Day 1:
Departing from Athens we will travel through the plain of Viotia, passing by Levadeia , then Arachova (famous for its bright multi colored hand-made carpets) until we arrive in Delphi, the popular oracle of Apollo, who spoke to the mortals through the priestess Pythia. Walk up the Sacred Way of the Treasury houses to the Temple of Apollo, next to which there was the exact spot that was believed to be the “navel” (omphalos) of the earth, and the Theater, with the Stadium at the top of the hill. After lunch, we depart for Kalambaka driving through the towns of Central Greece (Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala).
Overnight in Kalambaka.
Day 2:
In the morning drive up to Meteora and visit two of the Byzantine monasteries, perched on top of gigantic natural sandstone rock pillars of weird shapes. The whole area of Meteora is a unique phenomenon and it is considered by UNESCO part of our world’s heritage. After lunch start driving through Pindos mountain line (world war two resistance head quarters) passing Grevena to reach Vergina famous for the graves of Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great.
Overnight in Vergina.
Day 3:
After breakfast, you will explore the archaeological site and the tombs of Philip II who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world. The visitor will also see a family tomb (I), known as the “Tomb of Persephone”, with the incomparable fresco of the abduction of Persephone by Hades and a ruined building named “Heroon”, probably used for the worship of the dead royal members buried next door. We continue on to Pella birthplace of Alexander the Great. Pella was the second capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia, founded by Archelaus (413-399BC), replacing the older city of Vergina to ensure a better communication with the rest of the Greek world, both via sea and mainland. After lunch, we depart for Litochoron which lays on the foot of Mt.Olympus (home of the 12 Olympian Gods).
We will stay overnight in Litochoron.
Day 4:
After breakfast, you will visit the archaeological site of Dion. Ancient kings of Macedonia had chosen Dion as their summer resort. There they created, centuries ago, a settlement in the ruins of which the parts of the ancient Macedonian civilization are evident. Archaeologists, with Professor Dr Pantermalis at the head of them, discovered an admirable civilization. Remains of an ancient theater, market baths and palace. The findings of graves found in Dion area are also remarkable. Most royal tombs give away the existence of an eminent and thriving civilization. Today we can admire the ruins of that civilization in the archaeological site of Dion and the archaeological museum of Dion. After lunch, we start our way back to Athens stopping at Thermopylae, the area where the Spartan King Leonidas and his 300 soldiers fought the Persians in 480 BC.
Arrive in Athens in the evening.
- Entrance fees into the archaeological areas of Delphi and its Museum are 9 Euro total pp (combined ticket obtained at the ticket office).
- Entrance fees into each monastery are 2 Euros pp.
- Entrance fees into Dion archaeological area are 3 Euro pp.
- Entrance fees into Pella archaeological area are 6 Euro pp.
- Entrance fees into Vergina archaeological area are 8 Euro pp.
Free admission for (except Meteora Monasteries):
- 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 the archaeological area of Dion:
- Winter period: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 15:00
- Summer period: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 20:00
Opening hours for the archaeological area of Pella:
- Winter period: 09:00 – 16:00 Closed Every Monday.
- Summer period: Tuesday to Sunday: 08:00 – 20:00 Every Monday: 12:30 – 20:00
Opening hours for the archaeological area of Vergina:
- Winter period: Tuesday – Sunday: 08:00 – 15:00 Monday closed
- Summer period: Tuesday – Sunday: 08:00 – 20:00 Monday: 10:00 – 18:00
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.
- Some areas like Vergina and Pella are closed on Mondays during winter period.
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.
