What To Expect

Day 1: Levadia (Springs), Delphi (Apollo Temple), Meteora Rocks & Monasteries, Kastraki (Overnight)

• Proceed to Levadia, a busy town and an important junction in the road network. Also an industrial center where its textile mills treat the cotton grown in the Copais valley. The upper town is graced by white houses with jutting wooden balconies dating from the 18th C. We'll stop for a drink /light lunch ( favorite Ice Coffee & Souvlaki ) by the beautiful river Karya over the spot where the water springs out. In ancient times, Karya was said to be the location of the Oracle of Trofonios Zeus which included the springs of Mnemosyne (Remembrance) and the spring of Lethe (oblivion). The oracle was used as a stage before visiting the oracle of Delphi and as such, through the times, it acquired great power and riches.

  Duration: 30 minutes

  Admission Included: NOT_APPLICABLE

• Temple of Apollo

  Delphi is the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of Pythia, the oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The ancient Greeks considered the center of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the omphalos (navel). It occupies a site on the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus, overlooking the coastal plain to the south and the valley of Phocis. It is now an extensive archaeological site with a small modern town of the same name nearby. It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in having had a great influence in the ancient world, as evidenced by the various monuments built there by most of the important ancient Greek city-states, demonstrating their fundamental Hellenic unity. The Archaeological Site of Delphi is closed on: the 25th and the 26th of December, the 1st of January, the 25th of March, Easter Day, 1st of May. General Ticket ( Site & Museum): Winter 6€ / Summer 12€. Under 19 y free / Over 65 y reduce

  Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

  Admission Included: NO

• Delphi Archaeological Museum

  The Archaeological Museum, one of the most important in Greece, exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary. Highlights: The famous Charioteer belonged to a statuary complex of a chariot run by four horses and included a second male figure. It was dedicated by Polyzalos, the tyrant of the powerful city-state of Gela in Sicily, after his victory in the Pythian Games around 475 BC. The Sphinx of the Naxians, dated to 560 BC, comprises one of the earliest representations in art of the demonic creature with a lion's body, bird's wings and a woman's head. A moving story of familial devotion lies behind the statues of Kleobis and Biton. These were two brothers from Argos who pulled their mother's cart all the way from the city to the sanctuary of Hera; the goddess rewarded their devotion by sending peaceful death in their sleep. The Archaeological Museum is closed on: every Tuesday, the 25th and the 26th of December, the 1st of January, the 25th of March, Easter Day, 1st of May.

  Duration: 1 hour

  Admission Included: NO

• Mount Parnassus

  Depart via Mount Parnassus

  Admission Included: NOT_APPLICABLE

• Trikala Region

  Located in central Greece 330 km north of Athens. The city of Trikala is built on the ancient city of Trikka, which was founded around the 3rd millennium BC and took its name from the nymph Trikke, daughter of Penaeus, or according to others, daughter of the river god Asopus. The ancient city was built at a defensive location in between the local hill and the river Lithaios. Ten bridges cross the river, the central one made of metal having been constructed by the French in 1886. The city became an important center in antiquity and it was considered to be the birthplace and main residence of the healing god Asclepius. The city exhibited one of the most important and ancient of Asclepius' healing temples, called asclepieia. The city is mentioned in Homer's Iliad as having participated in the Trojan War with thirty ships under Asclepius' sons Machaon and Podalirius.Prefecture. In 352 BC it was united with the Macedonia of Philip II.

  Duration: 1 hour

  Admission Included: NOT_APPLICABLE

• Great Meteoron Monastery

  The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six (of an original twenty four) monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. It is located near the town of Kalambaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains. Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria I, II, IV, V, and VII. The name means "lofty", "elevated", and is etymologically related to meteor. Drive around Meteora Rocks, visit at least 2 of the Orthodox monasteries. Sunset tour. General ticket: 3€ per monastery

  Duration: 2 hours

  Admission Included: NO

• Meteora

  Overnight in Kastraki (meaning ‘small castle’) a small, peaceful village which from a distance looks like an eagle’s nest at the bottom of two gigantic rocks. We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 3/4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 90€ per double room / weekend-holidays 120€ per double room - if more than 2 rooms 15% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

  Duration: 10 hours

  Admission Included: NOT_APPLICABLE

Day 2: Meteora Rocks & Monasteries, Trikala, Thermopylae, Kamena Vourla
• Meteora

  Depart after breakfast, approx 8.00am for a photography tour (in different light now) around the Meteora. Stop in selected places with amazing views of the rocks and monasteries. Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria I, II, IV, V, and VII. The name means "lofty", "elevated", and is etymologically related to meteor. Drive around Meteora Rocks, visit at least 2 of the Orthodox monasteries. General ticket: 3€ per monastery

  Duration: 3 hours

  Admission Included: NOT_APPLICABLE

• Ano Trikala

  We walk up to the fortress towering above the hill north of the city. It is the well preserved Justinian fortress, today featuring a recreational area. On its east side there is the 17th century Clock, the emblem of the city, which has suffered destruction and restoration several times.

  Duration: 1 hour

  Admission Included: NOT_APPLICABLE

• Battlefield of Thermopylae

  Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces (notably the Spartans) and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie. This passage from north to south along the east coast of Greek peninsula requires use of the pass and for this reason Thermopylae has been the site of several battles.

  Duration: 30 minutes

  Admission Included: NOT_APPLICABLE

• Kainotomiko Kentro Istorikis Enimerosis Thermopylon

  Next to the monument of Leonidas, in the historic Thermopylae, lies the innovative/ interactive museum, dedicated to the 480 BC battle that changed the course of Greek history. Ticket 3€ / Reduce 1€

  Duration: 30 minutes

  Admission Included: NO