Meteora two days Tour

Two days Delphi and Meteora tour starts with a 70-mile drive along the National highway northwest of Athens. Driving through Levadia, we arrive at the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, one of the finest Byzantine monuments in Greece, built in the 10th century and set on a picturesque slope on the western foothills of Mount Hellikon, near the ancient town of Steiri. The Monastery was founded in 945 AD by the hermit Hosios Loukas who was hard working, kind, compassionate, hospitable and born with the gift of foresight, which was proved unmistakable on issues of both national and individual importance. The Catholicon at the Monastery keeps the relics of Hosios Loukas. The marvellous mosaics and the architecture make the Monastery one of the most important monuments in Greece.

Departing from the Monastery, we arrive at Delphi via Arachova, a picturesque town situated on the south slopes of Mount Parnassus. Arachova has become a popular day or weekend road trip for Athenians, mostly during the winter because of the ski centre.

At Delphi, we visit Castalia spring, the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the ancient Stadium, the ancient Theatre, the unique bronze Charioteer, and the Museum.

Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis. In Greek mythology, it was the navel of the earth, the site of the Delphic Oracle and a major site for the worship of god Apollo after he slew the Python, a dragon who protected the navel of the earth. Apollo spoke through his oracle. The priestess of the oracle known as the Pythia had to be an older woman and sat on a tripod seat over an opening in the earth. Apollo possessed Pythia and she prophesied. People consulted the Delphic Oracle on everything from important matters of public policy to personal affairs. The Oracle exerted considerable influence throughout the Greek world and consulted before all major events.

The ancient Stadium held the Python Games, which were one of the four Pan-Hellenic Games held every four years.

We conclude our visit to Delphi by having lunch at a local restaurant enjoying the view of the Itea Gulf, followed by a visit to the Temple of Athena Pronea and the Gymnasium.

We continue driving through the mountains of central Greece, arriving at Kalambaka, an important town well known due to the second largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries in Greece after Mount Athos, Meteora. We will spend the night in a hotel either at Kalambaka or at Kastraki village.

The next morning, after breakfast, we visit the two of the most suspended in the air Monasteries, built on natural sand stone rock pillars. The Meteora Monasteries date back to the 11th century and are included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. The James Bond movie For your eyes only was filmed at the Monastery of Holy Trinity.

We conclude our visit to Meteora by having lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a drive back to Athens through picturesque towns of Central Greece and a short stop at Thermopylae, the Hot Gates. An important town well known for the battle among the Greek forces including the 300 Spartans and their leader King Leonidas and the Persians in 353 BC.

The monument of King Leonidas was erected by the battlefield reminding all of us of the sacrifice of those patriots for a free country.

Finally, we arrive to Glyfada / Saronida area driving along the National highway.