Greece – the Peloponnese

Spring warmth, History and Easter Celebrations

Greece abounds with history and natural beauty and none more so than on its southern peninsula ‘The Peloponnese’. This tour takes in the classical sights of Olympia, Monemvasia, Athens & Delphi to leave you enriched by its history, and combines these with relaxation along the coast to create an enchanting early Spring get away. Being Spring look forward to some Mediterranean warmth and the sight of magnificent wild flowers as you travel.

 In the Greek calendar Easter is the largest celebration and 2017 is one of those rare occasions when the Orthodox and Catholic Easters coincide on the same Sunday, miss this one and the next is not until 2034. To celebrate the day, just like the Greeks, we enjoy a traditional Easter Sunday lunch in a local Taverna.

 In the tour there are also visits to the boutique island of Spetses, the Corinth Canal and a prestigious Greek winery. And all through the tour you will never be far from the sea or beach, and towns which retain a true Greek culture to give you the real Greek experience. Our tour of the Peloponnese lasts 19 nights, or include ‘Greece -The Northern Highlights’ and extend your holiday to 34 nights in total, the choice is yours.

Day One – Saturday 8^th April
Welcome to Bologna in Italy where we meet at a good quality campsite. You should plan your arrival early afternoon to be ready for this evenings welcome drinks reception and tour briefing around the Tour Directors motorhome.

Day Two – Sunday 9^th April
An easy drive to catch the overnight ferry from Italy to southern Greece. We have ‘Camping on Board’ arranged which allows you access to your motorhome throughout the crossing including sleeping in your own bed. Each van is provided with 230v hook-up and there are toilets & showers located on the camping deck. You also have full access to all the ships facilities including restaurants, shops and bars. 140 miles

Day Three – Monday 10^th April
Arriving in Greece it’s just 30 minutes to our first campsite. This evening we have a group dinner in the campsite’s own family run restaurant for our first taste of Greek food and wine. 20 miles

Day Four – Tuesday 11^th April
From our campsite we are taken to the coastal village of Dhiakofto where we have time for a morning coffee before boarding a ‘Rack and Pinion’ train to take us up the Vouraikos gorge to Kalavryta. Climbing at gradients of 1 in 7 the 22km journey passes stunning views to arrive in the mountain town of Kalavryta where we have a group lunch arranged.

Day Five – Wednesday 12^th April
A short drive to historic Olympia. 55 miles

Day Six – Thursday 13^th April
We visit the site of ancient Olympia, just a short walk from our campsite. Home of the Olympic Games for over 1,000 years the ancient site remains home to the Olympic flame.

Day Seven – Friday 14^th April
We move to Gythio in the very south of Greece. 160 miles

Day Eight – Saturday 15^th April
A free day and an opportunity to spend time on the campsite beach, have a swim in the sea or visit the colourful harbour town of Gythio.

Day Nine – Sunday 16^th April – Easter Sunday
Today is Easter Sunday, in both the Orthodox and Catholic calendars, something that rarely occurs on the same day. Easter is the biggest annual celebration in the Greek calendar and a day when families get together for lunch. After a leisurely start to the day we head to a local Taverna for our own traditional Easter lunch.

Day Ten – Monday 17^th April
A group visit to ‘Monemvasia – the Greek Gibraltar’. Here there will be free time to wander in this fascinating Byzantium town, followed by a group lunch in an old town restaurant.

Day Eleven – Tuesday 18^th April
We drive to the beach resort of Tolo. You may choose the quick inland route or a stunning mountain coastal drive. 110 or 140 miles

Day Twelve – Wednesday 19^th April
Our destination today is the petite island of Spetses where there will be time to explore as you please. Renowned for its boutiques and picturesque streets it’s become a very popular destination with upper class Athenians. Transport is by coach and boat.

Day Thirteen – Thursday 20^th April
Leaving Tolo we make our way to a Greek Winery where we park and sleep overnight; with no facilities it’s an opportunity to use your motorhomes own. We have a private tour of the winery with tastings, followed by a group dinner where at the end of the night it’s no more than just a few steps back to your own bed. 50 miles

Day Fourteen – Friday 21^st April
Today our drive takes us to Greece’s capital and the ancient city of Athens, but not before stopping at the Corinth Canal with plenty of time for a walk out to the middle and a look straight down. 80 miles

Day Fifteen – Saturday 22^nd April
We tour Athens including a guided visit to the Acropolis and free time in the ‘Plaka’ district.

Day Sixteen – Sunday 23^rd April
Move on to Delphi today, home of the Oracle. En-route there’s an opportunity to visit the mountain monastery of Osios Loukas. 100 miles

Day Seventeen – Monday 24^th April
A free day. Those wishing can independently visit the ancient site of Delphi and/or the mountain town of Arahova. Direct buses pass our campsite to both.

Day Eighteen – Tuesday 25^th April
This evening in the campsites own restaurant we all enjoy a ‘Farewell Dinner’ to those leaving us tomorrow.

Day Nineteen – Wednesday 26^th April
‘Greece – The Peloponnese’ tour ends this morning. Those returning home from this point have an easy drive to the port of Patra to catch the overnight ferry to Italy. 80 miles. ‘Camping on Board’ is again included for you and the ferry arrives back in Ancona, Italy tomorrow afternoon. Please note our Tour Directors will not be returning at this point.

Those continuing with ‘Greece -The Northern Highlights’ move to our next Greek campsite, please see this tours itinerary for full details.

PRICE – Greece the Peloponnese

6m Motorhome with 2 people – £0000 per person
6m Motorhome with 1 person – £0000
6-8m Motorhome – £000 ferry surcharge
Over 8m Motorhome – £000 ferry Surcharge

Tour Deposit £000

INCLUDED IN PRICE – Greece the Peloponnese

• 16 Campsite nights with hook-up
• 2 nights ‘Camping on Board’ ferry
• 1 night parking at winery
• Return Italy to Greece ferry with ‘Camping on Board’ both ways
• Transport for Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary
• Entrance Fees as per the itinerary
• Tour information pack with suggested routes + GPS Co-ordinates
• Services of Tour Director’s travelling in their own motorhome

Excursions, Events & Meals

• Welcome Reception & Tour Briefing
• Welcome to Greece group dinner with wine
• Day trip to Kalavryta including rack & pinion train journey and group lunch
• Visit to ancient Olympia
• Group Easter Sunday lunch
• Visit to Monemvasia including group lunch
• Visit to the island of Spetses
• Tour of winery including tastings and group dinner with wine
• Athens city tour including Acropolis visit
• ‘Farewell’ dinner with wine

This tour starts in Bologna Italy, but if you would like to travel from the UK at the same time as the Tour Director on the outward journey, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf

OPTIONAL EXTRA PACKAGE

• Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60-day Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
• 5 X additional Campsites with hook-up in Kent, France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
• Dinner in German Campsite
• Tour information pack with suggested routes + GPS Co-ordinates
• Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

 OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 People @ £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 Person @ £000