Athens and Peloponnese
Holidays in Greece: fly-drive + car hire
Athens and Peloponnese holidays in Greece combine well, starting with a city break in ancient Athens followed by car hire to explore the many historic sights found in this region. The Peloponnese peninsula is attached to the southern Greek mainland by the narrow Isthmus of Corinth land bridge, which separates the Gulf of Corinth from the Saronic Gulf. Choose Nafplion or Tolon in the east as your base, or stay on one or more of the three ‘fingers’ of the south, with their traditional villages & sandy beaches. The eastern ‘finger’ is famous for the fortified rock at Monemvasia. This is a fly drive holiday, but transfers can be arranged on request.
Price: from £1169 per person sharing
No. nights: 7
Deposit: £150 pp
Best Time to Go: April – October
Reference Code: SGR7
SAMPLE ITINERARY
The Peloponnese peninsula attached to the southern Greek mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth land bridge, which separates the Gulf of Corinth from the Saronic Gulf. It is ideal for a fly-drive holiday to explore the many historic sights of the region, and combines well with a visit to Athens.
Start by exploring historic Athens, which is an intriguing mix of east and west and home to some incredible treasures, including the ancient Acropolis - a hilltop citadel perched on a rocky outcrop. The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, is perfectly proportioned and considered the finest Doric masterpiece in the world. You can see marvellous displays of sculptures, vases, jewellery and other artefacts from Ancient Greece at both the Acropolis Museum and National Archaeological Museum.
You can explore the Monastiraki neighbourhood packed with rooftop bars, visit the huge Varvakios Agora market, and wander through the narrow pedestrianised streets of the 19th century Plaka district, in the shadow of the Acropolis. You can also take the cable car (or hike) up Lycabettus Hill for wonderful views over the city.
Other sites include the Temple of Poseidon, Museum of Cycladic Art, the parklands of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. In the summer you can watch an outdoor movie at Cine Paris, with views of the Acropolis. From Athens you can also take a day trip to the archaeological site at Delphi.
Then collect your hire car and drive to the Peloponnese peninsula. Nafplion and Tolon in the east are a wonderful region from which to explore the area’s turbulent history, as well as spend some time on the beach. The south of the Peloponnese comprises three peninsulas.
The western finger, the province of Messinia, is fertile and gentle, with a variety of seaside villages such as Chrani and Finikounda, and larger fortified settlements such as Pylos and Methoni. The area will appeal to visitors who want to find a quiet, very traditional side of Greece and there are miles of splendid sandy beaches to discover.
The mountainous central finger, called Mani, is still little developed. Half way down are pretty villages which hold great appeal for walkers. Kardamili is upmarket and under a strict preservation order. Stoupa has lovely sandy beaches and Aghios Nikolaos is a traditional fishing village. The eastern finger is famous for the fortified rock at Monemvasia, one of the biggest attractions of the southern Peloponnese.
PRICING
Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a self-catering or B&B basis. Flights from London are included, with other regional departures on request. Airport transfers and ferries in Greece are also included. Car hire is available on request.
We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.
It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance and an appropriate driving licence, if you intend to hire a car. The AA and FCO should also be consulted.