5 Days Private Tour: Delphi – Meteora – Thessaloniki & Pelio

This tour is a way to see two main sites representing different parts of Greek history. Setting off with a drive along the national highway heading towards northern Greece. Soon after we will be on the slopes of Mount Parnassus before reaching the mythical Delphi.

Leaving the site of Delphi we will have lunch at the modern village of Delphi with a peaceful view of the mountains of Fokis. Before setting off we will stop at point well known for its great view, you will see the Corinthian Sea, the port of Itea and the valley full of olive trees (olive sea). Following we will continue with a drive through the mountains, not taking the national highway, to see the real Greek country side. We will reach Kalambaka, a beautiful small city that is dominated by the Meteora. You will have time to take an evening walk and enjoy a local dinner after settling at the hotel.  

Setting off with a drive along the national highway heading towards northern Greece and coming across the plane of Thieves and the city of Levadia. You will have a breathtaking view of mountain Parnassus full of olive trees literally in front of you. 

Soon after we will be at Arachova. Aráchova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós. It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favorite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities. Its modern ski resort, its close proximity to Athens, and its breathtaking mountainous landscape are the strongest reason why. Apart from the mountain activities, Aráchova is also famous for its bustling nightlife and as the favorite mountain resort of Athenians. 

Delphi is a town on Mount Parnassus in the south of mainland Greece. It's the site of the 4th-century-B.C. Temple of Apollo, once home to a legendary oracle. Walking through the village with its narrow, country streets and shops on the central street you will have a breathtaking view of the mountains full of olive trees (olive sea) literally in front of you.  

Oracle of Delphi is a famous sanctuary with a PanHellenic character dedicated to Apollo. It served as an oracle and was considered ‘the naval’ the center of the world. Today Delphi is a symbol of Greek cultural unity. The scenic location allows you to have a soothing view of the Greek mountains and two more interesting sites, the Gymnasium and the secondary sanctuary of Athena Pronea. Called the centre of the world, Delphi was the most famous ancient Greek sanctuary with a Pan Hellenic character dedicated to the God Apollo. In the site you will visit the temple of Apollo where Pytheia spoke to the oracles, the theater and the stadium.   

In the museum you will be able to see some splendid findings such as the famous charioteer and Gold Ivory statues. 

Following we will continue with a drive through the mountains, not taking the national highway, to see the real Greek country side. Passing by the cities of Lamia, Trikala and Karditsa we will reach Kalambaka, a beautiful small city that is dominated by the Meteora. You will have time to take an evening walk and enjoy a local dinner after settling at the hotel. 

After visiting the Monasteries of Meteora, we will drive to Vergina (Aigai) where was the palace of the Macedonian Empire and then to Thessaloniki (the second biggest city in Greece) to overnight.

We will visit the monasteries and a closer look at the holy rocks. On the rocks that are like suspended in the air (that’s what Meteora means) there is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries, still in use. Meteora combines natural beauty and cultural heritage, a fact that make them a unique destination between the world’s monuments. 

Great Meteoro, as its name shows is the biggest and most impressive of the six.

Visit the Roussanou or Saint Stefanos Monastery, two of the most known monasteries. 

Roussanou Nunnery gives you the opportunity to walk in the trees before you arrive at the hanged from the sky monastery, while Saint Stefanos is the easiest to access. 

The city of Aigai, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, was discovered in the 19th century near Vergina, in northern Greece. The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world. 

You will be able to visit the museum that developed around the original location of the Royal Tombs full of their golden belonging and more importantly you will face the imposing tomb of Philip II, father of the Alexander the Great. 

Our final destination for the day will be Thessaloniki. Located not very far from Vergina, it proudly stands as the northern capital of Greece. Thessaloniki is a city that is distinguished for its cosmopolitan character and glorious past. Developed along the coast of the Thermaic Gulf, the city includes all the different characteristics that are consistent with the Greek element. Greek people call it “the Bride of the North” and she truly is. Your evening will be free to walk in the city, drink a coffee by the sea and taste some of the most popular traditional desserts such as “trigona Panoramatos” and “Bougatsa” they are to die for.  

Pella is one of the most important sites of the Hellenistic Period. It was chosen to be the capital of the huge Macedonian Empire in the end 5th century BCE. The archaeological site consists of public baths, sanctuaries, villas of wealthy Macedonians with unique mosaic decoration and of course the Agora of the city. The city originally covered an area of 400 hectares and it gradually became the cultural and commercial center of the empire. More importantly Alexander the Great was born in Pella.  

The museum of Pella is a modern museum that opened in 2009 and has nothing to envy from other Greek museums located in big cities.  

At Thessaloniki we will have a traditional northern Greek lunch at the region of “Ladadika”. In the afternoon we will drive around this beautiful city to see all the highlights of the co-capital. The White Tower, the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda, the Roman Agora and the cathedral of the Patron Saint Demetrius, the city wall and the Ano Poli (upper City) that offers you a breathtaking view of the city and the Aegean Sea. The rest of the day will be free to enjoy more of the city at your own pace visit museums, walk in Aristotelous Square or visit the central commercial streets before we overnight.

The White Tower of Thessaloniki is a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city of Thessaloniki, capital of the region of Macedonia in northern Greece. The present tower replaced an old Byzantine fortification, known to have been mentioned around the 12th century, that the Ottoman Empire reconstructed to fortify the city's harbour sometime after Sultan Murad II captured Thessaloniki in 1430. The tower became a notorious prison and scene of mass executions during the period of Ottoman rule. 

The emblematic monument of Thessaloniki, was constructed in the early 4th century AD, on the turning point between the pagan with the Christian world, probably as a temple for ancient cult worship or as a mausoleum for Constantine the Great (306-337). 

One of the most characteristic monuments of Thessaloniki is the Arch of Galerius, located on the upper side of the Via Egnatia, a short distance from the Rotunda.

The Arch of Galerius is a glorious monument, whose purpose was not practical, but memorial and honorary. It is a triumphal arch built shortly before 305 AD to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius, after the final victory over the Persians. The triumphal arch that was positioned perpendicular to the ancient Egnatia, which crossed the city (west to east) forming a part of the Roman Palace of Galerius, which was developed through the current squares of Navarinou and Hippodrome.

You will also walk to the Palace of Galerius to see part of it. 

Ano Poli (Upper City). The Heptapyrgion is a Byzantine and Ottoman-era fortress situated on the north-eastern corner of the Acropolis of Thessaloniki. Despite its name, which means "Fortress of Seven Towers", it features ten, and was probably named after the Yedikule Fortress in Constantinople. It served as the major redoubt of the city's acropolis, as well as the seat of its garrison commander in Ottoman times, until the late 19th century. 

The Church of Saint Demetrius is the main sanctuary dedicated to Saint Demetrius, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, dating from a time when it was the second largest city of the Byzantine Empire. It is part of the site Palaeochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO since 1988.

Underneath the Church is the place where St Demetrios, along with other Christians of the early Roman period, were martyred. 

This day we will visit the most sacred place of the Macedonians and drive south, crossing Larissa and Volos we will overnight at the summer house of the twelve Gods, mount Pelion.

Next we will drive towards the site of Dion following the national highway, reaching the village of Dion, we will find the site and the archaeological museum of Dion, an ancient Greek city named after Zeus (in Greek Dias) that preserved its importance in the Macedonian Period. There Philip II and his son Alexander the Great made sacrifices to the Gods after conquering the Ancient Greek world and from there, Alexander The Great started his expedition towards to Asia. It was a city with of a huge strategic importance according to the Macedonian Kings. Today you can visit sanctuary of Isis and other Egyptian Gods, the oldest sanctuary of Goddess Dimitra, a Hellenistic theater, a roman theater and a stadium, the mansion of Dionysos with its wonderful mosaic decoration and many more public and private buildings.  

Located in the present-day settlement of Dion, only 500 meters from the entrance of the archaeological space, the museum displays finds from various excavations over the years. The finds have been organized according to the areas from which they were excavated on the site, and include discoveries from ancient Pydna and other archaeological spots in Pieria. In the basement visitors can watch an educational film titled «Daily Life in Ancient Dion», and screenings of audiovisual materials related to ancient Dion and Olympus. 

Mt Pelion stands towering above Volos and is full of small traditional villages offering a view of the city and the Pagasitikos Gulf. Greek mythology tells us that this mountain with its picturesque villages was the residence of the Centaurs. At Pelion, you will taste an authentic traditional lunch in one of the quaint villages and we will drive around to see several parts of Pelion ending up at the village we are going to overnight in.

The last day we will drive back to Athens, on our way we will visit Thermopylae, where Leonidas and his 300 gave their last battle and have lunch by the sea in a fishermen's village...

First, we will drive to Thermopylae. It was here that 10 years after the Battle of Marathon, King Leonidas and his 300 brave Spartans heroically faced the Persian army. In the historical center, an informative 3D movie will be shown.   

As if traveling through time you will feel the presence of heroes who stood their ground for their freedom against a foreign conqueror. To conclude you will visit the statue of Leonidas standing exactly opposite Kolonos Hill where the persistent Spartans left their last breath.    

Walk around the Thermopylae Battlefield to see the landscape.

We will have lunch by the sea at this picturesque village. 

Drive back to Athens.