Day 1: Livadeia, Thebes, Osios Loukas, Arachova, Delphi, Meteora
Your private tour starts after picking you up from our meeting place & passing by Livadeia and Thebes, both great ancient cities till we reach the Osios Loukas monastery founded on the early 11th century, favored by the Byzantine emperors and most worshiped by the pilgrims. There you can see the wonderful golden mosaics, built in the 11th century, and frescoes plus the Burial Crypt.
The picturesque village of Arachova is our next stop, which is a popular winter holiday destination with its ski center.
Then let’s drive to Delphi where you’ll visit both the archaeological site with the ancient theatre and museum. Delphi is the first touristic attraction of the antiquity, as it was busy all the year round. It was the place God Apollo had his sanctuary, that the prophesies were given to every man, every prince, General and king by Pythia the High Priestess. It was the center of the universe, according to Zeus, king of the Gods.
You will visit the Oracle of Apollo, the Omfalos, the temple of Athena Pronaia, Kastaleia Spring and see some magnificent artifacts and statues, such as Eniochos the charioteer, the twin Brothers and Sphynx of Naxos. When you feel hungry, get ready to taste the famous Greek cuisine and have a memorable lunch. The tour will guide you to a traditional restaurant or tavern. It’s up to you to choose from a variety of flavors of the most known Greek dishes.
After your lunch, there with a great view of mountain Parnassus and Itea, it is time to head to Kalambaka, Meteora where you will spend the night.
Day 2: Meteora
After your breakfast, you will visit the monasteries of Meteora. They come second in religious importance and size after mount Athos in Orthodox Christianity.
Meteora means “middle of the sky”, “suspended in the air” or “in the heavens above” and the monasteries are built on high pillars at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece after the 11th century and on and they were never abondoned as since monks and nuns occupy them till today. The monasteries are: St. Nicolas, Grande Meteoro, Varlaam, Rousannou, Holy Trinity and St. Stephen.
There you will visit up to 3 monasteries, depends on the day and you admire the wonderful, panoramic view.
When you feel hungry, get ready to taste the famous Greek cuisine and have a memorable lunch. The tour will guide you to a traditional tavern at Kalambaka or Kastraki. It’s up to you to choose from a variety of flavors of the most known Greek dishes .
After that religious and historical experience, it is time to head to Thessaloniki to spend the night.
Day 3: Thessaloniki, Vlatades monastery
After breakfast , we start by visiting the most famous church of Thessaloniki, Saint Demetrious , a real Byzantine architecture specimen built in the 4th century A.D .The Crypt an underground tunnel that was discover in 1917 should not be missed. We will also visit St Sophia church, Rotonda, the White Tower and Vlatades monastery where St Paul is said to have preached and it is the only Byzantine monastery in Thessaloniki still in operation.
Free afternoon to enjoy the famous nightlife.
Day 4: Veria, Vergina, Thessaloniki
Today, we will visit two cities where St Paul preached.
We reach Veria and visit the church of Apostle Paul with the marble Vima of Apostle where the Apostle is believed to have preached.
We continue to Vergina, the first capital of Macedonia. We will visit the Ancient Town and the Kings’ Tombs where Great Alexander’s father, Philip II was buried.
After this remarkable visit, we return to Thessaloniki.
Day 5: Nea Fokaia, Philippoi, Kavala
After breakfast, we set off to visit Nea Fokaia where we will visit the Agiasma of Apostle Paul, an underground corridor which ends in a chamber. During the Byzantine period, it was transformed into a church. It is said that it is the place where Apostle Paul hid when he was haunted while he preached at Ierissos.
Our next stop is Philippoi, named after the King Philip II of Macedonia. In Baptismal site, Apostle Paul baptized a woman named Lydia making her the first baptized Christian in Europe. We will also visit the Philippoi Acropolis, the Basilica Theatre and the place where St Paul and Silas were imprisoned before we set off for Kavala Reaching Kavala or Neapolis as known in the Ancient times, we will visit the Kavala castle, the Kamares Aquaduct. Kavala is situated at the slope of mt Symvolo stretching till the Bay, a picturesque town which will impress you!
Day 6: Kavala, Katerini, Tembi, Larisa, Lamia, Thermopylae, Athens
After breakfast, we set off for our journey back to Athens passing by the beautiful towns of Katerini, Larisa, Lamia, the Gorge of Tembi.
We will visit Thermopylae or Hotgates and the Hot Springs, where King Leonidas and the 300 brave Spartans gave their lives for the freedom of Greece. Honor and Glory was their moto. They achieved both, as their memory lasts forever.
After that religious and historical experience, it is time to return back to Athens.
Check this out: The tour is private so we can easily customize it by adding days and places according to your interests!
PRICE INCLUDES :
Transportation in private vehicle
English Speaking driver
Pick up & Drop off from hotel or designated meeting points
Accommodation in a 3* hotel (higher hotel rate upon request and extra charge)
Daily Breakfast
All Taxes
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Entrance fees
Meals
Licensed English speaking Tour Guide
Hotel City Tax (1.5 euro per room, per night in 3* hotels)
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