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USD $189.00
Delphi, Arachova and Saint Lucas Monastery Tour from Athens
Athens, Greece
Visit one of the most important archaeological sites in Greek history on this full-day, small-group tour to Delphi, Arachova and Saint Lucas Monastery from Athens. Traveling with an expert guide, learn about Greek mythology and history as you explore the UNESCO-listed Archeological Site of Delphi and the Delphi museum, and visit the nearby mountain village of Arachova before marveling at the exquisite Byzantine architecture of Saint Lucas Monastery. Numbers are limited to 14 people on this small-group tour, ensuring a personalized experience.
After being picked up from your Athens hotel, enjoy the scenic journey through Thebes’ picturesque valleys and cotton fields as your expert guide shares tales of the Ancient Greeks. Traveling by air-conditioned coach, your first brief stop is Levadia, a town famous for its trade in beautiful brightly colored carpets.
At midday, stare in amazement as your coach arrives at the foot of Mt Parnassos where the sanctuary of Delphi lies. The sanctuary, known as the Temple of Apollo, served as the site for the worship of the god Apollo after he was said to have slain a dragon who lived there.
As you walk around the UNESCO-listed archaeological site with your guide, pass by Castalia Spring and see famous monuments such as the Athenian Treasury, the theater and the Sacred Way that, in ancient times, was lined with treasuries and statues that were gifted by city states to honor Apollo and to demonstrate their stature and wealth.
Next, head inside Delphi Archeological Museum with your guide. This treasure trove consists of 15 rooms that house countless artifacts and awe-inspiring exhibits including the frieze of the Treasury of the Siphnians, the Sphinx of Naxos, the Statue of Antinous and the famous bronze Charioteer of Delphi.
After exploring the museum, return to the coach and continue to the scenic mountain village of Arachova. Known for its hand-woven rugs, quilts and carpets, Arachova is also famous for its delicious wine and cheese. Enjoy your time at your leisure, perhaps stopping for a refreshing drink in a cafe or trying out some of the delicious local delicacies at one of the restaurants (own expense).
Meet back up with your guide, and cool off in your air-conditioned coach as you travel to the UNESCO-listed Saint Lucas Monastery. Built in the 11th century during the Byzantine period, Saint Lucas Monastery is home to a series of intricate mosaics that decorate its cathedral, making it one of the finest monuments of Byzantine architecture in the entire country.
Your tour ends in the early evening when arriving back at your Athens hotel after a relaxing coach ride.
As with most tours they spend an hour on hotel pickups. Then we had to wait for another bus while they mixed people between the two buses for various tours. Our bus was full with 53 people doing 1-2-3 day tours. I had booked the Saint Lucas option but as with earlier reviews they cancelled due to poor numbers and refunded me 58 euros on the spot. Delphi was still worth it and is at quite an elevation and a bit chilly. Our guide Marina was very knowlegeable on the bus and in the musuem but at the actual site was spending too long with her detailed narration so I walked off and explored the site on my own. Just personal preference if you want all the details or explore on your own. Included lunch was quite bland and simple and hardly traditional greek food. The hotel drop off took another hour. Overall a good tour.
Review by: Roxanne C, September 2017
I booked this tour and received a voucher and confirmation several weeks prior to my trip. The morning before the tour, I had my hotel in my presence confirm the tour, the pick up location and the time. Then I, like most tourists, left my hotel and toured the city. When I returned to my hotel in the evening, I received a phone call saying that, even though I had confirmed the tour in the AM, they WERE NO LONGER CONDUCTING THAT TOUR THE NEXT DAY. At this point, it was too late to book an alternative tour provider who would go to the Saint Lucas Monastery the reason I chose this rather expensive tour. This was very disappointing to say the least. Although the tour provider did offer a difference refund between the price of this tour and the regular Delphi tour, and offered to put me on the just Delphi tour, it was extremely disappointing. How often does one travel, as a tourist, to a particular city? I would recommend caution when booking this, at it may not happen and you might as well book with a cheaper, Delphi-only tour.
Review by: csilvapinto, August 2017
Beautiful places!!! amazing trip
Review by: wng1175, August 2016
Tour was great, but due to low participation the St. Lucas Monastery part of the tour was cancelled. Our refund was processed on the spot in euros and we were on our way. Our guide was knowledgeable, fun and patient. We had a mixed group age, language and everyone was able to keep up with the tour. The ruins at Delphi were amazing, the museum had a great collection of artifacts. The stop in Arachova was short, but we had enough time to walk to the clock tower and snap a few pics. Lunch at a local restaurant was included, but we had to pay for the drinks. Not bad considering they served appetizers, salad, entree and a dessert.
Review by: idemetriades, July 2016
The trip was very good. The tour guide and driver were great. My only complaint is I would have started the trip an hour earlier so that we were not walking through Delphi during the high heat of the day. We weren't picked up until 8:45 and trip could have started at 7:00 to 7:30 AM.
Review by: Ms J K, April 2016
Experienced guide with fascinating stories and a fantastic destination all efficiently organised
Review by: Prema P, October 2015
Our tour guide was fantastic! She explained everything very well and did not rush us at any of the sites. I definitely recommend this tour!
Review by: brock, September 2015
What a lovely day! Mariana, our guide, was very knowledgeable and sweet. We had two other couples which made for the perfect number. Highly recommend this tour.
Review by: Annie M, June 2015
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Roxanne A, April 2015
This tour was changed to just Delphi. It was wonderful and not to be missed.
Review by: Kimberly K, September 2014
Delphi was a highlight of our sightseeing in Greece. I would definitely recommend this location for anyone traveling in the area. It is worth the extra drive to see a different side of the mainland. Breathtaking!
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