OLYMPIA, DELPHI & METEORA FROM ATHENS

Today you will head towards the Corinth Canal, where you will stop briefly to marvel at this famous channel that connects the Aegean with the Ionian Sea. Corinth Canal is an impressive engineering feat as ships do not have to sail more than 400 kilometers around the Peloponnese peninsula to reach the Ionian Sea.

Past verdant hills, you will reach Epidaurus, where you will immerse yourself in the culture of the 4th century BC. Its world-famous Theater is the best-preserved ancient theater in Greece.

Its construction was not planned as a separate site but was part of the therapeutic and healing process, achieved through theatrical performances. World-renowned for its acoustics, it has a capacity of about 16,000 spectators. Besides, it is still in use today, especially during the summer. During that time, native and international artists stage notable performances.

You will continue to visit the Acropolis of Mycenae, the center of the Mycenaean civilization. In the enclosure, you will see its Cyclopean walls, the Lions Gate, various tombs of ancient kings, the Palace, the Cistern and its 99 steps underground, the Tomb of Egisto and the tomb of Clytemnestra, while next to the Acropolis, you will also see the Tomb, which is believed to have been the burial site of King Agamemnon.

In the late afternoon, you will travel through central Peloponnese and arrive in the city of Olympia, where you will spend the night.

Greca Tip: Pamper yourself with the hotel's amenities or stroll in the nature.

In the morning, you will visit the site of the ancient Olympic stadium, where the first games were held around 776 BC.

The importance of these games was widely accepted, given the extensive participation of the Greek cities, which suspended hostilities throughout the celebrations. The Olympiad was recognized as the only chronological event in Greece and represented four years between two consecutive events.

Olympia was also the most important sanctuary of Ancient Greece, a place to worship Zeus, the first among the gods. The gigantic gold and ivory sculpture crafted by Phidias was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

After we visit the Museum of Olympia, you will continue your journey across the suspension of the Rion-Antirion Bridge, a modern engineering wonder, until you reach your destination.

Upon your arrival at Delphi, you will have dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Greca Tip: In the evening you can go in search of the traditional character of nearby Arachova and enjoy a drink in a stylish café or a local kafeneio (coffee shop).

In the morning and after a solid breakfast you will visit the archaeological site of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the center or navel of the ancient world.

It was here where the renowned Oracle of Delphi, a counselor of kings and pilgrims, was to be found. Make sure you visit the Museum of Delphi, which houses the "bronze charioteer", a masterpiece of Greek sculpture.

At the end of your Delphi tour, you will leave the slopes of Mount Parnassus and head towards the plains of Thessaly, where the city of Kalambaka is located.               

You will arrive in Kalambaka, have dinner, and enjoy a good rest.

Greca Tip: The nearby village of Arachova is ideal for shopping for local products, such as traditional woven carpets, honey, and the local cheese.

Early in the morning, we will visit Meteora, also recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1988. In this mysterious landscape, the natural beauty is combined with the compelling presence of the eternal monasteries suspended or "Meteora" on top of the huge rocks.

Currently, there remain only six in use, five for the male and one for the female monastic community. On the way back to Athens, we will pass by Thermopylae, where we can see the statue of the Spartan King Leonidas I, famous for leading the battle against the Persians in 480 BC.

Back to Athens in the afternoon and drop off at your hotel.

Also, we suggest you take care of the dress code in the monasteries. Sleeveless clothing and shorts over the knee for men are prohibited. For ladies, skirts and shawls are available at the entrance if they don’t have such clothing to cover themselves.

Greca Tip: Take a stroll in Kalambaka's old town and look for handmade wood-carved objects and religious icons as well as home-made sausages, honey, fruit sweets and jams, and the regional pudding “spatoula” or “halva” for a sweet aftertaste.