Discover Macedoina
8 days
Athens - Heraklion - Mycenae - Argos
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Arrival airport of Athens. Reception at the airport. Transportation to the port of Piraeus.
Embarkation. Take the cabins and night ferry trip to Heraklion – Crete. Dinner on board. Accommodation on board. (Dinner)
Arrival at Heraklion port. Reception at the port and transportation to the hotel. Breakfast
at the hotel. Visit the palace of Knossos (guided in private). Ending Knossos wine and olive oil tasting at Peza co-operation and then lunch at the neat traditional village of Archanes. Later on in the afternoon back to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation Crete. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Breakfast: we pack as we leave the hotel. Spend 2 hours walking the city of Heraklion and do
shopping. Take the bus and first stop a small café run by a bee keeper where we taste honey straight from the honeycomb, local pastries and pancakes with honey. Next stop a women-co-operative where the produce ART – PASTRY and hand made following old recipes local cookies.
Finally we end at the village of Drossia where we lunch with a variety of local specialties all fresh and all products are pure, without chemical substances or other preservatives and additives. At that point we join Cretan traditional LIVE music and songs. Later in the afternoon drive back to Heraklion port. Embarkation the ferry and night ferry trip to Piraeus. Dinner on board (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Finally we end at the village of Drossia where we lunch with a variety of local specialties all fresh and all products are pure, without chemical substances or other preservatives and additives. At that point we join Cretan traditional LIVE music and songs. Later in the afternoon drive back to Heraklion port. Embarkation the ferry and night ferry trip to Piraeus. Dinner on board (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Arrival the port of Piraeus. Bus is waiting and embarkation. Break for breakfast and departure
direction Peloponnese. First break at CORINTH. Next point the ancient theater of EPIDAVROS. We get to Epidaurus (Epidavros) The ancient theatre at Epidaurus, with its' 15.000 seats is one of the most important monuments in Greece. Yet, it is still in use!!! Here, in the summer during the Epidaurus festival one can appreciate the incredible acoustics of the ancient theatre, next to the sanctuary of Asclepius..
Go on to NAFPLION - the first capital of Greece, is divided into the old and the new town, with both parts overlooked by the Palamidi, the famous Venetian fort, which was constructed in the early 18thc. The old town was mainly built in the early 19thc but buildings still exist from the Venetian era. We join the old city where we lunch tasting local specialties.
Accommodation Nafplion. Dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast – Lunch - Dinner)
Go on to NAFPLION - the first capital of Greece, is divided into the old and the new town, with both parts overlooked by the Palamidi, the famous Venetian fort, which was constructed in the early 18thc. The old town was mainly built in the early 19thc but buildings still exist from the Venetian era. We join the old city where we lunch tasting local specialties.
Accommodation Nafplion. Dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast – Lunch - Dinner)
We first visit the ancient city of Mycenae. - Mycenae and Argos, the cradles of Mycenaean
civilization. Drive west direction Olympia. On our way at the village of Vasta is the living miracle the church of St Theodora of Vasta. St. Theodora of Vasta, the Living Miracle The church of Agia Theodora (which is dedicated to St. Theodora) is an interesting religious centre in Vasta, at the prefecture of Peloponnese, Greece. Due to its mysterious past, it is mostly visited not only by pilgrims but by travellers alike.
The church is miraculous itself because despite of being constructed in a soft soil, it holds 17 trees on its roof. Note that the trees measure about 20 meters, some of which have diameter of almost half a meter. One interesting fact is that, no traces of roots were found either from the outside or inside of the roof. Another unexplained phenomenon is the underground water that comes beneath the church and flows beyond. There are several write-ups about Agia Theodora and the miraculous church. And this one is quite interesting, and it says - According to the myth, Theodora was a young girl who joined the army and disguised as man since she had no brothers and her father was too old to join in.
Apparently, another young girl fell in love with Theodora (thought she was a man) and told their commander that she was pregnant from Theodora. Then the commander offered to Theodora two choices: Marry the young woman, or sacrifice herself. Obviously, Theodora couldn't marry the other girl. Her faith in God was huge, so before her death, she spoke to the God and said "let my body become church, my blood become a river, and my hair the forest" Well, you better go and see for yourself. Quite interesting! Lunch on our way at a beautiful spot.
Continue west and later in the afternoon arrive at ancient Olympia. Accommodation Olympia. Dinner at the hotel (breakfast – Lunch - Dinner)
The church is miraculous itself because despite of being constructed in a soft soil, it holds 17 trees on its roof. Note that the trees measure about 20 meters, some of which have diameter of almost half a meter. One interesting fact is that, no traces of roots were found either from the outside or inside of the roof. Another unexplained phenomenon is the underground water that comes beneath the church and flows beyond. There are several write-ups about Agia Theodora and the miraculous church. And this one is quite interesting, and it says - According to the myth, Theodora was a young girl who joined the army and disguised as man since she had no brothers and her father was too old to join in.
Apparently, another young girl fell in love with Theodora (thought she was a man) and told their commander that she was pregnant from Theodora. Then the commander offered to Theodora two choices: Marry the young woman, or sacrifice herself. Obviously, Theodora couldn't marry the other girl. Her faith in God was huge, so before her death, she spoke to the God and said "let my body become church, my blood become a river, and my hair the forest" Well, you better go and see for yourself. Quite interesting! Lunch on our way at a beautiful spot.
Continue west and later in the afternoon arrive at ancient Olympia. Accommodation Olympia. Dinner at the hotel (breakfast – Lunch - Dinner)
Direction south west to Meteora where we step and see the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of grey rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the Cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later
transformed into monasteries. Break for lunch and direction south to Delphi where we overnight. (breakfast- Dinner)
Meteora where the fantastic and breathtaking Byzantine monasteries are perched on top of huge grey and reddish pillars. Monks seeking isolation and spiritual salvation first built those monasteries in the 14th century. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes.
Meteora where the fantastic and breathtaking Byzantine monasteries are perched on top of huge grey and reddish pillars. Monks seeking isolation and spiritual salvation first built those monasteries in the 14th century. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes.
From OLYMPIA, drive north direction PATRAS / RION and pass to ANTIRION. Break for lunch at the city of NAFPAKTOS. Continue direction east to DELPHI. Arrival later in the afternoon. Accommodation Delphi. Dinner at the hotel (Breakfast – Lunch - Dinner)Delphi: With evocative ruins surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, Delphi is
surely the most beautiful ancient site in Greece.
For the ancient Greeks, Delphi was quite literally the centre of the world: Zeus released two eagles from opposite ends of the earth and they met in the sky above Delphi. Impaling one another with their beaks, they fell to the ground on the very centre of the world. The site was marked by the sacred Omphalos, or "navel stone."
Later, Apollo killed the serpent Python (son of Mother Earth), guardian of Delphi's sacred Castalian Spring. The sun god then established an oracle at the spring, promising to provide counsel to all who needed it. Located at the navel of the world and personally blessed by Apollo, Delphi was the holiest site in the world for the ancient Greeks.
The ruins of Ancient Delphi range in date from Mycenaean times to the early Christian era and are one of the must-sees in Greece. The site can also be visited as a day trip, as it is a scenic 2.5-hour drive or bus ride northwest from Athens. And Delphi is included in many tours, ranging from day trips from Athens to extended tours of Greece. Visit the museum and the ruins and drive south direction Athens. Arrival early afternoon.
Accommodation Athens. Dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast – Lunch - Dinner)
For the ancient Greeks, Delphi was quite literally the centre of the world: Zeus released two eagles from opposite ends of the earth and they met in the sky above Delphi. Impaling one another with their beaks, they fell to the ground on the very centre of the world. The site was marked by the sacred Omphalos, or "navel stone."
Later, Apollo killed the serpent Python (son of Mother Earth), guardian of Delphi's sacred Castalian Spring. The sun god then established an oracle at the spring, promising to provide counsel to all who needed it. Located at the navel of the world and personally blessed by Apollo, Delphi was the holiest site in the world for the ancient Greeks.
The ruins of Ancient Delphi range in date from Mycenaean times to the early Christian era and are one of the must-sees in Greece. The site can also be visited as a day trip, as it is a scenic 2.5-hour drive or bus ride northwest from Athens. And Delphi is included in many tours, ranging from day trips from Athens to extended tours of Greece. Visit the museum and the ruins and drive south direction Athens. Arrival early afternoon.
Accommodation Athens. Dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast – Lunch - Dinner)
From the Acropolis and New Acropolis museum you'll see all the famous sites of ancient
and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. Offering a perfect overview of the modern city, this tour will help you get your bearings if this is your first visit to Athens. We start from PANATHINAIKO STADIUM cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime’s Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace, (guarded by colourful Evzones) Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall).
Proceed passing by Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus. Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schliemann’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, and finally ACROPOLIS (visit Propylae, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Continue with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater, in order to visit the new ACROPOLIS museum. Avoid and skip the lines of the new museum.
Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you. Ending the visit transportation to the airport for the flight back home. END OF SERVICES
Proceed passing by Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus. Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schliemann’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, and finally ACROPOLIS (visit Propylae, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Continue with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater, in order to visit the new ACROPOLIS museum. Avoid and skip the lines of the new museum.
Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you. Ending the visit transportation to the airport for the flight back home. END OF SERVICES
