If you were asked to be a driver for a couple of tourists on a 2 day Peloponnese Tour in Greece, what would you say? I said yes of course! Read about the how, why, and where below!
The 2 Day Peloponnese Tour
I have to say, that this was a bit of a surprise weekend! The Mrs had been asked by a friend to take on a tour that she could not do herself. This tour involved picking an American couple up from Athens, showing them around the Peloponnese, picking their daughter up from Olympia, and then getting everyone back to Athens. All within 2 days. Well, we love a challenge!
Although unexpected, this was also in a way perfectly timed for us. We had been discussing how we might like to run tours during the summer in Greece, and then travel elsewhere during the winter. This little project would be the ideal way to test out if it was possible, and if in fact we liked doing it!A Peloponnese Tour Itinerary
When we read over the itinerary, our first reaction was that it was a LOT to fit into a 2 day Peloponnese tour! It certainly wouldn't have been my choice, but it was also a valuable lesson.
Just because it is better to spend longer in a place, does not mean it is always possible. More importantly, the customer is always right, and if this is what they want, then this is what they get!
So, I am going to put the itinerary below, and mix in some photos we took along the way. At the end of this blog post, I will summarise how it all went, and add in some other info.
Day 1 – Sat May 23
Collect clients in the morning from their Athens hotel. We then travel by car to the Peloponnese, which is the peninsula where Ancient Olympia, and other notable ancient sites are located.
Arrive at the impressive Corinth Canal for a short stop, take some photos, and realise that anyone thinking of bungee jumping off the bridge is as mad as a bicycle.
Drive onward to Ancient Olympia, where we met up with the clients daughter.
Have lunch in Ancient Olympia and then visit the Museum and Ancient site.
Stay overnight in a Hotel in Ancient Olympia.
Day 2 – Sunday May 24
After breakfast continue the 2 day Peloponnese tour, by driving along the coastal route towards Kalo Nero, stopping off at a beach along the way.
From Kalo Nero, drive towards Tripoli, and then stop off at Kapsas to visit a winery. I remember I can't drink because I am driving… Gutting.
The winery has a puppet collection and an old piano. There will be a separate post coming about this later!
From the winery, drive on to Nafplio, which is perhaps the prettiest town in Greece. Have lunch, and stroll around the alleyways, taking in the sights and sounds.
From Nafplio, drive on to Corinth in order to visit the ancient site.
After leaving Corinth, drive back to Athens, where the tour ends.
Thoughts on the 2 day Peloponnese Tour
I have to say, I really enjoyed my job of driving everyone around. Of course, it helped that they were all lovely people! So, could I do this again, and could I do it as a job?
Yes on both counts. It paid pretty good as well. This has given us both some food for thought, and we will develop our ideas for a tour company over the summer.
Related: Travelling by Car: Advantages and Disadvantages
Interested in taking a Peloponnese Tour?
This isn't meant to be a sales pitch, because we are still trying to balance developing tours in Greece with our ‘regular' jobs. But… if you are thinking of taking a Peloponnese tour, or any other sort of road trip through Greece, get in touch with Vanessa through Real Greek Experiences. You already know who your designated driver will be!
You might also be interested in this article about what to see and do in Athens – 2 Days in Athens – What to do with 48 hours in Athens
And for other travel inspiration, take a look at these European getaway breaks.
Nigel Taylor says
Hi Dave
We are planning on a driving holiday across Greece this September. Our idea currently is to fly into Thessaloniki and drive to the west coast. Catching a flight back home from Kalamata.
I would like to absorb everything Greek, the history, food and wine. Would be interested in possible places to stay along the way.
Hope you can suggest a few surprises for a trip.
Best regards
Nigel
Dave Briggs says
Hi Nigel,
I hope you are well!
I’ll be up in that part of Greece myself in September, so if you see me struggling up a hill on my bicycle, give me a wave!
You’ve probably done your groundwork already, but a couple of places you might like to consider are:
Metsovo (Pindus National Park)
Ionnina (Vikos Gorge)
Dodona (UNESCO World Heritage site
Parga (west coast)
Nicopolis (huge archaeological site no one has heard of!)
Lefkada (great beaches)
Nafpaktos (scene of a historic battle)
Ancient Olympia
Methoni and Koroni castles
well.. the list goes on!
For wine, when you are in the Peloponnese, see if you have time to go to the Nemea region.
For food – anywhere really, but small villages all have local produce like honey etc
I hope this has added to your list in a good way!
Will Bowie says
Looks like a very cool tour!
Matilda (The Travel Sisters) says
Nice! My extended family is originally from the Peloponnese but they no longer live there. I am considering visiting Greece next summer and might need your services if you are still based in Greece:)
Dave Briggs says
I hope you get to visit… It’s a beautiful part of Greece! And I would be more than happy to help 😉
Ralph says
I usually shy away from tours, as I feel they are typically restrictive and slow. But when you’re in a place like Greece with such interesting and deep history, I think tours are a smart way to go if you want to learn something.
Saana / Always Abroad says
The photo with the bright pink and violet flowers is simply dreamy!! I wanted to buy similar ones for my boyfriend’s terrace in Italy, but he said they were too feminine – pfft! Wish I get to visit Greece some day soon again 🙂
Tanj from A Travelogue says
Looks like you had fun though regardless of the itinerary! I miss Greece.
jen says
That looks like a LOT of fun – I’ll have to consider the area on my next time through the area.
Aileen says
That bridge shot looks amazing! I haven’t been to Greece yet so it’s nice to see a part of it in your post.
RaW | Ramble and Wander says
Incidentally I played a tour guide too during that same weekend, helping/replacing a friend who couldn’t make it. It was quite an interesting experience and I found out that I wouldn’t mind doing it. The fee that came with it was just icing on the cake.
Dave Briggs says
Yep… i really enjoyed it. So who knows… it could be a career change 🙂
Dana says
You’re killing me with all these Greece posts. I don’t think we’ll be able to visit until 2016 and I want to go NOW. Gotta go make sure Peloponnese is on our list.
Toni | 2 Aussie Travellers says
It looks like a great tour to fit in some key sights with limited time. We are such slow travellers that we rarely manage to fit as much into a day as others do but we also really enjoy what we do see so that’s all that matters to us. Good luck with the tour guiding.
Lesley says
I love the second bridge photo. Beautiful!
noel says
Looks like a very do-able trip and many wonderful spots to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.
Dave Briggs says
Yep, it is a bit ‘full on’, but for people with only limited time, it does tick off some of the major highlights of the Peloponnese.
The Mrs says
First name and hair colour revealed… what next.