Two days (1 night) Delphi & Olympia tour
The two days Delphi & Olympia tour starts with a 120-mile drive along the National highway northwest of Athens. Driving through Levadia, 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.
The two days Delphi & Olympia tour starts with a 120-mile drive along the National highway northwest of Athens. Driving through Levadia, 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.
After the conclusion of the Delphi tour, we will continue driving via picturesque seaside towns such as Itea, Nafpaktos and the biggest bridge connecting central Greece with Peloponnese, reaching the village of Olympia, and stay for the night.
Olympia is well known for the Olympic Games, held every four years to honor God Zeus, beginning in 776 B.C.
The next day, after breakfast, we will visit the Temple of Zeus, where the gold and ivory statue of god Zeus stood, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic Flame lights every four years, the workshop of Phidias, the ancient Olympic stadium and the Archaeological Museum.
The Archaeological Museum exhibition contains findings from the prehistoric era. Among them, you can admire the well-known statues of Praxiteles Hermes and the Nike of Paionios.
We will conclude our visit to Olympia by having lunch at a local restaurant tasting the Greek cuisine followed by a drive towards Athens by making a stop at the well-known Corinthian canal or else Isthmus canal that connects the Saronic Sea and the Corinthian Sea.
Finally, we will reach Athens in the afternoon.
The cost for the two days Delphi & Olympia tour with an English speaking driver and an English speaking licensed tour guide who will accompany you into the sites is 1200 Euros plus Accommodation in 4* stars hotel, in double room with breakfast Euro 50, per person, per night.
The cost includes all taxes and tolls plus driver and guide’s meals and accomodation.
Entrance fees and lunch or dinner costs are not included in the price of the chosen tour.
Entrance fees per person: (Rates are expected to change after April 1st, 2016)
12 Euros for Delphi Site and the Museum
12 Euros for Olympia Site and the museum