Highlights of the tour to Meteora, Thermopylae

• Blessed Lucas Byzantine monastery • The suspended rocks of Meteora with the breathtaking byzantine monasteries on top of them • The town of Kalambaka by the feet of Meteora Rocks • Thermopylae, the famous Hot Gates of the ancient Years. • English-speaking driver. A guide is available on request. • Travelers can customize the tour within the itinerary!
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔  Private vehicle
✔  Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle appropriate for the size of your group
✔  Bottled water
✔  A professional English speaking tour driver
✔  Breakfast
✖  Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
✖  Gratuities
✖  Food and drinks
✖  English-speaking licensed tour guide (We can arrange for a tour guide for you with an extra cost)
Pickup Locations
1.  Hotel Albion
2.  Zenith Hotel
3.  Athens City Plaza
4.  Athens Odeon Hotel
5.  Wyndham Athens Residence
6.  Crystal City Hotel
7.  Apollo Hotel
8.  Titania Hotel
9.  Hotel Minoa
10.  The Editor Athens Hotel
11.  Iniohos Hotel
12.  Arion Athens Hotel
13.  Anixis
14.  Noma Hotel
15.  Athens Tiare Hotel
16.  Novotel Athenes
17.  Hotel Tier Collection
18.  Hotel Christiana
19.  Bob W. Eolou Athens
20.  Hotel Solomou Athens
Additional Info: Departure Point : HOTEL MEETING INSTRUCTIONS: We will meet you at the main entrance of your hotel. Please inform the porter that you are expecting your tour driver to call for you. If you are staying in a small hotel, please inform the receptionist instead. CRUISE PORT MEETING INSTRUCTIONS: Please disembark and walk outside the terminal exit door, where our driver/guide will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it. Return point: Return at the same spot!
Itinerary

Athens, Thermopylae Kalambaka

1
Attica You will be traveling through Attica, a journey” in 6,000- year history, the land that gave birth to ideas and arts, has created and shaped what we call today the western civilization. Today, a visit to Attica offers visitors a unique experience. A “journey” in its 6,000-year history, including the chance to see renowned monuments and masterpieces of the art of antiquity and the Middle Ages, and the architectural heritage of the 19th and 20th centuries. Here lies Athens, the capital of Greece, the busiest city of the country with the most prominent archaeological site and symbol of the country, the world-famous sacred rock of the Acropolis. Attica is home to some of the world’s most important and fascinating museums and archaeological sites, testimony to its long and prominent role in world history. Festivals featuring ancient Greek drama, as well as performances, sports, or culinary events are organized throughout the year, spellbinding the audience. Then travel towards Peloponnese!

Duration:  0 minutes

2
Thermopylae Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulfur springs. In Greek mythology, the Hot Gates is one of the entrances to Hades. The Battle of Thermopylae was conducted in 480BC among the Greeks and the Persians at the same time the Naval Battle of Artemision took place. The Persian Army led my Xerxis to reache the passageways of Thermopylae. The Greeks have chosen this strategic spot to face the Persian attack. Xerxis has commanded Leonides, the leader of the Greek Army to surrender his armory but he replied 'Come and Get them'. For two days, the Greeks fought heroically. On the third day, Efialtes betrays the Greeks, showing the Persians the passageway so as to get to the backside of the Greeks. So, the Persian Army surrounds the Greeks. Leonides remains at the site of the battle along with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespieis, and 400 Thivaious, loyal to his homeland laws. He falls dead from Persian arrows.

Duration:  20 minutes

3
Kalambaka Kalabaka is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The city of Kalampaka is built on the feet of the Meteora and it is on the left side of the river Pinios. It is the starting place for those visitors who wish to be familiar with the monuments and the magnificent sites of Aspropotamos of Hasia, Koziakas, and the Meteora. Kalampaka has known all over the world for the famous monasteries that exist on the top of the rocks of the Meteora. Every year, millions of visitors come from all over the world in order to admire and honor them. Kalampaka is a city of rich history and important monuments. One of the greatest importance is the Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary which is in the north-eastern part of the city under the very high rock of Aea. The ancient name of the city was Aeginion, this is how it is mentioned in the Hellenistic and Roman years because of the great importance of its position.

Duration:  0 minutes

4
Leonidas Monument Why did the battle of Thermopylae become one of the most world-famous battles? Thermopylae battle is a perfect example of selflessness, sacrifice, and obedience to the laws of the country. The resistance in the passage is a result of hard military training, better gear, and strategic use of the land in order to multiply the defense abilities. Where is the Thermopylae Memorial? The passage of Thermopylae (that literally means "Hot Gates") doesn't exist anymore since the mud deposition made by the Spercheios river moved the beach and the sea a few kilometers away. Near Thermopylae, next to the national road connecting Athens to Thessaloniki there is a memorial statue of King Leonidas and his soldiers with an inscription saying: "Ὦ ξεῖν’, ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι", which means: "Stranger, tell Spartans that we lay here, staying faithful to Sparta’s laws."

Duration:  10 minutes

5
Central Greece Starting from Athens we will be travelling through Sterea Ellada; The Region of Central Greece till we reach Delphi. The Region of Central Greece colloquially known as Ρούμελη (Roúmeli)) is one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. The region occupies the eastern half of the traditional region of Central Greece, including the island of Euboea. To the south it borders the regions of Attica and the Peloponnese, to the west the region of West Greece and to the north the regions of Thessaly and Epirus. Its capital city is Lamia. It is divided geographically into the East and West, with the natural border between them the southern part of the Pindos mountain range. We will pass by Theves, Livadia, and Arachova. Arrive at Delphi and visit the archaeological site!

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Kalambaka, Kastraki, Meteora

1
Kastraki Kastraki is located in the western part of Meteora, amphitheatrically built, among the towering cliffs, and is a municipal district of Kalabaka. Its history is lost in the course of time. In the eastern part, there is the old picturesque district of the village and above the spindle, small but impressive because of the form and the support position. It is mainly the base of climbers coming from different parts of the world, to admire the wonderful landscape formed by the towering rocks. Kastraki has an important local tradition, customs, and folk songs, which all have a uniqueness. The impressive landscape with canyons, plateaus, and the ghostly figures of “sacred rock” pops up through the lush landscape and strives, as if to touch the heavens. Today the village has been declared with the entire region of Meteora Monument and World Heritage by UNESCO, while it has grown into a wonderful place for recreation with camping, taverns, and guest houses, offering pleasant relaxation.

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2
Meteora 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 monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Meteora monasteries; the miracle of Greece. A few kilometers northwest of the town of Kalabaka, the impressive rocks of Meteora are rising from the plains of Thessaly one of the most amazing places in Greece. Many centuries ago, on these gigantic rocks with the breathtaking landscape reaching heights of more than 600 meters, it was formed one of the most important monastic communities of Greece. In 1988, the Meteora monasteries have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Meteora-Antichassia area is part of the Natura 2000 network hosting some rare species of birds and flowers.

Duration:  2 minutes

3
Great Meteoron Monastery The Great Meteoro (Grand Meteor), also known as the Holy Monastery of the Metamorphosis (Transfiguration of Christ), is a male monastery and is the oldest and largest of all the monasteries of Meteora. The foundation of the Monastery of Great Meteoron is the starting point of the organized life at Meteora. On the most imposing rock, it occupies a commanding position among the monastic complex of Meteora. It’s the largest and most formal of the extant Meteora Monasteries as its name implies. Founded shortly before the middle of the 14th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, who was also its first founder and the first to organize a systematic monastic community.

Duration:  1.5 hours

4
St. Stephen was inhabited by monks in the late 12th century. The assembly of the building of the monastery which was founded in the 14th century completed in the 15th and 16th century. First founder of the monastery is the monk, later abbot of it Antonios Kantakouzenos. Antonios in the opinion of some researchers was the son of the Serbian Despot of Epirus Nikephoros II (1359) and a descendant of the great Byzantine family. Secondly, the founder is Monk Philotheos “ex Sklatainas”, which is referred to as the renovator of St. Stephen. Theophilos erected a new the old, now Catholic, built the cells and other facilities of the monastery. During his days(1545) the monastery became stavropegic and retained this privilege of 1743. In 1798 a new church was built dedicated to Saint Charalambos, who in the 17th century was referred to as the second patron of the monastery. In the 18th and 19th century for the first time several buildings and the abbey was built and took the form it has today.

Duration:  40 minutes

5
Saint Nicholas Anapafsas Monastery The beginning of the monastic life on the rock of Anapafsas is placed in the 14th century and the name of the monastery is probably due to its old founder. The monastery was renovated in the first decade of the 16th century. The construction and installation of the monastery (tall rectangular building with successive levels) adapted to the capabilities of the very small area of the plateau of the rock in which it was built. Going up you see the small chapel of St. Anthony and the crypt, where previously stored codes and heirlooms. On the walls of the chapel remains frescoes of the 14th century. On the next floor is built the church of the monastery, a small single room, almost square space preceded by a large enough in relation to the church narthex (lite). Upstairs are the old bank of the monastery, which was restored and today serves as the official residence (hostel), the ossuary, and the renovated, since 1971, the church of St. John the Baptist.

Duration:  40 minutes

6
Varlaam Monastery The monastery Varlaam owes its name to the hermit-anchorite Varlaam, who first inhabited the rock in the 14th century. The history of the monastery begins substantially from the early 16th century when the rock settled and organized their priory by the Ioannina brothers Theophanes and Nektarios Apsaras, descendants of the old continent Byzantine family. The Apsaras in 1518 renovated fundamentally the chapel of the Three Hierarchs, which was built on the site of the original Catholic monastery that was built by Varlaam, in 1536 built the winch tower, and in 1541 built the present church dedicated to All Saints. In 1627 the chapel of the Three Hierarchs was rebuilt in place of the Old Catholic who had built the Apsaras and in 1637 was decorated by the artistic crew of John priest and children, who came from Kalabaka. The monastery is distinguished in spiritual prosperity and its participation in national struggles in recent years.

Duration:  40 minutes

7
Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada) The monastery of the Holy Trinity was made in 1488 by a monk named Dometios. But sources reveal its existence since 1362. The oldest building phase of the monastery is represented by the current church, which was built as we learn from the inscription in the year 1475/6 and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The frescos of the church were made by the painter and priest named Antonios and his brother Nicholas, in 1741. The Catholic exonarthex was built in 1689 and decorated in 1692. In 1682, with the expenses and trouble of Hieromonk Damaskinou, Jonah and Partheniou, the chapel of St. John the Baptist were built and decorated. Visitors to reach the monastery must cross a pedestrian path downhill until the foot of the cliff and then climb 145 carved steps. Northwest of the building complex of the monastery, behind the church, the visitor arrives at the highest point of the rock, from the balcony you can enjoy a rare view of the other monasteries and the Meteora rocks.

Duration:  40 minutes

8
The rock referred to as Rousanou was inhabited from the early 16th century, while the monastery was founded in the 14th century. But the monastery took its present form in the 16th century when the brothers Ioasaf and Maximus from Epirus and the abbot of the monastery of Great Meteoron, the ruined church that was dedicated to the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. The Catholicon that was built by the two brothers from Giannena in 1545, and decorated with frescoes, is dedicated to this day to the Transfiguration but also honored in the memory of Santa Barbara. The monastery became a refuge for persecuted individuals and families during the various historical vicissitudes of the nation. During the 19th century, the monastery declined and slowly fell into a hermitage for the monks of the monastery Varlaam. Today, after its restoration, in 1980, by the Archaeological Service, it operates as a nunnery.

Duration:  40 minutes

9
Central Greece Starting from Athens we will be travelling through Sterea Ellada; The Region of Central Greece till we reach Delphi. The Region of Central Greece colloquially known as Ρούμελη (Roúmeli)) is one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. The region occupies the eastern half of the traditional region of Central Greece, including the island of Euboea. To the south it borders the regions of Attica and the Peloponnese, to the west the region of West Greece and to the north the regions of Thessaly and Epirus. Its capital city is Lamia. It is divided geographically into the East and West, with the natural border between them the southern part of the Pindos mountain range. We will pass by Theves, Livadia, and Arachova. Arrive at Delphi and visit the archaeological site!

Duration:  0 minutes

Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Additional info
•  Specialized infant seats are available
•  Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
•  A moderate amount of walking is involved; comfortable shoes are recommended
•  Sunscreen and hats are recommended for visits during the summer months
•  Duration time is approximate and may vary based on local traffic and conditions
•  While the local operator does its best to ensure sites are open before travel, they are not responsible for short-term closures
•  Athens Airport transfers: arranged on request
•  Important note: You will have a professional English-speaking driver with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums according to the program. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you'd like to have one, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
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