Ancient Corinth, the Corinthian Canal and
Highlights of Athens
 Private
Tour from Piraeus to Ancient Corinth,
the Corinth Canal and Athens
This 8.5
hour itinerary starts with a stop at
the incredible Corinth Canal. The
concept of cutting a canal through
the Isthmus of Corinth to link the
Ionian and Aegean seas was first
proposed by the tyrant Periander,
founder of Ancient Corinth. The
magnitude of the task defeated him,
so he opted instead to built a paved
slipway across which sailors dragged
small ships on rollers, a method
used until the 13th century. Nero,
Rome’s most infamous emperor,
inaugurated an attempt in 67 AD with
his golden spade, but it was finally
completed in 1893. You can walk
across a bridge over the canal now
used for smaller commercial ships
and private yachts alike.
Next is
a short drive to the once rich and
powerful city of Ancient
Corinth. The city was blessed with a
superb location and fertile plains
making it virtually an impregnable
refuge. Excavations reveal that the
ancient city was huge and wealthy.
It survived numerous invasions but
was ultimately brought down by
earthquakes. St. Paul lived and
worked in Corinth for 18 months,
making converts where he could and
leaving for posterity the Bible's
Letters to the Corinthians. The
Bema (platform) where the Roman
governor tried him is still
visible.
 You'll see one of
Corinth’s most striking ancient
buildings, the Temple of Apollo,
seven of whose original columns are
still standing. You'll walk through
the remains of the Market Place, a
colonnaded square once surrounded by
many small shops, and see the
celebrated Fountain of Priene, which
has produced water since the
earliest times, and the Lechaion
Road, formerly the main thoroughfare
to the port of Lechaion.
Late
this morning you drive in Athens.
Your first stop is the oldest part
of the city, the Plaka. This lively
district is filled with shops and
typical Greek taverns and
restaurants. You will have time to
enjoy lunch (not included in tour
price). After lunch you will embark
on a walking tour of the famous
Acropolis, which means the high
city,
for a visit
to the foremost symbol of the
glory of ancient Greece. Climb
the smooth marble steps on the
Sacred Way as visitors have for
centuries. History's doors open
before you as you reach the
Propylaea, a masterpiece of
classical architecture, serving
as the entrance to the complex
of buildings. You’ll see the
Temple of Athena Nike (Wingless
Victory), and the Erectheum,
with its classical Porch of
Maidens (Caryatids). Stand in
awe of what is considered the
most perfect example of
classical architecture in the
world – the Parthenon, designed
as a shrine to Athena and at one
time housing a massive gold and
ivory statue of the warrior
goddess.
Looking down from the Acropolis
you'll see the two ancient
theaters in its shadow, the
Greek theater of Dionyssos where
the masterpieces of Aeschylus,
Sophocles, Euripides and
Aristophanes debuted to
delighted audiences, and the
theater of Herod Atticus, a
grand Roman theater restored and
used today for concerts and
classical plays during the
summer Athens Festival.
Next
is a driving tour of the city
where you see the top sights of
the city including the Olympic
Stadium, birthplace of the
modern Olympic Games in 1896
that returned in 2004. You'll
see the Parliament Building with
its traditionally dressed
‘Evzones’ soldiers guarding the
Monument to the Unknown Soldier,
Constitution Square, Hadrian's
Arch and much more. After
you've seen this and much more
you are returned to your ship in
Piraeus.
Tour Breakdown-
1- Depart pier
and drive to the Corinth Canal- 1 Hour and
10 Minutes
2- Photo Stop at
the Corinth Canal- 20 Minutes
3- Drive to
Ancient Corinth- 20 Minutes
4- Visit Ancient
Corinth- 1 Hour
5- Drive to
Athens- 1 Hour and 10 Minutes
6- Time for
Lunch in the Plaka- 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
7- Visit the
Acropolis- 2 Hours
8- Driving Tour
of Athens- 45 Minutes
9- Return to
ship in Piraeus- 30 Minutes
Please note that
this itinerary requires walking and includes
uneven surfaces. It is not wheelchair
accessible.
Piraeus
Shore Trip Prices
The tour prices
listed are for the entire group.
The entrance fees are per person. To
reserve your private tour read
Reservations - Terms and Conditions
below. These tours make perfect shore
excursions from the most popular cruise
harbor in Greece.
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