DELPHI AND METEORA 3 DAYS TOUR

FIRST DAY ITINERARY

Delphi Meteora tour starts from your hotel or apartment in Athens. Suggested time about 08:00 am. We shall drive via Viotia Prefecture, the first stop at the capital of the viotia Livadeia. There we shall visit the park of Kria (which means cold in Greek). The area of Kria is a landscape of unique natural beauty and a place for refreshments. You will have the opportunity to walk along the Gorge of Kria admiring the springs of river Herkyna, stone bridges, small waterfalls, canals, gates. An ideal place for having a refreshment or coffee. After Levadeia our next stop is Hosios Loukas Monastery located on a picturesque slope on the western foothills of Mount Helikon. It’s one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art which has been listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites along with the monasteries of Nea Moni at Chios island and Daphni Monastery in Attica. We continue our private adventure with a stop in the traditional village of Arachova (a famous ski center also very famous for its carpets) which is located at the foot of Mount Parnassos and we‘ll end the first day of our tour with our arrival at the modern little town of Delphi. After checking in at the hotel it’s time to walk around this beautiful little town. The view from high to the valley is amazing. At night you will enjoy a tasty dinner in one of the traditional Greek tavernas and after you will spend your night in a local hotel.

SECOND DAY ITINERARY

After having your breakfast we’ll go to visit the archeological site of Delphi. The navel of the earth or “the center of the world” – as it was regarded by the ancients – the famous Sanctuary of Delphi with the worldwide famous Oracle. You will visit The temple of Athena Pronaia (the Tholos ), the Gymnasium, the Castalian Spring, the Temple of Apollo, the Polygonal wall, the sacred way, the treasury house of Athenians, the Treasury of the Siphnians the ancient Stadium, and the old theater. In the Museum of Delphi, you will admire unique treasures such as the world-famous bronze Charioteer a masterpiece of classical Greek art, statues, and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. After the visit to Delphi we’ll go to the modern village of Delphi where you will enjoy your lunch at a traditional Greek tavern. Then our private tour continues with driving through Mount Parnassos. We shall pass via traditional villages such as Gravia, Bralo and we reach at famous Thermopylae where the battle between the Greeks and the Persians took place in 480 B.C. You will admire the marvelous statue of King of Sparta, Leonidas who with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians faced numerous Persian forces under the command of King Xerxes A’. It was there that Leonidas told Xerxes the world-famous phrase “Μολών Λαβέ (Molon Lave) ” which means “Come and Get It”.
After Thermopylae, we’ll continue driving out of the city of Lamia, and via the new modern highway in the evening we arrive in Kalampaka a town located near Meteora Rocks (also known as “The Rocks of the God”). Free time for a walk and dinner in Kalampaka and then you will spend your night at a hotel.

THIRD DAY ITINERARY

After having your breakfast we will “climb” to the impressive rocks of Meteora in Greek means “middle of the sky”. Meteora is one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. In the 9th century AD, an ascetic group of hermit monks moved up to the ancient pinnacles. They were the first people to inhabit Meteora. They lived in hollows and fissures in the rock towers, some of which reach 1800 ft (550m) above the plain. Average elevation is 313 meters (1,027 ft ). The exact date of the establishment of the monasteries is unknown. With the unique phenomenon to have on their top Orthodox monasteries, the whole complex of the rocks with the monasteries has been listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. You’ll have the opportunity to visit and admire the most important monasteries (at least five) such as the Monastery of Great Meteoron, the Monastery of Rousanou, the Monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Triniti), the Varlaam Monastery, the Monastery of Saint Nikolaos Anapafsa and the Monastery of Saint Stephanos. On our way back to Athens we shall have our last stop at Kammena Vourla a beautiful resort town near to the sea. You’ll enjoy your lunch there in one of the beautiful tavernas. After your lunch, we’ll take the highway driving back to Athens.

• We use vehicles, legal and licensed by the Greek National Tourism Organization, smoke-free, fully air-conditioned.
• Rates include all tolls, fuel, parking fees, and baggage charges.
• Not included: Drinks, meals, entrance fees, accommodation, licensed guides.
• Tours are private, personal, and flexible just for you and your party.
• Tickets:
  • Delphi: 12 € per adult
  • Meteora Monasteries: 2 € per adult
  • Reduced ticket: European citizens over 65 years old, University students
  • Free entrance: Children and young people up to the age of 25, from EU member-states, upon presentation of their ID card or passport for verification of their age and country of origin.
  • Children up to the age of 5, from non-European Union countries, upon presentation of their passport for verification of their age and country of origin.

Vehicle: SUV Volkswagen or Mercedes sedan – Capacity: 1-4 persons + driver
Price: €1170

Vehicle: Mercedes Minivan – Capacity: 5-7 people
Price: €1350

Museums and Archaeological sites are closed:

• 1 January: closed
• 6 January: closed
• 25 March: closed
• Good Friday: until 12:00 closed
• Easter Sunday: closed
• 1 May: closed
• 25 December: closed
• 26 December: closed

Museums and Archaeological sites are open 08.30-15.00:

• Shrove Monday:
• Holy Saturday
• Easter Monday
• Holy Spirit Day
• 15 August
• 28 October