7 Days Private Tour: Meteora - Ioannina - Thessaloniki - Litochoro & Delphi

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Thermopylae - Meteora - Kalambaka
7 stops
1
We will visit the battlefield of Thermopylae’s, travelling through time you will feel the presence of all who died for their freedom against the Persians.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
10 years after the Battle of Marathon, King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans heroically faced the Persian army. In the historical centre of the site you will enjoy a 3D movie, travelling through time you will feel the presence of all who died for their freedom under a foreign conqueror.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
3
To complete the visit you will see the statue of Leonidas standing right opposite Kolonos Hill where the persisting Spartans left their last breath.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Meteora
Our trip will continue with a drive through the mountains, not taking the national highway, to see the real Greek country side passing by the cities of Lamia, Trikala and Karditsa we will reach Kalambaka, a beautiful small city that is dominated by the Meteora rocks standing upon it. Reaching the small town we will settle at the hotel and then drive up around the hills for an evening photo tour on the rocks under the Greek sunset.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
5
We will visit the monasteries and a have closer look at the holy rocks. On the rocks that are like suspended in the air (that’s what Meteora means) there is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries still in use. Meteora combines natural beauty and cultural heritage a fact that make them a unique destination between the world’s monuments. Great Meteoron is the biggest and most impressive one.
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
6
The Holy Monastery of Agios Stefanos is one of the few female monasteries of Meteora. The exact date of the monastery's construction is unknown but according to some evidence it was built in the 15th century.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
7
The beautiful wall-paintings of the Catholicon were executed in 1560. Visit Roussanou for a different view of the surrounding cliffs and the adjacent Monasteries. Follow the pathway from this monastery to the upper main road and discover an off-the-road panoramic view point spot that allows you to walk on bear rocks!
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
Day 2
Dodoni - Ioannina
5 stops
8
We will drive to the Ancient Greek Oracle of Dodoni where a huge site is preserved. It reveals where the ancient Greek theater, the Temple and the Oracle of Zeus functioned. The sanctuary of Dodoni was a major spiritual area in ancient Greece. It was the oldest of the Greek oracles and ancient people traveled great distances in order to consult the priests who foretold the future.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
9
It is the biggest museum of wax effigies in Greece and also a great heritage in our history. Everything in this museum, from the moment their idea was perceived until the stage of its creation, was handcrafted by a man, who wanted to enliven elements of his country’s history with lots of love and passion.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
10
Ioannina
Set on the western shore of the lovely Lake Pamvotis, Ioannina is one of northern Greece's most atmospheric cities, and one of its more cultured and wealthy, as it was famous throughout the Ottoman Empire for its silver artisans. The walls of its old fortified city, the Kastro, enclose a tranquil quarter, spiked with minarets, and an island in the lake is a quiet, car-free escape.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
11
The lake is also one of a kind as it is the only one in the world that has a small inhabited island and it’s just across from the city.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
12
The southeast part of Ioannina is a beautiful fortified old town, and it’s the area’s historic landmark. This is the oldest Byzantine fortress in Greece, continuously inhabited until today.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Metsovo - Vergina - Thessaloniki
7 stops
13
This tree-shaded village, retaining its traditional character, dots the mountain side below Katara Col in the Mountain Range of Pindos. Metsovo is full of life throughout the year generously offering you its natural surrounding beauties. Particularly during winter, the famous vlach village, birthplace of various national benefactors, is Epirus’ beloved tourist destination.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
14
The city of Aigai, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, was discovered in the 19th century near Vergina, in northern Greece. The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
15
You will be able to visit the museum that developed around the original location of the Royal Tombs full of their golden belonging and more importantly you will face the imposing tomb of Philip II, father of the Alexander the Great.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
16
Thessaloniki we will have a traditional northern Greek lunch at the region of “Ladadika”. In the afternoon we will drive around this beautiful city to see all the highlights of the co-capital. The White Tower, the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda, the Roman Agora and the cathedral of the Patron Saint Demetrius, the city wall and the Ano Poli (upper City) that offers you a breathtaking view of the city and the Aegean Sea. The rest of the day will be free to enjoy more of the city at your own pace visit museums, walk in Aristotelous Square or visit the central commercial streets.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
17
White Tower of Thessaloniki
The White Tower of Thessaloniki is a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city of Thessaloniki, capital of the region of Macedonia in northern Greece. The present tower replaced an old Byzantine fortification, known to have been mentioned around the 12th century, that the Ottoman Empire reconstructed to fortify the city's harbour sometime after Sultan Murad II captured Thessaloniki in 1430. The tower became a notorious prison and scene of mass executions during the period of Ottoman rule.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
18
The emblematic monument of Thessaloniki, was constructed in the early 4th century AD, on the turning point between the pagan with the Christian world, probably as a temple for ancient cult worship or as a mausoleum for Constantine the Great (306-337).
15 minutes • Admission ticket not included
19
Arch of Galerius
One of the most characteristic monuments of Thessaloniki is the Arch of Galerius, located on the upper side of the Via Egnatia, a short distance from the Rotunda. (The Rotunda is a building with internal niches, serving as a place of worship). The Arch of Galerius is a glorious monument, whose purpose was not practical, but memorial and honorary. It is a triumphal arch built shortly before 305 AD to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius, after the final victory over the Persians. The triumphal arch that was positioned perpendicular to the ancient Egnatia, which crossed the city (west to east) forming a part of the Roman Palace of Galerius, which was developed through the current squares of Navarinou and Hippodrome.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Pella - Thessaloniki
4 stops
20
Pella is one of the most important sites of the Hellenistic Period. It was chosen to be the capital of the huge Macedonian Empire in the end 5th century BCE. The archaeological site consists of public baths, sanctuaries, villas of wealthy Macedonians with unique mosaic decoration and of course the Agora of the city. The city originally covered an area of 400 hectares and it gradually became the cultural and commercial center of the empire. More importantly Alexander the Great was born in Pella.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
21
The museum of Pella is a modern museum that opened in 2009 and has nothing to envy from other Greek museums located in big cities.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
22
The Heptapyrgion is a Byzantine and Ottoman-era fortress situated on the north-eastern corner of the Acropolis of Thessaloniki. Despite its name, which means "Fortress of Seven Towers", it features ten, and was probably named after the Yedikule Fortress in Constantinople. It served as the major redoubt of the city's acropolis, as well as the seat of its garrison commander in Ottoman times, until the late 19th century.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
23
The Church of Saint Demetrius is the main sanctuary dedicated to Saint Demetrius, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, dating from a time when it was the second largest city of the Byzantine Empire. It is part of the site Palaeochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO since 1988.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Dion - Litochoro
3 stops
24
We will drive towards the site of Dion following the national highway, reaching the village of Dion we will find the site and the archaeological museum of Dion, an ancient Greek city named after Zeus (in Greek Dias) that preserved its importance in the Macedonian Period. There Philip II and his son Alexander the Great made sacrifices to the Gods after conquering the Ancient Greek world and from there Alexander The Great started his expedition towards to Asia. It was a city with of a huge strategic importance according to the Macedonian Kings. Today you can visit sanctuary of Isis and other Egyptian Gods, the oldest sanctuary of Goddess Dimitra, a Hellenistic theater, a roman theater and a stadium, the mansion of Dionysos with its wonderful mosaic decoration and many more public and private buildings.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
25
Located in the present-day settlement of Dion, only 500 meters from the entrance of the archaeological space, the museum displays finds from various excavations over the years. The finds have been organized according to the areas from which they were excavated on the site, and include discoveries from ancient Pydna and other archaeological spots in Pieria. In the basement visitors can watch an educational film titled «Daily Life in Ancient Dion», and screenings of audiovisual materials related to ancient Dion and Olympus.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
26
After having lunch at the village of Dion we will drive on the foothills of mountain Olympus to reach the mountainous, scenic village of Litochoro where we will stay the rest of the day and overnight. Litochoro is the closest location to Mt Olympus at sea level making it a popular destination for people that want to start climbing up the mountain. So we will stay on the foothill of the highest mountain in Greece, of the mountain were the 12 Gods of Olympus lived according to the Greek Mythology.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Delphi - Arachova
4 stops
27
We will drive to the ancient site of Delphi, a famous sanctuary with a PanHellenic character dedicated to Apollo. It served as an oracle and was considered ‘the naval’ the center of the world. Today Delphi is a symbol of Greek cultural unity. The scenic location allows you to have a soothing view of the Greek mountains.
Admission ticket free
28
On location you will visit the mystical temple of Apollo where Pytheia spoke to the God, the ancient theater and the stadium.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
29
While in the museum you will be able to see the famous charioteer and Gold Ivory statues.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
30
Aráchova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós in Viotia, Southern Greece.It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favourite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities. Its modern ski resort, its close proximity to Athens, and its breathtaking mountainous landscape are the strongest reason why. Apart from the mountain activities, Aráchova is also famous for its bustling nightlife and as the favorite mountain resort of Athenians.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Distomo - Marathon - Sounio
8 stops
31
We will visit the monastery of Hosios Loukas, which represents the second golden age of Byzantine art (11th -12th century) in particular its golden mosaic decoration and fine architecture, protected by Unesco.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
32
Driving by the present city of Marathon our last stop in this area we will be Marathon Lake, on the slopes of Mt Penteli. It is an artificial lake operating as the main water reservoir for Athens in the past and its dam, a great mechanic construction of the starts of 20th century.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
33
We will reach the Tumulus of the Athenians; the site portrays courage, bravery and finally the victory of the Athenians against the Persians in 490 BCE. This is the course of the original Marathon Race, as you will see by the signs that count each kilometer.
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
34
On entering the site you will see the dominating Temple of Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the sea, surrounded by the remains of fornications, the gateway (porticos) and houses. Close by are also see the remains of the temple Athena Souniada. Besides its unique location and its archaeological interest, Cape Sounio is also famous for its breathtaking sunset and view of the Greek Islands. It is rightly considered one of the most romantic places in Greece.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
35
We will cross Varkiza.
Admission ticket free
36
We will drive by Vouliagmeni with the luxurious hotels and the famous lake protected by Natura 2000.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
37
We will cross the suthern suburbs of Athens to enjoy the seaside areas, called the Athenian Riviera.
Admission ticket free
38
Athens
We will drive up to Athens.
Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• The drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside any site or museum. If you require a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally. If you have any questions you can contact us on the phone number provided by Viator.

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