GLORY OF THE PAST Tour from Kalamata through Mount Taygetos to Mystras & Sparta

TAYGETOS
Taygetos or Pentadaktylos is the highest mountain range in the Peloponnese, stretching between the Megalopolis Basin and Messinia. Its highest top counts 2,407 meters. The crossing by bus of Taygetos offers great views through rare, unspoiled, natural landscape.

MYSTRAS
Situated at the north of Taygetos Mystras consists of a medieval castle and of a fortified settlement lying within the walls with monasteries, churches, chapels, houses and palaces, in a continuous process from the mid-13th century to 1953. The restoration work carried out gradually in recent decades by the Archaeological Service, offering to this well preserved town its former prestige.In 1989, by decision of the Committee of Unesco, Mystras declared as a  World Heritage Site.In Mystras you can explore the most interesting monuments such the Monastery of Pantanassa, Perivleptos, Agia Sofia, Agi Theodoroi and Agios Nikolaos Churches, walk through the well preserved cobblestone alleys and breath the history and every days life coming from a totally different era.

LUNCH
After you tour in Mystras, enjoy, in selected, nearby restaurant, offering great views to a natural mountainous landscape, a delicious Greek meal

SPARTA
Sparta was one of the dominant city-states in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern tip of Peloponnese. During Classical Antiquity, Sparta was one of the two major cities of Greece together with Athens. Sparta reached the absolute glory after winning the Peloponnesian War on Athens and its allies. The rule did not last long, and after the defeat by Thebians lost its former strength, and, simultaneously with the rise of the kingdom of Macedonia, began to play a secondary role in Greek affairs. Leonidas A '(540 BC - 480 BC) was the king of Sparta and successfully managed to keep Greeks together and made them forget their differences. When Persian King Xerxes sent his messenger and asked him to hand over their weapons and surrender, the Spartan king replied "molon lave', meaning "Come and get them!”. His military genius became apparent at Thermopylae. Facing thousands of Persian warriors Leonidas with only 300 Spartans and 400 Thespians and 400 Thebians sacrificed themselves at Thermopylae, after Ephialtes’ betrayal. In recent history, during the time of King Otto, the modern city was re-built and now is the capital of the prefecture of Laconia with approx. 38.000 inhabitants.