Day 1:
Leave of Athens early in the morning to the Corinth Canal via the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf. Pass by the Corinth canal (quick stop to take pictures), then on to Epidaurus visiting this Ancient Epidaurus theatre. Proceeding on to Nafplio Town (short stop). After lunch we depart from Nafplio to Mycenae visiting the Archaeological site – the Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, the Palace and the tomb of Agamemnon. After Mycenae we move on via Tripoli – Megalopolis (quick stop) to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Overnight & Dinner in Olympia.
Day 2:
Visit to the archaeological site with the temple of Zeus, the temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the museum of Olympia. Departure from Olympia via Patras to Rion, cross the Corinthian bay by ferry – boat to Antirion. Drive to picturesque Nafpaktos and from there on, via the scenic new road along the coast, to Delphi. In the afternoon you will be visiting the picturesque mountain village of Arachova.
Overnight & Dinner in Delphi.
Day 3:
Visit to the archaeological site and the museum at Delphi. In the afternoon departure through Central Greece and the cities of Lamia (quick stop), Trikala to Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks, and crowded by the Meteora Monasteries.
Overnight stay & Dinner in Kalambaka (Meteora).
Day 4:
Visit to Meteora enjoying a unique and most impressive scenery of ageless monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between Earth and Sky atop huge rocks. Return to Athens passing by the monument of Leonidas at Thermopylae.
Arriving in Athens early evening.
Entrance Fees
- Entrance fees into the archaeological area of Mycenae, Museum and Treasury of Atreus are 9 Euro pp (combined ticket obtained at the ticket office)
- Entrance fees into the archaeological area of Epidaurus Theater are 6 Euro pp.
- Entrance fees into Olympia area & Museum are 9 Euro pp (combined ticket obtained at the ticket office).
- Entrance fees into Delphi area & Museum are 9 Euro pp (combined ticket at the ticket office).
- Entrance fees into each monastery at Meteora are 2 Euro pp.
Free admission for:
- Journalists
- Persons under 18 (with current identification to prove age)
- University students from Greece and the E.U
Free admission for all on the following dates:
- 6 March
- 5 June
- 18 April
- 18 May (International Museums Day)
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
SUMMER PERIOD: 1 April – 31 October
WINTER PERIOD: 1 November – 31 March
Opening hours for the archaeological area of Delphi:
- Winter period: 08:30– 15:00
- Summer period: 08:00 – 19:00
Opening hours for Meteora Monasteries:
- Summer period:
-St. Stephen’s Nunnery
Visiting Hours: 9:00 to 13:30 and 15:30 to 17:30.
The monastery stays closed on Mondays.
-Great Meteoron Monastery
Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 17:00.
The monastery stays closed on Tuesdays.
-Roussanou Monastery
Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 17:45.
The monastery stays closed on Wednesdays.
-Holy Trinity Monastery
Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 17:00.
The monastery stays closed on Thursdays.
-Varlaam Monastery
Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 16:00.
The monastery stays closed on Fridays.
-St. Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery
Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 15:30.
The monastery stays closed on Fridays.
- Winter Period:
-St. Stephen’s Nunnery
Visiting Hours: 9:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 17:00.
The monastery stays closed on Mondays.
-Great Meteoron Monastery
Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 15:00.
The monastery stays closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
-Roussanou Monaster
Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 14:00.
The monastery stays closed on Wednesdays.
-Holy Trinity Monastery
Visiting Hours: 10:00 to 16:00.
The monastery stays closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
-Varlaam Monastery
Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 15:00.
The monastery stays closed on Thursdays and Fridays.
-St. Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery
Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 14:00.
The monastery stays closed on Fridays.
Restrictions
- The hillside site of Delphi requires almost continuous uphill walking over dirt and some paved surfaces to visit. Guests must be in good health and sensible walking shoes are a must. At the museum, there are steps to enter the building.
- You can get into the Monastery of St Stephen from the parking area with only a few stairs. The other 5 monasteries all require much walking over winding, steep and uneven stairs.Most of the monasteries are definitely not for those who have difficulty walking.
- For visits to the monasteries, ladies are required to wear skirts and gentlemen need to be in long trousers.
- Please note that on this tour, your driver is not licensed to accompany you on your climb to the top of the Monasteries or inside any other site or museum. If you want a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you can hire one at extra cost.
Special Notes
- Comfortable shoes for hiking are recommended for this trip.
- Photography is permitted throughout the tour.
Tips
- Our prices are much better in comparison to those of the big tour operators, because we are ourselves the tour operator and we do not use third party providers.
- It’s always a great idea to bring a bottle of water and sunscreen with you because in the warmer months it becomes quite hot and sunny.
- A hat to protect your head and shade your face is also recommended when spending a significant amount of time in the sun.
- The area around the Monasteries and Delphi can become quite crowded, especially during the peak travel months, so be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to you.
- Do not accept ‘gifts’ from street vendors approaching tourists. They may offer you roses, but if choose you accept, you will be expected to pay or give a tip for them.
