Athens - Pickup from Athens, travel to Thermopylae

Battlefield of Thermopylae - Kolonos Hill is best known as the site of the final stand of the 300 Spartans during the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. In 1939, Spyridon Marinatos, a Greek archaeologist, discovered numerous Persian arrows around the hill, which altered the previously accepted identification of the site where the Greeks had fallen, slain by Persian arrows.

Thermopylae Museum - Through a digital video, we gain a very detailed understanding of the Battle of Thermopylae.

Thermopyles Hot Springs - Thermopylae means “hot gates,” referring to the hot sulfur springs in the area. The cavernous entrance to Hades, the underworld in Greek mythology, was said to be at Thermopylae. In one version of the Labors of Heracles, it was said that the waters at Thermopylae became hot because the hero Heracles tried to cleanse himself of Hydra poison in them.

Delphi - In legend, Delphi, previously called Pytho, was an ancient sacred precinct and the seat of Pythia, the major oracle consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The ancient Greeks considered the center of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the omphalos.

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 primarily comprised of architectural sculptures, statues, and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. These reflect its religious, political, and artistic activities from its early years in the eighth century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.

Thermopylae - The Battle of Thermopylae (well known as the 300) saw a Greek force of approximately 300 men led by Leonidas march north to block the pass of Thermopylae. Ancient authors vastly inflated the size of the Persian army, with estimates in the millions, but modern scholars estimate it at between 120,000 and 300,000 soldiers. They arrived at Thermopylae by late August or early September. During two full days of battle, the Greeks blocked the only road by which the massive Persian army could traverse the narrow pass. After the second day, a local resident named Ephialtes revealed to the Persians the existence of a path leading behind the Greek lines. Subsequently, Leonidas, aware that his force was being outflanked by the Persians, dismissed the bulk of the Greek army and remained to guard their retreat along with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians. The Greeks fought the Persians to the death.

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