Begin your journey in the quiet valley of the Peloponnese, surrounded by vineyards and low mountains. Step inside history at the place where the legendary Heracles (Hercules) completed the first of his Twelve Labours: the slaying of the Nemean Lion.
Learn about the myth of the Nemean Lion, a beast with impenetrable golden fur that terrorized the region. Discover how Heracles, as part of his punishment, trapped the lion inside a cave and strangled it with his bare hands. Imagine the struggle as you walk through the valley, feeling the echo of myth in the hills.
Next, visit the Temple of Zeus, once one of the most important sanctuaries in ancient Greece. Admire the remaining columns and imagine the rituals and sacrifices that took place here. Learn about the Nemean Games, one of the four great Panhellenic Games, and how Nemea became sacred because of Heracles.
Continue to the Ancient Stadium of Nemea, entering through the original vaulted tunnel used by athletes more than 2,300 years ago. See ancient graffiti carved by competitors and stand on the 600-foot (178 m) running track. Feel the soil beneath your feet as you stand where history was made.
After exploring myth and athletic heritage, turn to another treasure of Nemea: its wine. Visit a local winery and experience a guided tour of the vineyard and cellar. Learn about traditional and modern winemaking techniques and enjoy a curated tasting of premium Agiorgitiko wines, paired with local cheeses and delicacies.
Finally, visit the dramatic Corinth Canal, completed in the late 19th century. Stand above the canal and witness steep limestone walls rising nearly 80 metres high and a narrow water passage only 24 metres wide. Watch boats carefully navigate the dramatic corridor and marvel at this modern engineering achievement.
