Hellas' Golden Ring. One-day tour from Athens

Tour "Golden Ring" is the most intense in terms of sightseeing monuments and species sites. We will ride around Argolis, this is the region of the Peloponnese peninsula where the Greek civilization was born, in particular, there are "many golden Mycenae". The program includes 4 historical monuments of the Corinth Canal, the ancient theater of Epidaurus, the medieval city of Nafplion and the ancient Mycenae. Below is a minute announcement of the tour with cutting photos and videos.

 

 

1. Athens - Corinth Canal (1 hour, canal stop)

2. Corinth Canal - Epidaurus (40-50 minutes, then tour)

3. Epidaurus - Nafplion (30 minutes, then tour)

4. Nafplion - Mycenae (30 minutes, then tour)

4. Mycenae - Athens (1.5 hours)

Moving is no less interesting than sightseeing stops, this is especially true of moving from the Corinth Canal to Epidaurus. The places are unforgettable. Of course, all the way I tell, except the way back from Mycenae to Athens, when after lunch everyone, including the driver, sleeps.

 

 

Moving. Departure from Athens is usually at 8-9 am, then transfer to the Corinth Canal about an hour and a half. On the way we explore the area of Elefsina and the picturesque island of Salamis, where in 480 BC there was a well-known from school books Salaminsk sea battle, where the Greeks defeated the Persian armada of Xerxes. To the Corinth Canal we will drive along the northern coast of the Saronic Gulf of the Aegean Sea (a place even more beautiful than the name) approximately the way the mythical king Theseus once walked to his daddy Aegean.

Corinth Canal (stop 30 minutes) – The Corinth Canal is a unique place from which you can see two seas at once, the Aegean and the Ionian. The first person to dig the canal was Emperor Nero. The queer of world history brought here 6,000 slaves and personally dug a golden spatula, which marked the beginning of the process. Theoretically, the canal was supposed to be completed during Nero’s lifetime, but this amateur pyrotechnic died in time and the canal was not completed. Ultimately, Nero’s undertakings were completed by the French (this often happens to them), the canal was dug in the late 19th century and since then (due to low profitability) has been one of the decorations of the country.

 

 

Transfer to Epidaurus, 40-50 minutes along the sea. After the canal we will pass the place of Kehries (the former port of Corinth) where, according to legend, the Apostle Paul landed when he sailed from Athens to Corinth. One who has read the New Testament remembers two letters to the Corinthians related to this event. There is also a place "bath of beautiful Helena", where according to myths Elena Troyanskaya bathed. Also on our way you will meet the Byzantine monastery of the progress of the Virgin, located on the hillside in the bosom of an olive grove.

 

 

The picturesque bay with the village of New Epidaurus impresses not only tourists, but also the Greeks themselves. It is so beautiful that there is no point in describing it.

 

 

Epidaurus (an hour and a half tour). Epidaurus is known for all perfectly preserved theater with unique acoustics. But in addition to the theater, there was once a huge boarding house of antiquity dedicated to Asclepius (the chief healer of Greek mythology). In addition to the classical statues of tweezers, lancets and other attributes of medicine of ancient Greece are preserved in the museum. Histories of diseases captured on marble slabs tell about the skill of ancient doctors (often their cunning). The theatre itself dates from the fourth century BC and is the best preserved, and may be the most elegant complex in its architectural category.

The acoustics of Epidaurus are unique, so microphones are not used when performances are held here. There is no point in describing the effect, you need to hear it. There are many different ancient theaters in the world, but they all simply mimic, with varying degrees of success, the acoustics of Epidaurus. Maria Callass, Pavarotti and other great tenors considered it an honor to perform in Epidaurus. Tell me, what's worse? In the theater you can sing to any visitor, and anything. For those who do not want to sing, but do not mind to feel the acoustics, a mini-performance will be held with the ritual lighting of a match and a coin ringing.

 

 

Transfer to Nafplion (20-30 minutes). On the way there are olive groves and olive groves again. Nafplion.

 

 

Unfortunately, in the stereotypes of many Europeans, Greek history is associated mainly with antiquity. Perhaps that is why the capital of the first Greek state, being mainly a medieval monument, is little known against the background of ancient times. Nafplion may be the most beautiful town in Greece. It has been known since antiquity. Its significance is already evidenced by the fact that its mythical founder, from whom the city took its name, is considered the son of Poseidon – Nafplius.

The special charm of Nafplion is largely due to the stay of the Venetians here, which left an imprint on the appearance of the current center. Thanks to their efforts, the city acquired a completely special appearance and harmoniously blended into the surrounding nature. The old buildings of Nafplion do not look dilapidated, but give the city that unique combination of majesty and comfort for which Venetian builders were so famous. Today in the old town there are many restaurants and cafes. Walking through the old town, on the promenade you can taste delicious fresh fish in cozy fish taverns.

Moving to Mycenae (20-30) minutes. On the way citrus and again citrus. Lunch at will (there are many options)

 

 

Mycenae. (Excursion hour and a half). One of the oldest cities in Europe, sung by Homer. The bosom of Greek civilization impresses with the grandeur of the ruins of the 16-12 centuries BC. Here ruled the mythical king Agamemnon, who led the legendary campaign of the Greeks on Troy, (here he was stabbed to death by his loving wife Clytemnistra). Here ruled the mythical king Eurystius, on whose orders Hercules destroyed almost all the animals in Argolis (feats). Here “ruled” the real “king” Heinrich Schliemann whose efforts were found gold Mycenae (the most significant archaeological find in Greece), and it is impossible to say that Mycenae preserved only myths.

 

 

The treasure of Atreus is a unique domed burial completely preserved from the time of construction in the 16th century BC, it is the oldest and the only fully preserved archaeological monument of Greece.

 

 

The Lion Gate is one of the oldest heraldic symbols of Europe, dating from the 12th century BC. From the ruins of the palace of Agamemnon opens a truly majestic view of the entire Argolis valley. After Mycenae, move back to Athens for 1.5 hours.