Meteora Monasteries

Day 1

We depart Athens early in the morning and head towards the north of the country.  Our first stop is Thermopylae, where one of the most memorable battles of all times took place.  In 480 BC, 300 Spartan warriors led by King Leonidas battled against the Persian army of Xerxes.  Here the statue of Leonidas was erected as a symbol of his bravery.

Our four hour journey continues as we head out to Kalabaka at the mainland of Greece and arrive to our main destination: Meteora, one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage.  Feel the natural beauty of the landscape combined with the historical and spiritual context of the area.   Admire ageless Monasteries containing historical and religious treasures, including 16th-century frescoes that mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine painting.

At Meteora, in a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monasteries were built by monks who were previously hermits in the area and who settled on these “columns of the sky” from the 11th century onwards.  With much determination, it took months and years to carry the construction materials to the top of the rocks some as high as 550 meters (1800 ft), using ropes, folding ladders, nets and baskets.  Twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties only 6 of them have made it through the centuries.  You will have the opportunity to visit 2 or 3 of these monasteries that will be open to the public.

Visit as many monasteries as possible – each one hides treasures that span the ages and which will leave you with a deeper appreciation of religious art, monastic life and spiritual scholarship.  Even if your interests are not deeply religious, this is a truly unique and inspiring experience not to be missed!

During the duration of the trip, you will have a chance to take a lunch break at a traditional tavern.  You will have free time to relax in the evening.  Overnight stay at a hotel in Kalabaka.

DAY 2

In the morning after breakfast, you may continue your visit to the monasteries until noon.

Before we begin our return trip back to Athens, we suggest lunch at a traditional tavern in Kalabaka or Kastraki village.