3 Days private tour- Meteora Rocks & Monasteries, Delphi/ Apollo Oracle, Thebes

Day 1: Thermopylae, Trikala, Meteora Rocks & Monasteries, Kastraki (Overnight)

1. Campo della battaglia delle Termopili
   30m
   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.
2. Kainotomiko Kentro Istorikis Enimerosis Thermopylon
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   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€
3. Old City of Trikala
   1h 30m
   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.
4. Great Meteoron Monastery
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   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: 5€ per monastery
5. Natural History Museum of Meteora & Mushroom Museum
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   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.
6. Meteora
   2h
   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

Day 2: Meteora Rocks, Trikala, Mount Parnassus, Kyrikion Andro, Arachova (overnight)

1. Meteora
   1h 30m
   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.
2. Grafeio Voreiou Ellados
   Pass by
   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.
3. Trikala Fort
   1h
   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.
4. Mount Parnassus
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   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€
5. 1h 30m
   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
6. Temple of Apollo
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   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

Day 3: Delphi archaeological site & Museum, Levadia town & Springs, Thebes town & Museum

1. Delphi Archaeological Museum
   1h · Admission ticket included
   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.
2. Tholos of Athena Pronaia
   30m
   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.
3. Arachova
   1h
   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.
4. Kryas Livadeia Springs
   1h 30m
   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.
5. Archaeological Museum of Thebes
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   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 5€ / Summer 10€. Under 19 y. free. Over 65 y reduce.

Pickup details

Traveler pickup/ drop off is offered from/ to your hotel/ apartment in Athens, Piraeus or Airport
Please do not hesitate to request another pick up location.

We suggest that the tour starts at 8:00 am or earlier in summer time
If for any reason this is not convenient, you can adjust the time according to your needs.

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please book this tour, at least 2 weeks prior, as we need time to reserve rooms for you and your driver. Meteora & Delphi are very popular places. * We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 3/4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost from 160€ per double room / weekend-holidays 190€ per double room- per night/ if more than 3 rooms 10% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.
• You Have the options of 3 different Vehicles types: Sedan/ Suv up to 3 adults or family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids - up to 11 years old free) - Minivan ( from 1 to 7 persons - 2 kids/ up to 11 years old free ) - Minibus ( from 1 to 14 persons - 2 kids/ up to 11 years old free). Price varies by Group Size or Vehicle type.
• The Archaeological Museums & sites in country are closed on: every Tuesday (Museums only), the 25th and the 26th of December, the 1st of January, the 25th of March, Easter Day, 1st of May. Winter season: 8.30 am - 15.30 pm (1 November - 14 April) Summer season: 8.00 am - 20.00 pm (15 April - 31 October)
• The tour driver is not a licensed tour guide to accompany you on your walk to archaeological sites or museums. If you require an archaeologist guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally (in prior time). Your driver provides informative documentary & historical details as you travel.
• Traveler pickup/ drop off is offered from/ to your hotel/ apartment in Athens, Piraeus or Airport Please do not hesitate to request another pick up location. We suggest that the tour starts at 8:00 am or earlier in summer time If for any reason this is not convenient, you can adjust the time according to your needs.