Itinerary
Day 1: Delphi, Center of the Ancient World
Stop At: Monastery of Hosios Loukas, Distomo 32005 Greece
At the time of your choice, your informative & professional Tour driver will be at your Hotel reception or other residence promptly to escort you on your tour. Heading out of Athens an optional first stop is the UNESCO site and well preserved Byzantine Monastery of Hosios Loukas set in beautiful countryside where you can explore its 1100 year old Architecture along with its unique & impressive fresco's
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece
Inset on wide terraces along the hillside we are fortunate that the landslides of previous centuries preserved much of the ancient remains for us to witness including the 4th century BC temple of Apollo from where the Oracle spoke her prophecies along with the Castilian spring of Mythology, theatre, treasury buildings, temples of Athena and Gymnasium where athletes gathered before the Pythian games to bath in the sacred waters. During your visit to Delphi, see the physical structures associated with this incredibly long history, and learn about their rich mythology. A beautiful addition to the site is the modern museum dedicated to the finds which stretch back in time to at least 1500 BC, as well as those notably which adorned the temples & streets of the ancient city at its peak around the 4th century BC with outstanding pieces such as the Naxos Sphynx, the twin Kouroi and famous Bronze Charioteer among others.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Arachova, Arachova, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
Lunch Stop. Spend time enjoying the local craft shops and wonderful views over the olive filled Pleistos river valley before your trip following the coast road towards Meteora
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Kalambaka, Kalambaka, Trikala Region, Thessaly
In the evening you will arrive beneath the 'rock forrest' at the town of Kalambaka where you are free to explore its squares, cafes & traditional restaurants.
Duration: 10 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kalambaka
Day 2: Meteora. The rock forest & its Monasteries
Stop At: Meteora, Meteora, Trikala Region, Thessaly
After breakfast we ascend towards the monasteries above. Built on a natural formation of sandstone rock pillars up to 1,312 feet high, the six remaining monasteries date from the 14th century and form a remarkable and awe-inspiring combination of nature and spiritual significance. We visit at least two of the most outstanding monasteries, normally the Grand Meteora Monastery, Varlaam or Agiou Stefanou, and learn about their long history and the hermits and monks that lived there alongside the majestic landscape views.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Kalambaka, Kalambaka, Trikala Region, Thessaly
A relaxing & refreshing lunch stop in one of the central squares of the town before continuing
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Thermopylae 350 09, Greece
After our visit to the Monastaries we return south towards Athens for approximately 90 minutes to the site of Thermopylae, stopping to see the monument and enter the newly built Visitor’s Center which recreates the ancient battle where King Leonidas led the 300 Spartans in 480 BC. After pausing for lunch or a break by the sea in one of the many local villages we finally continue to your onward destination with the memories and images from these wonderful experiences.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.