Hampshire Hikes & Historical Sites
Bring intriguing coastal trails and history alive in South Hampshire.
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at [email protected]
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at [email protected]
In this land of myth and magic, where Gods ruled and heroes battled, Classical Greece stirs the imagination like no other.
Peloponnese
Sightseeing
Apr
Sep
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 15400
Mixes active sightseeing with short city or countryside walks. Any walks will take up to 2 hours and any ascents or descents will be taken at a leisurely pace. Some days of this holiday will be dedicated solely to sightseeing (or include an element of sightseeing). To enhance your experience, a knowledgeable local guide will accompany your small group for part (or the majority) of the holiday.
Overview
In this land of myth and folklore, where gods ruled and heroes battled, Classical Greece stirs the imagination like no other. Follow in the footsteps of ancient Spartans and Olympians as you walk through green valleys rich in wild olive and plane trees and explore the ruined cities, temples and theatres of a lost age with Ramblers Walking Holidays
This is a journey from the ancient sacred site of the oracle at Delphi to the bustling modern metropolis of Athens. From Athens airport, we travel to Delphi, which according to Zeus, was at the centre of the Earth. We explore the ancient site and museum with our guide and enjoy a walk in the surrounding countryside.
Continuing across the Gulf of Corinth, we next visit Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Set in a valley of wild olive and plane trees, it is an evocative and enchanting setting which we explore with our guide.
We cross the mountains of the Peloponnese to arrive at Sparta lying in a fertile plain with the peaks of the Taigetos mountains rising dramatically from the edge of the town. Nearby is Ancient Sparta and Mystra, which has some of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Greece.
We travel north to Nauplia, the small Venetian seaport in the Gulf of Argos from where we visit Tiryns & Argos and the stunning theatre at Epidauros. Nauplia itself is dominated by the hill top Palamidi fortress, which offers panoramic views.
We make our way to Athens by way of Agememnon’s Mycenae and Ancient Corinth and crossing the impressive Corinth Canal. Although the highlight of Athens is undoubtedly the Acropolis, dominating the heart of the city and is itself dominated by the Parthenon, there is much more to see. We visit the Temple of Zeus and perhaps the Archaeological Museum. In the evening we will go into old Athens for dinner.
Please note: Due to a cycling event in Sparta in September, our September 21st holiday will stay on the coast at Gythio instead of Sparta. Our planned itinerary remains the same
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
This warm, family-run Hotel Fedriades has magnificent views of the Corinthian Gulf and the valley of Pleistos and is well located too, only a 12-minute walk to the Archaeological Museum of Delphi and 20 minutes from the historic Castalian Spring.
The understated, relaxed rooms come with balconies, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus fridges. Room service is available. A breakfast buffet is offered in an airy cafe. There's also the refined Epikouros Restaurant with a terrace with sea and mountain views. Other amenities include a fireplace lounge, a relaxed bar and bikes for hire.
A short walk from the Olympia ancient site, the Hotel Pelops is situated in a tranquil part of the town. There is a courtyard and lounge area to relax in, breakfast room and free wifi. Rooms are all en suite and have a private balcony. In the room you will find a mini fridge, tea & coffee making facilities, TV, a/c and hairdryer.
The centrally located Hotel Lakonia offers a warm and hospitable welcome in the small city of Sparta. The classical architecture and décor of the hotel blend in with the surrounding urban environment in the best possible way.
You can enjoy a homemade buffet breakfast that serves fresh local produce as well international standards such as omelettes, pancakes and fresh fruit. Guests have previously rated the breakfast very highly. A cosy 24 hour coffee bar is available as well.
Some rooms have private balconies that have panoramic views of the palm trees. All rooms are ensuite with free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, air conditioning and mini bar.
The three star Rex Hotel offers American buffet breakfast and free wifi. It is centrally located in the town, and all rooms are en suite with a/c, mini fridge, hairdryer and safety deposit box. There is also a bar in the hotel.
Located in the centre of Athens in the Psiri district, this is an excellent base to explore Athens. Close by you'll find Monastiraki, Athens Central Market, Syntagma Square and the restaurants of the Plaka district. Rooms are contemporary in style with en suite bathrooms, mini fridge, safety deposit box, and hairdryer. Free wifi is available for all guests.
We stay in twin bedded and single rooms with shower and wc at the comfortable and friendly Hotel Pantheon in Gythion. Situated on directly on the sea front, views from much of the hotel are magnificent, with the port and blue Aegean in the foreground and mountains rising from the sea in the distance.
All sea facing rooms offer en suite facilities, a/c, television, hairdryer and telephone. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
The hotel bar, located on the ground floor, has magnificent views of the port.
Trip Information
This is a Grade 2 leisurely holiday, where our walking is mainly centered around active sightseeing, visiting ancient sites, museums, traditional villages and of course in Athens. There is a countryside walk from Delphi, taking us down towards the coast, which has an opt out point en route. Occasionally paths are rough as we follow cobbled tracks, and there will be some ascents and descents, where you may find walking poles useful. The highest point we reach on the holiday is 1141m on the Ancient Footpath of Pan Worshippers above Delphi, with most of the ascent being achieved using transport. All the other walks are at much lower altitudes.
The majority of walking on this holiday is made during sightseeing days, visiting ancient sites, which generally involves a good amount of walking. We do include a walk while in Delphi, down towards the sea at Itea, visiting Chrisso village en route. In addition to the Ramblers Walking Holidays group leader, this holiday also benefits from the knowledge of local guides to enhance the visits at some of the archaeological sites.
Spring time in the Peloponnese lends itself to an array of flora and the archaeological sites we visit are often carpeted in colour. You don;t need to be a botany buff to enjoy these, so whatever your knowledge you might find that a bit of reading before you travel can add significantly to the joy of your holiday discoveries. Look at the ‘Discover Wild Plants’ section of the www.plantlife.org.uk website for fascinating facts on a huge range of plants you might see both in the UK and abroad. They have ‘spotter sheets’ to use on your walks to help you get your eye in, and a good section on Habitats.
Often it’s not only the name of the plant that’s of interest, but the way it grows and the stories behind it. www.ukwildflowers.com has tons of information of flowers way beyond just the UK. Try googling ‘wild flower photography’ to get some new ideas to try out. Naturally, it’s completely fine if you just turn up with no prior knowledge, ready to be delighted and surprised by what out out there beneath your feet.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Entrance Fees
There are a wealth of sites to be visited on this itinerary and to assist you with your holiday budget, you may wish to take the following entrance fees into account (rates as of 2018), all prices noted are per person. In Greece, archaeological sites offer a 50% reduction to the entrance fee to EU citizens on proof of age for anyone aged 65 or over.
The currency in Greece is the euro.
Each of our hotels accepts major credit cards and banks and ATMs are available in each of our centres.
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
Local Guides
To enhance your experience, as well as your tour leader, each holiday will be accompanied in some centres by a well qualified and knowledgeable English-speaking local guide.
We fly from London Heathrow (LHR) to Athens (ATH) with British Airways.
Transfers between centres will be by road and possibly ferry and our arrival transfer from Athens to Delphi will take approximately 3½ hours.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.
Brexit Passport Advice
You should have at least 6 months validity left on your passport from your date of arrival.
If you renewed a 10 year passport before it expired, extra months may have been added to your passport’s expiry date. These extra months will not count, so you should ensure that your passport is not older than 9 years and 6 months from the date of issue at the time of travel.
You may wish to renew your passport sooner rather than later, in order to make sure you have it in time for your holiday or travel plans.
Please ensure to regularly check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for updates on passport requirements leading up to and after Brexit or contact us for more assistance.
UK Government Brexit Information for Passports can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-Brexit.
The UK Government has published a website tool to check the validity of your passport under these rules which can be found at www.passport.service.gov.uk/check-a-passport.
In the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK citizens will be able to visit the EU for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. The UK Government also has information for travellers available at gov.uk/EUexit
Non British Passport holders should consult the host country’s embassy for applicable passport and visa entry requirements.
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday price, with dinners taken at local tavernas, giving an excellent opportunity to sample the wonderful Greek cuisine. Often starters are sharing plates - mezzes - and desserts are simple. The Greek diet easily caters for vegetarians and gluten free dishes. Lunches are not included, and are at your own expense, and these may include a cafe stop or a picnic lunch.
Footwear
Good quality waterproof walking shoes or trail shoes with a thick, moulded sole with a good tread and a low heel are likely to be all that is required for these holidays. If you are a frequent walker and are comfortable in good quality hiking sandals, these may be adequate for some walks. You can wear lightweight walking boots if you prefer.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Electricity in Greece
Electricity in Greece is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
Books
Greece – The Rough Guide
Greece-Athens and the Mainland – Eyewitness Travel Guide
Athens Insight City Guide – Insight City Guide
The Classical World - An Epic history of Greece and Rome – Robin Lane Fox
Websites
Greek National Tourist Office www.gnto.gr
Visit Greece www.visitgreece.com
The Map Shop
If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:
The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England
Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: [email protected]
If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for Greece
No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Greece.
You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.
You may also wish to consider immunisations against Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis.
There is a low to no risk of malaria in Greece. Malaria risk is from May to October and is very limited; confined to the villages of the Evrotas delta area in Lakonia district. Please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
It is a condition of booking with Ramblers Walking Holidays that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities.
Your travel insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Please ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are walking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Medical and repatriation insurance cover are not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
Looking for travel insurance cover?
If you have not already arranged cover, please visit SunWorld who offer travel insurance.
SunWorld policies include cover for COVID-19, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
EHIC Cards
From January 1st, 2021 UK travellers can continue to use their European Heath Insurance Card (EHIC) – which can last up to five years, until its expiry date, to gain access to medical assistance during your holiday. However, you will no longer be covered in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Travellers without a valid EHIC can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replaces the EHIC once it has been phased out. Please note however that the EHIC/GHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance.
For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
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January
Avg. Rain: 91mm
February
Avg. Rain: 78mm
March
Avg. Rain: 65mm
April
Avg. Rain: 43mm
May
Avg. Rain: 29mm
June
Avg. Rain: 15mm
July
Avg. Rain: 10mm
August
Avg. Rain: 11mm
September
Avg. Rain: 28mm
October
Avg. Rain: 71mm
November
Avg. Rain: 94mm
December
Avg. Rain: 106mm
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