View of the traditional settlement Dimitsana

Get to know Arcadia and its mountainous regions, through its history, architectural tradition, unique natural beauty and local products. Take a tour of Vitina, Dimitsana, Levidi, Agios Petros, Ano Doliana and some of the most beautiful mountain destinations in Greece.

Day 1

ATHENS-MANTINEIA-KANDILA-LEVIDI-KAPSIA-TRIPOLI

Arrival in Athens, boarding the bus and departure for mountainous Arcadia.

First stop, the plain of Mantinea, where the vineyards of Moschofilero dominate the landscape. Visit at the archaeological site of Ancient Mantinea with the ancient theatre and the traces of the old walls. There lies Agia Fotini, a special temple: its architecture is a mixture of all known Greek architectural styles. Nearby there is a winery, so we make a short stop to see the premises, workshops and cellars, but mainly to try the latest harvest…

Next stop is the archaeological site of Orchomenos, where we see the ancient theatre with the unsurpassable view of the valley. To gather strength we make a stop at the stone-built inn at Kandila with the homemade food and local delicacies.

Next is the historic Levidi, where we take a stroll through the picturesque alleys and see the Arcadian Museum of Art and History.

Next we visit the Kapsia Cave, a terrestrial cave with stalagmites and stalactites of extraordinary beauty. 

Arrival in Tripoli and settling into the hotel for overnight stay. Optional walk in the city of Tripoli.

 

 

Day 2

TRIPOLI-VITINA-DIMITSANA-STEMNITSA-TRIPOLI

Departure from Tripoli for the green village of Vitina.

Built of the edges of the fir-tree forest of Mainalo, at an altitude of 1033 meters, Vitina is one of the most picturesque villages in Arcardia.

In the local shops you can find walnuts, chestnuts, fir-tree honey, dairy products, herbs and local wines.

Next is a visit to the legendary Dimitsana, birthplace of Germanos of Patras (Palaion Patron Germanos) and Gregory the Fifth. The Seminary here has been a cradle of arts and education during the years of Ottoman rule, creating the legend of the “Krifo Scholio” (Secret School).

Here we visit the Hydrokenetic (Water Power) Museum, where we see grain grinders, a powder mill, a fulling mill and a tannery.

After a lunch break, we visit the historic Stemnitsa (Ancient Hypsous) that has seen great glories in the 1821 revolution.

 

 

 

Day 3

TRIPOLI-MEGALOPOLIS-ANDRITSAINA-KARYTAINA-PSARI ELLINIKOU-TRIPOLI

Breakfast and departure for Megalopolis. There we visit the archaeological site with the Ancient Parliament (Thersylion), the ancient agora (Stoa of Philip)  and the Ancient World's largest theatre (capacity 23.000 spectators).

Moving on, we visit Andritsaina. Nearby is the Temple of Apollo Epikourios, designed by the architect Iktinos who also designed the Parthenon.

The next stop is Karytaina, characterised as the “Toledo of Greece”. Above the picturesque village a Venetian fortress dominates the landscape, founded by Geoffrey of Villehardouin.

We then find ourselves in the village Psari (=fish) Ellinikou, where the “Arcadian” is located, a Centre of Flavours and homemade cooking. In the workshop we can see how traditional Arcadian products are manufactured. Also, there is a library with 1500 cookbooks and 650 old culinary publications and hundreds of relative papers and documents. In well maintained old buffets there is a huge selection of old artifacts and precision tools such as the impressive collection of salt castors, mortars, lemon squeezers and graters.

Return to Tripoli and overnight stay

Day 4

TRIPOLI-TEGEA-ASTROS-AGIOS PETROS-ANO DOLIANA-TRIPOLI

Breakfast and departure for Tegea.

We visit the Park of the Association of Tegea, which includes an archaeological site, palaeo-Christian mosaics, the remnants of a Roman theatre on which the Church of Koimisi tis Theotokou is founded, as well as a Folklore Museum. The decision to carry the flame in the Olympic Games was taken in Tegea, therefore the first Olympic Torch is kept in this museum.

Next stop is Astros where we visit the Archaeological Museum with the findings of the Villa Eva (Herod Atticus) and the Venetian fortress.

Then we go up to Parnonas through a scenic route of chestnut trees and plane trees and we reach the village of Agios Petros. We make a stop in Agios Petros to admire the architecture and the wonderful view.

Next stop Ano Doliana, known for their cream marble quarries. The whole village is built from this marvelous stone. Here we can try local delicacies and spoon sweets (traditional sweet preserves). Filled with images and fresh air we take the road back to Tripoli.

 

Day 5

TRIPOLI-ATHENS

Breakfast at the hotel and an optional walk around the market in Tripoli.  Departure for Athens.

     

 
Προβολή Arcadian Highlands σε χάρτη μεγαλύτερου μεγέθους