AITO: The Association of Independent Tour Operators
Exploring the Peloponnese

Exploring the Peloponnese

Exploring the Peloponnese Overview

An expert-led archaeological, cultural and gastronomic tour exploring the Peloponnese in Greece.

The mere mention of names like Arcadia or Corinth, Sparta or Olympia, Nemea or Mycenae awakens our imagination, reminding us of fascinating legends, dramatic historical scenes and powerful ideas reaching far across the ages.

That fame is well-grounded in the region’s long and often spectacular history, making the large peninsula that forms the southern extremity of the Greek Mainland a veritable heartland of European and Western culture. From the first farmers of the Neolithic, via the warlike civilisation of the Bronze Age Mycenaeans, the huge achievements of Classical Greece and Rome, the early spread of Christianity, the splendours of the Byzantine Empire and the long conflict between Venice and the Ottomans, to the Greek War of Independence, the Peloponnese has often been centre-stage to important events. The region is also central in myth and legend, where it is home to Agamemnon and Nestor, the venue of many deeds by Herakles (Hercules) and a place often visited by the Gods themselves, be it in love or be it in wrath.

No wonder – the Peloponnese is in many ways a miniature version of Greece itself: a series of small fertile plains separated from one another by wild and rugged mountains and surrounded by a convoluted coastline of peninsulas and inlets that both distinguishes it from and connects it with the rest of the world. That convoluted topography has endowed the area with an astonishing and lasting diversity of landscapes, cultural expressions, atmospheres and even histories that richly rewards the explorer.

Our new Exploring the Peloponnese tour has been carefully designed to do just that: to explore the historical and cultural wealth of the peninsula, but also its natural beauty and its living traditions, in depth and at leisure, to gain a true and unforgettable experience of what the Peloponnese was and is. It takes in many of the area’s famous highlights, including no less than six UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the gargantuan Bronze Age fortifications of Tiryns and Mycenae, the Classical splendours of Olympia, famous for the games that still bear its name, and Epidaurus with its unbelievably beautiful theatre, or the peaceful serenity of Byzantine Mystras. At the same time, we veer far off the beaten tracks, to discover the remoter and more intimate wonders of mountainous Arcadia with its perched villages and gorge-side monasteries, or of the majestic Mani Peninsula, where a romantically wild landscape is matched perfectly by its traditional architecture.

Like all our Exploring tours, Exploring the Peloponnese aims for a uniquely holistic approach to its destination, approaching its history in its entirety and also paying attention to its nature, its current life and its gastronomic traditions, including a very enjoyable focus on the many fine wines cultivated there for millennia. Led by a team of archaeologist guides with many years of profound knowledge and experience of the region, the tour offers a rich narrative of one of the ancient Mediterranean's core regions – join us to make those romantic names a fascinating and memorable reality!

Peloponnese tour

Reviews of this holiday

Exploring the Peloponnese by Ellen, 31 Oct 2022
Traveller rating:

An absolutely amazing 2 week journey of the archeological history of the Peloponnese, including Sparta, ancient Olympia, ... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by RK, 3 Jun 2022
Traveller rating:

An outstanding two weeks in the Peloponnese! Classical, Byzantine and more modern historical sites plus coastal, mountainous ... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by Ian, 3 Jun 2022
Traveller rating:

This was a wonderful introduction to Ancient, Byzantine and modern Greece. Our two knowledgeable and enthusiastic experts ... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by AJA, 1 Jun 2022
Traveller rating:

Well-planned tour covering a wide variety of archaeological and historical sites including Greek, Byzantine and Venetian remains... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by twinbren, 28 May 2022
Traveller rating:

The leadership of the tour was a vital ingredient in its success. We were blessed with 2 experts who worked together and ... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by Alexander Grimwade, 25 May 2022
Traveller rating:

Our 2-week Peter Sommer Travels Tour "Exploring the Peloponnese" was a surprising and wonderful introduction to the history ... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by TwinLin, 24 May 2022
Traveller rating:

Lovely weather and colorful spring wildflowers enhanced the stunning archaeological sites. The warm and friendly reception ... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by MollyVE, 10 Dec 2021
Traveller rating:

Fantastic experience with two warm and extremely knowledgeable guides. Many highlights, great camaraderie amongst group ... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by Cybele, 15 Nov 2021
Traveller rating:

Leaders eager to give us interesting and memorable experiences, good meals, and in-depth explanations about historical sites ... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by JIT, 15 Nov 2021
Traveller rating:

The idea was to explore the ancient archeological sites of this historic part of Greece and educate the guests about the ... read more

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Reviews Submitted: 41
Reviews Accepted: 41
Reviews Rejected: 0
Exploring the Peloponnese by Ellen, 31 Oct 2022
Traveller rating:

An absolutely amazing 2 week journey of the archeological history of the Peloponnese, including Sparta, ancient Olympia, ... read more

Exploring the Peloponnese by RK, 3 Jun 2022
Traveller rating:

An outstanding two weeks in the Peloponnese! Classical, Byzantine and more modern historical sites plus coastal, mountainous ... read more