Phocis

Neighborhood Tours

Admire the authentic mainland of Greece, first visiting the historic Thermopylae, the original location of the famous battle between ancient Greeks and Persians in 480 B.C. See the battlefield, the statue of King Leonidas and visit the museum. The journey continues with beautiful views of the mountains and fields until you reach Meteora.  Visit 2 of the 6 remaining Byzantine monasteries, built back in the 14th and 16th centuries. Take photos and videos of the marvelous landscape while your guide shares the local history. Afterward, your driver will take you to Kalambaka, a scenic town below the rocks with many options for a delicious traditional Greek lunch.  Visit the oldest church in the area, where you can see a Greek inscription on the wall which testifies to the existence of an ancient Greek temple at the same location. During your free time in Kalambaka, you may also visit the Natural History Museum.

Depart from Athens early in the morning and drive through the fertile plain of Beotia via Thebes and Levadia. Upon arrival at Delphi, learn the story of the Oracle and its impact on the Hellenic World from an official guide. Pass the Castalian Spring and visit highlights such as the Stoa of the Athenians, Athenian Treasury, polygonal retaining wall, and the Temple of Apollo. Enter the archaeological museum at your own expense to marvel at relics such as the Treasury of the Sifnians, Naxian Sphinx, Statue of Antinoos, and the bronze Charioteer. Get some time for lunch in the village before returning to Athens via the mountain village of Arachova on the south slopes of Parnassus.

Start the tour with pickup from your hotel in Athens, and set off on 182 km drive northwest towards Delphi. Follow the road that leads to the awe-inspiring Mount Parnassus, one of the highest mountains in Greece. Enjoy a break in Arahova, a picturesque village where you can discover the local eateries and shops, traditional stone-built houses, and scenic cobbled streets.  Then, continue on to the nearby archaeological site of Delphi, an extraordinary site where the cult of the Greek God, Apollo, was developed for over 1000 years. Either explore on your own or choose the option to include a private tour with a licensed English-speaking guide who is authorized to enter all the archaeological sites with you.  Proceed into the archaeological site to see the restored Treasury of the Athenians, the ruins of the temple of Apollo, and the open-air theater for religious festivities. Absorb the view of the dramatic surrounding landscape. If time and energy allow, continue walking uphill to reach the impressive Roman Stadium where athletic competitions were held throughout the Greek and Roman times. After this, visit the Archaeological Museum which holds the statue of young Antinous, the bronze statue of the Charioteer and pieces of the ivory-and-gold statues of Apollo and Artemis. Enjoy a lunch break in the picturesque village of Delphi. Choose one of the taverns facing the remarkable view of the Gulf of Corinth and the innumerous olive trees in the valley below.  Complete your visit with a short walk towards the small sanctuary of Athena, with the much-photographed ruins of the Tholos marble monument. Find out more about the relative legends and the history of the region. Finally, return to Athens following the same route.