A Day in Corinth, and an Epic Drive along the Gulf of Corinth to Olympia

Ancient Corinth with the lofty peak of Acro-Cornith in the background

We had another busy and fun-filled day. We began by driving to nearby Corinth, where we really got our hearts pumping hard, bright and early, by climbing to the top of Acro-Corinth, a fortified peak high above the ruins of ancient Corinth. It was a tough climb, but the girls loved it. When they got to the top of this fortress, they were rewarded with spectacular views of the valley and the Gulf of Corinth far below.

After we hiked back down the mountain, we enjoyed some cool drinks, and then headed to the ruins of ancient Corinth. 

The girls saw many fine examples of Classical art, and they learned about the life and times of the Apostle Paul in Corinth.  

Mosaic of Dionysus (above), life-sized sculptural depiction of Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor (below).

One of the most attractive features of ancient Corinth are the remains of the Temple of Apollo. Here we posed for a group picture. We were starting to get good at this by now. 

Famished from our climb up Acro-Corinth, and our time in the hot sun around the ruins of ancient Corinth, we headed to a nearby restaurant for some excellent Greek food.

Completing our meal, we boarded our bus and headed west, across the Peloponnese to the site of ancient Olympia. This was an epic drive of three hours. so to pass the time Ms. Rhett had each girl compose an epic story about her journey through Greece so far. The girls had fun coming up with their own Homeric epithets for themselves and phrasing their story in the grand style of Homer.

In the end, the long bus ride was worth it. The hotel in Olympia was spectacular, and the girls loved it. 

The hotel is set on the side of a hill amidst a grove of olive trees. In the distance is a farmhouse.

The girls were especially pleased that this hotel had a beautiful new pool. 

Tomorrow we will tour Olympia, and then head to the mountains to the ancient Oracle of Delphi.