4-Day Tour of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora
1st DAY: 08:30 Starting from Athens we drive westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the CORINTH CANAL with its breathtaking views (Short Stop). Then continue to MYCENAE(Visit) “Mycenae 'Rich in Gold', the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first sung by Homer in his epics. Free time for lunch (on own expence) Then depart to EPIDAURUS (Visit). On the headland called "Nesi" at Palaia Epidaurus, the theatre of the ancient city is quite well-preserved, in the shape it acquired during the latter years of its function. Apart from a few rows of seats, the cavea is made of limestone with poros staircases. The theater is marveled for its exceptional acoustics. Drive to NAUPLIA 1st capital of Greece in 1829 ( Stop) In the afternoon check in at your hotel – Dinner & Overnight. 2nd DAY: After your breakfast departure for Olympia the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Olympia became the most important religious and athletic centre in Greece. Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious one world-wide, which was held every four years to honor Zeus. Visit the Archaeological Site & the Museum and then drive via PATRAS to RION, across the channel to ANTIRRION on the “State of the Art” new suspended bridge considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in NAFPAKTOS (drive through) then continue to DELPHI – Dinner & Overnight. 3rd DAY: Situated at the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. The sanctuary of Delphi was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world. Visit of the archaeological site and the Museum where one can see among other archeological treasures, the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela, in 478 B.C. when he won the chariot-race at the Pythian Games. After visits depart for KALAMBAKA. Dinner & Overnight. 4th DAY: Today we will see one of the most amazing places in Greece - METEORA Meaning ‘suspended in air’ the name Meteora soon came to encompass the entire rock community of 24 monasteries, the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece Monks descended in the nets or on retractable wooden ladders up to 40m long to the fertile valleys below to grow grapes, corn and potatoes. Each community developed its own resources and by the end of the 14th century, the Grand Meteoron emerged as the dominant community. The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage. After visits start the drive back to ATHENS passing through THERMOPYLAE (Photo Stop). Return back to Athens approx 19:00