Athens Trip Overview
We visit Meteora Rocks & Monasteries, Mount Parnassus ( Corykeion Andro/ Cave), Delphi, Thebes as travelers, not as tourists.
Schedule is flexible, but most importantly our drivers are seasoned travelers and are dedicated to helping you live the tour of your life, that is suited to your needs and lifestyle, allowing all passengers to enjoy the scenic drive, stopping wherever you desire, take photos, have a break.
Like all vacations in Greece local food is high in our list of things to do, we will taste local gastronomy and wines.
We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A’class or 3/4* Hotels with breakfast at an additional cost from 90€ per double room / weekend-holidays 120€ per double room – if more than 2 rooms 15% less. (Driver’s room complimentary). See additional info.
You have the options of a full payment at the time of your booking or reserve your tour with a deposit only 50% at a lower rate (than Option/ Full Pay). See additional info.
Additional Info
Duration: 3 days
Starts: Athens, Greece
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Athens Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Athens, Attica, Greece
We visit Meteora Rocks & Monasteries, Mount Parnassus ( Corykeion Andro/ Cave), Delphi, Thebes as travelers, not as tourists.
Schedule is flexible, but most importantly our drivers are seasoned travelers and are dedicated to helping you live the tour of your life, that is suited to your needs and lifestyle, allowing all passengers to enjoy the scenic drive, stopping wherever you desire, take photos, have a break.
Like all vacations in Greece local food is high in our list of things to do, we will taste local gastronomy and wines.
We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A’class or 3/4* Hotels with breakfast at an additional cost from 90€ per double room / weekend-holidays 120€ per double room – if more than 2 rooms 15% less. (Driver’s room complimentary). See additional info.
You have the options of a full payment at the time of your booking or reserve your tour with a deposit only 50% at a lower rate (than Option/ Full Pay). See additional info.
Itinerary
Day 1: Thermopylae, Trikala, Meteora Rocks & Monasteries, Kastraki (Overnight)
Stop At: Battlefield of Thermopylae, Thermopylae Greece
Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces (notably the Spartans) and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, “Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie. This passage from north to south along the east coast of Greek peninsula requires use of the pass and for this reason Thermopylae has been the site of several battles.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Historical Information Center Thermopylon, Lamia 35009 Greece
Next to the monument of Leonidas, in the historic Thermopylae, lies the innovative/ interactive museum, dedicated to the 480 BC battle that changed the course of Greek history. Ticket 3€ / Reduce 1€
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Old City of Trikala, Trikala 42100 Greece
Located in central Greece 330 km north of Athens.
The region of Trikala has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The first indications of permanent settlement have been uncovered in the cave of Theopetra, and date back to approx. 49,000 BC.
The city of Trikala is built on the ancient city of Trikka, which was founded around the 3rd millennium BC and took its name from the nymph Trikke, daughter of Penaeus, or according to others, daughter of the river god Asopus. The ancient city was built at a defensive location in between the local hill and the river Lithaios.
Ten bridges cross the river, the central one made of metal having been constructed by the French in 1886.
The city became an important center in antiquity and it was considered to be the birthplace and main residence of the healing god Asclepius. The city exhibited one of the most important and ancient of Asclepius’ healing temples, called asclepieia. The city is mentioned in Homer’s Iliad as having participated in the Trojan War with thirty ships under Asclepius’ sons Machaon and Podalirius. In the Mycenean period, the city was the capital of a kingdom, and later it constituted the main center of the Thessalian region of Estaiotis, which occupied roughly the territory of the modern Trikala Prefecture.
In historical times, the city of Trikke and the surrounding area experienced prosperity. It fell to the Achaemenid Persians in 480 BC, while ten years later it joined the Thessalian monetary union. In 352 BC it was united with the Macedonia of Philip II. The city became a location of hard battles between Macedonia and Rome. While Philip V of Macedon and his son Perseus tried to keep the city, after 168 BC it fell to the Roman Republic.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Great Meteoron Monastery, Eparhiacos dromos Meteoron, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six (of an original twenty four) monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. It is located near the town of Kalambaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains.
Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria I, II, IV, V, and VII.
The name means “lofty”, “elevated”, and is etymologically related to meteor.
Drive around Meteora Rocks, visit at least 2 of the Orthodox monasteries.
General ticket: 3€ per monastery
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Natural History Museum of Meteora & Mushroom Museum, Pindou 20, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
Explore the Museum’s collection and meet some of the most amazing mammals of Greece and Europe. Get familiar with the protection of ecosystems, wildlife and endangered animals.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
Kastraki (meaning ‘small castle’) is a small, peaceful village which from a distance looks like an eagle’s nest at the bottom of two gigantic rocks.
Kastraki is indeed the most picturesque place with an authentic, local character. We will take a photography and sunset tour via Meteora rocks (see our photos) and drive through the village, where we will stop at a traditional tavern for our dinner.
Kastraki, under Meteora rocks is a very popular village and for rooms reservation, needs time in advance
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Not included, but we can make an arrangement for you and your driver in Boutique hotels 3 /4 stars. See additional info!
Day 2: Meteora Rocks, Trikala, Mount Parnassus, Kyrikion Andro, Arachova (overnight)
Stop At: Meteora, Meteora, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Depart after breakfast, approx 8.00am for a photography tour (in different light now) around the Meteora. Stop in selected places with amazing views of the rocks and monasteries.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pass By: Theopetra Cave Documentation and Education Center, Theopetra Greece
The Theopetra Cave is an archaeological site located in Meteora, in the central Greek region of Thessaly. As a result of archaeological excavations that have been conducted over the years, it has been revealed that the Theopetra Cave has been occupied by human beings as early as 130000 years ago.
The cave itself has been described as being roughly quadrilateral in shape with small niches on its periphery and covers an area of about 500 sq meters. The Theopetra Cave has a large entrance, which allows light to enter abundantly into the interior of the cave.
In 2009, the Theopetra Cave was officially opened to the public, though it was closed temporarily a year later, as the remains of the stone wall were discovered in that year. Although the archaeological site was later re-opened, it was closed once again in 2016, and remains so due to safety reasons, i.e. the risk of landslides occurring.
Stop At: Trikala Fort, 44 Stratigou Sarafi Stefanou, Trikala 421 00 Greece
We walk up to the fortress towering above the hill north of the city. It is the well preserved Justinian fortress, today featuring a recreational area. On its east side there is the 17th century Clock, the emblem of the city, which has suffered destruction and restoration several times.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mount Parnassus, Delphi Greece
Vagonetto is the first and only mining park in Greece. In an area rich in bauxite reserves, the region of Mount Parnassus and Fokis, Vagonetto is actually a thematic park created around an old, inactive mine gallery, the Mine Gallery 850.
Vagonetto is the typical small train that used to transfer the workers down to the mine gallery. This train is today used to transfer visitors there, down to the gallery 850 (200 m under ground).
The small train Vagonetto takes people down to the mining gallery 850, where a fantastic trip to the center of the earth starts. Equipped as a miner, you go through the old gallery and see from close the depiction of a mining process, among the silver-grey chalky rocks of more than 150 million years.
General Ticket 8€ / Children from 6 y 4€
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Corycian Cave, Delphi 330 54, Greece
If you do not wish to visit the mines of Bauxite in mount Parnassus. Please see tour detail above, there is a second option for Lovers of Greek Mythology
Drive up to Mount Parnassus and visit the Corycian Cave, birth place of Greek Mythology. Is located on the south slopes of Mount Parnassus. In the mythology of the area, it is named after the nymph Corycia, however, its name etymologically derives from korykos, “knapsack”. This cave was sacred to the Corycian nymphs and the Muses, and a place of worship for Pan.
Traditionally the cave has been a place of refuge for the surrounding population during foreign invasions e.g. from the Persians in the 5th century BC, the Turks during the Greek War of Independence 1821, and from the Germans in 1943.
To approach the cave a walk 45 min in uneven ground its necessary. The size of Cave is 100 m long, 60 m, wide and 30 m high. At the end of the cave there is a tunnel, which goes to center of mountain
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Temple of Apollo, Delphi Greece
Delphi is the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of Pythia, the oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The ancient Greeks considered the center of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the omphalos (navel).
It occupies a site on the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus, overlooking the coastal plain to the south and the valley of Phocis. It is now an extensive archaeological site with a small modern town of the same name nearby. It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in having had a great influence in the ancient world, as evidenced by the various monuments built there by most of the important ancient Greek city-states, demonstrating their fundamental Hellenic unity.
The Archaeological Site of Delphi is closed on: the 25th and the 26th of December, the 1st of January, the 25th of March, Easter Day, 1st of May.
General Ticket ( Site & Museum): Winter 6€ / Summer 12€. Under 19 y free / Over 65 y reduce
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Not included, but we can make an arrangement for you and your driver in Boutique hotels 3 /4 stars. See additional info
Day 3: Delphi archaeological site & Museum, Levadia town & Springs, Thebes town & Museum
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, site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculpture, statues and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. The permanent exhibition covers over a thousand years, from the Mycenaean era to the Greek-Roman times
Highlights:
The famous Charioteer belonged to a statuary complex of a chariot run by four horses and included a second male figure. It was dedicated by Polyzalos, the tyrant of the powerful city-state of Gela in Sicily, after his victory in the Pythian Games around 475 BC. A masterpiece of classical art sculpted in bronze, a rarely preserved material in the archaeological record.
The Sphinx of the Naxians, dated to 560 BC, comprises one of the earliest representations in art of the demonic creature with a lion’s body, bird’s wings and a woman’s head. The statue was positioned on the top of a particularly high Ionic column, on the south of the temple of Apollo and next to the stoa of the Athenians.
A moving story of familial devotion lies behind the statues of Kleobis and Biton. These were two brothers from Argos who pulled their mother’s cart all the way from the city to the sanctuary of Hera; the goddess rewarded their devotion by sending peaceful death in their sleep. The statues, of the typical Kouros type, are attributed to a Peloponnesian workshop and date to the end of the 7th century BC. They were dedicated to the sanctuary by the citizens of Argos.
The Archaeological Museum of Delphi is closed on: every Tuesday, the 25th and the 26th of December, the 1st of January, the 25th of March, Easter Day, 1st of May.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: The Tholos of Delphi, Delphi 330 54 Greece
The sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, and the Tholos. The tholos is a circular building which was created between 380 and 360 BC at the center of the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. It is constructed with 20 Doric columns on its exterior diameter which measures 14.76m. The building stands 13.5 meters tall at the center of the Athena Pronaia sanctuary, and its interior columns were of the Corinthian order.
The Image/ photo of Tholos is more popular than the image / photo of Apollo Temple and most visitors are confused, which one it is.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Arachova, Arachova, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
Arachova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós in Viotia. It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favorite 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.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kryas Livadeia Springs, Livadia 321 00 Greece
Proceed to Levadia, a busy town and an important junction in the road network. Also an industrial center where its textile mills treat the cotton grown in the Copais valley. The upper town is graced by white houses with jutting wooden balconies dating from the 18th C. We’ll stop for a drink /light lunch ( favorite Ice Coffee & Souvlaki ) by the beautiful river Karya over the spot where the water springs out. In ancient times, Karya was said to be the location of the Oracle of Trofonios Zeus which included the springs of Mnemosyne (Remembrance) and the spring of Lethe (oblivion). The oracle was used as a stage before visiting the oracle of Delphi and as such, through the times, it acquired great power and riches.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Thebes, Threpsiadou 1 Plateia Keramopoulou, Thiva 33200 Greece
The Archaeological Museum of Thebes is one of the most important museums of Greece since some of its collections are rare or unique. The exhibits originate from excavations all around Boeotia and cover a long chronological period spanning from the Palaeolithic to the Post Byzantine periods.
Visit: The Archaeological Museum of Thebes is closed on: every Tuesday, the 25th and the 26th of December, the 1st of January, the 25th of March, Easter Day, 1st of May.
Winter season: 8.30-15.30 (1 November – 14 April)
Summer season: 8.00-20.00 (15 April – 31 October)
General Ticket: Winter 3€ / Summer 6€. Under 19 y. free. Over 65 y reduce.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
