Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Greece – Peloponnese – Magouliana - Mystras
100% customisable for you
Passports at the ready: your winter escape to the Peloponnese peninsula starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy a premium pitstop in the private lounge before boarding your four-hour flight to Athens.
When you touch down, collect your rental car and head straight out of the city to the postcard-perfect Peloponnese. Your first destination is the charming mountain village of Magouliana, a two-and-a-half-hour drive away, where you’ll be spending two nights in an elegant spa hotel. Check in, drop your bags and spend the rest of today relaxing, ready for your winter getaway to truly begin tomorrow.
The Peloponnese is all about slow living, so after waking up and admiring your new surroundings, start the day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel.
Winter in the heart of the Greek mountains means a good chance of snow, so make the most of the seasonal environment by heading to a small ski resort nearby. The 30-minute journey is seriously scenic, and you’ll be treated to views across a dense fir tree-laden forest before the road opens out to reveal a winter wonderland. Once you arrive, take advantage of this natural beauty with a gentle walk through the snowy hills (cameras at the ready…).
Back at the hotel, we can arrange for you to warm up and recharge the batteries with a truly relaxing 90-minute spa session – does it get any better than this?
After a relaxing start to your trip, it’s time to hit the road again. This morning, hop back in your trusty hire car and drive two hours to Mystras, a fascinating fortified city just west of Sparta. On arrival, unload the car and check in to your new home, a luxurious spa-hotel where soothing treatments and in-depth rejuvenation are the order of the day.
The rest of today is yours to spend at leisure. To get your bearings and stretch your legs after this morning’s drive, we recommend taking a stroll through Mystras’ ancient streets. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989, this stunning hillside town boasts breathtaking Byzantine architecture and a picture-perfect view across a succession of lush rolling hills.
The next two days are all about delving into the rich past of this part of the Peloponnese, once the centre of Byzantine power in southern Greece. This morning, head out to discover the region’s most iconic sites and monuments, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.
Start in the lower city, where you’ll visit the Metropolis, the Peribleptos Monastery and some of Mystras’ most beautiful churches, including Hagios Demetrios and Saints Theodore. Next, continue on to the upper part of the city to explore the citadel and the Pantanassa Monastery.
After exploring Mystras’ historic sites, you’ll also visit Sparta, the ancient Greek city-state immortalised in Homer’s Iliad.
After soaking in Sparta’s sights, head to the Sparta Olive Oil Museum to learn about the secrets of traditional olive oil production and taste for yourself how this age-old process has stood the test of time.
Fancy unwinding after all that history? We could also arrange for you to experience a traditional Byzantine hammam – a steamy spa treatment that combines cleansing rituals with some serious R&R.
With a head full of memories and a camera roll full of photos, it’s time to bid Greece a warm farewell and embark on the journey home. After one last tasty breakfast, drive three hours back to Athens, drop off your hire car and enjoy some peace and quiet in the airport lounge before boarding your four-hour flight back to the UK.
Not quite ready to head back home? Don’t worry: we can extend your holiday with a few days in the buzzing capital city of Athens.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
