43009GRE
Suggested timetable for the day:
In the unlikely event you are travelling without a permanent guide, you will meet the Olympia guide at the entrance to the site next to the Ticket Office. Call the night before to arrange a time and discuss program.
It is also possible, in very busy times, that you will be staying in Nafpaktos (nice beach here; swimming available). This allows you to give the group a bit more time in Olympia.
*timings are indicative
8.30am Load up coach and leave for site coach parking area. From here it is about a five minute walk downhill to the entrance of the site.
9.00am Enter Site. Each guide will have their own ‘preferred route’. However, the group should see the gymnasium, the Temples of Zeus and Hera, the workshop of Phidias and the Stadium. The tour should end at the Stadium and last about an hour. Give some free time to explore the site by themselves. Toilets on site near the exit.
10.30am Meet at entrance to site to walk to Museum – opportunity to use the museum toilets.
10.50am Enter Museum. The tour inside will last about 45 minutes. It should include: the temple pediments, the Nike, the Hermes of Praxiteles, the model of the archaeological site and the helmet of Miltiades, among others.
11.45am Free time for toilets/ Museum Shop (much more shopping available in the village).
12.00 midday Walk group from Museum to edge of the village of Olympia (about 5 minutes from the Museum). If you do not know the route, you can find it for yourself while the group are in the museum with the guide and come back. The coach will be waiting here for the group. NB: it is NOT the same place where you are dropped off. Make sure the group are aware of this. Free time for lunch and shopping.
In busy periods, it may well be an idea to arrange for tables for your group to eat lunch. There is a place called Amvrosia just by the coach park. It has a large menu and is pretty reasonable. Call in advance to arrange tables-guide can do this). Harry: (+30) 26240 23414. Another good option is Touris, just outside the village (you take the coach there, buffet meal for a fixed price, guide can arrange). Also there is a shop with local produce and souvenirs called Pandelina that you might stop at leaving the area.
2.00/2.30pm Depart for Delphi. This is a long drive. Roughly 4 hours. There is a good bakery/rest stop just before Nafpaktos (some 2 hours from Olympia) once you have crossed the suspension bridge over the gulf. Route Olympia-Pyrgos-Patras-Nafpaktos-Galaxidi-Itea-Delphi. Highway until over the suspension bridge, then smaller road to Delphi. It is possible to stop in Nafpaktos (known as Lepanto by the Venetians) itself (driver permitting); this allows a visit to the harbour where there a few cafes and a lovely statue of Cervantes (he fought in the Battle of Lepanto and lost a hand).
6.00/6.30pm Arrive in hotel in Delphi. Dinner is usually in a local restaurant, walkable from the hotel. After dinner, shopping, cafes and bars throughout Delphi open till late.