• REGION OF CENTRAL GREECE - REGIONAL UNIT OF VIOTIA - Starting from Athens, we will travel through Sterea Ellada until we reach Delphi. The Region of Central Greece, also known as Ρούμελη (Roúmeli), is one of Greece’s thirteen administrative regions. It covers the eastern half of the traditional Central Greece region, including the island of Euboea. It borders Attica and the Peloponnese to the south, West Greece to the west, and Thessaly and Epirus to the north. Its capital is Lamia. The region is divided into East and West by the southern part of the Pindos mountain range. We will pass through Theves, Livadia, and Arachova before arriving at Delphi to visit the archaeological site!
• Karakolithos - Mnimio Pesonton - On April 25, 1944, partisans of ELAS (Greek People’s Liberation Army), Greece’s largest Resistance organization, captured 17 German officers on the road connecting Livadia with the village of Distomo, the site of a horrific Nazi crime that would occur a month and a half later.

The ELAS partisans sent a letter to the German headquarters in Livadia demanding the release of 32 Greek prisoners. The Nazis responded by transporting 136 Greek prisoners, most in their 20s, to Karakolithos and executing them.

This monument commemorates the unjustly executed Greek patriots of that day in Karakolithos (Black Stone in Greek).

The lower section of the monument features metal figures of men pierced by bullets, symbolizing the foundation on which the Greek Resistance grew.

• Arachova - Arachova is a picturesque mountainous village at the foot of Mt. Parnassos in Viotia, Southern Greece.

It is Greece’s most cosmopolitan winter destination, popular with ski enthusiasts, celebrities, and first-time visitors seeking a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities.

Its modern ski resort, proximity to Athens, and stunning mountainous landscape are its main attractions.

Arachova is also known for its vibrant nightlife and is a favorite mountain resort for Athenians. It is located 35 km west of Livadeia.

In November 1826, Georgios Karaiskakis (1780-1827) defeated the Turkish army led by Moustafabei in Arachova.

Today, you can explore the village’s traditional character by strolling through its narrow cobblestone streets. Enjoy hot and sweet or soft and fruity drinks in cafés or traditional kafeneia (coffee shops).

• Delphi - Visit the Navel of the Earth! At the foot of Mount Parnassos lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was considered the center of the world. According to mythology, Zeus sent two eagles from the ends of the universe to find the world’s navel, and they met here. The sanctuary was a cultural and religious center and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world for many centuries. Delphi’s history begins in prehistory. Initially, the site was sacred to Mother Earth and guarded by the serpent Python, who was killed by Apollo. Apollo’s sanctuary was built here by Cretans who arrived at Kirrha, Delphi’s port, accompanied by the god in the form of a dolphin. This myth was celebrated in various Delphic festivals, such as the Septerion, the Delphinia, the Theophania, and the famous Pythia, which celebrated Python’s death with musical and athletic competitions.
• Temple of Apollo - The Temple of Apollo, the most important building in the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, dominates the temenos from its central position. This is where statues and other offerings to the god were kept, and where cult rituals, including divination, took place. The chresmographeion, or archive, destroyed in 373 BC, was also located here and contained the lists of Pythian games victors.

According to legend, the first Temple of Apollo at Delphi was made of laurel branches, the second of beeswax and feathers, and the third of bronze. The fourth temple was built by the legendary architects Trofonios and Agamedes with Apollo’s help. This stone temple was destroyed by fire in 548 BC. Its replacement, funded by Greeks and non-Greeks, was completed around 510 BC by the Alkmaeonid family of Athens. This Doric peristyle temple had six columns at the ends and fifteen at the sides.

• Delphi Archaeological Museum - The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of Greece’s most important museums, showcases the history of the Delphic sanctuary, home to the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections include architectural sculptures, statues, and minor objects donated to the sanctuary, reflecting its religious, political, and artistic activities from the eighth century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.

The museum is housed in a two-story building with a total area of 2270 square meters, featuring fourteen exhibition rooms, 558 square meters of storerooms, and conservation laboratories for pottery, metal objects, and mosaics. A new lobby, cafeteria, and gift shop were added during the museum’s latest refurbishment.

• Delphi - After visiting the archaeological site of Delphi, we will drive to the modern village of Delphi. Here, you can optionally enjoy local cuisine at a restaurant with breathtaking views of Itea and the Ionian Sea, surrounded by a vast olive grove. Present-day Delphi, located at the foot of Mt. Parnassus near Arachova, is a great destination for winter holidays due to its proximity to the Parnassus ski center. It is also worth visiting year-round to explore the natural beauty and nearby beaches. The village is conveniently close to the mountain, woods, world-famous archaeological sites, and beautiful beaches.
• Tholos of Athena Pronaia - The tholos of the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, visible from above, is perhaps the most iconic monument at Delphi and the most important building in this small sanctuary. Located between the later Temple of Athena and the Treasury of Massalia, this circular building of unknown purpose is a masterpiece of Classical architecture. It is believed to be connected with chthonic cults, although Pausanias, who saw its ruins in the second century AD, does not mention it as a temple.

According to Vitruvius, this impressive building was constructed in 380 BC based on plans by the architect Theodoros of Phocea or Phocis, who even wrote a book about its construction. The tholos combines various styles of Classical architecture. It rests on a three-stepped podium, and the twenty Doric columns of the outer peristyle supported a Doric frieze of triglyphs and metopes with relief decoration. Inside the cella were ten engaged Corinthian columns.

• REGION OF CENTRAL GREECE - REGIONAL UNIT OF VIOTIA - After visiting the archaeological site of Delphi, we will return to Athens the same way. End of our service.

• Professional English-speaking guide
• Piraeus port transfers
• Air-conditioned group transport
• Athens hotel pickup and drop-off

• Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
• Gratuities
• Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost
• Food and drinks