A journey to mysticism and spirituality
Seize this opportunity to travel to the legendary grounds of the Delphi Oracle and to stand on the summit of the majestic Meteora, lost in the clouds between the heavens and the earth.
2 Days
Delphi, Meteora, Greece
185.00 €
92.50 €
28 €
| Language | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Suturday | Sunday |
| English |
Passing through scenic landscapes, aboard our comfortable air-conditioned bus, we will arrive in Delphi around noon. As you disembark, take a moment to feel the palpable energy of your surroundings, as you will be stepping onto sacred grounds, once visited by pilgrims and important historical figures alike, from far away, seeking a glimpse into their future and into the whims of the ancient gods.
Lift your eyes up to the skies and remember that, according to legend, that is exactly where the paths of the two eagles sent by Zeus crossed, marking this area as the coveted center of the earth, known as the “omphalos”.
Our expert English speaking guide will walk you through the Castalia Spring, where the High Priestess would stop to have a drink of water before delivering her prophecies, and on to the pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it blends harmoniously with the splendid landscape and carries sacred meaning. Erected in the 6th century B.C., it represented the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.
Discover the archeological site’s astonishing monuments and travel back in time when state-cities competed to win Apollo’s favor. The patron god of Delphi was one of the most complex ancient deities, often revered as a god of music, truth and prophecy, healing, the sun and light, poetry, and more. True believers and priests dedicated hymns to him, called paeans, and the famous oracle Pythia spoke in his voice. Explore his imposing temple, as well as the monuments of the Argive Kings, the Athenian Treasury, the Stoa of the Athenians, and many more.
After our lunch break, having recharged our batteries, we will depart for the cities of Lamia, thought to have taken its name after one of Poseidon’s daughters, and Trikala, standing strong against countless raider attacks over the centuries. Through the Plain of Thessaly, where the Titans once battled the Olympians, we will arrive to our destination, the traditional town of Kalambaka. Once a Byzantine fortress known as Stagoi, this quaint town lays at the foot of the grandiose grey rock pillars of Meteora and is the ideal location for a relaxed evening as we turn in for a good night sleep.
In the morning, we will tour one the most important groups of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the world, those of Meteora, perched atop these inaccessible abrupt towers of sandstone. You will enjoy a magnificent view and immerse yourself in the spirituality engulfing these reclusive monasteries, painstakingly built long ago by hermitic monks, hoping to climb a stairway to heaven and protect themselves and their faith from the ravages of conquerors. Explore two of the monasteries and learn about the way of life of the founders whose determination has given us this invaluable phenomenon of cultural heritage.
As we head back, we wouldn’t miss the chance to pass by the monument of the Great Leonidas, the warrior king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, who led the allied Greek forces to a last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC).
This two day tour is indeed a feast for the eyes and the heart and it will undoubtedly stay in your memories for a very long time.
When entering the Meteora monasteries, appropriate attire is required as per the monastic and humble way of life atop these grounds of religious faith. It is required for ladies not to sport short skirts nor sleeveless tops as it is also required by the gentlemen not to wear shorts. Although the option for borrowing cover-up garments is foreseen at the monastery entrances, we recommend that you take the above into consideration.
The usual itinerary includes visits to the Great Meteoro Monastey and the St. Stefanos one, although on Tuesdays we visit the Varlaam monastery instead of the Great Meteoro one.
As always, let’s not leave our accommodations without sunscreen as it is better to be safe than sorry when you are vacationing in or visiting our warm and sunny country.
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