DELPHI AND METEORA

First day: Delphi
We head northwest towards the province of Boeotia. Passing through the city of Thebes, Lebadea, and the picturesque village of Arachova, we will reach the foothills of Mount Parnassus, where Delphi is located. Delphi was known as “the navel of the universe” in ancient times and was one of the most important religious centers of antiquity. The sanctuary of Apollo, the god of harmony and music and the guardian of Zeus’s sacred laws, attracted countless pilgrims who came to consult the oracle. We will walk along the Sacred Way, adorned with countless offerings from Greek and foreign cities, until we reach the Temple of Apollo. In addition to statues, cities dedicated small temple-like structures called treasuries to the god, to house these offerings. Some examples include the Treasury of Sifnos, the Treasury of Thebes, and the Treasury of the Athenians, which you will visit.
In addition to the entire monumental complex, including the Tholos of the Oracle, a visit to the Delphi Museum is absolutely necessary once you are at the archaeological site. It is one of the most important museums in Greece, providing a simple and pleasant display of the artworks found in Delphi. In the vestibule, you will find a conical marble block covered by a sculpted net. This is a Hellenistic copy of the omphalos, which marked the center of the known world. We will also see the famous statue of the Charioteer of Delphi, perfectly preserved.

We will depart in the afternoon towards the northern part of the country and make a brief stop at the famous Thermopylae pass, a geostrategic location in ancient times. We continue our journey until we reach the city of Kalambaka.

Dinner and accommodation will be provided in 3 or 4-star hotels.

Second day: Meteora
We are in Meteora, “suspended in the air” or “between heaven and earth,” and once you’re there, you will understand the reason behind its name. It is a genuine forest of rocks with fantastic shapes, and it is a unique geological phenomenon that creates an unparalleled landscape. The summits of these gigantic cliffs are crowned by renowned cenobitic monasteries. Its origin dates back to the early 11th century when the first hermits settled in its caves in search of solitude. In the 11th century. In the 14th century, with the invasion of the Serbs in Thessaly, many of these hermitages were transformed into monasteries. It was during this time that Saint Athanasios, who came from Mount Athos, founded the Great Meteora monastery, and other monks followed him despite the difficulties of transporting materials for the construction of the different monastic centers. The 15th and 16th centuries were the period of greatest splendor for the monasteries of Meteora, and at their peak, there were up to 24 monasteries in the area. Today, only 5 of these monasteries are still inhabited by monks or nuns. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to explore two of these unique monasteries with our guide.

We will return to Athens at approximately 19:00 hrs.