- Corinth Canal - The Corinth Canal links the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It traverses the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, effectively separating the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, and arguably turning the peninsula into an island. The canal, dug at sea level, has no locks and spans 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) in length and 21.4 meters (70 feet) in width at its base, making it too narrow for many modern ships. From a high vantage point, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the isthmus and admire the steep limestone walls while watching vessels navigate the canal below.
- Mycenae - The fortified citadel of ancient Mycenae was the seat of the legendary King Agamemnon. This impressive and well-preserved site lent its name to an entire civilization. Visitors can marvel at landmarks such as the Tomb of Clytemnestra, the iconic Lion’s Gate, and the Cyclopean walls, while learning about their bloody history. In the second millennium BC, Mycenae was a major center of Greek civilization, a military stronghold that dominated much of southern Greece, Crete, the Cyclades, and parts of southwest Anatolia. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to 1100 BC is known as the Mycenaean era, named after Mycenae. At its zenith in 1350 BC, the citadel and lower town had a population of 30,000 and covered an area of 32 hectares.
- Archaeological Site Mycenae - The archaeological site of Mycenae includes the fortified acropolis and surrounding burial and habitation sites, mainly located to its west and southwest. Most of the visible monuments date back to the site’s peak from 1350 to 1200 BC. The acropolis, almost triangular in shape, is encircled by massive Cyclopean walls and accessed from the northwest through the renowned Lion Gate, a symbol of Mycenaean power. The gate is named for the two opposing lions carved in relief and set into the relieving triangle, a typical feature of Mycenaean architecture, above the entrance.
- Lion Gate - The Lion Gate served as the main entrance to the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae in southern Greece. Constructed around 1250 BC, it is located on the northwest side of the acropolis and is named for the relief sculpture of two lionesses or lions in a heraldic pose above the entrance. The Lion Gate is the only surviving monumental piece of Mycenaean sculpture and the largest sculpture from the prehistoric Aegean. It is the sole monument from Bronze Age Greece to feature an iconographic motif that remained above ground and the only relief image described in classical antiquity literature, making it well-known before modern archaeology.
- Archaeological Museum of Ancient Mycenae - The archaeological site of Mycenae includes the fortified acropolis and surrounding burial and habitation sites, mainly located to its west and southwest. Most of the visible monuments date back to the site’s peak from 1350 to 1200 BC. The acropolis, almost triangular in shape, is encircled by massive Cyclopean walls and accessed from the northwest through the renowned Lion Gate, a symbol of Mycenaean power. The gate is named for the two opposing lions carved in relief and set into the relieving triangle, a typical feature of Mycenaean architecture, above the entrance.
- Citadel and Treasury of Atreus - The Treasury of Atreus, also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon, is a large tholos or beehive tomb on Panagitsa Hill at Mycenae, built around 1250 BC during the Bronze Age. The stone lintel above the doorway weighs 120 tons and measures approximately 8.3 x 5.2 x 1.2 meters, making it the largest in the world. The tomb was used for an unknown period and was mentioned by the Roman geographer Pausanias in the 2nd century AD. It was still visible in 1879 when German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the shaft graves under the “agora” in the Acropolis at Mycenae.
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- Private transportation
- Knowledgeable professional drivers
- Complimentary on-board WiFi
- Bottled water provided
- Climate-controlled vehicles
- Convenient pickup and drop-off at hotel, airport, or port
- Licensed tour guide (upon request and depending on availability)
- Entry or admission fees for archaeological sites
- Gratuities
Journey beyond the borders of Athens, where the landmarks of the Peloponnese await. Traverse the Corinth Canal as you depart mainland Greece, immersing yourself in Mycenae – a civilization steeped in antiquity and known for its mythical ruler, King Agamemnon. This region, which was fated to bear the Mycenaean civilization, one of the most significant of the ancient world. The ‘cyclopean walls’ of the Mycenae citadel, remarkably preserved to this day, reflect the peak of this culture uncovered by Heinrich Schliemann. This civilization nurtured the ancient tragedians who went on to influence Western thought. Such proofs of this civilization’s grandeur are found in the Lion Gate, an exceptional instance of Mycenaean art; grave circle A, home to shaft tombs and gold death artifacts; the citadel’s palace flaunting its throne room; the ornately decorated underground water storehouse; and the beehive tombs (‘tholos’). Each stand as testament to the enduring impressions this era left.
- Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
- Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.
- Airport pick-up/ drop-off upon request (additional charge)
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.