Athens Trip Overview
Ride to Delphi and Meteora (“suspended in the middle of the sky”) from Athens on this 2-day/1-night totally private tour of two Unesco sites with more local flavor.
After drop-off at Delphi, stroll around the area on a self-guided tour, seeing attractions like Arachova village, the Temple of Apollo and Athina Pronaia. Enjoy a great lunch -treat of your driver- at a location where Greeks eat out. Arrive near Meteora and time permitting get an evening overview of the monasteries. Spend your evening (dinner) relaxing at a great hotel facing Meteora or even opt-in for some extra local exploring.
Next morning, a very short drive to arrive at the famous monasteries of Meteora, which were a very safe hiding spot for the monks from the Romans. Visit two or three amazing monasteries depending on your fitness and time available.
Heading back to Athens will include a couple of relaxing stops; one for a great lunch & drinks and a second at Thermopylae of the famous 300 of King Leonidas of Sparta
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Athens, Greece
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Athens Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Athens, Attica, Greece
Ride to Delphi and Meteora (“suspended in the middle of the sky”) from Athens on this 2-day/1-night totally private tour of two Unesco sites with more local flavor.
After drop-off at Delphi, stroll around the area on a self-guided tour, seeing attractions like Arachova village, the Temple of Apollo and Athina Pronaia. Enjoy a great lunch -treat of your driver- at a location where Greeks eat out. Arrive near Meteora and time permitting get an evening overview of the monasteries. Spend your evening (dinner) relaxing at a great hotel facing Meteora or even opt-in for some extra local exploring.
Next morning, a very short drive to arrive at the famous monasteries of Meteora, which were a very safe hiding spot for the monks from the Romans. Visit two or three amazing monasteries depending on your fitness and time available.
Heading back to Athens will include a couple of relaxing stops; one for a great lunch & drinks and a second at Thermopylae of the famous 300 of King Leonidas of Sparta
Itinerary
Day 1: Delphi (plus Meteora late afternoon visit; time permiting)
Stop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Ethniki Odos Amfissas – Livadias, Delphi 330 54 Greece
The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the most important in Greece, exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary with the famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculpture, statues and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. These reflect its religious, political and artistic activities from its early years, in the eighth century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Delphi Greece
The archaeological site of Delphi is one of the most important one in Greece, second only to the Acropolis of Athens. The magnitude of the Delphi contributions to the entire ancient civilization cannot be overstated.
Many political decisions were taken after consultation of the Oracle, and no colony was founded around the Mediterranean without the consent of the sanctuary at Delphi. In proportion with its immense influence, the settlement at delphi grew from a small village to a imposing depository of fine Architecture and Art.
At the Delphi sanctuary excavations have unearthed settlements that date as far back as the Neolithic era. However evidence of the site’s importance dates back to the Mycenaean period (1600-1100 B.C).
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Athena Pronaia Temple, Delphi 330 54, Greece
OPTIONAL: The first photo you see when you google “Delphi” but still a place that most tourists miss out! We don’t!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hani of Gravia, Gravia 330 57 Greece
A totally of the beaten path location for our lunch with authentic choices, treat of your driver/tour leader
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
Optional: If there are no unexpected delays, and although not part of the normal itinerary, we shall make the first visit to the amazing monasteries’ area to get a feeling of the unique landscape with the sun setting down. Time permitting it may be possible to visit St Stephan’s monastery.
Totally different lighting than the morning visit to follow the next day!
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at Meteora. Quality accommodation at each location; determined at the time of booking.
Day 2: Meteora (2-3 monasteries) & Thermopylae Battlefield
Stop At: The Great Meteoron Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, Kalabaka 422 00, Greece
We shall be visiting two of the monasteries that are open on a specific day. The gigantic rocks of Meteora dominate imposingly over Kalampaka town. This masterpiece of nature reveals all its glory for centuries as a unique geological phenomenon in beauty and an important monument of Orthodoxy.
The Great Meteoron Monastery, built on an imposing rock, is the oldest, the biggest, and the most important among the monasteries of Meteora which are preserved today.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Varlaam Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
In 1350 a daring ascetic named Varlaam ascended to the rock. The monastery was named after him. He built three churches, a small cell and a water tank. After his death the rock remained abandoned for about 200 years until 1517 when the two priest-monks Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades started to construct the first buildings from the beginning.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Monastery of the Holy Trinity at Meteora, Kalabaka 422 00, Greece
Probably the most photographed monastery. According to historical sources Holy Trinity must have been built between 1458 and 1476.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Battlefield of Thermopylae, Thermopylae Greece
We take a break at the Thermopylae battlefield location with King Leonidas statue. The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I over the course of three days, in 480 BC.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Syntagma Square, Pl. Sintagmatos, Athina 105 63, Greece
Expect to be back in Athens around 5 pm. You can optionally be dropped off at your cruise ship or even the airport.
Do remember that you can combine this tour with “The Ultimate Greek Experience: 7-Day Tour to the Peloponnese Delphi and Meteora” tour.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: We return to Athens with drop off at your hotel.
