DAY 1: ATHENS – DELPHI – ARACHOVA
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel, and we'll start your Private Tour by moving North out of Athens towards Delphi. The first stop will be before Delphi at the monastery of Hosios Lucas, located in a beautiful area close to Distomo.
This ornate Byzantine-style monastery dates back to the 11th century and features mosaics and frescoes. After we visit the monastery, we will visit the Archaeological site at Delphi, which includes the Temple of Apollo, the most famous Oracle of the Ancient World for more than 16 centuries, the Theater, the Stadium in which they used to host the athletic events of Pythia, the Holy Fountain of Castalia, and the Archaeological Museum. Delphi has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1987. Stay overnight in Delphi.
DAY 2: ARCHOVA - METEORA
The following morning, after breakfast, we will drive to cross the Holy mountain of Parnassus towards Meteora, a place uniquely sculptured by nature. We'll stay overnight in the town of Kalambaka, nestled beneath the mountain, and view the spectacular sight of the Rocks lit by night.
DAY 3: METEORA - THESSALONIKI
The following morning, we will visit a few monasteries perched atop magnificent rocks reaching up to 600 m. UNESCO characterized the monasteries of Meteora as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage and included them in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1988. After this visit, we can have lunch in the town of Kalambaka. Then, we'll leave the rocks of Meteora behind us and travel north towards the city of Thessaloniki, where we will stay for the next two nights. After you check into your hotel, we will go on a city tour of Thessaloniki. Stay overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 4: THESSALONIKI – PELLA – MIEZA – VEROIA - VERGINA
The next day, after breakfast, we will visit the town of Pella and the Archaeological Museum. Pella was the new Capital City of Macedonia founded by Philippe, the father of Alexander the Great. The next stop will be at the Aristotle School in Mieza, where Alexander studied under the great philosopher for seven years. Then, we will travel to the city of Veroia, a short stop at the Altar of Saint Paul, before we visit Aigai, the archaeological site of Vergina with the Palace and the Tomb of King Philippe of Macedonia. There we can have Lunch before we return to Thessaloniki. Stay overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 5: THESSALONIKI – DION – THERMOPYLAE - ATHENS
The next day, we will leave Thessaloniki and visit the Dion archaeological site and the Archaeological Museum, which is situated at the foot of Mount Olympus. Then we'll leave Dion to return to Athens with a short stop at the memorial of the battlefield of Thermopylae, the monument of the Spartan King Leonidas, who fought with his 300 men and the 700 Thespians of Demophilos against hundreds of thousands of Persians and all the Greeks were killed. Late afternoon, we will arrive back in Athens.