Visit four Unesco World Heritage sites from the Classical and Byzantine Greece period on this 5-day private tour of Greece from Athens! Traveling privately with your driver,your tour includes excursions to Delphi, Meteora,Vergina, Pella, Dion, Mt.Olympus and Thessaloniki with overnights in Meteora, Vergina, Thessaloniki, Litochoron. See UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments, like Delphi (Temple of Apollo), Meteora monasteries, Vergina and the Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Departing from Athens we will travel through the plain of Viotia, passing by Levadia , then Arachova (famous for its bright multi colored hand-made carpets) until we arrive in Delphi, the popular oracle of Apollo, who spoke to the mortals through the priestess Pythia. Walk up the Sacred Way of the Treasury houses to the Temple of Apollo, next to which there was the exact spot that was believed to be the “navel” (omphalos) of the earth, and the Theater, with the Stadium at the top of the hill.
After lunch, we depart for Kalambaka driving through the towns of Central Greece ( Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala). Overnight in Kalambaka.
- 08:00 Our tour starts from Athens
- 11:00 Arrival at Delphi (2.5hours stop)
- 13:30 Lunch time
- 18:30 Arrival at Meteora
In the morning drive up to Meteora and visit two of the Byzantine monasteries, perched on top of gigantic natural sandstone rock pillars of weird shapes. The whole area of Meteora is a unique phenomenon and it is considered by UNESCO part of our world’s heritage.
- 09:00 Meteora Monasteries visit (3hours time)
- 12:30 Lunch time
- 14:30 Departure for Vergina
- 16:30 Arrival in Thessaloniki and overnight stay
After breakfast,you will explore the archeological site and the tombs of Philip II who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world. The visitor will also see a family tomb (I), known as the “Tomb of Persephone”, with the incomparable fresco of the abduction of Persephone by Hades and a ruined building named “Heroon”, probably used for the worship of the dead royal members buried next door.
Some of the major finds exhibited here are the two golden urns, containing the bones of Philip II and one of his wives, two oak and one myrtle golden wreaths worn by the royal dead. On display is also the rare gold-and-purple embroidered cloth, which wrapped the bones of the royal wife, along with her golden diadem of a unique art, two ivory symposium beds, weapons and armour of Philip II, valuable symposium utensils of the royal family and the silver urn of the “Prince”.
Of great interest among the remains are the wonderfully well-preserved pebble mosaics on the floors of the courtyards of the palace and houses,and the remarkable street-plan of the city. Many of the mosaics are now housed in the small museum on the site, together with odd pieces of sculpture and other interesting finds.
After lunch, we deaprt for Thessaloniki to stay overnight. Free in the evening to see the city.
- 09:00 Vergina visit (1.5hours time)
- 10:30 Departure for Pella
- 11:30 Arrival in Pella (1.5Hours time)
- 13:15 Lunch time
- 16:00 Arrival in Thessaloniki and overnight stay
- 09:00 Free to explore the city of Thessaloniki or hike on Mt.Olympus.
- Overnight in Litochoro
After breakfast, you will visit the archeological site of Dion. Ancient kings of Macedonia had chosen Dion as their summer resort. There they created, centuries ago, a settlement in the ruins of which the parts of the ancient Macedonian civilization are evident. Archaeologists, with Professor Dr Pantermalis at the head of them, discovered an admirable civilization.
Remains of an ancient theatre, market baths and palace. The findings of graves found in Dion area are also remarkable. Most royal tombs give away the existence of an eminent and thriving civilization. Today we can admire the ruins of that civilization in the archaeological site of Dion and the archaeological museum of Dion.
After lunch, we start our way back to Athens stopping at Thermolpylae, the area where the Spartan King Leonidas and his 300 soldiers fought the Persians in 480 BC. Arrive in Athens in the evening.
- 09:30 Dion visit (2hours time)
- 11:30 Departure for Athens with lunch break on the way
- 18:30 Arrival in Athens
Alternative Tour Options:
There are so many other things to see in this area. Keep in mind that your
driver is at your disposal, so if you would like to adjust the
proposed itinerary at all, just let him know!
Gallery
Pricelist
Yellow Taxi
Mercedes E Class Sedan
-
Max Passengers
4
or 3 + guide - Max Handbags 2
- Max Baggages 2
Mini Van
Mercedes van VITO
-
Max Passengers
6
or 5 + guide - Max Handbags 6
- Max Baggages 6
Van
Mercedes Sprinter 315
-
Max Passengers
9
or 8 + guide - Max Handbags 8
- Max Baggages 8
Total additional fee for
local licensed tour guide
The cost of tour guide is for Delphi sites only (if available) and upon request
More Info
More Info
Tips
- A proper dress code is required to enter monasteries of meteora.Ladies need to wear a skirt and the gentlemen need to wear long trousers.Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women.You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
- There are plenty of opportunities to take photographs and videos on this tour, so be sure you have plenty of memory cards and batteries, and your cameras handy!
- Photography is permitted throughout the tour.
- Comfortable shoes for hiking are essential for this trip.
Important Information
This tour does not include entrance fees to any archeological site and museum,meals, hotel accommodations, gratuities, or other client personal expenses. Driver’s hotel expenses are not included in the price but If our company book the hotels we use frequently you can avoid this cost. If you wish to book your own hotels then you need to pay a room for the driver.
Admission Fees for Sites and Museums (Tickets available only at the ticket office)
- For the Archeological site of Delphi: Special ticket package: Full: €9, Reduced: €4
- Meteora Monasteries: Full:€2
- For the Archeological site of Dion: Full: €4, Reduced: €2
- For the Archeological site of Vergina: Full: €6, Reduced: €3
- For the Archeological site of Pella: Full: €6, Reduced: €3
Free admission days
- 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
- 5 June (International Enviroment Day)
- 18 April (International Monuments Day)
- 18 May (International Museums Day)
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
- Every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st
- 27 September, International Tourism Day
- 28 October
Reduced admission for:
- Greek citizens and citizens of other Member – States of the European Union aged over 65 years old by showing their ID card or passport.
- Students of Higher Education Institutes and equivalent Schools from countries outside the EU by showing their student ID.
- The accompanying parents on educational visits of elementary schools.
Free admission for:
- Young people, under the age of 18, after demonstrating the Identity Card or passport to confirm the age
- Cultural Card holders
- Journalists with a journalist identity card
- Persons accompanying blind and disabled
- Persons possessing a free admission card
- The escorting teachers of schools and institutions of elementary, middle school, high school, university and graduate level education during their visits
- University students and students at Technological Educational Institutes or equivalent schools of Member – States of the European Union and students at Schools of Tourist Guides, by showing their student ID