Classical Tour to Delphi, Meteora, Dion, Pella, Vergina & Mt.Olympus

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 Theatre, 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.

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.

After lunch, start driving through Pindos mountain line (world war two resistance head quarters) passing Grevena to reach Vergina famous for the graves of Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great.

Overnight in Vergina.

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”.

We continue on to Pella birthplace of Alexander the Great. Pella was the second capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia, founded by Archelaus (413-399BC), replacing the older city of Vergina to ensure a better communication with the rest of the Greek world,both via sea and mainland.

Of great interest among the remains are the wnderfully 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 depart for Litochoron which lays on the foot of Mt.Olympus (home of the 12 Olympian Gods).

We will stay overnight in Litochoron.

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 Thermopylae, the area where the Spartan King Leonidas and his 300 soldiers fought the Persians in 480 BC.

Arrive in Athens in the evening.