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Overview
To much of the outside world, Greece is a nation steeped in mythology, ancient history, and beauty. But there’s much that escapes this easy narrative: the creaking ship graveyards, snaking underground tunnels, and abandoned industrial towns. During this immersive, nine-day adventure, we’ll delve into the hidden histories and oft-overlooked spaces scattered throughout the rugged region of Peloponnese, casting an ear to local lore, divergent perspectives, and stories you likely never heard in history class. While we’ll spend ample time exploring the region’s ancient roots—exploring a necropolis, wandering a forgotten Byzantine city, and venturing into a cave home to the Gate to the Underworld—we’ll pay equal attention to its deserted industrial centers, gritty mountain villages, and abandoned train stations, tucking into hearty gyros and savory tripe soup as we go.
Highlights
Explore an abandoned industrial zone
Discover hidden shipwrecks, wartime bunkers, tunnels, and catacombs
Roam a ghost Byzantine city with an archaeologist
Stay overnight at a medieval island fortress
Admire the vista at an improbable Fairytale Castle
Visit the locations of Greece’s most infamous war crimes
Itinerary
Day 1: Backstreets of Athens
Arrive in Athens, and take some time to settle into our boutique hotel. We’ll meet up for introductions in the hotel lobby in the afternoon, and set out to explore the magnificent capital through its winding backstreets and plucky neighborhoods—tuning into the underground rhythms that quietly pulse throughout the city. As we walk, we’ll glimpse stunning mid-century architectural gems as well as countless lesser-known wonders, such as the Athenian Agora , once an ancient bustling market, and Syntagma Square Metro Station , which doubles as a museum displaying artifacts from an ancient Greek necropolis. We’ll settle down for dinner at a hidden oinomageirio, a restaurant tucked away in the Central Meat Market. Here you can sample famous patsas, or tripe soup (among a variety of delicious dishes) and bask in the city's fragrant blend of sounds, smells, and flavors.
Achilleas Hotel, Acropolis Hill or similar, Athens
Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Abandoned Ships & the Corinth Canal
After breakfast this morning, we’ll depart for Eleusina, a town and major industrial center a few miles west of Athens. Along the water, we’ll pause to take in the graveyard of massive ships before us—some almost fully submerged, others completely flipped on their sides, half a rusting vessel rising out of the water. We’ll head to the Corinth Canal, a 19th-century feat of engineering, where we’ll hear stories of the tyrants, emperors, and visionaries that brought it into being and spot ancient relics of the historic isthmus. In April of 1941, in the midst of World War II, the canal became the objective of Operation Hannibal—one of the first airborne operations attempted. Using contemporary accounts, rare photographs, and maps, we’ll trace the explosive and desperate action that took place on the canal, exploring a secret tunnel and bunker system along the way. At night, we’ll head to the city of Patra for a spectacular dinner and relaxing sunset view.
Patras Smart, Moxy Patra Marina or similar, Patra
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Evan Panagopoulos
Day 3: Kalavryta & Patra
We’ll kick off the morning with a ride through a breathtaking gorge along a 19th-century mountain railway. We’ll step out at Kalavryta to visit the memorial for the Massacre of Kalavryta, the heinous World War II war crime in which the entire male population of the town was killed under Nazi occupation. We’ll double back, wandering the tiny villages tucked away in the gorge, and doing a bit of gorging ourselves as we stop for lunch. After a leisurely stroll, we’ll return to Patra to explore its 35 acres of abandoned warehouses, machinery rooms, water towers, swimming pools, and dark basements—witnessing the afterlife of a century of industry in Patra, hearing the stories of devastation that came with its demise. But despite its enduring hardships, Patra remains a spirited, lively town—especially after the sun goes down. Take the evening to explore the pedestrian-friendly streets full of folks munching on gyros-to-go, packed restaurants where friends chat while digging into variety platters, or the bustling nightlife the city has to offer.
Boutique Hotel, Patra
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Local Lore & Fairytale Castle
This morning, it’s off to Kyparissia! After checking in at our alternative farmhouse homestay, we’ll acquaint ourselves with a myriad of local myths, histories, and legends at the ever-alluring Fairytale Castle. Erected in the 1960s by a U.S.-born doctor of Greek descent, the gaudy yet charming castle houses a strange, mythical world where fairy tales and Greek mythology intertwine. Later in the day, we’ll head to the town’s abandoned train station. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be yours, and Kyparissia has lots to choose from. Opt to peruse produce at a bustling farmer’s market, revel in the town’s lively main square, sit by the calm seafront (or dive in!), or wander through the stunning Old Town at sunset.