Escorted Tours
Wild Flowers of the Peloponnese
Offering a rich culture and an inherent natural beauty, the Peloponnese bursts into life in spring, its landscapes awash with colourful wildflowers. Explore areas steeped in myth and legend with botanical guide Graham Kendall, seeking out some of the over 2,300 species of flora, found here amongst the historical sites and lush scenery.
As the Peloponnese is such a vast area, our tour is designed as three-centre to avoid very long drives on our days out, as well as to provide the opportunity to explore a variety of flora habitats. All hotels have been carefully chosen with each providing a comfortable and convenient base for our stay.
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
Graham Kendall
Graham studied at the Savill Gardens in Windsor and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh before becoming Head Gardener at three National Trust properties and later establishing his own consultancy. A year spent studying at a pioneering garden in Greece first inspired his fascination with the country’s rich native flora.
Numerous return visits have deepened Graham’s knowledge of Greece and its varied habitats. On tour, he combines expert botanical insight with an obvious enthusiasm for the landscapes in which the plants grow, bringing colour and context to every day’s exploration.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Arrival
Fly from London Gatwick to Athens, transfer to Nafplio. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Nafplio and Palamidi
A leisurely day botanising in and around Nafplio, former first capital of the newly liberated Greece. Overnight Nafplio.
Day 3: Nafplio to Sparta
We take a scenic route across the Nafplio Hills towards Sparta, enjoying some botanising stops as we go. Before reaching Sparta we branch off and head into the low hills around Sparta where we find plenty of olive groves, which we hope will reward with early spring flowers, including mirror orchid.
If time permits, we will make a visit to the lovely 17th-century Monastery of the Forty Martyrs, located in the same area, before checking into the Menelaion hotel centrally located in Sparta.
Day 4: Monemvasia
We head south of Sparta, our destination the wonderful medieval town of Monemvasia. We will botanise enroute, hopefully finding tulips and an endemic cyclamen, and at Monemvasia itself, there will be time to explore the atmospheric old streets of this pretty town.
Day 5: Zagoriahoria
Our botanising today will be in and around the captivating ruins of Byzantine Mystras, built in 1249 AD. The tumbling and compelling ruins, today a UNESCO listed site, cover the hillside and provide an atmospheric setting. Usually flower filled at this time of year, we will take our time to explore around the ruins and in areas close to the site.
Day 6: The Mani
Leaving Sparta behind, we head into the colourful and unique Mani region of the Peloponnese following a coastal route that offers exceptional views and plenty of colour – where hopefully the red peacock anemone will be at its peak.
We will botanise in various places on our journey to our ultimate destination, Kardamyli, where the English writer, scholar, soldier and polyglot, Patrick Leigh Fermor, built his home, and you will understand why when you glimpse this lovely location.
We will have the opportunity to see some of the typical ‘tower houses’ of this area, remnants of turbulent times gone by, as well as some picturesque Byzantine churches. Check-in and overnight at Vardia Hotel, Kardamyli.
Day 7: Around Kardamyli
Our final day is a relaxed one botanising in and around Kardamyli, an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate this exceptionally picturesque part of the Peloponnese.
Then it’s on to an included lunch in the seaside village of Agios Nikolaos before returning to our hotel. Overnight Vardia Hotel, Kardamyli.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Kalamata airport for return flight to London Gatwick.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“Graham Kendall’s outstanding leadership made this another thoroughly enjoyable tour. Having travelled with him on several previous trips, it was a pleasure to explore somewhere new together, and I’m already planning to join him again next year.”
Alan Baker, travelled April 2026
“Some of the most memorable moments were the simplest, such as walking through olive groves filled with spring flowers. We also really enjoyed the opportunity to see the parades in Sparta, which added something special to the trip. It was a wonderful experience overall, with plenty of time outdoors, thoughtful organisation and the company of like-minded travellers.”
Mr P, travelled March 2026
“Seeing Greece at its greenest, with its abundance of orchids and wildflower meadows among the olive groves, was a real highlight, along with visiting ancient sites such as Mystras.”
Mrs B, travelled March 2026
“A highlight of the trip was the warmth and friendliness of the Greek people we met along the way, which really added to the experience.”
Anonymous, travelled March 2026
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Agamemnon Hotel, Nafplio – 2 nights
This 3‑star hotel is centrally located on the seafront in the historic Old Town of Nafplio. The hotel features a range of facilities including a restaurant, café/bar with sea views, free Wi‑Fi, 24‑hour reception, room service, and comfortable bedrooms.
Hotel Website
Menelaion Hotel, Sparta – 3 nights
Centrally located in Sparta, this comfortable hotel in a perfect location to ensure we get the best out of our visit to the sprawling site of Mystras. Hotel facilities include wi-fi, lounge café, bar, restaurant and pool (seasonal). Bedrooms have en-suite bathroom facilities, TV, air-conditioning/heating, triple glazing and hairdryer. Dinner isn’t included at this hotel, but a choice of restaurants are available within very easy walking distance.
Hotel Website
Vardia Hotel, Kardamyli – 2 nights
Perched gracefully above the charming old town of Kardamyli, Vardia Hotel offers guests an authentic escape into the heart of the Mani Peninsula. Built with local stone and wood, the hotel’s architecture harmonizes seamlessly with its natural surroundings, providing a serene and picturesque setting.
Hotel Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Due to the time of year of the tour, some paths and botanical sites may be a little muddy and uneven at times. There are no long walks on the tour, but there may be some short walks to visit places of botanical interest.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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