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

What to expect on this itinerary
There are many ways to appreciate Greece, but none quite as rewarding as a tailored 10-day self-drive discovery of its Peloponnese Peninsula. Along the way and through the emerald mainland, stumble on incredible historical scenes, such as the destination where 300 Spartan warriors held thousands of Persian forces and the staggering viridian winelands of Nemea. Greece is yours to explore on this fascinating journey.
Customizable Itinerary
Galaxidi - Memories of the 300
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.
What's Included:
Olympia - The Oracle of Apollo
Kalamata - Recreations of Ancient Greece
Mani - The Sanctuary of Ancient Messene
Mani - On Quiet Shores
Monemvasia - Moments of Peace
Nafplio - This is Sparta
Nafplio - Mycenae and Epidaurus
Nafplio - Indulging in Nemea
Nafplio - Departure
Trip Highlights
- Stand in the very spot where 300 Spartans famously held off the advances of thousands of Persian forces in Thermopylae
- Discover the phenomenal landscapes that surround Delphi as well as the archaeological sites where Apollo is believed to have spoken to his oracle
- Explore the iconic Temple of Zeus and the athlete’s Stadium of Olympia during an augmented reality tour that recreates the ancient scenery
- Appreciate the spectacular seaside splendor of Kardamili, a historic town offered as a gift to Achilles during the great Trojan War
- Uncover more of the Peloponnese Peninsula’s charm during a visit of the humble fishing village of Limeni and a magnificent discovery of the geological sites within Diros Caves
- Traceback the years from 1249 to 1448, touring the Byzantine and Frankish origins of Mystra, and delve into the warring past in the city of Sparta
- Enjoy a true taste of Greece during a palate-pleasing tour of the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil
- Delight in scenes and historical discoveries within the archaeological sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus
- Set off to the emerald hills of Nemea to satisfy your taste buds with the nuanced flavors of Greece’s prestigious wines at premier estates
Starting Price
$4,300 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 73 reviews
Excellent! Everything was meticulously planned. All of our tours were very interesting and the drivers were courteous. We went to Athens, Naxos, and Santorini during our 11-day trip. Overall, I think our favorite place was Naxos, with Athens and the Acropolis being second, although the weather that morning was not the best. But our guide was excellent and kept us engaged while fighting rain and wind. As I mentioned, all the drivers and guides were excellent and I would highly recommend this trip. Santorini was beautiful too and the wine tour was extremely interesting. We highly recommend Zicasso.
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First, Zicasso’s travel specialist was so very helpful. From the beginning stages of planning and understanding our needs for six adults, from transfers to private tours, hotel stays, etc., she was always easy to reach and effectively communicated with me on any issues or questions I had. I will definitely use this travel company again.
A couple of things I'd like to share. The gondola ride in Venice was great. However, boarding near the large body of water didn't feel very intimate. Lots of people. I do understand that's because our tour ended there, near St. Mark's, which, by the way, was fantastic. Our guide was so knowledgeable and informative. Maybe if there was a place to get on that's on a smaller canal. Venice was great fun.
Although our hotel in Athens was nice and convenient, the area was not only very busy and very loud at night, it seemed sketchy/dirty. Maybe that's not the appropriate term, as I had never been to Athens before. I learned quickly that the graffiti was considered art and nobody seemed overly bothered by it. I guess in the US, most of our large cities, where there is low-income housing, have lots of graffiti. We also get arrested for vandalizing other people's property. I think if we were in another area, it wouldn't have been so bad. Again, not knowing Athens, perhaps that's all normal. I know it's a big city.
Our guide was very, very slow in terms of her ability to "walk and talk." She walked so slow, it was hard for all of us to slow down that much. She too was very informative. The Acropolis was packed, even at 9am, so great idea having us get picked up at 8am!!
Our transfer to and from Lavrio Port: the driver who dropped us off was taking us to the port. I did not have clear information that we needed to be around the corner at Olympic Marina, where the smaller catamarans take off. I was able to contact family that was already there to tell us where to go. On the transfer pick-up, the driver was late and again did not know to go to the marina area. He went to the port, where the large boats and ships are located. No biggie, but for future reference, the smaller boats and tours are at the marina.
I think our favorite was the Dolomites! We all love the outdoors, the cool air, the mountains. But the week-long guided tour through the Greek islands was absolutely spectacular. The water was incredibly crystal clear and the most gorgeous blue I'd ever seen. We will be back to Greece in the future to explore more.
Thanks again for all your hard work, efforts, and being easy to reach.
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Zicasso's travel specialist planned the most amazing 10-day Greek mythology-themed trip for my daughter's birthday. It was the perfect amount of sightseeing and downtime. Having everything planned made for a stress-free experience. All of the drivers and tour guides the travel company worked with were amazing. The travel specialist had great communication and was very accessible and responsive to any questions. We are beyond grateful for the amazing experience she helped us have.
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The itinerary is not the best for the price we paid and for a family with two children. We thought we could come back to Greece, but after this trip, we might not come back or even use Zicasso again. Here are the reasons: 1. The hotels are subpar for the price we paid for this tour. Our hotel in Athens felt like a 2-star. Our hotel in Santorini has a great view, but it's just a view, no pool, etc. nearby. Our hotel in Crete is not near a beach, a 20-minute walk. 2. Too much time was wasted on travel from one location to the next (Santorini to Crete and Crete to Athens). 3. Four nights in Santorini with two children is overkill since there is not much to do other than take photos, hike, and that's basically it. 4. Some of the tours are okay but nothing special, i.e., the hiking tour in Crete where they call the "little forest" is merely just for the name. It has nothing to do with the tour guides. All tour guides are great. However, we feel the tour company is crafting ordinary tours, labels it special, and calls it private. 5. In Delphi, we could have had more time to look around after the two hours. If any of the tours were great, it was the tours we had in Athens and Delphi. If we had known this type of tour we received, we could have done an all-inclusive resort in Greece and done our own without having to go through Zicasso and the tour company.
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We had a wonderful time in Greece. We spent 10 days there and went to Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. The accommodations were great and the planned excursions were fantastic. The weather was perfect.
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