Private Car - Best of Olympia & Mercouri Estate Winery
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Port
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$1149
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6 hours - Price is per vehicle, not per person. See additional NOTES
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Meals Included
Meals included
Explore at your own pace with a private sedan, driver and English-speaking guide at your service. This exclusive custom tour is designed to maximize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private vehicle and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility to visit the sights at your own pace.
Travel through the valley countryside between the Alfios and Klados Rivers to Ancient Olympia. Here, you’ll embark on a walking tour that brings antiquity to life, from the ruins of the Temple of Zeus to the stadium where the Olympic Games began. Your guide offers an insight into ancient history as you view the ruined Temples of Hera and Zeus. The latter is where the gold and ivory Statue of the Olympian Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was housed. Don’t miss the stadium, where the marble starting blocks are still in position after nearly 1,500 years.
The Archaeological Museum is just a short walk from the stadium. On display are treasures unearthed from more than a century of excavation. See parts of the pediment from the Temple of Zeus, including scenes commemorating Pelops' chariot race and illustrating the mythical war between the Centaurs and the Lapiths. Don’t miss the Hermes of Praxiteles and the Winged Victory (Nike) of Paionios.
You will also visit the Ancient Olympic Games Museum, set in a beautiful neo-Classical building overlooking Olympia. Learn about the different events ancient athletes competed in and view archaeological finds from Olympia, site of the classical games for more than a millennium.
Then you will enjoy a pleasant drive through the countryside villages of Aghios Ioannis and Korakohori brings you to the Mercouri Estate. This venerable winery, owned by the Mercouri family since 1880, has a long tradition of producing top quality wines, olive oil and dried currants. The owners greet you with typical Greek hospitality offering coffee or soft drinks before you take a short walk through the property. View the production facility with its mixture of modern and old equipment. Enjoy a sampling of local wines and olives, cheeses and small sandwiches before returning to the ship.
Capacity: 2 guests. Your private party may be of any size up to the maximum capacity.
Note: Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person), so only one person in the party needs to order the vehicle. The price shown is the total cost for the vehicle, driver, English-speaking guide, applicable entrance fees and indicated samplings for up to two guests. Extensive walking is required over gravel and uneven paths in Olympia. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Shade is limited; please dress accordingly. Bring a hat and wear sunscreen. Bring local currency or credit cards if you wish to purchase wine at Mercoury Estate. The minimum age to taste wine is 18.