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Land of Theseus
8-day study and walking tour in the Saronic Gulf near Athens
Scenic aerial view of the northwestern cape of Methana with some of the 30 lava domes.
Scenic aerial view of the northwestern cape of Methana with some of the 30 lava domes.
The thermal springs made Methana famous for its healing cpacities.
The thermal springs made Methana famous for its healing cpacities.

Land of Theseus

8-day study and walking tour in the Saronic Gulf near Athens
Tour type
Walking & study tour: photography - geology & volcanism - archaeology
Difficulty
Moderate
Group size: 4-8
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
23-30 Mar 2024
6-13 Apr 2024
Price per person
1590 € $£¥
The Saronic gulf is the "Gate of the Aegean Sea" and it looks like a miniature of the entire Aegean Sea with its islands and its scenic landscape. On this exciting tour, we will concentrate on the eastern part of the Saronic gulf and the eastern part of Peloponnese peninsula. We will discover the volcanic peninsula Methana with its about 30 eruption centres ("lava domes") and we will explore also prehistoric sites and the entire mythological past of the area.
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  • The scenic landscape of about 30 lava domes
  • Exploring the hidden ancient sites
  • The nature & culture of the area
  • Poros island
  • Troezen - the home of the mythic hero Theseus
  • Ancient theatres of Epidavros

The Saronic gulf & Troezen

Day 1: Arrival - meeting in Athens
The first night is in Athens, where we meet in the evening for a group dinner.
Day 2: Athens - Methana
Transfer to Methana via Corinthos and Epidaurus. Scenic stops along the way.
Day 3: Methana´s highest plains & Stavrolongos volcano valley
Scenic hiking tour over nice plains with cisterns and through little forests between the highest tops of the peninsula. A great opportunity to explore the nature and geology of Methana!
Day 4: Poros island & the Mycenean acropolis & the homeland of Theseus
Visit of the scenic island of Poros and its archaeological museum with exciting items found on Methana. Time for photography and strolling through the lanes of Poros. Visit of the Mycenean acropolis and its tombs near Galatá. Drive to the mythical homeland of the hero Theseus, who killed the monster Minotaur on Crete island. We have time to explore the ancient sanctuary of Aesculapius (Asklepios) and if there is still time, the valley of Diavologefiro.
Day 5: One of the most beautiful lava domes
The scenic lava dome at the village Kameni Chora is one of the most exciting lava domes of Greece. The tree covered, huge rocks of the volcano´s top is a little paradise. It is the exciting result of the eruption that took place 270 B.C.
Day 6: The abandoned village on a lava dome
On this tour you will ascend to an abandoned settlement on top of a huge lava dome. Old cisterns, ruins and a tiny small chapel remind us that in former time the people were finding a safe place, when the pirates were attacking the villages on Methana.
Day 7: A prehistoric sanctuary near a volcanic gas exhaust
Discovering the prehistoric excavations near Methana, we will descent in a lonely bay with the signs of volcanic gases. Were they used for religious rituals?
Day 8: Transfer to the airport Athens
After a relaxed breakfast, we will drive back towards the airport of Athens (about 2,5 hours drive), where we arrive normally by around 13.00 (depending a bit on the group's needs). If some of the group need to be at the airport significantly earlier, it can be arranged at extra cost.
Dates and details
Booking inquiry

Arrival info:

The tour starts and ends in Athens airport (ATH). On request, other nearby locations for pick-up or drop-off can be arranged.

Important note

The tour can be done at individual dates on request!

Tour guide

The tour is normally guided either by German volcanologist Dr. Tom Pfeiffer or photographer Tobias Schorr. Both have been traveling to the volcanic areas of Greece including the Saronic Gulf for more than 20 years.
Tom finished his PhD studies about the great Minoan eruption of Santorini and spends much of his time in Athens. His friend Tobias, with whom Tom alternates on this tour, is a true specialist for Greece in general: he has lived permanently on Methana for about 10 years and has been returning ever since. He perfectly knows the culture and history, people, flora, fauna and of course geology. He is legendary for his good eye and often discovering rare minerals, plants, animals, or hidden archeological artifacts during the various excursions.
Tom Pfeiffer and Tobias Schorr

Additional info

Physical requirements

The tour has a mixture of shorter, easy excursions and longer hikes of moderate difficulty: You should be able to walk, at slow pace, for longer distances up to about 10-12 km length with altitude gain/descents of up to approx. 500-600 m, and total duration (including generous breaks) of 4-6 hours. The trails are sometimes steep and mostly rather rough, stony terrain, but pose no particular technical difficulties.
A secure step and feeling of balance are important. If the group is homogeneous as to physical capabilities, it is possible to adapt the length of the hikes according to the group, wheather and mood. It is also possible for individual participants to omit or shorten some of the hikes at small extra cost needed for taxi transfers in order to rejoin the rest of the group or return to the base from midway points.


Recommended by Ecotourism Greece

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