This tour, which includes two overnight stays, gives you the opportunity to leisurely explore the antiquities and beauties of Delphi and the Monastery of “Ossios Loukas” and also visit the famous Byzantine Monasteries in Meteora, a unique, world historical and geological phenomenon (UNESCO World Heritage Monument).
Itinerary
Day 1
We depart from Athens in the morning via the national highway passing by the towns of Thebes and Levadia. There we will stop for a coffee break and walk to the springs of Krya, known at the ancient times as the springs of Forgetfulness and Remembrance. Small waterfalls, perennial plane trees and watermills create an almost magical atmosphere, mentally transporting the visitor to another era.
The famous monastery of “Ossios Loukas” is next in our itinerary. Ossios Loukas is the largest surviving monastery from the Middle Byzantine period in Greece. It was founded in the early 10th century by the hermit St. Loukas whose relics are kept in the monastery to this day. The Katholikon has some of the best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. Sit under the plane trees in the monastery’s small square and enjoy the rustling of the leaves and the peace that this holly location emanates.
We will continue the trip to Delphi through mount Parnassus enjoying the beautiful nature all around us and the scenic views of the surrounding olive groves and countryside. We will have another stop at the picturesque village of Arachova. We will have time to explore this beautiful village and take some photos before we continue our trip to Delphi.
The village of Delphi was founded in 1892, when the older village of Kastrí, which villagers had built around the archaeological site of the Temple of Apollo, was moved to a new position one kilometer west to allow excavation of the ancient site. This was a ground breaking decision at the time in an attempt to unearth, restore and render it accessible to visitors.
Now it’s time to enjoy your lunch at a traditional Greek taverna, with great open view to the Corinthian gulf. After lunch we’ll go to the hotel and the afternoon will be free to explore the picturesque town of Delphi.
Day 2
After breakfast we leave the town to visit the main archaeological site in Delphi, the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the ancient Theatre, the ancient Stadium, etc.)
We will visit the Museum with the famous statue of Antinoos and the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer ( 475 B.C.).
After the visit to the main archaeological site, we will also visit the smaller archaeological site so as to see the ruins of the Temple of Athena Pronea and the Tholos and the famous Castalia Spring.
You will have lunch in the area and then we will continue our trip to Meteora through the mountains of central Greece, passing through various towns and villages, (Lamia, Domokos, Trikala) to arrive at Kalambaka (the town right below the rocks of Meteora). Here we’ll have diner and can spend the night. We can also stay overnight in the nearby village of Kastraki.
Day 3
After breakfast we’ll start our tour of the Monasteries until lunch time in the afternoon. After lunch we’ll start our return trip to Athens.
Almost half the distance to Athens we can stop at Thermopylae, the famous ancient battlefield. There will see the statue of Leonidas, the King of the Spartans, who fell in the battle with all his 300 warriors fighting the Persians of Xerxes in 480 B.C. You will visit the “Hill of Kolonos” where the Tomb of the Spartans lay in ancient times and the commemorative plaque with the writing of Simonides.
All our private tours are flexible. It is always up to you to change the itinerary according to your wishes.
Admission fees, hotel and food are not included in the price of the tour.
Entrance Fees to the Sites
| Delphi and Delphi Museum | 12 Euros including the museum |
| Ossios Loukas Monastery | 4 Euros (for the extended tour) |
| Entrance fee for each Monastery | Approximately 3 Euros |
Sites’ Opening Hours
| Summer | Winter |
| From April 1st to October 31st | From November 1st to March 31st |
| 08:00-19:30 | 08:30-15:00 |
Reduced admission (50%)
| Original passport or copy necessary |
| Between 6-25 years old, from countries outside the E.U. |
| Senior citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 |
| Everybody from Nov. 1st to March 31st |
Free admission for visitors
| Original passport or copy necessary |
| Up to 25 years old from countries of the E.U |
| Children up to 5 years old from countries outside the E.U |
| Highschool & University students over 25 years old from countries of the E.U. (a certificate from the educational institution certifying tuition and its duration is necessary) |
Days of free admission for all to archaeological sites & public Museums
| March 6 (In Memory of Melina Mercouri) |
| April 18 (International Monuments Day) |
| May 18 (International Museums Day) |
| The last weekend of September (European Heritage Days) |
| Oct. 28 (National Holiday) |
| First Sunday of every month, from Nov. 1st to March 31st |
Holidays
| 1 January | Closed |
| 6 January | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| Shrove Monday | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| 25 March | Closed |
| Greek Orhodox Good Friday | 12:00 – 15:00 |
| Greek Orhodox Good Saturday | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| Greek Orhodox Easter Sunday | Closed |
| Greek Orhodox Easter Monday | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| May 1 | Closed |
| Holy Spirit Day | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| 5 August | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| 28 October | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| 25 December | Closed |
| 26 December | Closed |
