Description
Daily Program & Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Athens
Arrive in Athens and check-in to your hotel.
Day 2 – Athens to Kalambaka via Delphi
Your tour leader will meet you at reception after breakfast, luggage to the coach and we depart Athens and head straight to Delphi. Once known as the Naval of the Earth as determined by Zeus and home of the Delphic Oracle who influenced and advised in ancient times on all levels of political or private affairs, at the site of Delphi you can see the Temple of Apollo, an ancient stadium, the gymnasium and of course the Tholos at the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. Lunch at leisure in the village of Delphi before continuing to Kalambaka. En-route we will stop at the memorial of the Spartan King Leonidas who led the Greeks in battle against the Persian Empire of Xerxes in 480BC at the battle of Thermopylae. Evening at leisure in the village of Kalambaka and overnight.
Day 3 – Kalambaka to Ioannina via Metsovo
This morning we will visit the magnificent monasteries of Meteora. The name “Meteora” in Greek meaning suspended in the air, defines these monasteries which are built on top of gigantic rock formations perched above the village of Kalambaka. Impressive, serene, magical, inspirational, breathtaking, mystical, spiritual are some of the words used to describe the Meteora phenomenon. We will visit a local Icon workshop to see how the Icons are painted and made before leaving the village. Departing Kalambaka we journey towards Metsovo, a village of mountainous charm located in the Pindos mountain range. Enjoy a walk along the main street seeing the traditional stone buildings with the wooden (Hayat) balconies and the local elders sitting in the main square with the quintessential “handlebar” moustache and wooden crooks familiar with the culture of mountain life. Free time to enjoy a local dish for lunch in the local tavernas and time given for shopping for handmade wooden souvenirs. Leaving Metsovo we make our way to Ioannina for our final destination and overnight.
Day 4 – Ioannina & Monodendri
After breakfast we head into Ioannina town for a morning of exploring and to take the boat ride to the island in the middle of the lake. The “unnamed” island is of immense historical value with monasteries dating back to the 13th century and with exhibits from the Ottoman period in Epirus with the death of Ali Pasha in 1822. Walk around the island following the path which is 2.5klms and see the picturesque paved alleys and folk art shops. Return to the coach and we head towards the Vikos Gorge and the mountain village of Monodendri. Follow the stone footpath amongst the trees to the convent of Agia Paraskevi and reaching the back balcony, enjoy the breathtaking views of the Vikos Gorge. Lunch at leisure in a local taverna of the village located on the main square. On our way back to Ioannina, we will stop at 2 of the traditional stone built arch bridges of unique design by the craftsmen of Epirus.
Evening at leisure and overnight in Ioannina.
Day 5 – Ioannina to Athens
After breakfast we return to the village of Ioannina to visit the Ioannina Castle, the oldest byzantine fortress in Greece. Enter the castle via the large gate bearing the coat of arms of Ali Pasha, wander the castle buildings of the interior fortress seeing the palace remains, the mosques, the grave of Ali Pasha and his wife, the Bohemund Tower and the museums. Lunch at leisure in Ioannina town before returning to the coach for our departure and journey to Athens.
Availability
This tour is available throughout the year. Please send us an email with your preferred dates of travel.
Prices 2024
| Minimum Participation | Price per person in Twin Room | Price for Single Room | |
| 10 Persons Touring | 605.00 | 705.00 | |
| All above rates are in Euro | |||
For Private Tours
If you wish to book this tour with less participants please send us an email with the details and we will reply as soon as possible.
Archaeological Sites & Museums Entrance Fees
As some group members may not wish to visit all the sites and museums included in the itinerary, entrance fees are not pre-paid but paid directly by tour members upon entering the site.
Entrance fee per adult
Site and Museum of Delphi – €12
Meteora Monasteries – €3 per Monastery
Boat ride on Lake Pamvotis – €2
Museum of Ali Pasha – €2
Byzantine Museum of Ioannina – €4
Archaeological Museum of Ioannina – €1.50
Βooking Policy
Upon our confirmation to you for a land tour a deposit of 30% is required in order to reserve space. This deposit is refundable up to 45 days before the tour starting date. Within 45 days of the starting date cancellation policy for land tours will apply.
Additional nights
Additional nights are available providing we are advised at the time of booking for either pre or post tour extra nights.
Land Tour prices do not include
- Entrance Fees to Sites & Museums
- Arrival and Departure Airport Transfers
- Lunches and dinners
- Gratuities
Tour Booking Form
