7 Days Private Tour: Meteora - Ioannina - Thessaloniki - Litochoro & Delphi

The first day of our tour we will visit the place where Leonidas and his 300 gave their last battle in Thermopylae. Then we will drive to the unique site of Meteora (suspended), to admire the monasteries hidden on top of massive rocks. Meteora is protected by Unesco. Finally we will head to Kalambaka village, in the shade of the rocks, to overnight. 

We will visit the battlefield of Thermopylae’s, travelling through time you will feel the presence of all who died for their freedom against the Persians.

In the historical center of the site you will enjoy a 3D movie, traveling through the time you will feel the presence of all who died for their freedom under a foreign conqueror.

Next, you will see the statue of Leonidas standing right opposite Kolonos Hill where the persisting Spartans left their last breath.

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 visit the Merteora Monasteries and enjoy a local dinner after settling at the hotel.

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. The Great Meteoron is the biggest and most impressive monastery.

The Holy Monastery of Agios Stefanos is one of the few female monasteries of Meteora. The exact date of the monastery's construction is unknown but according to some evidence it was built in the 15th century.

Roussanou is is also a nunnery, with great frescoes, hidden in the trees.

We will drive to the oldest Oracle in Greece, in Dodoni and then to the scenic town of Ioannina to explore some hidden treasures and overnight.

We will drive to the Ancient Greek Oracle of Dodoni where a huge site is preserved. It reveals where the ancient Greek theater, the Temple and the Oracle of Zeus functioned. The sanctuary of Dodoni was a major spiritual area in ancient Greece. It was the oldest of the Greek oracles and ancient people traveled great distances in order to consult the priests who foretold the future.

Set on the western shore of the lovely Lake Pamvotis, Ioannina is one of northern Greece's most atmospheric cities, and one of its more cultured and wealthy, as it was famous throughout the Ottoman Empire for its silver artisans. The walls of its old fortified city, the Kastro, enclose a tranquil quarter, spiked with minarets, and an island in the lake is a quiet, car-free escape. Just before Ioannina we will reach the region of Perama. Here you can visit the Cave of Perama, this timeless cave (covering a distance of 1,5 km) is full of openings with beautiful formations of stalagmites and stalactites created 1,5 million years ago.

It is the biggest museum of wax effigies in Greece and also a great heritage in our history. Everything in this museum, from the moment their idea was perceived until the stage of its creation, was handcrafted by a man, who wanted to enliven elements of his country’s history with lots of love and passion.

Firstly we will visit Metsovo, a small mountainious town with traditional architecture. Then we will visit Vergina (Aigai), the first capital of the Macedonian Empire with the Royal Tombs protected by Unesco before we arrive at Thessaloniki to overnight.

Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece and the most important centre of the area. Built near the sea (at the back of the Thermaïkos Gulf), it is a modern metropolis bearing the marks of its stormy history and its cosmopolitan character, which give it a special beauty and charm. If you visit it once, you always return.

This tree-shaded village, retaining its traditional character, dots the mountain side below Katara Col in the Mountain Range of Pindos. Metsovo is full of life throughout the year generously offering you its natural surrounding beauties. Particularly during winter, the famous vlach village, birthplace of various national benefactors, is Epirus’ beloved tourist destination.

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.

The White Tower of Thessaloniki is a monument and museum on the waterfront of Thessaloniki. 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.

We will drive to Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great and then we will return to Thessaloniki.

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.

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.

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. Then we will head to Litohoro to overnight in the shade of mount Olympus.

Here 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.

We will drive on the foothills of mountain Olympus to reach the mountainous, scenic village of Litochoro where we will stay the rest of the day. Litochoro is the closest location to Mt Olympus at sea level making it a popular destination for people that want to start climbing up the mountain. So we will stay on the foothill of the highest mountain in Greece, of the mountain were the 12 Gods of Olympus lived according to the Greek Mythology.

We will continue south driving to the cosmopolitan Arachova before we reach the cente of ancient world, Delphi. After the archaeological Site we will stop at an unbelievable lookout known for its great scenery, from where you will see the Corinthian Sea, the port of Itea and the valley full of olive trees (olive sea). We will overnight here.

This was an ancient Greek sanctuary with a PanHellenic character dedicated to the god Apollo. It functioned as an oracle and was considered ‘the naval’ the center of the world. To this day Delphi is a symbol of Greek cultural unity. The scenic location allows you to view of the Greek mountains along with two more sites the gymnasium and the secondary sanctuary of Athena Pronea.

In the site you will visit the theater, the stadium and the main attraction the temple of Apollo where Pytheia spoke to the oracles.

In the museum you will be able to see the famous charioteer and Gold Ivory statues.  

Our next stop is the mountainous Greek village of Arachova, very close to a ski resort. It is full of traditional houses and shops selling local products. You can walk through the village with its narrow roadways and shops on the central street having a breathtaking view of the mountains full of olive trees literally in front of you.

The last day we will visit Hosios Loukas Monastery to admire the Vyzantine mosaics protected by Unesco, the glorious plane of Marathon, the imposing temple of Poseidon in Sounio and the famous Athenian Riviera, before we return to Athens.

Our first stop is going to be the monastery of Hosios Loukas. The monastery is located in a picturesque valley overflowing with olive trees. Worth noticing are its decorations and fine architecture, they are an excellent example of the second golden age of Byzantine art (11th -12th century) its golden mosaic in particular is amazing.

Driving by the nothern suburbs of Athens our next stop at Marathon Lake, on the slopes of Mt Penteli. It is an artificial lake operating as the main water reservoir for Athens in the past and its dam, a great mechanic construction of the starts of 20th century.

Moving on we will also see the Marathon Battlefield, its Archaeological Museum with the tumulus of the 11 Plateans and a prehistoric cemetery that produces proof of the first civilized presence in this location.

Next we will follow Marathonos Avenue. This is the course of the original Marathon Race, as you will see by the signs that count each kilometer. Later we will reach the Tumulus of the Athenians; the site portrays courage, bravery and finally the victory of the Athenians against the Persians in 490 BCE.

We will see the temple of Poseidon that dominates above the Aegean Sea and the remains of the temple Athena Souniada. Apart from the unique location and the archaeological interest, Cape Sounio is also known for its breathtaking sunset and view of the Greek Islands. It is considered as one of the most romantic places in Greece. The place Lord Byron wrote about and treasured.

Drive by Vouliagmeni and its famous Lake protected by Natura 2000.

We will drive the coastline of Attica Peninsula to see the Athenian Riviera. Glyfada is a suburb in south Athens.

We will drive back to Athens.