this exclusive tour is to offer you an enhanced experience from your visit in Olympia. The tour starts as soon as the bus leaves the pier in Katakolon. Your licensed guide will provoke on board guidance that includes information about Katakolon, Pyrgos and the prefecture of Ilia. Also you will be given a description of what you are about to see in Olympia and all historical elements of the birthplace of the Olympic Games. When you arrive in Olympia you will not not loose valuable time in case there are a lot of people waiting in a queue at the ticket booth as we would have purchased in advance the entrance tickets.

For your guided tour there will be assigned enough tour guides, so no one will be in a group larger than 25 people. The guided tour of the archeological site and museum will last about 2 and a half hours.

The archeological site of the first Olympic Games, in 776 B.C., lies in the lush valley formed by the Alfios river. There is a temple of Zeus which in antiquity was housing one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient world, the gold and ivory statue of Zeus, which Phedias had created. Then see the temple of Hera, as well as the shrine of Hera which is where since 1936 the Olympic Torch is always being lit from the sun, the shrine of Pelops(one of the oldest in the sanctuary), the Council house where the athletes took the Olympic oath, the Treasury houses, the Gymnasium and the Palaestra where they used to exercise for a month prior to the Games. Finally you will reach the stadium, where the marble starting blocks are still in position.

You will also visit the Archeological Museum, only a short walk from the Olympia site itself. Here you will find a wonderful collection of Greek sculpture, as well as treasures that have been unearthed over a century of excavations. See the breathtaking original pediments from the Temple of Zeus, all in white marble from Paros, illustrating the mythical war between the Centaurs and the Lapiths on the one side, the beginning of the chariot race between Prince Pelops and King Oinomaos on the other side. The museum is also home to the famous Hermes of Praxiteles statue, as well as the marble statue of Nike and the bronze helmet of general Miltiades who defeated the Persian army in 490 BC in the battle of Marathon.

After the guided tour you will have a short stop in the modern town of Olympia, for coffee or shopping.

After your free time in Olympia, you can enjoy the serene environment of a local restaurant, where Mrs. Vasso, the owner, will personally greet you with a warm smile and an all-you-can-eat buffet. You will have the opportunity to taste some of the most famous recipes of traditional Greek cuisine, cooked by Vasso in homemade style. Gyros and “tyropita” will be prepared there, in front of you, as well as many other famous dishes such as stuffed cabbage leaves in lemon sauce(lachanodolmades), mousaka, stuffed tomatoes and peppers with rice(yemista), fresh peas or green beans cooked in olive oil, vegetable soup, veal stew with onions in wine sauce(stifado) and of course tzatziki and beetroot salad. These are some of the dishes you will be able to enjoy and depending on the season and what's fresh each day in the market, several other options will be available and one or two of the above mentioned dishes might not be available the day you will be here. Wine from local vine yards and traditional Greek desserts are included with no extra charge, as well as Greek coffee, which you will be taught how to prepare yourselves.

Please note that most of the dishes are GLUTEN FREE as well as that most dishes are appropriate for VEGETERIANS.

Take advantage of the restaurant's pool for a quick swim before lunch, or relaxation on the sun beds, weather permitting.

When it’s time to depart for Katakolon, your guide will make sure that everyone is on the bus and will escort you back to the port. On the way back you can discuss your experience in Olympia and ask questions that your guide will be happy to answer.

Audio devices (microphone for the tour guide and earpieces for the guests) are included in this tour.

Overall Rating (8)

5 out of 5 stars

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Reviews (9)

  • Susan Major

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    We were a group of 4 which went on the Olympia Project, semi private tour. We were met off our ship with many smiling faces to greet us and point us in the right direction to our bus. Our tour guide, Magdalena was a wealth of information and made our day. We avoided the worst of the crowds at each place we went to. The greek lunch topped off the day, beautifully. I would certainly recommend this tour and the tour company to others. Thanks to Rick Steve's book I found this tour.

    from Australia
  • AMALIA EIDELMAN

    Joanna was wonderful. Mateo

  • Rose Schug

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Highly recommended! My husband found this company referral from a Rick Steve's book. We couldn't be more satisfied. The booking arrangements done via Nikki were easy, with quick responses to questions and specific details and maps where to meet. We were a family of 6 total and the experience will last a lifetime. Joanna was our guide in Olympia. She was the perfect blend; knowledgeable about history, culture, traditions and economy; witty; and honest. I was a little hesitant to do the additional fee for the luncheon since in previous tours with Costco or Cruise ship lines, it just seems like a way to add more fees and nothing truly special and our focus wasn't so much the food but the actual tour. If you find yourself in the same situation please know that the lunch is not only worth the price but rounds out the experience in Olympia, Greece. Our kids ranged in ages from 21-25 and while they have varying tastes, each of them also gave it high ratings. Thank you Joanna!!

  • Rose Schug

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Buy this tour, you won't be disappointed. Booking the trip was fast and efficient with Nikki answering questions quickly. We were a party of 6 met right outside our cruise area as mapped. Joanna was our guide who was very knowledgeable with a great sense of humor too. She provided information about Greece- history, culture, and current economic and political challenges thru the 30+ min ride. Bus was air conditioned and comfortable. She planned to tour museum first ( less crowds then) and to see actual sites later. This proved to be very beneficial. Then we were treated to a wonderful Greek lunch. Typically I would pass on food options with an additional fee, but so glad I didn't. It was wonderful food and ambiance. The additional cost was more than worthwhile. Thank you Joanna and Nikki!

  • Matthew

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    EXCELLANT TOUR!
    Number of guests: 6
    Pick Up Location: cruise ship port in Katakolon.
    Transportation: very comfortable air conditioned motor coach approximately 1 hour ride.
    Tour Guide: JOANNA WAS WONDERFUL! Very knowledgeable and witty and a pleasure to spend the day with!
    Olympia Tour: Combination of museum and site tour. The museum is air-conditioned and well organized. BRING YOUR STUDENT CARD and save on the entrance fee. COME DRESSED TO WALK - the site is fascinating! There is a small concession.
    Lunch & Entertainment: Very tasty BUFFET with something for everyone. Meal included wine and ouzo! DANCERS were lively and engaging! Beautiful setting!
    Shopping Time: the stores in Olympia and Katakolon have a variety of things to purchase from souvenirs and jewelry to local art work and clothing.
    GREAT EXPERIENCE!

    from Vernon, BC, Canada
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