6 Day Religious & Classical Tour of Thermopylae, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidaurus, ancient Corinth From Athens

Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city states led by King Leonidas of Sparta and the Persian Empire of Xerxes.The Gates of Fire: Deriving from the Hot sulphur Springs and in Greek mythology the cavernous entrances to Hades.The monument of King Leonidas: Erected in 1955 and created by the sculptor Vasos Falireas. The brass sculpture of the Spartan King with his spear and shield is truly amazing.Thermopylae museum: The innovative museum is dedicated to the 480 BC battle that changed the course of Greek history and western civilization as we know it today.Hotsprings: The baths of Thermopylae could be described as a paradise of healing spas. High end hydrotherapy facilities focusing on balneotherapy not only as a treatment for specific ailments, illnesses and injuries but also to promote general well-being. Of the 60 pending, 34 springs have officially been recognized so far.Drive to MeteoraCheck in at your chosen hotel in Meteora

Visit the “Hanging Monasteries" (1 to 2 monasteries).The town of Kalambaka.The village of Kastraki.Experience the breathtaking Meteora sunset.Late lunch - early dinner at a traditional taverna.Stroll amongst the village shops where you can treat yourself and buy handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.Overnight at Kalambaka or Kastraki.

Breakfast at MeteoraVisit the remaining "Hanging Monasteries"The monasteries that will be visited are:St NicolaosRousanouVarlaamMetamorphosis Sotiros (Grand Monastery)St TrinitySt StefanosLunch at a traditional Greek taverna at Kalambaka or KastrakiCoffeesDrive to DelphiCheck in at DelphiOption for dinner at ArachovaOvernight at Delphi

Breakfast at DelphiDelphi formerly also called Pytho is famous for the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of Pythia, the oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The Greeks considered Delphi the navel or center of the world as represented by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi.Visit Delphi archaeological site: A Unesco World Heritage Center, Delphi is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The functions of the oracle grew over the centuries to include athletic games, cultural events, most importantly the Pythian games. The Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Theater, the Stadium, the Athenian Treasury, the Gymnasium, the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia are truly captivating.Visit Delphi Archaeological Museum: Many important ancient Greek artifacts from the excavations at Delphi are housed here.Frieze of the Treasury of SifniasNaxian Sphinx: Dated to 560 BC, comprises one of the earliest representations in art of the demonic creature with a lion's body, bird's wings and a woman's head.Metopes of the Athenian Treasury: Early 5th century BCE you will gaze upon Theseus and Antiope, Theseus and the Minotaur, Theseus and Marathonian bull, Heracles and the cattle of Geryon, Heracles battling the three-bodied giant Geryon, Heracles subduing a Centaur, Heracles and Cycnus, Heracles and the Nemean lion, An Amazonomachy scene and many more.Omphalos: Signifying the center of the earth and kept in Apollo's temple.Kleobis and Biton: Two brothers from Argos. The statues are of the typical kouros type attributed to a Peloponnesian workshop and date to the end of the 7th century BC.Statue of Antinoos: Portrays the celebrated for his beauty, youth and emperor Hadrian's favorite as a god. This work is considered one of the finest examples of the neoclassical style revived in the 2nd century AD.The famous Charioteer: Belonging to a statuary complex of a chariot run by four horses and included a second male figure.Delphi Village: A popular tourist destination the village of Delphi has many hotels, guesthouses, tavernas and bars.Enjoy your lunch on the Caldera at Delphi, overlooking fabulous Itea and Amfissa.Shopping for your family and friendsCoffeesDrive to Olympia.Check in at your chosen hotelOption for dinner at "La Belle Helene" enjoying home cooked Greek mealsOvernight at Olympia

Breakfast at OlympiaOlympia is an ancient site on Greece's Peloponnese peninsula that hosted the original Olympic Games founded in the 8th century BC. Its extensive ruins include athletic training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus.Visit the Temple of Zeus: Dedicated to the god Zeus the Doric temple built in the second quarter of the 5th century BCE was the very model of the fully developed classical Greek temple of the Doric order.Temple of Hera: Known as Heraion this ancient Archaic Greek temple was dedicated to Hera, queen of the Greek gods. The temple was built in approximately 590 BCE. In modern times the torch of the Olympic flame is lit in its ruins by the god Apollo.Philippeion: The only circular building inside the Altis. One of the finest examples of ancient Greek architecture, it was dedicated to Zeus by Philip II of Macedonia after his victory at Chaironeia in 338 BCE. The monument was completed by his son Alexander the Great.The Hippodrome and later Stadium: The Hippodrome was a wide flat open area where the starting and finishing line was defined by a pole. Horse and chariot races took place here.The Palaestra: Built in the 3rd century BC as part of the gymnasium complex it was used to practice boxing, wrestling and jumping.The Workshop of Pheidias: This is where the great sculptor crafted the gigantic chryselephantine statue of Zeus listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.The Archeological Museum of Olympia: Exhibits incredible artifacts from the site.Statue of Zeus: A giant seated figure about 13 m tall. The huge ivory and gold statue was bigger even than that of Athena in the Parthenon.The Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity: Since 2004 a new museum is in operation. The museum was based on the collection of Georgios Papastefanou who was the first to believe in the possibility of spreading the Olympic Idea and Education through a museum.The museum of Archimedes (Mathematician) regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. A unique museum in the center of ancient Olympia dedicated to the "Greatest Mind" of all time. Visitors will have the opportunity to see replicas of his inventions and to interact with them.Olympia village: In the western Peloponnese, in the beautiful valley of the Alpheios river lies the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. You will be amazed by the serenic feel that this village creates."La Belle Helene meeting wonderful Konstantina enjoying her delicious authentic Greek home cooked mealsStroll amongst the village shops where you can treat yourself and buy handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.Drive to NafplioCheck in at your chosen hotelOvernight at Nafplio

A seaport town in the Peloponnese. A charming town with a spectacular waterfront, small cobblestone streets and historic buildings, crowned by the Palamidi fortress and the Bourtzi fortress. The town was the first capital of the modern Hellenic Republic after the 1821 War of Independence against the oppression of the Ottoman Empire.Palamidi Castle: Nestled on the crest of a 216 m high hill, this Venetian built fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic gulf. There are 999 steps to the top of the castle! Climb them if you must!Freedom Square: Thanking the French for their contribution in our War of Independence against the Ottomans, an obelisk is erected here depicting a French and a Hellenic woman in their struggle for Liberty.Bourtzi: The water castle of Bourtzi is a Venetian fortress located in the middle of the harbor.Constitution Square: The most important and historic square in Nafplion. The square is named after the Constitution that Otto, the first king of Greece was obliged to grant after the 3rd of September uprising in 1843.First Hellenic Parliament: Strolling down the old world near Syntagma square you will find an imposing mosque. Built in 1730 with a large hall and characteristic dome, the mosque housed the first Hellenic parliament from 1825 until 1826.Anastasios of Nafplia church: Located in the old world you will be impressed by the church's dome and the wall paintings decorating the spiritual interior. A true Christian Orthodox religious pragmatism.St.Spyridon church: It was here outside this church one of the blackest events in modern Greek history took place. The assassination of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Greek Governor in 1831!Lunch at one of the many unique traditional tavernasAntica Gelateria di Roma for the best gellato and Italian delightsPergamonto for the best 'loukoumades'in Greece (puff balls with honey or chocolate and almond nuts)Stroll amongst the town's shops where you can treat yourself and buy handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.

Breakfast at NafplioVisit the breathtaking Palamidi fortress...Acronafplia / ArvanitiaDrive to EpidaurusOne of the most popular archaeological sites in Greece! Located on the NE side of the Peloponnese in the region of Argolis.The Epidaurus amphitheatre: Famous for its classic Greek construction and astounding acoustics. Enjoy the arts! Be captivated by the theatrical performances from Euripides, Sophocles, Aristophanes and Aeschylus. Drop a pin or coin on the stage... it will be heard even if you are sitting at the last seats of the theater.The Epidaurus Archaeological Museum: Noted for its reconstructions of temples and its columns with inscriptions.The Asclepius: The sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek demi-god of medicine Asclepius. A marvelous ancient medical retreat.Drive to Mycenae

Visit MycenaeRich in gold! King Agamemnon's mythical kingdom sung in Homer's epics. It is the most important and richest center of the late Bronze Age.The Lions Gate: The main entrance of the Bronze age citadel of Mycenae erected during the 13th century BC.Grave Circles A and B: Royal cemeteries situated to the south of the Lion Gate and outside the Bronze Age citadel.The Cyclopean Walls: The main characteristic of the Mycenean walls is that they are made of huge limestone boulders. Only the mythical Cyclopes had the strength to move the enormous boulders that made up the walls of Mycenae and Tiryns.The Royal Palace: Consisting of domestic apartments, the Throne Room Suite, the Grand Staircase, a collection of rooms for officers or palace officials and the Forecourt.The Treasury of Atreus: A large tholos or beehive tomb constructed during the Bronze Age around 1250 BC.Tomb of Clytemnestra: A Mycenean tholos type tomb built in 1250 BC named after Clytemnestra the wife of king Agamemnon and leader of the Greeks in Trojan war.The Mycenean Archaeological Museum: The most important Mycenean artifacts are exhibited here. You will be dazzled by the gold grave goods, burial masks, jewellery, weapons, worship idols and frescoes.Drive to Ancient CorinthCheck in at your chosen hotelLate lunch - early dinner at an authentic Greek taverna on a terrace overlooking the Temple of ApolloOvernight at Ancient Corinth or Loutraki

Visit Acrocorinth, the acropolis of ancient Corinth, a monolithic rock overseeing the ancient city of Corinth. It is one of the most impressive and dominant acropoleis of the Peloponnese.Gates: A system of 3 circuit walls reinforced by towers.KeepPeirene Spring: Located within the encircling walls, a gift of Asopus to Sisyphus.Temple of Aphrodite: On the highest of the two picks of the mountain are traces of the temple of Aphrodite on the site.Frankish Tower: At the SW edge of the precipitous rock fortified during Frankish times forming the inner keep of the fortress. Remains of churches, mosques, houses, fountains and cisterns are preserved here.Views of Geraneia Mountain: Enjoying breathtaking views of the Corinthian gulf and the SW coast of the Peloponnese.Drive to Ancient Corinth

Hadgimoustafa spring: a fountain built during the Ottoman empire.Ancient Corinth Archaeological Museum: Housing a large collection of artifacts from the local site and from smaller sites in the neighboring area.Temple of Apollo: One of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland with monolithic columns, rare in the ancient world, built around 560 BCE.Agora: A rectangular construction 160 m long and 70 m wide, consisting of central shops, small temples and altar and the renowned podium or Bema from where Apostle Paul addressed the Corinthians in 52 AD.Roman buildings.Bema or PedestalTheatre and Odeon/AsklepieionLechaion road: Facing the Corinthian gulf leading to the port of Lechaion.St. Paul's church: Admiring a magnificent mosaic mural depicting Saul's vision from Christ as he was travelling to Damascus to persecute the Christians.Stroll amongst the village shops where you can treat yourself and buy handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.Drive to Ancient Diolkos, witnessing the ancient passageway from the time of Periander (tyranny)Drive to Isthmus Canal

Visit the Isthmus Canal, one of the most important projects and 19th century engineering masterpieces, playing a catalytic role for the Mediterranean trade.Drive to Kechries Port tracing the footsteps of St PaulLunch by the Saronic sea at the village of the Baths of Helen of TroyReturn to Athens

Return to your chosen Hotel, Airbnb or apartment in Athens