Two Days Delphi Meteora A Class

General information

Destination	Category
Athens, Greece	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

Explore two Unesco World Heritage Sites with this two-day tour taking in ancient Delphi and the unearthly Byzantine monasteries of the Meteora. Discover what mystical power drew pilgrims from all over the ancient world to the oracle priestess of Delphi. Then venture among the vertiginous rock pinnacles of the Meteora, where medieval monks constructed 24 barely accessible monasteries between Earth and heaven.

From Athens we’ll pass through Livadeia, Arachova and the ancient town of Thebes. At Delphi, visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, and learn the story of this brave god’s triumph over the dragon that guarded the omphalos. This mysterious ‘navel stone’ gave the Delphic oracle her powers. Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, built to store offerings of gratitude to the god. See the stadium where the ancient Pythian Games, precursors to our modern Olympics, were lost or won. Then explore the on-site museums where you can see the omphalos stone itself as well as masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture. Then it’s on to Kalambaka, gateway to the Meteora, for dinner and an overnight stay.

The next day, explore the monasteries atop the awe-inspiring Meteora. These hermetic retreats were built under impossible conditions, often with only a rickety winch or some treacherous rock-cut stairs for access. Nonetheless they are full of priceless Byzantine treasures, including exquisite murals, Orthodox iconography and precious manuscripts. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae. Here we stop to visit the Leonidas Monument commemorating the routing of the Persian invaders at the Battle of Thermopylae. Arrive back in Athens early in the evening.

Meeting/pick-up point: Your hotel lobby (Athens centre only).
Start/opening time: 8.45am on day one.
End/closing time: 7.30pm on day two.
Others: Transfer from your hotel, coach tickets, overnight hotel stay, guide, entrance fees, half board (dinner) are included. Not suitable for wheelchairs or the less mobile due to the stairs at the Meteora monasteries. Visitors to the monasteries must wear modest clothing covering their legs and arms in order to enter.