Sparta & Mystras - Full Day Private Tour from Athens

My name is Niko/s and I'm new to ToursByLocals but not new to tours! I enjoy touring & exploring with interesting people from all over the world. ☼ I'm based in Athens city only because Greece's main International airport is in Athens and most of you guys arrive here! I'm also based, and consider myself more at home, at the beautiful Nafplio town and Hydra island; two amazing destinations for you to consider! I prefer and enjoy taking travelers off the beaten path; to more authentic places. As you will read in the "restrictions" section, I'm not a licensed tour guide, so I do not guide you inside the archeological sites; and so during your tour, I will provide commentary about the history behind all sites that you will self-explore plus the traditions, food/drink, and habits of Greek people, maybe about ... NBA, the stock market, Ireland, and Messi too :) Anything discussion will do as long as you are not the "terribly quiet" kind :) ☼ If you enjoy a custom approach to touring and want a more "Greek than tourist" experience; this is me! If you love food, I can cater to all your needs in a very refreshing manner. . . from Greek coffee the traditional way or an 11 am Ouzo stop, to amazing lunch at the places we visit, and of course dinner suggestions near your base. If you are also open to my improvisations you will enjoy your tour even more. ☼ Greece is not just about culture & history. For me, Greece is also about amazing food & life itself! A life with emotions! You can discover these unique Greek treasures if you follow in my footsteps and let me know about your likes and dislikes. ☼ My services as a guide specialize in unique, authentic, off-the-beaten-track experiences to the hidden corners of Greece, without missing out on the well-known destinations. It's all about real Greek life & people who reflect my personality. And; I JUST ENJOY CREATING ITINERARIES and improvising during tours (if you are up to it too)! ☼ Touring with me does not include touristy shopping stops or any other means of wasting time and money. ☼ I'm 62 years old but still very sporty and active. I and my wife love white water rafting and I also enjoy tennis and snorkeling. My favorite Greek destinations are the mountains of the Mythical Peloponnese and the island of Skiathos. As for international locations, I enjoy London, the English countryside, and the west coast of Ireland (nice people which is important). ABOUT MY TOURS: ☼ You can contact me not only for the listed tours but also if you need a customized itinerary. ☼ For first-time travelers to Greece, I suggest just one night (2 days) or 2 nights (3 days max) in Athens. No more! ☼ Plan your tours so that you also overnight away from the big city (Athens) if you really want to make the best use of your time and experience real Greece. MY DESTINATIONS: ☼ The Mythical Peloponnese is the best destination in Greece combining most of the cultural sites, the beautiful coastline, the amazing mountain villages, and the landscape, but of course islands like Hydra. So . . . my destinations include Corinth, Nafplio, Mycenae & Epidaurus, Olympia & Messene, Sparta & Mystras, Mani, Diros Caves & Monemvasia, the mountain villages & monasteries of the Peloponnese, and finally Aegina, Hydra & Spetses islands. ☼ North of Athens, my destinations include; Delphi, Hosios Loukas & Meteora, and Central/North Greece with some amazing off-the-beaten-path areas. ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT: ☼ Accommodation is included during multiday tours to ensure quality, great location, personal attention, and cleanliness! I try to avoid chain hotels but I look for the more unique places that have the main specifications and more! We even stay at 5* places but not because of the stars! ☼ Depending on the size of your group, we will be traveling with a large 2022 saloon or a brand-new 2020 minivan. LUNCH DURING THE TOURS: Lunch is always included in my tours whether it is a day or multi-day tour. Consider it as part of your experience! This is Greece, and food is a huge part of our culture. So food & drink, while touring with me, is like a ... food tour! Sometimes it can become the highlight of the experience. CONTACT me . . . if you have any questions or wish to create your own "non-touristy" or customized itinerary. Thanks for reading my . . . personal information. Niko/s G. Not a fully licensed tourist guide, so instead of just walking you through all the museums and archeological sites, I take care of your whole experience. • I have had a very useful 3-year experience on a private boat and visited almost every Greek island over 3 consecutive summers. • Lived in the UK for 7 years which I consider a great life experience for myself and lucky I had the chance to do it. • My academic background is a B.Sc in Electronic Engineering and a Masters degree in Telecommunications & Marketing. However, I can't claim to be fluent/native in English. • I enjoy tennis, snorkeling, and white water rafting. And ... planning tours! I am a professional driver and tour leader. I am not a licensed tour guide and cannot escort you inside the historical monuments (ruins, ancient column sites, Unesco sites, and corresponding museums). If in doubt please contact me and ask.