Athens Trip Overview
This tour is a great opportunity for those who have a combined interest in the Greek past and the country’s natural beauty. The tour offered for encountering with major sites of the Greek mainland as Delphi, the monasteries and the unique formation of the Meteora rocks but also with the glory of the Macedonian Empire.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 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 tour is a great opportunity for those who have a combined interest in the Greek past and the country’s natural beauty. The tour offered for encountering with major sites of the Greek mainland as Delphi, the monasteries and the unique formation of the Meteora rocks but also with the glory of the Macedonian Empire.
Itinerary
Day 1: Livadia – Delphi – Arachova
Pass By: Livadia, Livadia, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
Livadia is the capital of Viotia Prefecture and has about 30,000 inhabitants. It is built at an altitude of 200 m, in the western part of the prefecture, at the edge of the plain of Kopaida and the small river Erkyna flows through it. It is surrounded by mountains; Parnassos to the north of the city and Elikonas to the south. The old town of Livadia (Mideia) was built at the foot of the later. It is a unique,“properly” Greek city with a history and a mythology that became a source of inspiration for poets, painters and sculptors of all ages.
Stop At: Monastery of Hosios Loukas, Distomo 32005 Greece
Our first stop is going to be the monastery of Hosios Loukas, which represents the second golden age of Byzantine art (11th -12th century) in particular its golden mosaic decoration and fine architecture.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Arachova, Arachova, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
Aráchova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós in Viotia, Southern Greece.It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favourite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities. Its modern ski resort, its close proximity to Athens, and its breathtaking mountainous landscape are the strongest reason why. Apart from the mountain activities, Aráchova is also famous for its bustling nightlife and as the favorite mountain resort of Athenians.
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece
Delphi is a town on Mount Parnassus in the south of mainland Greece. It’s the site of the 4th-century-B.C. Temple of Apollo, once home to a legendary oracle.
Stop At: Temple of Apollo, Delphi Greece
The most famous Oracle of the antiquity, with the Temlpe of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Theatre and the Stadium.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Ethniki Odos Amfissas – Livadias, Delphi 330 54 Greece
In the museum you will be able to see the famous charioteer and Gold Ivory statue.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Arachova – Meteora – Kalambaka
Pass By: Meteora, Meteora, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Following we will continue with a drive through the mountains, not taking the national highway, to see the real Greek country side. Passing by the cities of Lamia, Trikala and Karditsa we will reach Kalambaka, a beautiful small city that is dominated by the Meteora. You will have time to take an evening walk and enjoy a local dinner after settling at the hotel.
Stop At: Great Meteoron Monastery, Eparhiacos dromos Meteoron, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
Following day we’ll visit the monasteries and take a closer look at the holy rocks. On the rocks that are like suspended in the air (that’s what Meteora means) there is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries still in use. Meteora combines natural beauty and cultural heritage a fact that make them a unique destination between the world’s monuments.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Agios Stefanos, Kalambaka Greece
The only monastery in the Meteora visible from Kalambaka, St. Stephen’s was founded around 1400 and is now a nunnery. Although less spectacular than the others, it is the easiest monastery to visit and the nuns are welcoming.
Duration: 25 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Kalmbaka – Vergina – Dion – Litochoro
Stop At: Aigai Theater, Vergina 59031 Greece
The city of Aigai, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, was discovered in the 19th century near Vergina, in northern Greece. The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina), Imathia, Vergina 590 31 Greece
You will be able to visit the museum that developed around the original location of the Royal Tombs full of their golden belonging and more importantly you will face the imposing tomb of Philip II, father of the Alexander the Great.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dion Archaeological Park, Dion 60100 Greece
Next we will drive towards the site of Dion following the national highway, reaching the village of Dion we will find the site and the archaeological museum of Dion, an ancient Greek city named after Zeus (in Greek Dias) that preserved its importance in the Macedonian Period. There Philip II and his son Alexander the Great made sacrifices to the Gods after conquering the Ancient Greek world and from there Alexander The Great started his expedition towards to Asia. It was a city with of a huge strategic importance according to the Macedonian Kings. Today you can visit sanctuary of Isis and other Egyptian Gods, the oldest sanctuary of Goddess Dimitra, a Hellenistic theater, a roman theater and a stadium, the mansion of Dionysos with its wonderful mosaic decoration and many more public and private buildings.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Dion, Dion Greece
Located in the present-day settlement of Dion, only 500 meters from the entrance of the archaeological space, the museum displays finds from various excavations over the years. The finds have been organized according to the areas from which they were excavated on the site, and include discoveries from ancient Pydna and other archaeological spots in Pieria. In the basement visitors can watch an educational film titled «Daily Life in Ancient Dion», and screenings of audiovisual materials related to ancient Dion and Olympus.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Litochoro 602 00, Greece
After having lunch at the village of Dion we will drive on the foothills of mountain Olympus to reach the mountainous, scenic village of Litochoro where we will stay the rest of the day and overnight. Litochoro is the closest location to Mt Olympus at sea level making it a popular destination for people that want to start climbing up the mountain. So we will stay on the foothill of the highest mountain in Greece, of the mountain were the 12 Gods of Olympus lived according to the Greek Mythology.
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Thermopylae – Athens
Stop At: Thermopylae, Thermopylae, Phthiotis Region, Central Greece
One of the greatest military feats of antiquity, still legendary 2500 years on, took place at Thermopylae. In this narrow pass, in 480 BC, Leonidas and 300 brave Spartans sacrificed their lives to halt Xerxes’ vast Persian army long enough to secure an ultimate Greek victory.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Historical Information Center Thermopylon, Lamia 35009 Greece
It is a quiet valley that descends gently to the Maliakos Gulf. In ancient days it was a bottleneck, a small stage set for a big drama. One day in the summer of 480 BC with the sun darkened by the arrows of the Persian army. The Greeks gained strategic and tactical advantage. They delayed the Persian advance for a few days, a betrayal, a battle that resulted in execution. You will watch a 3-D movie to learn more information about the battle.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Leonidas Monument, Lamia, Thermopylae 350 09 Greece
To complete the visit you will see the statue of Leonidas standing right opposite Kolonos Hill where the persisting Spartans left their last breath
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Kamena Vourla, Greece
Heading back to Athens we will stop at the coastal town of Kammena Vourla, where we will enjoy a relaxing, traditional Greek lunch by the sea. And to terminate the tour we will drive back to Athens safe and sound.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
