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

Itinerary

Day 1: Thermopylae - Meteora - Kalambaka

Stop At: Battlefield of Thermopylae, Thermopylae Greece
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.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Historical Information Center Thermopylon, Lamia 35009 Greece
10 years after the Battle of Marathon, King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans heroically faced the Persian army. In the historical centre of the site you will enjoy a 3D movie, travelling through time you will feel the presence of all who died for their freedom under a foreign conqueror.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Leonidas Monument, Lamia, Thermopylae 350 09 Greece
To complete the visit you will see the statue of Leonidas standing right opposite Kolonos Hill where the persisting Spartans left their last breath.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
Our trip 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 rocks standing upon it. Reaching the small town we will settle at the hotel and then drive up around the hills for an evening photo tour on the rocks under the Greek sunset.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Great Meteoron Monastery, Eparhiacos dromos Meteoron, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
We will visit the monasteries and a have 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 Meteoron is the biggest and most impressive one.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Agios Stefanos, Kalambaka Greece
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.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Roussanou Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
The beautiful wall-paintings of the Catholicon were executed in 1560. Visit Roussanou for a different view of the surrounding cliffs and the adjacent Monasteries. Follow the pathway from this monastery to the upper main road and discover an off-the-road panoramic view point spot that allows you to walk on bear rocks!
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We will have an overnight in Kalambaka in 3-4 stars hotel.

Day 2: Dodoni - Ioannina

Stop At: Dodoni Sanctuary and Theatre, Ioannina 455 00 Greece
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.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History, 12th km National Road Ioanninon - Artas, Bizani 45500 Greece
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.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ioannina, Ioannina, Ioannina Region, Epirus
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.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Lake Pamvotis, Ioannina Town, Ioannina 452 21 Greece
The lake is also one of a kind as it is the only one in the world that has a small inhabited island and it’s just across from the city.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ioannina Castle, Old Town, Ioannina Greece
The southeast part of Ioannina is a beautiful fortified old town, and it’s the area’s historic landmark. This is the oldest Byzantine fortress in Greece, continuously inhabited until today.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We will have an overnight in Ioannina in 3-4 stars hotel.

Day 3: Metsovo - Vergina - Thessaloniki

Stop At: Metsovo, Metsovo, Ioannina Region, Epirus
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.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Aigai Theater, Vergina 59031 Greece
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.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina), Imathia, Vergina 590 31 Greece
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.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Region, Central Macedonia
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.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: White Tower of Thessaloniki, Leoforos Nikis Leoforos Nikis, 54640, Thessaloniki 546 40 Greece
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.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Rotunda, Pl. Agiou Georgiou Rotonta 5, Thessaloniki 546 35 Greece
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).
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Arch of Galerius, Thessaloniki Greece
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 Rotunda is a building with internal niches, serving as a place of worship).
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.
Duration: 15 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We will have an overnight in Thessaloniki in 3-4 stars hotel.

Day 4: Pella - Thessaloniki

Stop At: Archaeological Site at Pella, 39 km west of Thessaloniki Greece
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.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Pella, Pella 58005 Greece
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.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Eptapyrgio Castle, Eptapirgiou, Thessaloniki 566 25 Greece
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.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Church of Saint Dimitrios - Patron of Thessaloniki, Agiou Dimitriou 83 Center of town, Thessaloniki 546 33 Greece
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.
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We will have an overnight in Thessaloniki in 3-4 stars hotel.

Day 5: Dion - Litochoro

Stop At: Dion Archaeological Park, Dion 60100 Greece
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.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Dion, Dion Greece
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.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Litochoro, Litochoro, Pieria Region, Central Macedonia
After having lunch at the village of Dion 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 and overnight. 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.
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We will have an overnight in Litochoro in 3-4 stars hotel.

Day 6: Delphi - Arachova

Pass By: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece
We will drive to the ancient site of Delphi, 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.

Stop At: Temple of Apollo, Delphi Greece
On location you will visit the mystical temple of Apollo where Pytheia spoke to the God, the ancient theater and the stadium.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Ethniki Odos Amfissas - Livadias, Delphi 330 54 Greece
While in the museum you will be able to see the famous charioteer and Gold Ivory statues.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Arachova, Arachova, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
Aráchova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós in Viotia, Southern Greece.It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favourite 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.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We will have an overnight in Delphi in 3-4 stars hotel.

Day 7: Distomo - Marathon - Sounio

Stop At: Monastery of Hosios Loukas, Distomo 32005 Greece
We will visit the monastery of Hosios Loukas, which represents the second golden age of Byzantine art (11th -12th century) in particular its golden mosaic decoration and fine architecture, protected by Unesco.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Marathon Lake, Marathon Greece
Driving by the present city of Marathon our last stop in this area we will be 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.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Marathon Tomb, Marathon 190 07 Greece
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.
This is the course of the original Marathon Race, as you will see by the signs that count each kilometer.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounio, Sounio 195 00 Greece
On entering the site you will see the dominating Temple of Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the sea, surrounded by the remains of fornications, the gateway (porticos) and houses. Close by are also see the remains of the temple Athena Souniada. Besides its unique location and its archaeological interest, Cape Sounio is also famous for its breathtaking sunset and view of the Greek Islands. It is rightly considered one of the most romantic places in Greece.
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Varkiza, Varkiza, East Attica Region, Attica
We will cross Varkiza.

Stop At: Lake Vouliagmeni, Ethniki Odos Athinon Souniou, Vouliagmeni 166 71 Greece
We will drive by Vouliagmeni with the luxurious hotels and the famous lake protected by Natura 2000.
Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: Glyfada, Glyfada, Attica
We will cross the suthern suburbs of Athens to enjoy the seaside areas, called the Athenian Riviera.

Pass By: Athens, Athens, Attica
We will drive up to Athens.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.