Castalian Spring

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.

Depart from Athens early in the morning via the National Highway on this full-day sightseeing tour to the sacred ruins of Delphi. You will pass through the towns of Thebes, Levadia and Arachova as you drive to the site of the Delphic oracle and explore the famous site, known in ancient times as the “Navel of the World.” The 8-hour sightseeing tour will take you past Castalia Spring, continuing on to visit the archaeological site of the Temple of Apollo and the Museum of Delphi. Explore the spectacular attractions from classical Greece, including the bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx, and the Statue of Antinoos. After lunch, return to Athens via the picturesque mountain village of Arachova, built on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus. Well known for its attractive hand-woven carpets, rugs and quilts, as well as for its wine and cheese, you will make a short stop, with time to buy some souvenirs, before arriving back in Athens early in the evening.

On day one, drive through Levadia and Arachova and arrive in Delphi. The sanctuary of Delphi was for many centuries the cultural and religious center of the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games where the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics, which were held every four years. Visit Delphi and its museum where one can see among other archaeological treasures, the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos the tyrant of Gela. After your guided tour, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure, and then enjoy dinner included at your hotel in Delphi. The next morning, have breakfast at the hotel, then enjoy a free morning in Delphi where you can explore Tholos, Castalia spring, and go walking in the beautiful village of Delphi where the wild beauty and grandeur of the landscape are awesome and inspiring. In the afternoon be driven back to Athens.

The full day Delphi tour starts with a 70-mile drive along the National highway northwest of Athens. Driving through Levadia, we will arrive at the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, one of the finest Byzantine monuments in Greece, built in the 10th century and set on a picturesque slope on the western foothills of Mount Hellikon, near the ancient town of Steiri. The Monastery was founded in 945 AD by the hermit Hosios Lucas who was hard working, kind, compassionate, hospitable and born with the gift of foresight, which was proved unmistakable on issues of both national and individual importance. The Catholicon at the Monastery keeps the relics of Hosios Loukas. The marvelous mosaics and the architecture make the Monastery one of the most important monuments in Greece. Departing from the Monastery, we will arrive at Delphi via Arachova, a picturesque town situated on the south slopes of Mount Parnassus. Arachova has become a popular day or weekend road trip for Athenians mostly during the winter because of the ski centre. At Delphi, we will visit Castalia spring, the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the ancient Stadium, the ancient Theatre, the unique bronze Charioteer, and the Museum. Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis. In Greek mythology, it was the navel of the earth, the site of the Delphic Oracle and a major site for the worship of god Apollo after he slew the Python, a dragon who protected the navel of the earth. Apollo spoke through his oracle. The priestess of the oracle known as the Pythia had to be an older woman and sat on a tripod seat over an opening in the earth. Apollo possessed Pythia and she prophesied. People consulted the Delphic Oracle on everything from important matters of public policy to personal affairs. The Oracle exerted considerable influence throughout the Greek world and consulted before all major events. The ancient Stadium held the Python Games, which were one of the four Pan-Hellenic Games held every four years. We will conclude our visit to Delphi by having lunch at a local restaurant enjoying the view of the Itea Gulf followed by a visit to the Temple of Athena Pronea and the Gymnasium. Finally, we will drive back to Athens by the national highway.

On this day trip you will travel through mainland of Greece, and you will see the agricultural crops and cities such as Thiva and Livadia. You will ascend to Parnassos where you will pass by the picturesque and cosmopolitan Arachova village, before reaching the most important destination of this trip - the center of the world for the ancient Greeks - Delphi. Delphi was the most important religious center in the ancient years and since 1987 it has been an Unesco monument. In the archaeological site of Delphi, you will see the stoa of the Athenians, the ancient theater, the oracle of Delphi, the stadium of Delphi and of course the temple of Apollo. After an incomparably beautiful route, you will head to the Archaeological Museum. The archaeological museum of Delphi is the second most visited museum after the one of the Acropolis of Athens. Every year it receives visits from 700,000 people and is considered one of the most beautiful museums in Greece. Here, the history of the famous Delphic sanctuary and the famous oracle is presented in the best way, through a rich collection of sculptures, statues, the statue of the Charioteer, the Sphinx of the Naxians, the parts of the frieze of the Sifnian treasure, the fragments of metopes with depictions of the labours of Hercules from the treasure of the Athenians, the Navel, the statues of the mythical brothers Kleovis and Viton etc. Our next visit will be to Castalia Pigi. Castalia Pigi is a spring where water flows since the ancient times and was the source in which the purification of both the visitors of the temple and the High Priestess of the Sanctuary of Delphi took place. After visiting Pigi, our next stop will be at the sanctuary of Athena of Atreus, perhaps the most photographed ancient sanctuary. After your visit to the archaeological site of Delphi, a short tour to the cosmopolitan but at the same time traditional city of Arachova will take place. As we descend from Parnassos Mountain, we will make a detour to visit the medieval monastery of Osios Loukas, a traditional stone-built Byzantine monastery that has been in continuous operation since then. After the visit to the monastery, we will start our way back through the same route. The whole route along with the visits will last about 10 hours.

Day 1: Athens - Delphi - Arachova - Meteora and Sunset around the rocks Your private tour start with an early morning hotel pick-up in Athens, setting out on a scenic drive to Delphi. Renowned for its Oracle of Apollo and remarkable ruins, Delphi beckons exploration of the Temple of Apollo, theater, and stadium. The Delphi museum awaits, showcasing artifacts from this ancient site. Following your Delphi visit, you'll journey to Arachova, a charming town celebrated for its traditional architecture and scenic vistas. Enjoy free time for town exploration, lunch at a local taverna, and optional shopping. In the late afternoon, proceed to Kalambaka, the gateway to Meteora monasteries. As evening descends, witness the enchanting sunset over the rugged cliffs, absorbing the unique energy of this untamed landscape. Overnight in Meteora. Day 2: Meteora - Thermopiles - Athens After breakfast, we embark on a visit to Meteora, where the timeless monasteries, housing invaluable historical and religious treasures, stand majestically between Earth and Sky atop colossal rocks. Our first stop is the impressive Varlaam Monastery, founded in the 16th century, perched at a height of 380m on a rocky pinnacle. Varlaam is the second-largest monastery in the Meteora complex, boasting the highest number of monks (seven) among the male monasteries. Next, will be the Great Meteoron, or Megalo Meteoro, is one of the most remarkable monasteries among the Meteora complex. Perched atop a towering rock formation, the Great Meteoron stands as a testament to the extraordinary architectural and spiritual heritage of the region. Founded in the 14th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, it is the largest and oldest of the Meteora monasteries. Before reach in Athens, you'll stop at Thermopylae, to admire the statue of Leonidas, the site of the famous battle between the Greeks and the Persians. You'll arrive back in Athens in the early evening

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delphi on a private tour from Athens. Customize your itinerary to suit your interests and pace, and explore the ancient Greek sanctuary at your own pace. Depart from Athens and pass through scenic landscapes on the way to Delphi. Upon arrival, embark on a guided tour of the Delphi Archaeological Site. Explore the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, and the Castalian Spring, which was believed to have sacred properties. After exploring the archaeological site, visit the Delphi Museum to admire a vast collection of artifacts, including sculptures, pottery, and inscriptions that provide insights into the ancient city's history and culture. After a relaxing lunch at a traditional tavern, head to the charming village of Arachova. Nestled amidst the Parnassus Mountains, Arachova offers a picturesque setting with traditional stone houses, cobbled streets, and local shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs. Your private tour concludes with a scenic drive back to Athens, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel.