Sparta & Mystras: Ancient glory & medieval splendor

–Sparta- guided tour around the history and antiquities. The tour will start with a short introduction about the history of this town, in front of the few remains that are left from the ancient city of Sparta

-A visit to the castle city of Mystras, full of medieval memories and Byzantine glory! 3 hrs (optionally guided) tour

If you find interest in ancient or medieval scenery, if you only search for a one-day short tour, or if you have not visited South Peloponnese yet,  then this is a tour you should definitely experience.

Nafplio is considered to be one of the most beautiful and romantic towns in Greece. Here, we walk through Greek history from archaic times to the present. Legend says that the town was founded by Nafplios, son of the god Poseidon.
Nafplios’ son Palamides fought in the Trojan War and today, his namesake, the huge Palamides castle, still stands atop the hill overlooking the town. We will drive you up to this famous castle to explore and to enjoy the panoramic view. 

Surrounded by mounts Taygetos and Parnon, Sparta was once the kingdom of Menelaus and his beautiful queen, the most beautiful of all mortal women of her age, Helen. But Aphrodite had promised Paris of Troy the most beautiful woman on earth in return of a favour, so the Trojan prince came to Sparta to claim his trophy. 
He abducted Helen and travelled back to his homeland. Menelaus wanted his wife back and talked all the other kings of Greece into fighting against the Trojans. That’s pretty much how the most celebrated war of the myths started.

Mystras, the ‘wonder of the Morea’, was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape.

Trout are species of freshwater fish, subfamily of Salmon. They are classified as oily fish, a good source of important fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A and D, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Because of their popularity, trout are often raised on fish farms, and are also sold commercially as food fish and are sometimes prepared by smoking.