2 Days Private Tour/ Delphi (Apollo Oracle) & Meteora (Orthodox Monasteries)

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Levadia (Springs), Delphi (Apollo Temple), Meteora Rocks & Monasteries, Kastraki (Overnight)
7 stops
1
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
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
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
3
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
4
Depart via Mount Parnassus
Admission ticket free
5
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
6
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
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
7
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.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Meteora Rocks & Monasteries, Trikala, Thermopylae, Kamena Vourla
5 stops
8
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
3 hours • Admission ticket free
9
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
10
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
11
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€
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
12
On our return to Athens we will stop at Kamena Vourla. Coastal town is located on the south coast of the Malian Gulf, 4 km west of Cape Knimis, which separates the Malian Gulf from the North Euboean Gulf. After World War II, Kamena Vourla was transformed into a tourist attraction and now It's the most known resort in Central Greece well organized with lots of high quality services for our visitors. Situated in the middle of Greece is the perfect destination right on the beach with a lot of alternatives. Time for lunch or dinner (optional)
1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please book this tour, at least 2 weeks prior, as we need time to reserve rooms for you and your driver. Meteora is very popular place. * We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 160€ per double room / for weekend-holidays 180€ per double room - if more than 2 rooms 10% 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.
• You Have the options of 3 different Vehicles types: Sedan/ Suv up to 3 adults or family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids - up to 10 years old free) - Minivan ( from 1 to 7 persons - 2 kids/ up to 10 years old free ) - Minibus ( from 1 to 14 persons - 2 kids/ up to 10 years old free). Price varies by Group Size or Vehicle type.
• The driver is not a licensed tour guide to accompany you on your walk to archaeological sites or museums. If you require an archaeologist guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally (in prior time). Your professional tour driver provides informative documentary & historical details as you travel..
• The Archaeological Museums & sites in country are closed on: every Tuesday (Museums only), the 25th and the 26th of December, the 1st of January, the 25th of March, Easter Day, 1st of May. Winter season: 8.30 am - 15.30 pm (1 November - 14 April) Summer season: 8.00 am - 20.00 pm (15 April - 31 October)

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