COMBINE METHONI AND SAN PIETRO IN BEVAGNA IN 7 DAYS TRIP
From Methoni to San Pietro: on the footprints of Peter Throckmorton
FOR SCUBA DIVING ENTHUSIASTS
In 1962, Peter Throckmorton the ‘Father of Underwater Archaeology’ discovered the Methoni sarcophagi site during the first archaeological underwater campaign ever done in Greece. A few years later, in 1967, ‘following an exciting trace starting from Methoni’ he travelled towards San Pietro in Bevagna, where rumors of further sarcophagi lying on the seabed were spreading out from time to time, and actually found the sarcophagi site. Being a photojournalist, in 1969 he wrote a pamphlet titled ‘Ancient shipwreck yields new facts - and a strange cargo’ published by the National Geographic Magazine, in which he narrates this amazing underwater archaeological adventure. Let us follow his travel itinerary in search of the lost sarcophagi, along the ancient sea routes.
> DAY 1 | Arrival in Methoni
Briefing with our tour operator partner in the arrival hall of the airport, then transfer to the hotel in a chauffeur-driven car. The rest of the day is free. An optional general tour of the town can be offered in the late afternoon. Dinner (optional) and overnight at the Hotel.
> DAY 2 | Diving in Pylos
After breakfast, an experienced guide will take you to the diving area, where you will be able to admire “the sarcophagi shipwreck”. In addition to underwater archaeology, it will be possible to enjoy the marine life of the Mediterranean: underwater caves and reefs are home to groupers, and sea turtles can be found within the marine park, while dolphins are a common sight in Pylos Bay. Our program contains two dives (morning and afternoon) at the underwater archaeological sites. Lunch on board or in a traditional Greek village with local delicacies. We recommend an optional night dive in the clear waters of Pylos. Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 3 | Diving in Methoni
Early breakfast and departure from the hotel for diving around Methoni, where you will be able to see the ‘shipwreck of columns’ lying on the seabed, close to Cape Spitha. The columns are scattered in an area of 30m2 and are 10m away from the edge of the Cape. Parts of the columns are aligned on the seabed, while other columns are scattered in a wider area. Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 4 | Transfer to San Pietro in Bevagna (subject to flight connections)
After breakfast, chauffeur-driven car transfer to the airport for the departure. Arrival in Brindisi or Bari Airport (meeting point at the arrival hall of the airport) and transfer to San Pietro in Bevagna in a chauffeur-driven car. Check in at the hotel, and the rest of the day is free. An optional tour in Manduria, Porto Cesareo or Gallipoli can be offered late in the afternoon. Optional dinner and overnight at the hotel.
> DAY 5 | Scuba Diving in the “Aquarium” and the “Lobster’s escarpment”
After breakfast, an experienced guide will take you to the San Pietro diving area known as the “Aquarium”, a paradise of clear water and sparkling marine life in a naturalistic protected area. Lunch on board or in a traditional village with local delicacies according to your preferences. In the afternoon, another scuba dive in a wonderfully colored and iridescent environment is available: the “Lobster’s escarpment”. We recommend: night scuba dive in the crystalline water of the San Pietro in Bevagna Sarcophagi site at 6m depth. Transfer to the hotel. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 6 | Diving in the “Santa Caterina” and “Santa Maria al Bagno” caves
Early breakfast and departure from the hotel to the diving area of ‘Santa Caterina Caves’ to explore the wreck of a “Junkers Ju 88” fighting aircraft, fallen off the Santa Caterina coastline during World War II, lying perfectly preserved and straight on the sandy seabed. The aircraft is perfectly visible, due to the clearness of the seawater, and colored by the marine flora and fauna that colonized its surfaces over the last seventy years. Lunch onboard or in a traditional village with local delicacies according to preferences. In the afternoon, the last scuba dive will be in the ‘Santa Maria al Bagno’ diving site, where further caves and untouched naturalistic scenarios just wait to be discovered together with the wreck of a 3rd century AD ship carrying Greek-Italic amphorae, discovered in 1982. Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 7 | Departure day
After breakfast, early departure from the hotel to the Porto Cesareo harbor, where a modern catamaran will leave towards the near Rabbit Island, a wild natural paradise. Then, the boat will head to Torre Chianca, in whose 6m deep seabed lie several amphorae, roman marble columns and the statue of Virgin Mary of the Sailormen; stop for a bath. Then, the boat route will encounter Mallow Island, an important marine park with rare species of flora and fauna, and Torre Lapillo, with its white sandy beach and the coral reef. During the boat trip, local delicacies, fresh fruits, water and wine will be offered onboard. After three hours, way back to Porto Cesareo and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, chauffeur-driven car transfer to the airport for the departure.
Your package includes:
► 6 nights at a hotel of your choice on bed & breakfast formula
► Transfers upon arrival and departure with assistance ► Diving guide or instructor.
Your package excludes:
► International flights ► Personal expenses ► Optional meals ► Optional excursions and visits
COMBINE ALONISSOS AND CROTONE IN 7 DAYS TRIP
From Alonissos to Crotone along the Achaean sea routes
FOR SCUBA DIVING ENTHUSIASTS
Alonissos is supposed to be the island where the Achaeans crowded and put out to sea their warships towards Troy, thus starting the legendary 10-years Troy War. Beyond the legend, history tells us that Achaeans settled in the Peloponnese and surrounding areas, during the 8th century B.C. raised their ship’s anchors towards Calabria, and colonized a big part of its Ionian coast, from Sibari to Caulonia. They founded Croton, one of the richest cities in Classical Age, and established flourishing trades through the maritime routes linking Greece to southern Italy. The Romans, conquerors of the Mediterranean basin, used these commerce routes for several centuries after the Greek colonizers. Let us discover their traces beyond the millennia.
> Day 1 | Arrival in Alonissos
Briefing with our tour operator partner in the arrival hall of the port, then transfer to the hotel in a chauffeur-driven car. The rest of the day is free. An optional general tour of the island can be offered in the late afternoon. Dinner (optional) and overnight at the hotel.
> Day 2 | Diving in Peristera
After breakfast, an experienced guide will take you to the diving area. Off the north - eastern coasts of modern Alonissos, there are six deserted islets, ideal destinations for every kind of diving experience. Our program contains two dives (morning and afternoon) at the underwater archaeological site of the Classical Shipwreck near Peristera. Lunch on board or in a traditional Greek village with local delicacies. We recommend an optional night dive in the clear waters of Peristera. Transfer to the hotel. Optional dinner package.
> Day 3 | Explore caves around Alonissos
Early breakfast and departure from the hotel towards a diving area with two enchanting caves, where you can see white sea breams, golden groupers, damselfishes, dusky groupers, octopuses, dolphins. The rest of the day is free. Transfer to the hotel. Optional dinner package.
> Day 4 | Transfer to Crotone (subject to flight connections)
After breakfast, chauffeur-driven car transfer to the port for the departure. Arrival in Crotone (or Lamezia Terme) Airport (meeting point at the arrival hall of the airport). Transfer to the hotel with chauffeur-driven car, check-in, and the rest of the day is free. An optional general tour of the town can be offered in the late afternoon. Optional dinner and overnight at the hotel.
> DAY 5 | Diving in “Punta Scifo D” and “Cala Cicala”
After breakfast, an experienced guide will take you from the hotel to the diving area. Our program contains two scuba dives in the morning at the classical shipwrecks called “Punta Scifo D” and “Cala Cicala”.Divers will explore the two Roman shipwreck cargos, mainly composed by large blocks and slabs of white rough marble at a depth less than 7m, on a rocky sea bottom with sandy seabed; a place called ‘Posidonia Meadows’. In addition to the underwater archaeological routes, divers will also be able to enjoy the marine life. Lunch on board or in a traditional village with local delicacies according to preferences. We recommend an optional afternoon visit to the ‘Capo Colonna Museum’ and an optional dive at night (20:00 – 22:30) on a cargo ship of the second half of 20th century. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 6 | Diving at the “Gunny” and “Bengala” wrecks
After breakfast, departure from the hotel to the diving area. Our program contains two scuba dives in the morning at the modern wrecks of “Gunny”, a British cargo ship sunken in 1963, and at the “Bengala” wreck, a cargo carrying Port wine bottles that sunk in 1889.Lunch on board or in a traditional village with local delicacies according to your preferences. In the afternoon, naturalistic dive at the ‘Ancore’ shallows, a site rich in biodiversity and where is possible to see ancient anchors lying on the seabed. Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 7 | Departure day
After breakfast, a mini cruise on a glass-bottomed boat is available (optional); the rest of the morning is free. In the afternoonby a chauffeur-driven car transfer to the airport for the departure.
Your package includes:
► 6 nights at a hotel of your choice on bed & breakfast formula
► Transfers upon arrival and departure with assistance ► Diving guide or instructor.
Your package excludes:
► International flights ► Personal expenses ► Optional meals ► Optional excursions and visits
COMBINE THE FOUR DESTINATIONS IN 13 DAYS TRIP
Travelling from Graecia to Magna Graecia
The Greco-Roman World of Classical Antiquity, the historic period that gave birth to democracy and laid the foundations for modern state governance, was a world of established cultural and trade relations among several civilizations settled on the coasts and islands of the Mediterranean basin. Let us visit some of the jewels of Ancient Graecia (Greece) and its Italian ancient colonies (Magna Graecia, Southern Italy), places that have built History in the Greek and Roman Ages. Let us enjoy a unique underwater experience in the world of Classical Antiquity!
> Day 1 | Arrival in Alonissos
Briefing with our tour operator partner in the arrival hall of the port, then transfer to the hotel in a chauffeur-driven car. The rest of the day is free. An optional general tour of the island can be offered in the late afternoon. Optional dinner and overnight at the hotel.
> Day 2 | Diving in Peristera
After breakfast, an experienced guide will take you to the diving area. Off the north-eastern coasts of modern Alonissos, there are six deserted islets, ideal destinations for every kind of diving experience. Our program contains two dives (morning and afternoon) at the underwater archaeological site of the Classical Shipwreck near Peristera. Lunch on board or at a traditional village with local delicacies prepared according to your liking. We recommend an optional night dive in the clear waters of Peristera. Optional dinner package.
> Day 3 | Explore caves around Alonissos
Early breakfast and departure from the hotel towards a diving area with two enchanting caves, where you can see white sea breams, golden groupers, damselfishes, dusky groupers, octopuses and dolphins! The rest of the day is free. Transfer to the hotel. Optional dinner package.
> Day 4 | Transfer to Methoni (subject to combined transfer connections)
Briefing with our tour operator partner at the airport hall, then transfer to the hotel in a chauffeur-driven car. The rest of the day is free. An optional general tour of the town can be offered in the late afternoon. Optional dinner and overnight at the hotel.
> DAY 5 | Diving in Pylos
After breakfast, an experienced guide will take you to the diving area, where you will be able to admire “the sarcophagi shipwreck”. In addition to underwater archaeology, you will enjoy the marine life of the Mediterranean. Underwater caves and reefs home to grouper and sea turtles can all be found within the marine park, while dolphins are a common sight in Pylos Bay. Our program contains two dives (morning and afternoon) at the underwater archaeological sites. Lunch on board or in a traditional Greek village with local delicacies. We recommend an optional night dive in the clear waters of Pylos. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 6 | Diving in Methoni
Early breakfast and departure from the hotel for diving around Methoni, where you can see the ‘shipwreck of columns’ lying on the seabed, close to Cape Spitha. The columns are scattered in an area of 30m2 and are 10m away from the edge of the Cape. Part of the columns are aligned on the seabed, while other columns are scattered in a wider area. Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 7 | Transfer to San Pietro (subject to flight connections)
After breakfast, early departure from the hotel to the Porto Cesareo Harbour, where a modern catamaran will leave towards the near Rabbit Island, a wild natural paradise. Then, the boat will head to Torre Chianca, in whose -6m deep seabed lie several amphorae, roman marble columns and the statue of Virgin Mary of The Sailormen; stop for a bath (the crew will provide the snorkeling equipment). Then, the boat route will encounter Mallow Island, an important marine park with rare species of flora and fauna, and Torre Lapillo, with its white sandy beach and the coral reef. During the boat trip, local delicacies, fresh fruits, water and wine will be offered onboard. After three hours, way back to Porto Cesareo and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, by a chauffeur-driven car transfer to the airport for the departure. Arrival in Brindisi or Bari Airport (meeting point at the arrival hall of the airport) and transfer to San Pietro in Bevagna in a chauffeur-driven car. Check in at the hotel, and the rest of the day is free. Dinner (optional) and overnight at the hotel.
> DAY 8 | Scuba Diving in the “Aquarium” and the “Lobster’s escarpment”
After breakfast, an experienced guide will take you to the San Pietro diving area known as the “Aquarium”, a paradise of clear water and sparkling marine life in a naturalistic protected area. Lunch on board or in a traditional village with the local delicacies according to preferences. In the afternoon, another scuba dive in a wonderfully colored and iridescent environment is available: the “Lobster’s escarpment”. We recommend: night scuba dive in the crystalline water of the San Pietro in Bevagna Sarcophagi site at 6m depth. Transfer to San Pietro in Bevagna. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 9 | Diving in the “Santa Caterina” and “Santa Maria al Bagno” caves
Early breakfast and departure from the hotel to the diving area of ‘Santa Caterina Caves’ to explore the wreck of a “Junkers Ju 88” fighting aircraft, fallen off the Santa Caterina coastline during World War II, lying perfectly preserved and straight on the sandy seabed. The aircraft is perfectly visible, due to the clearness of the seawater, and colored by the marine flora and fauna that colonized its surfaces over the last seventy years. Lunch onboard or in a traditional village with local delicacies according to your preferences. In the afternoon, the last scuba dive will be in the ‘Santa Maria al Bagno’ diving site, where further caves and untouched naturalistic scenarios just wait to be discovered together with the wreck of a 3rd century AD ship carrying Greek-Italic amphorae, discovered in 1982. Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 10 | Boat trip in Porto Cesareo and transfer to Crotone (subject to combined transfer connections)
After breakfast, early departure from the hotel to the Porto Cesareo Harbour, where a modern catamaran will leave towards the near Rabbit Island, a wild natural paradise. Then, the boat will head to Torre Chianca, in whose 6m deep seabed lie several amphorae, roman marble columns and the statue of Virgin Mary of The Sailormen; stop for a bath (the crew will provide the snorkeling equipment). Then, the boat route will encounter Mallow Island, an important marine park with rare species of flora and fauna, and Torre Lapillo, with its white sandy beach and the coral reef. During the boat trip, local delicacies, fresh fruits, water and wine will be offered onboard. After three hours, way back to Porto Cesareo and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, by a chauffeur-driven car transfer to Crotone, check in at the hotel, and the rest of the day is free. Dinner (optional) and overnight at the hotel.
> DAY 11 | Diving in “Punta Scifo D” and “Cala Cicala”
After breakfast, an experienced guide will take you from the hotel to the diving area. Our program contains two scuba dives in the morning at the classical shipwrecks called “Punta Scifo D” and “Cala Cicala”. Divers will explore the two Roman shipwreck cargos, mainly composed by large blocks and slabs of white rough marble at a depth less than 7m, on a rocky sea bottom with sandy seabed; a place called ‘Posidonia Meadows’. In addition to the underwater archaeological routes, divers will also be able to enjoy the marine life. Lunch on board or in a traditional village with local delicacies according to preferences. We recommend an optional afternoon visit to the ‘Capo Colonna Museum’ and an optional dive at night (20:00 – 22:30) on a cargo ship of the second half of 20th century. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 12 | Diving at the “Gunny” and “Bengala” wrecks
After breakfast, departure from the hotel to the diving area. Our program contains two scuba dives in the morning at the modern wrecks of “Gunny”, a British cargo ship sunken in 1963, and at the “Bengala” wreck, a cargo carrying Port wine bottles that sunk in 1889. Lunch on board or in a traditional village with local delicacies according to your preferences. In the afternoon, naturalistic dive at the ‘Ancore’ shallows, a site rich in biodiversity and where is possible to see ancient anchors on the seabed. Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Optional dinner package.
> DAY 13 | Departure day
After breakfast, mini cruise on a glass-bottomed boat is available (optional); the rest of the morning is free. In the afternoon by a chauffeur-driven car transfer to the airport for the departure.
Your package includes:
► 12 nights at a hotel of your choice on bed & breakfast formula
► Transfers upon arrival and departure with assistance ► Diving guide or instructor.
Your package excludes:
► International flights ► Personal expenses ► Optional meals ► Optional excursions and visits
MANY OTHER COMBINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ACCORDING TO YOUR PREFERENCES OR YOUR DIVING SKILLS!
Co - founded by the EMFF programme of the European Union
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