4 Days Private Tour: Delphi - Meteora - Vergina & Dion

Hosios Loukas- Arachova -Delphi

This day you will have the opportunity to visit the Hosios Loukas monastey that is a great example of Byzantine art and the glorious site of the ancient Greek oracle of Delphi (the naval of the earth).

Leaving the site of Delphi we will have lunch at the modern village of Delphi with a peaceful view of the mountains of Fokis. Before setting off we will stop at point well known for its great view, you will see the Corinthian Sea, the port of Itea and the valley full of olive trees (olive sea). 

Mount Parnassus

We will be on the slopes of Mount Parnassus before reaching Delphi.  

Hosios Loukas

Our first stop is going to be 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 are protected by UNESCO.   

Arachova

A stop at the village of Arachova, Mykonos of the Winter, as the Athenians call it, for come picturesque photos.  

Delphi

Delphi is a town on Mount Parnassus in the south of mainland Greece. It's the site of the 4th-century-B.C. Temple of Apollo, once home to a legendary oracle.  

Temple of Apollo

Called the centre of the world, Delphi was the most famous ancient Greek sanctuary with a Pan Hellenic character dedicated to the God Apollo. At the site you will visit the temple of Apollo where Pytheia spoke to the oracles, the theater, and the stadium, while a little farther lies the temple of Athena Pronea and the Gymnasium.  

Delphi Archaeological Museum

In the museum you will be able to see some splendid findings such as the famous charioteer and Gold Ivory statues. 

Kalambaka

Following we 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. Here we will visit the Monasteries, have lunch, see the sunset and then overnight.

Great Meteoron

We will visit the monasteries and a 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 Meteoro, as its name shows is the biggest and most impressive of the six.  

Roussanou and Agios Stefanos

Visit the Roussanou or Saint Stefan Monastery, two of the most known monasteries.  

Roussanou Nunnery gives you the opportunity to walk in the trees before you arrive at the hanged from the sky monastery, while Saint Stefan is the easiest to access.

Vergina - Dion

This day we will visit important places of the Macedonian Empire, Vergina with the Palace and the Royal Tombs and Dion, the most sacred place of the Region devoted to Zeus.

Vergina

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. 

Museum of the Royal Tombs

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 Alexander the Great. 

Dion

Next 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.   

Archaeological Museum of Dion

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. 

Litochoro

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. 

Thermopylae - Kammena Vourla - Athens

We will take the way back to Athens. We will have a stop at Thermopylae to see the place where Leonidas and his 300 immortals gave their lives against the outnumbered Persians. Then we will have lunch at the seaside village of Kammena Vourla.

Historical Information Center Thermopylon

It was here that 10 years after the Battle of Marathon, King Leonidas and his 300 brave Spartans heroically faced the Persian army. In the historical center, an informative 3D movie will be shown.  

Leonidas Monument Thermopylae

As if traveling through time you will feel the presence of heroes who stood their ground for their freedom against a foreign conqueror. To conclude you will visit the statue of Leonidas standing exactly opposite Kolonos Hill where the persistent Spartans left their last breath.   

Battlefield of Thermopylae

Walk around the Thermopylae Battlefield to see the landscape.

Thermopylae Springs

Drive-by the hot springs.

Kammena Vourla

We will have lunch by the sea at this picturesque village.

Athens

Drive back to Athens.