Our Spartan Odyssey begins with a relaxed arrival in Athens. After checking into our carefully selected hotel on the outskirts of the city, there is time to settle in, meet fellow participants and unwind after your journey to Greece.

This evening, we come together for our official welcome dinner, enjoying our first taste of Greek hospitality as we introduce the team, meet our fellow travellers and look ahead to the extraordinary journey awaiting us.

With the cars ready and the road ahead calling, tonight is about relaxing, raising a glass and beginning the adventure together.

After a leisurely breakfast, we leave Athens behind and begin our journey south into the Peloponnese.

Crossing the famous Corinth Canal, we leave the modern city behind and enter a landscape of olive groves, mountains and ancient history. The road gradually becomes more remote as we travel deeper into the Peloponnese, with spectacular views and beautifully winding roads providing our first real taste of the driving adventure ahead.

Our route continues south towards Sparta, passing through the historic landscapes that have played such an important role in Greek history.

As we approach the city, the dramatic Taygetos mountains rise ahead of us, providing a magnificent backdrop to our arrival.

This evening, we settle into Sparta and enjoy a relaxed dinner, with time to explore the city and prepare for tomorrow's spectacular journey through the mountains.

Leaving Sparta behind, we head west towards the remarkable Byzantine city of Mystras, rising dramatically on the slopes of the Taygetos mountains.

From Mystras, the road climbs into the mountains, following the spectacular Langada-Taygetos Pass towards Kalamata.

This is classic Greek mountain driving, with winding roads, dramatic slopes and ever-changing views across the Peloponnese.

Beyond the mountains, we turn north once again, following quieter roads through the beautiful countryside towards the mountain town of Lagkadia, our home for the evening.

Our journey continues north through the mountains of the Peloponnese before descending towards the Gulf of Corinth.

Along the way, we visit the ancient Roman Theatre of Aigeira before continuing towards the coast for lunch beside the sparkling waters of the Gulf.

From the coast, the route turns inland once more, crossing the dramatic Peristeriona Gorge before returning towards the Gulf and the spectacular Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge.

Crossing the bridge into mainland Greece, we continue towards Nafpaktos, one of the most picturesque historic towns on the Gulf of Corinth.

Its Venetian harbour and imposing castle provide a wonderful setting for our evening.

Today we leave Nafpaktos and follow the northern shores of the Gulf of Corinth before turning towards the Ionian coast.

Our route takes us through the beautiful countryside around Lake Trichonida, Greece's largest natural lake, before continuing towards the coast. We pause for lunch in the picturesque town of Mytikas, overlooking the Ionian Sea and the island of Kalamos.

From here, the route turns north once more through the rugged landscapes of western Greece before arriving in Arta.

Today we enjoy one of the great scenic loops of the journey, exploring the Ionian coastline without having to change hotels.

We begin in Arta, crossing the historic medieval bridge before travelling south through the Amvrakikos wetlands towards Lefkada.

The island is renowned for its spectacular coastline and turquoise waters, and our route takes us through the island towards Vasiliki, where we pause for lunch.

Afterwards, we follow the Ionian coast northwards before crossing the floating Santa Maura Bridge and returning towards the mainland.

Our final section follows the shores of the Ambracian Gulf back towards Arta.

With no change of hotel tonight, there is time to enjoy a relaxed evening and perhaps a long dinner together.

Today takes us deep into northern Greece.

Leaving Arta, we follow the Arachthos River northwards into the rugged landscapes of Tzoumerka and the Arachthos Gorge.

The mountains become increasingly dramatic as we climb towards the Thessalian plain and the extraordinary landscape of Meteora.

We pause for lunch in Kalabaka, beneath the immense rock pillars on which the famous monasteries of Meteora appear to balance impossibly above the valley.

From here, we turn west once more, following forest roads and mountain valleys towards Epirus.

Our destination is Ioannina, beautifully situated beside Lake Pamvotis.

Today, we put the cars aside.

After several days of mountain roads and spectacular driving, Ioannina provides the perfect place to slow the pace and experience a different side of Greece.

Built around the tranquil waters of Lake Pamvotis, Ioannina combines dramatic mountain scenery with a fascinating history and distinctive Epirote character.

The day is deliberately unhurried.

Explore the historic castle, wander through the atmospheric old town, take a boat across the lake to its island, or simply enjoy a long lunch overlooking the water.

For those who prefer to relax, the hotel provides the opportunity to spend the afternoon at leisure.

This evening, we come together for dinner and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Ioannina.

Today we return to the road and head north into the Pindos mountains.

The route climbs through spectacular limestone valleys and forests before reaching Konitsa, a beautiful mountain town surrounded by some of the most dramatic landscapes in Epirus.

After lunch, we continue through the Konitsa valley, following mountain roads and crossing the Sarantaporos before eventually reaching Kastoria.

Our destination is one of northern Greece's most beautiful cities, dramatically situated on a peninsula extending into Lake Orestiada.

This evening, there is time to explore the lakeside promenade or simply relax and enjoy our surroundings.

Our final day behind the wheel takes us eastwards through the landscapes of Western Macedonia.

Leaving Kastoria and Lake Orestiada behind, we pass through mountain country, forests and beautiful natural lakes before descending towards the Thermaic Gulf.

The landscape gradually opens as we approach Thessaloniki, Greece's vibrant second city and the final destination of our journey.

We arrive in time to enjoy the afternoon at leisure, providing an opportunity to explore the city, relax at the hotel or simply reflect on the extraordinary roads we have travelled.

This evening, we come together for our final celebration, with cocktails, exceptional northern Greek cuisine and a chance to raise a glass to the journey.

After an extraordinary journey through mainland Greece, today is a morning to slow the pace, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and say farewell.

For those with time before departure, Thessaloniki offers a wonderful final opportunity to explore its historic centre, waterfront and extraordinary food culture.

Over the past ten days, we have travelled from the legendary city of Sparta through the mountains of the Peloponnese, along the Ionian coast and deep into the remote landscapes of Epirus and Western Macedonia.

We have crossed spectacular mountain passes, discovered ancient ruins, experienced the extraordinary landscape of Meteora and enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of some of Greece's most fascinating regions.

Now, after breakfast, it is time to say farewell to fellow participants and begin the journey home.

Wherever the road leads next, we hope you leave Spartan Odyssey with memories of extraordinary roads, remarkable places and new friendships.