Delphi-Olympia

Day 1

Our trip begins early in the morning as we head towards Delphi.  During our trip, we will make a short stop at Chaeronea, the land of Plutarch.  At about a distance of 180 km from Athens, nestled high at the foot of Mount Parnassos, we reach Delphi, one of the most sacred and beautiful ancient sites in Greece, known as the cultural and religious center and referred to in the ancient years as the “Navel of Earth.”  You will have the opportunity to visit the Sanctuary of Delphi (4th century BC).   Here is where according to mythology, the Pythia, a priestess who served as the Oracle, was widely credited for her prophecies inspired by the spirit of the god Apollo.  Continue with a visit the Temple of Apollo, the Castallian Spring, the Ancient Stadium that hosted the Pythian Games, and follow the sacred way to the Athenian Treasury.  You will also have the opportunity to visit the Museum of Delphi, which exhibits many archaeological treasures.

We stop for lunch at a traditional tavern before we continue our 3 hour journey to Olympia through the scenic coastal road.  We cross the Gulf of Corinth over the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, which takes us over to the Peloponnese peninsula and to Olympia, where we will spend the night.

Day 2

We start in the morning our tour at ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the most important athletic event of all times: the Olympic Games founded in the 8^th century AD.  Among its extensive ruins, included are the Gymnasium and athletic training areas used by the athletes and the stadium.  Visit the celebrated Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the statues of Nike and Hermes of Praxiteles, as well as the altar where the Olympic Torch is ignited for the Modern Olympic Games.  After exploring the monuments and temples, it is the Archaeological Museum that will attract your attention.  You will find exhibitions of some of the most important excavation findings from the Prehistoric times to the Early Christian Period.

As we complete our tour, we stop for lunch at a local tavern of Olympia.  We then begin our return trip to Athens through the coastal road which includes a short stop at the Corinth Canal.