Thessaly - Begin your journey from your accommodation in Athens and travel through Central Greece and Thessaly. Thessaly is a historic and contemporary administrative region in Greece, encompassing much of the ancient area of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, it was known as Aeolia, as mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey. Thessaly is a region of stunning beauty, featuring mountains, rivers, beaches, the popular Plastira Lake, Tempi valley, and the unique Meteora, Greece’s most photogenic spiritual site. Archaeological sites, Byzantine monasteries and churches, traditional villages, and ski resorts make it a favored holiday spot. According to Homer’s Odyssey, Thessaly is the home of Achilles, and Odysseus visited the kingdom of Aeolus, the ancient name for Thessaly. The Plain of Thessaly lies between Mount Oeta/Othrys and Mount Olympus.

Kastraki - Located in the western part of Meteora, Kastraki is amphitheatrically built among towering cliffs and is a municipal district of Kalabaka. Its history is ancient and rich. The eastern part of the village features an old picturesque district, and above it, a small but impressive spindle-shaped rock formation. Kastraki is a base for climbers from around the world who come to admire the stunning landscape formed by the towering rocks. The village has a rich local tradition, customs, and folk songs. The impressive landscape with canyons, plateaus, and the ghostly figures of “sacred rock” emerging through the lush scenery seems to reach for the heavens. Today, the village and the entire region of Meteora are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and have become a wonderful place for recreation with camping, taverns, and guest houses offering pleasant relaxation.

Meteora - Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece that hosts one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and rounded boulders that dominate the local area. The impressive rocks of Meteora rise from the plains of Thessaly, creating one of the most amazing places in Greece. Many centuries ago, these gigantic rocks with breathtaking landscapes reaching heights of more than 600 meters became home to one of Greece’s most important monastic communities. In 1988, the Meteora monasteries were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Meteora-Antichassia area is part of the Natura 2000 network, hosting some rare species of birds and flowers.

Great Meteoron Monastery - The Great Meteoro, also known as the Holy Monastery of the Metamorphosis (Transfiguration of Christ), is a male monastery and the oldest and largest of all the monasteries of Meteora. The foundation of the Great Meteoron Monastery marks the beginning of organized monastic life at Meteora. It occupies a commanding position on the most imposing rock among the monastic complex. Founded shortly before the mid-14th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, it is the largest and most formal of the existing Meteora Monasteries.

Monastery of St. Stephan - St. Stephen’s Monastery was inhabited by monks in the late 12th century. The construction of the monastery, founded in the 14th century, was completed in the 15th and 16th centuries. The first founder was the monk Antonios Kantakouzenos, who was later the abbot. Antonios is believed by some researchers to be the son of the Serbian Despot of Epirus, Nikephoros II, and a descendant of a great Byzantine family. The second founder was Monk Philotheos “ex Sklatainas,” who is credited with renovating St. Stephen’s. Theophilos erected a new church, built cells, and other facilities. During his time (1545), the monastery became stavropegic and retained this privilege until 1743. In 1798, a new church was built dedicated to Saint Charalambos, who became the second patron of the monastery in the 17th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries, several buildings and the abbey were constructed, giving the monastery its current form.

Varlaam Monastery - The Varlaam Monastery is named after the hermit-anchorite Varlaam, who first inhabited the rock in the 14th century. The monastery’s history began in earnest in the early 16th century when the Ioannina brothers Theophanes and Nektarios Apsaras, descendants of an old Byzantine family, settled and organized the priory. In 1518, the Apsaras brothers renovated the chapel of the Three Hierarchs, originally built by Varlaam. They built the winch tower in 1536 and the present church dedicated to All Saints in 1541. In 1627, the chapel of the Three Hierarchs was rebuilt, and in 1637, it was decorated by the artistic crew of John the priest and his children from Kalabaka. The monastery is known for its spiritual prosperity and participation in national struggles in recent years.

Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada) - Nestled on a majestic and imposing rock of the Meteora complex, the Holy Trinity Monastery was built in 1438 by the monk Domitius, according to tradition. However, documents from Prince Simeon Uros Palaiologos indicate that the monastery was organized earlier, in 1362. The present nave was built around 1476 and is a small cruciform church with a two-columned central dome. The current wall paintings (1741) are the work of priests Antonios and Nicholaos, who continued the tradition of the post-Byzantine style of painting.

Holy Monastery of Rousanos - Saint Barbara - The Holy Monastery of Rousanou was founded in 1529 by the monks Ioasaf and Maximos from Ioannina, over the ruins of older buildings. The monastery is an impressive four-story complex that reached its current form in the third decade of the 16th century. The Church of the Transfiguration was built from scratch in its present form in 1530 AD, replacing the old Catholic monastery that had fallen into ruin.

Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas Anapafsas at Meteora - The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas is located near the village of Kastraki. The rock it sits on is imposing, elegant, and eye-catching. The monastery was renovated in the early 16th century. The second floor houses the church, which was painted by the renowned Cretan painter Theophanes Strelitzas, founder of the Byzantine Cretan School of hagiography.

Kalambaka - Kalabaka is a town and the seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The city is built at the foot of the Meteora rocks and lies on the left side of the Pinios River. It is the starting point for visitors who wish to explore the monuments and magnificent sites of Aspropotamos, Hasia, Koziakas, and Meteora. Kalampaka is famous worldwide for the monasteries atop the Meteora rocks, attracting millions of visitors annually. The city has a rich history and important monuments, including the Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, located in the northeastern part of the city under a high rock.

Thermopylae - Thermopylae is a historic site in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It is named after its hot sulfur springs. In Greek mythology, the Hot Gates is one of the entrances to Hades. The Battle of Thermopylae took place in 480 BC between the Greeks and Persians, coinciding with the Naval Battle of Artemision. The Persian Army, led by Xerxes, reached Thermopylae, where the Greeks chose to make their stand. Xerxes demanded that Leonidas, the Greek leader, surrender his arms, to which Leonidas replied, ‘Come and get them.’ For two days, the Greeks fought heroically. On the third day, a traitor named Efialtes showed the Persians a path to outflank the Greeks, leading to their encirclement. Leonidas and his 300 Spartans, along with 700 Thespians and 400 Thebans, remained and fought to the death.

Leonidas Monument - The Battle of Thermopylae is renowned for its demonstration of selflessness, sacrifice, and adherence to the laws of the land. The Greek resistance at the pass was a result of rigorous military training, superior equipment, and strategic use of the terrain to enhance their defensive capabilities. The Thermopylae Memorial is located near the national road connecting Athens to Thessaloniki, where a statue of King Leonidas and his soldiers stands with an inscription that reads: “Ὦ ξεῖν’, ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι,” which translates to: “Stranger, tell the Spartans that we lie here, staying faithful to Sparta’s laws.”

• Private tour
• Bottled water included
• Professional English-speaking tour driver
• Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle transport
• Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Athens

• Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
• Gratuities
• Food and drinks
• English-speaking licensed tour guide (We can arrange for a tour for you with an extra cost)

Don’t let the opportunity to explore Greece’s breathtaking cliff-top Byzantine Monasteries slip by with our comprehensive day-long private tour to Meteora. Journey across the picturesque Thessaly plain to reach Kalambaka and unveil the second most significant monastery complex in Greece, after Athos.

Key features of the all-day Meteora excursion

• A private 12-hour journey traversing the stunning landscapes of Central Greece
• Witness the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Meteora rocks and the Byzantine Monasteries of Meteora
• A world heritage site as recognized by UNESCO
• Experience Greek cuisine with an optional traditional Greek lunch in Kalambaka
• Assistance from a professional English-speaking guide
• Convenient pick-up and drop-off service from your Athens hotel at 07:00 A.M

• Dress code is formal
• Athens International Airport transfers can be arranged on request at an extra cost!
• Important note: You will have a professional English-speaking driver with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums according to the program. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you’d like to have one, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
• There are 6 monasteries on Meteora you could visit. Every day there is one or two closed. On this tour, you will have the chance to visit two monasteries, and if you are fast and fit, then a third one!
• Piraeus port transfers can be arranged on request at an extra cost!

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.