4-days: Meteora, Delphi, Ioannina Lake City & Best Of Greek Villages Experience

Day 1

1. 1

   Delphi

   The sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the 'navel of the world'. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.

   90 min
2. 2

   Delphi Archaeological Museum

   The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the most important in Greece, exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary, the site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculptures, statues, and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. The famous Charioteer belonged to a statuary complex of a chariot run by four horses and included a second male figure. The Sphinx of the Naxians, 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.

   45 minAdmission not included
3. 3

   Stop 3

   The first photo you see when you google "Delphi" but still a place that most tourists miss out on! We don't!

   30 min
4. 4

   Monastery of Hosios Loukas

   OPTIONAL: Hosios Loukas is a thousand years old historic walled monastery situated near the town of Distomo, in Boeotia, Greece. It is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art and has been listed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

   60 minAdmission not included

Day 2

1. 5

   Ioannina Region

   This is a long trip to reach the northwest of Greece and Ioannina city, the Jewel of North/Western Greece. There will be many locations to enjoy a coffee break and stretch your legs before arriving at Ioannina. This is an elegant town with a long multicultural history.

   180 min
2. 6

   Ioannina Castle

   You will immediately be captivated by the legends of Ali Pasha – the onetime Ottoman ruler of the city, by the narrow streets of the Castle district, and by the beauty of the lake.

   120 min
3. 7

   Silversmithing Museum

   It is a thematic museum, as it concerns the technology of silversmithing during the pre-industrial period, while simultaneously being a regional museum, as it focuses principally on the history of silversmithing in the region of Epirus. Finely-crafted objects with ornate details, such as jewelry, arms and martial gear, household silverware, and personal effects feature amongst this collection.

   60 minAdmission not included
4. 8

   Stop 8

   The island in the middle of Ioannina's lake (called Pamvotida) is a lovely place to spend a sunny afternoon or drive to the mountain viewpoints that to enjoy the whole area of the city, lake, island, and sourrounding moutains

   60 min

Day 3

1. 9

   Zagorohoria

   From Ioannina, a winding road we'll take you to the western Zagorochoria villages. You’ll know you’ve reached the west Zagori area when you see the dominating Astraka cliff towers covering the famous villages of Aristi, Megalo (big) Papigo, and Mikro (small) Papigo. When we meet the Aristi village bridge we will have the chance to approach the banks of the Voidomatis river.

   120 min
2. 10

   Stop 10

   Another wonderful hiking area is Kolymbithres (Rock Pools), 500 m from Papigo. It's a small canyon cut by the river Rogovo where the flow of the water has carved the rocky sides of the canyon, creating a beautiful landscape. Some of the water pools are deep enough to dive into.

   30 min
3. 11

   Aristi

   The natural scenery surrounding the popular Aristi village is great. It is a good place for lunch but we will opt for a much less touristy location where the local "pites" (pies), filled with cheese, meat or vegetables are highly recommended.

   30 min
4. 12

   Monodendri

   Monodendri is a designated traditional settlement (altitude 1.060 m), with stone houses and picturesque cobble roads, where the Rizario Centre of Handicrafts, with traditional embroidery weavings, operates. The village is located at the entrance of the Vikos gorge. The cobblestone trail leading to the Monastery of Aghia Paraskevi (15th century) and continuing through the gorge is wonderful.

   30 min
5. 13

   Stop 13

   The Stone Forest is a composition of limestone so chiseled that you think you see trees made of stone. Time and nature have essentially created a majestic forest of stones formed by structures of fine-grained limestone. But, “Stone Forest” is also the area which is a beautiful spot for breathtaking views of the Vikos gorge.

   45 min
6. 14

   Stop 14

   OPTIONAL: We will be exploring East Zagorochoria villages where even more, impressive than the architecture of the local houses- are the stone bridges that we will meet. The local rivers have wonderful single and triple arch stone bridges.

   60 min

Day 4

1. 15

   Metsovo

   Metsovo is a town in the mountains of Pindus, between Ioannina to the west and Meteora to the east. This tree-shaded village is full of life throughout the year generously offering its natural surrounding beauties. Particularly during winter, the famous village is the beloved holiday destination. The settlement’s heart beats in the central square; the most famous one in mountainous Greece. Metsovo is also well-known for its cheeses – a wide variety of cheeses are available and the cheeses are exported throughout Greece. The town will be our “stepping stone” from Ioannina and it is the ideal place to make a stop for coffee/lunch.

   120 min
2. 16

   Stop 16

   We shall be visiting two of the monasteries that are open on a specific day. The gigantic rocks of Meteora dominate imposingly in Kalampaka between mountains Koziakas and Antichasion. This masterpiece of nature reveals all its glory for centuries as a unique geological phenomenon in beauty and an important monument of Orthodoxy. The Great Meteoron Monastery, built on an imposing rock, is the oldest, the biggest, and the most important among the monasteries of Meteora which are preserved today.

   60 minAdmission not included
3. 17

   Varlaam Monastery

   In 1350 a daring ascetic named Varlaam ascended to the rock. The monastery was named after him. He built three churches, a small cell, and a water tank. After his death, the rock remained abandoned for about 200 years until 1517 when the two priest monks started to construct the first buildings from the beginning.

   45 minAdmission not included
4. 18

   Stop 18

   Probably the most photographed monastery. According to historical sources Holy Trinity must have been built between 1458 and 1476.

   45 minAdmission not included
5. 19

   Campo della battaglia delle Termopili

   We take a break at the Thermopylae battlefield location with King Leonidas statue. 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 I over the course of three days, in 480 BC.

   20 min
6. 20

   Herakleidon Museum

   Expect to be back in Athens around 7 pm!

   120 min