Athens Trip Overview
This is really a unique two days tour starting from Athens.It’s considered one of the most popular two days tour in Greece. In two days you are going to learn many things about the Greek history and Mythology covering the Period of the Mycenaean Civilization the Greek dark ages the Archaic, Roman and Byzantine Period. The route from Athens to mainland Greece is breathtaking passing through traditional villages like Arachova a traditional ski resort center and forests with pine and fir trees valleys with olive trees and cotton plantations. On the way we shall meet Greek Orthodox churches and villages and finally you are going to visit the Orthodox Monasteries at Meteora (splendid in the air) also you’ll have the opportunity to taste the famous traditional Greek food in Greek tavernas with amazing view and very reasonable prices. Traveling in comfort with a Mercedes E Class.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Athens, Greece
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Athens Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Athens, Attica, Greece
This is really a unique two days tour starting from Athens.It’s considered one of the most popular two days tour in Greece. In two days you are going to learn many things about the Greek history and Mythology covering the Period of the Mycenaean Civilization the Greek dark ages the Archaic, Roman and Byzantine Period. The route from Athens to mainland Greece is breathtaking passing through traditional villages like Arachova a traditional ski resort center and forests with pine and fir trees valleys with olive trees and cotton plantations. On the way we shall meet Greek Orthodox churches and villages and finally you are going to visit the Orthodox Monasteries at Meteora (splendid in the air) also you’ll have the opportunity to taste the famous traditional Greek food in Greek tavernas with amazing view and very reasonable prices. Traveling in comfort with a Mercedes E Class.
Itinerary
Day 1: Delphi – Arachova – Kalampaka
Stop At: Arachova, Arachova, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
Arachova is a mountain ski resort town and a former municipality in the western part of Boeotia, Greece. Arachova has a panoramic view, uphill small houses, and the cobbled streets show a picturesque architecture. The town center includes a huge and steep cliff, the Bell Tower, covered with dense ivy. At the top of the tower is a large 10m height clock. Arachova is famous for its black wine, its “brusque”, the colorful textiles, carpets and rugs, handicrafts, and woodcut creations as well.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece
The pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the ‘navel of the world’. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Temple of Apollo, Delphi Greece
It is an imposing temple of the Doric order whose existence was woven through the turbulent history of the site, and endured numerous incarnations before it settled to the ruinous state we find it today, and which dates back to the 4th c. B.C. The temple of Apollo was first built around the 7th c. B.C. by the two legendary architects Trophonios and Agamedes. It was rebuilt after a fire in the 6th c. B.C.. and was named the “Temple of Alcmeonidae” in tribute to the noble Athenian family that oversaw its construction with funds form all over Greece and foreign emperors. This temple was also of the Doric order and had 6 columns at the front, and 15 columns at the flanks.
This temple was destroyed in 373 B.C. by an earthquake and was rebuilt for the third time in 330 B.C.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Ancient stadium of Delphi, Delphi 330 54, Greece
The Stadium of Delphi lies on the highest spot of the Archaeological Site of Delphi. It overlooks the sanctuary of Apollo and has a view of the Delphic landscape. It was built either within the second half of the 4th century B.C. or even after the Galatian attacks. It measured 178 meters in length and knew several refurbishment phases. The Stadium of Delphi is the best-preserved ancient stadium in Greece.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: The ancient theater of Delphi, Delphi 330 54, Greece
The theatre of Delphi, one of the few theatres in Greece for which we know the exact date and design, is located inside the temenos of Apollo and against the northeast corner of its peribolos, or enclosure wall. This is where the musical contests (song and instrumental music) of the Pythian Games and other religious festivals took place, which made this theatre the intellectual and artistic equivalent to the athletic stadium at Olympia.
The theatre’s original form is unknown; it is possible that the spectators sat on wooden seats or on the ground. The first stone-built theatre was built in the fourth century BC and was subsequently refurbished several times. The theatre’s present form, with its stone-paved orchestra, stone seats, and decorated stage, is the result of a 160/159 BC
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Treasury of the Athenians, Delphi Greece
The Athenian Treasury at Delphi was constructed by the Athenians to house dedications and votive offerings made by their city and citizens to the sanctuary of Apollo. The entire treasury including its sculptural decoration is built of Parian marble. The date of construction is disputed, and scholarly opinions range from 510 to 480 BCE. It is located directly below the Temple of Apollo along the Sacred Way for all visitors to view the Athenian treasury on the way up to the sanctuary
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Kalambaka, Kalambaka, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Kalambaka is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population is about 12,000 people. The Meteora monasteries are located near the town.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Kastraki, Kastraki, Kalambaka, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Kastraki is a very picturesque place of Meteora with an authentic, local character. Feeling closer to the local lifestyle in the Greek province, enjoying the proximity to nature, and finding peace of mind are some of the major assets of this place that urge visitors to book accommodation in this traditional, beautiful village.
Stop At: Athena Pronaia Temple, Delphi 330 54, Greece
The sanctuary of Athena “Pronaia” (also spelled Pronaea, meaning ‘the one before the temple of Apollo), was the first one met by the visitor who came to Delphi on foot from the eastern road, hence its name.
Excavations have proved that at this spot lay an older cult site, possibly dedicated to Gaia (Mother Earth). Most of the Mycenaean figurines exhibited in the Delphi Archaeological Museum, including the notable seated figure on a tripod, were discovered here, and it has been suggested that they were ex-votos.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Meteora – Thermopylae – Kammena Vourla
Stop At: Meteora, Meteora, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Meteora is a great place to experience, a spectacular landscape and Byzantine monasteries perched on top of steep rocks that house priceless artifacts and wall paintings. Today only six monasteries are active with a small number of monks or nuns who reside on Meteora. In 1988, the Meteora monasteries have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Meteora-Antichassia area is part of the Natura 2000 network hosting some rare species of birds and flowers. As you approach the town of Kalabaka, the nearest big town near Meteora, and the picturesque village of Kastraki you will see a complex of giant sandstone rock pillars that climb up into the sky. On top of them, you will spot the famous Meteora monasteries.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Great Meteoron Monastery, Eparhiacos dromos Meteoron, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
The Great Meteoron, also known as the Holy Monastery of the Metamorphosis (Transfiguration of Christ), is a male monastery and is the oldest and largest of all the monasteries of Meteora. It is built on the greatest rock of the complex, the Platys Lithos or Playtlithos. It was founded little before the mid-14th century (around 1340) by a scholar-monk of Mount Athos, Saint Athanasios Meteorites. The monastery has a pleasant courtyard and there are many amazing frescoes to see. Probably one of the most interesting parts of the monastery
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Varlaam Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
The Varlaam Monastery is named after the first monk who built the first church on the rock. This was in 1350 and Varlaan built three churches, a room for himself, and a water tank. Unfortunately, no other monks joined him, after his death the site was abandoned for 200 years. In 1517 two monks from Ioannina, Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades, re-founded the monastery. Nowadays the monastery can be reached by a bridge and has a small museum, there are a lot of impressive 16th-century paintings to see as well
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Holy Monastery of Rousanos – Saint Barbara, Μετεώρων, Kalampaka 422 00, Greece
The Rousanou Monastery was built in 1545 by Maximos and Ioasaph of Ioannina, it is unclear who the actual monastery is named after, but it is dedicated to St.Barbara. Like other monasteries at Meteora, the Roussanou monastery was looted during the Second World War. The monastery is reached by a bridge that has some dramatic drops. Nowadays the Monastery is run by nuns. The monastery is located on the way from Kastraki to Meteora between St. Nicholas Anapafsas and Varlaam monastery
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Monastery of St. Stephan, ΑΓΙΑ ΜΕΤΕΩΡΑ, Kalampaka 422 00, Greece
The 14th century St. Stephen monastery is the closest monastery in Meteora to the main town of Kalabaka, and so the easiest to visit. St. Stephen monastery was founded by St. Antoninus Cantacuzene, who is thought to be a son of the Serb ruler Nicephorus II of Epirus, in 1400. The Katholikon at the monastery is dedicated to St. Charalambos who’s head it contains, as it is believed to prevent illnesses. Much of the monastery was destroyed during World War Two and the Greek civil war that followed.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Monastery of the Holy Trinity at Meteora, Kalabaka 422 00, Greece
You may recognize the monastery of the Holy Trinity as it was used in the James Bond movie ‘For your eyes only’ Roger Moore scales the cliff face. Out of all the monasteries of Meteora, Holy Trinity has the most dramatic location, the rock face is a sheer drop and the rock itself is a lot more slender. The monastery was built in 1458 and had many treasures, but most of these were looted by the Germans during the Second World War, most of the frescoes are from the 18th century
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas Anapafsas at Meteora, Kalabaka 422 00, Greece
St. Nicholas Anapafsas monastery was founded in the 14th century and nobody is quite sure who the monastery is named after. This Monastery is most famous for its frescoes by the famous Cretan artist Theophanes Strelitzias in 1527. Some of these frescoes include the passion of Christ and the Virgin Mary praying. The monastery fell into disrepair and was completely abandoned for 60 years from 1900 to the 1960s when the Greek government repaired the monastery.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Thermopylae, Thermopylae, Phthiotis Region, Central Greece
Thermopylae is very known from ancient times. Is the spot where the famous battle between the Greeks and the Persians took place in 480 B.C. You will admire the marvelous statue of King of Sparta, Leonidas who with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians faced numerous Persian forces under the command of King Xerxes A’. It was there that Leonidas told Xerxes the world-famous phrase (Molon Lave) ” which means “Come and Get It”.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Kamena Vourla, Greece
Kamena Vourla is a sea resort town that caters mostly to Greek tourists. With many Seafood restaurants and coffee shops
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
