Castles of Western Greece, the Ionian and Corfu
Introduction
We are a UK-based, specialist tour operating company which designs and runs thematic tours exclusively in Greece. We are passionate believers in the miracle that is Greece and are equally passionate in the design and delivery of our programmes, all of which offer insights which resonate with the essence of Greece and which can foment thought, arouse the imagination and inspire interesting discussions during and after our tours. Our well-researched, perfectly-delivered and inspiring tours are conducted round-the-year and are all supported and escorted by our hand-picked specialist, licensed guides.
Greece has been a strategic crossroads since time immemorial and the legacy of its rich history is visible in the fortifications and archaeological sites which adorn every corner of this magnificent country.
In addition to our resoundingly successful tour to the Castles and Legendary Sanctuaries of the Peloponnese, we are now delighted to offer an inspiring and illuminating ten-day guided tour of the fortresses and castles of western Greece, the Ionian coast and proximal hinterland, and Corfu. The tour will mainly look at Venetian fortifications but will also include Turkish, medieval and some celebrated sites of Classical antiquity, in the splendid Spring countryside of Greece.This well-researched and rewarding programme provides a deeply informative and expert introduction to specially-selected fortresses and archaeological wonders in the spectacular regions of the Gulf of Corinth, the Ionian and Corfu, Greece.
The typical audience of this programme would include avid admirers and connoisseurs of history and military architecture (Classical Greek, Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian and Ottoman), Classical Hellenic archaeology, and also of natural beauty, who would relish the experience of seeing the most evocative sites and monuments in combination with the splendid nature of Greece.
This tour is also offered on a private basis. Please contact us for more information.
Booking form
Points of Interest
The main points of interest include the following, in chronological sequence. Clicking on an underlined link will open a new tab rich in information on the respective point of interest.
Castle of Rio (Morea) | Castle of Antirrio (Roumeli) | Castle of Naupaktos (Lepanto) | Mesolonghi | Castle of Aghia Mavra (Santa Maura) | Castle of Grivas | Castle of St. George (Plagia) | Castle of Vonitsa | Actium | Castle of Pantokrator (Preveza) | Castles and fortifications of Preveza | Ancient Nikopolis | Castle of Arta | Castle of Pente Pighadia | Castle of Ioannina | Ancient Dodona (*) | Castle of Parga | Castle of Anthoussa | Necromancy of Acheron (*) | Castle of Margariti | Palaio and Neo Frourio (Corfu) | Vido island and city walls (Corfu)
(*) Time permitting
The coach will depart from our central Athens meeting
point for the drive to the Castle of Morea (Rio), where the FSG will award a plaque recognising the excellence of the restorations, at an event hosted by the local authorities.
Onwards to our first base at Lepanto (Nafpaktos) for our first overnight stay,
Castle of Morea (Rio)
All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.
Full day to visit the castle, city walls and port fortifications of Lepanto, where we will again spend the night.
Lepanto (Naupactus) and its castle
All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.
Visit to the castle of Roumeli (Antirrio) and onwards to our base in the vicinity of Lefkas /Preveza, via a short stop at Mesolonghi.
Castle of Roumeli (Antirrio)
All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.
Nafpaktos (Lepanto)
All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.
Visit to regional sites proximal to Lefkas – Santa Maura, Grivas, St. George Plagia. Overnight in the vicinity of Lefkas/Preveza.
The castles of Aghia Mavra, St. George Plagia and Grivas
All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.
Visit to the castles/fortifications of Vonitsa, Pantokrator and sites within Preveza town. Overnight in the vicinity of Lefkas/Preveza.
The castles of Vonitsa, Actium, Pantokrator and Preveza… and glimpses of traditional Greek cuisine.
All images copyright Eric C.B. Cauchi / Eternal Greece Ltd, unless otherwise stated.
Visits to the remarkable ruins of Nikopolis and the castles of Arta and Pente Pighadia. Overnight at Ioannina.
Exploration of the castle of Ioannina and visit to Ancient Dodona. Drive to Parga, where we will spend the night.
Visit to Anthousa (Ali Pasha) castle, Maragriti castle and, time permitting, to Acheron Necromancy. Drive to Igoumenitsa for the ferry to Corfu.
Full day visit visit to the Palaio and Neo Frourio. Overnight at Corfu.
Visit to Vido island and Corfu’s city walls. Overnight at Corfu and flight home the following day, with an option to extend the stay for further explorations (Angelokastro, Kassiopi castle, Paxoi…)
Itinerary map
Final routeing, sequence and points of interest subject to minor adjustments.
Included
- Accommodation at specially-selected, European standard city and country hotels, basis bed and breakfast and double sharing. Single occupancy subject to supplement.
- Ten lunches or dinners, i.e. one main meal per day
- Expert, licensed Archaeologist-Guide accompanying the group throughout the duration of the tour
- All tour legs by air-conditioned minibus or coach
- Archaeological site and museum tickets
- Free use of power packs for recharging mobile phone and portable devices on the move
- Restaurant gratuities
Not Included
- Travel to and from Greece
- Personal travel insurance
- Beverages
- Coach driver and guide gratuities (optional)
- Visas and travel document and formality costs, if and where applicable
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in Included section
