An Unesco protected heritage located only two hours and a half away from Athens offers a view into the myths of the country. The tour in Delphi will provide you with a full experience of what was the oracle of Delphi and the Pythia.

We will learn about ancient Greek myths, like Apollo’s killing of the serpent Python and subsequent exile.  The visitors will have the chance to visit the temple of Apollo, the treasury of the Siphnians and the Athenians, the theater and the stadium where the Pythian games were held.  Subsequently, we will visit the museum where we will admire some of the most remarkable artifacts that were discovered in the area like the famous charioteer and the statue of Antinoos and will discuss in depth about the role of the sanctuary.  Finally, we will visit Itea to enjoy the ancient port of Delphi , the ancient Kirra and to discover the magic landscape of the plain of Krissa.

Tour  Description:

After meeting your tour leader, you will begin your tour in Delphi. Along the way, you will see the plain of Beotia, an agricultural center surrounded by cotton plantations and you will also pass through the city of Theva, the birthplace of King Oedipus. You will continue towards Mt. Parnassos, making a brief rest stop outside the town of Livadia.

You will then drive on to Delphi, which dates to the ninth century B.C. and whose allure includes an amazing hillside setting and ruins that will intrigue even the most skeptical among you. Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the Greek world’s most important oracle. The area was also a major site for the worship of the god Apollo after he slew the Python, a deity who protected the navel of the Earth (center of the world) in this location. You will see the Roman Agora, walk along the Sacred Way, and view the monument of the Argive Kings. the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and the Temple of Apollo where the oracle resided. Above the Temple, you can visit the well preserved 3rd-century Theater. On the lower slope of the mountain is the Tholos, a building whose exact purpose is unknown but architecturally speaking is considered one of the masterpieces of the ancient world. You will also see the Palestra where the athletes trained in preparation for the Pythian Games.

After your visit to the archeological site, you will visit the adjacent Delphi Archaeological museum which houses the ancient artifacts that were found at the site. As its centerpiece, are the antiquities found in the complex of Oracle which dates from the 18th century B.C. when the oracle was founded to its decline around 300 A.D. Exhibits include the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the metopes of the Athenian treasury, the famous Charioteer, originally created to commemorate a victory during the 476 B.C. Pythian Games, and many other artifacts.
After your visit to the museum, rejoin your transportation and begin the drive back to Athens. Along the way, a stop will be made for a traditional Greek lunch. After lunch, you will start your drive back to Athens.

Activity Level: Difficult
Tour type: Historical, itinerayScenic
Duration: 10hours
Price: Depending on number of people

*Note: The itinerary may vary according to local conditions.

**Special Notes: All rates stated are in Euro funds. Our quotes include all taxes, vehicle and English speaking driver, highway tolls, car fuel, and parking and exclude lunch, entrance tickets and guides in sites unless stated otherwise on this page. Payments are to be made in cash (Dollars or Euros) at the end of the services or prepayment by PayPal (4% extra) and credit card (3% extra).

***Important Note: The driver will wait maximum 30 minutes after the indicated pick up time for your group, please be on time otherwise you will be charged for «Non-Show» fee and miss the tour.

Extended Delphi tours: There are so many things to do in the surrounding area: there is the Monastery of Osios Loukas, famous for its mosaics; the charming village of Arachova; and the imposing mountain of Parnassus. Your driver will learn your interests when he meets you, and tailor the experience based on what he believes you would like best.

Suggestions:

a) Delphi and Surrounding villages (Thebes, Livadia, and Arachova) Duration: 12hours

b) Delphi and Osios Loukas monastery. Duration: 11Hours

c) Delphi and Thermopylae Duration: 12hours

Restrictions :

Please note that on this tour, your driver is not licensed to accompany you inside the sites. If you want a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you can hire one at extra cost.

Special Instructions:

The hillside site of Delphi requires almost continuous uphill walking over dirt and some paved surfaces to visit. Guests must be in good health and sensible walking shoes are a must. At the museum, there are steps to enter the building.

Dress: Comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes are recommended. Sunglasses and sunscreen are suggested.
Tips:
Suggested starting time for this tour between 7:30am-8:30am

• Written by admin
• Category: Countryside Journeys