Kalabaka

Food & Gourmet Tours

Take part in this wonderful e-bike tour through the rocks and monasteries of Meteora. The excursion starts from the centre of Kalambaka, just below the rocks of Meteora. Your group will then head toward this UNESCO protected area, where you will see and learn everything about this amazing location. Using electric bikes makes this ride easy and gives the rider the chance to explore without worrying about the slope of the route. There will also be a number of stops allowing you to take in the beauty of the surroundings. The tour leader will give you a comprehensive explanation of the area, geological phenomena, culture and religion. The tour covers six functional monasteries and many of the old monasteries' remains and hermit caves. Unfortunately, you will not be able to go inside of the monasteries, as they are closed during this tour. After an amazing ride, you'll go to one of the most beautiful spots of the area to enjoy the majestic sunset over the cliffs. 

Take a step back from the present day and delve into the wonders of ancient Greece over the course of 4 unforgettable days. Jump aboard the luxury bus, sit back and enjoy a journey through the archeological sanctuaries of Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora. With stunning scenery along the way, incredible architecture and a place to rest your head at night, this tour has everything you could want and more. Day 1: Visit Epdiaurus, Nafpila and Mycenae The Day starts with a drive along the Corinth Canal to Epidaurus, the reputed birthplace of Apollo's son Asclepius, and a visit to the ancient theatre, renowned for its symmetry and exceptional acoustics. From here you will proceed on to the seaport town Nafplio for a short stop then on through the plain of Argos arriving at Mycenae. This archeological site was once a major centre to Greek civilisation and is home to the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon you will depart for Olympia, where you will spend the night. Day 2: Discover Olympia and Delphi There is much to be explored at the home of the Olympic Games. Stride among the gods at the temples of Hera and Zeus, cower at the alter of the Olympic Flame, where the sacrifices were made, and buff up on your history at the site's museum. The journey will continue on via Patras to Rio, across the state-of-the-art Rio-Antirrio bridge, past the city of Nafpaktos and along the beautiful coastal road to Delphi. Thought of by the Greeks as the middle of the entire earth, Delphi came to be known as the navel of the world. In the afternoon you will take a trip to the picturesque mountain village of Arachova then back to Delphi for an overnight stay. Day 3: Explore Delphi and Ovenight stay in Kalambaka Spend a relaxed and possibly spiritual morning in Delphi taking in the atmosphere of this centre of Greek worship, the place where heaven and earth meet. In the afternoon you will depart for Kalambaka. Overlooked by the Meteora Monasteries, this will be your resting place for the night. Day 4: The Meteora Monasteries and return to Athens Travel the heights to Meteora, where you can visit the most important complex of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. Built high on 6 sandstone pillars overlooking Kalambaka, you will experience breathtaking views carved by the elements of nature. Your return trip will offer an optional trip to a factory of Byzantine style icons, then continue past the monument of Leonidas (King of Sparta), and finishing up your monumental tour back in Athens in the late afternoon.

Travel back in time on a 2-day tour to the archaeological site of Delphi and the historic Orthodox monasteries built on the rocks of Meteora. Day 1: Depart Athens for the ancient site of the Oracle of Delphi. Travel by air-conditioned coach through the pretty towns and villages of Thebes, Levadia and Arachova on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Explore the ruins of the ancient sanctuary of Pythia on arrival. Then, continue to Kalabaka for your overnight stay. Day 2: Marvel at the stunning rock formations of Meteora, and visit the monasteries built to serve the monks and nuns following the teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Return to Athens via Trikala and Lamia. Stop at Thermopylae to look at the monument to the Greek warrior king Leonidas I before your arrival in Athens in the early evening.

This 2-day tour takes you to the ancient city of Delphi and across the scenic Plain of Thessaly to Kalambaka. This picturesque small town is located at the foot of Meteora, the site of one of the most important groups of Greek Orthodox monasteries. Detailed Itinerary Day 1 You’ll start the day with a relaxing drive through the beautiful Greek countryside, passing by the cities of Thebes, Levadia, and Arachova, before arriving in Delphi at around noon. At Delphi, you’ll have the opportunity to visit this important site that appears in Greek mythology. In ancient times, Delphi was considered to be the center of the universe and was guarded by a python dragon that was killed by Apollo. You’ll see the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which was built in the 4th century B.C. and was destroyed by Emperor Theodosius I in 390 A.D. It was also here that the priestess Pythia would foretell the future from the famous Oracle of Delphi. Visit the theater that seated 5,000 spectators and hosted plays, poetry readings, and festivals. At the nearby stadium, the Pythian Games were held every 4 years. Athletes from all over the Greek world would come to compete, and these games would become predecessor to the modern Olympics. At the end of the day you’ll drive to Kalambaka, a lovely city with beautiful gardens and magnificent views of the Meteora rocks. Overnight in Kalambaka. Day 2 In the morning, you’ll head to Meteora for a tour of the fascinating cliff-top monasteries. The cliffs, which average a height of 1,000 feet, were first inhabited in the 9th century by a group of hermit monks who lived on the rock towers. In the 11th and 12th centuries, basic monasteries were built and by the 14th century the great monastery of Meteoron was constructed. The difficult access gave the monks an ideal refuge, as well as protection during the Turkish occupation. Today 6 monasteries remain out of the original 20. Views of the entire valley from the magnificent rock towers, and the peace of the surroundings, make this a unique place to visit. On the way back to Athens you’ll make a short stop at the monument to Leonidas, the King of Sparta who died in 480 B.C. at the famous Battle of Thermopylae.

Day 1: Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive to Epidaurus, and pay a visit to the archaeological site and to the theatre, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Continue on to Nauplia for a short stop. Next, drive to Mycenae where you will visit the fascinating archaeological site. Depart for Olympia, passing through the central Peloponnese area and passing the cities of Megalopolis and Tripolis. Finally, arrive in Olympia for dinner and overnight stay. There is also a possibility of staying in Nauplia instead. (Dinner included). Day 2: In the morning visit the archaeological site and the museum of Olympia. Drive via Patras to Rion, cross the channel to Antirion on the state of the art suspension bridge, known as the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in Nafpaktos, then continue to Delphi. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Delphi. (Breakfast and dinner included). Day 3: First, visit the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi. Depart for Kalambaka, passing through Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala. Arrive in Kalambaka, and savor a dinner before your overnight stay. (Breakfast and dinner included). Day 4: In the morning, visit the breathtaking Meteora. In the early afternoon, start the drive back to Athens passing via Thermopylae and Kammena Vourla. (Breakfast included). This tour offers the opportunity to visit the most impressive historical Greek sites, giving you an insight into the glorious past of Greece.

The ideal way to experience Meteora’s unique beauty and interesting rock formations is by walking, as it is the only way to really observe the impressive rock formations and strange patterns. On a half-day guided hike, you will be taken up close to these structures and led directly to the best vantage points in the area. After being transported from Kalampaka, the hiking tour begins from Kastraki Square, continuing to Dupiani Hermitage. Pass below the ruined Pantokratoros Monastery on the north side of Dupiani's rock, arriving at the Ypapanti Monastery and the ruins of St. Dimitrios, a monastery destroyed by the Ottomans in 1808 during a local uprising. From there, the trail leads all the way up to the impressive Great Meteoro and Varlaam monasteries, 2 of 6 total Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the area, all part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the grounds, and afterward, go down from Varlaam to St. George the Madilas to see the place where the local children climb with only a rope to dedicate offerings to St. George.

Discover the essential sites of classical Greece on an immersive 5-day tour from Athens, and marvel at the ruins of Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplion, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora. Follow in the footsteps of Greek gods in Delphi, and explore the Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. Admire feats of engineering, such as the Corinth Canal and modern Rio–Antirrio Bridge, and much more. Day 1: Depart from Athens for the Corinth Canal, a masterpiece of engineering that connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Continue to Epidaurus to visit the UNESCO World Heritage monument reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo's son Asklepios, and the most celebrated healing center of the classical world. See the well preserved theater, still in use today thanks to its amazing acoustics. Your next stop will be Nafplia, where the afternoon is at leisure to walk in the old town or visit the new Nafplion Gallery to see paintings dedicated to the Greek Revolution of 1821. Overnight at Nafplion. Day 2: Depart Nafplion at around 12:30, traveling through the plain of Argos to Mycenae, where you will see the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then, depart for Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, driving through the cities of Tripolis and Megalopolis along the way. Overnight in Olympia. Day 3: Visit the archaeological site of Olympia to see the Temple of Zeus, Temple of Hera, and altar of the Olympic Flame. Admire the historic Olympic Stadium and learn more about the site at the dedicated museum. Continue to Rion via Patras, crossing the channel to Antirion on the new, state-of-the-art suspension bridge. Pass the city of Nafpaktos, before traveling along the coastal road to Delphi, known in ancient times as the “Navel of the World.” Visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova in the afternoon, before an overnight stay in Delphi. Day 4: Explore the archaeological ruins of Delphi, where the museum contains the famous bronze Charioteer, Naxian Sphinx, and Statue of Antinoos, providing an insight into ancient Greek culture and history. Get spectacular views of the surrounding mountains from the Temple of Apollo, famed for its oracle. In the afternoon, you will drive through central Greece, passing the cities of Lamia and Kalambaka en route the Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. Overnight in Kalambaka. Day 5: Spend the morning exploring the mountain monasteries of Meteora, including the cliff-top Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, accessible via rock-cut stairs. On your return to Athens, there is an optional stop at a factory that makes Byzantine style icons. Continue to Athens, via the heroic monument of Leonidas (King of Sparta) at Thermopylae, before an arrival in the Greek capital in the late afternoon.

Meteora 2 days (on halfboard basis) 1st day: First you will drive to Delphi through Levadia and Arachova. At Delphi you will visit the archaeological site. Then depart for Kalambaka. Drive through the towns of central Greece (Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala) crossing the Thessalian plain, the granary of Greece, to reach Kalambaka. Overnight. (D.*) 2nd day: Morning visit of the breathtaking Meteora and its monasteries built on the top of high rocks. Then start the drive back to Athens passing through Thermopylae where Leonidas was killed (visit) and Kamena Vourla.(B.**) * Dinner ** Breakfast

Day 1: Athens, Canal, ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplion, Olympia Your private four-day tour starts from Athens early in the morning. Drive towards the scenic coastal road of Athens to the magnificent structure of the Corinth Canal, which is in the Peloponnese, the southern peninsula of Greece. The Canal connects the Saronic with the Corinthian Gulf in the Aegean Sea. A dream of the ancients, that came true in 1893. Time for a rest and some amazing photos above the canal. Leave Isthmos and driving to ancient Corinth (the city of Apollo and Aphrodite, plus one of the most important places of St. Paul who lived here for almost two years doing missionary work). Ancient Corinth was an important state city during the ancient years, the richest and most famous port of the ancient Greece. Make a short stop for some great photos. Here you will visit the archaeological site and museum, plus the church that has the 1st Letter to the Corinthians written in four languages: Greek, Arabic, French and English. Then, the driver will take you to Mycenae, the golden city of king Agamemnon, the one who united all the Greek cities to fight for a common purpose against Troy. Mycenae was the city from where the Mycenaean civilization started and has an archaeological site to visit. There you will see the burial Royal Tombs of the kings and queens, the cyclopian walls, the Lion Gate and the treasury of Atreas, the Cyclopean Walls. There is an option to visit Epidaurus where you will be able to see the ancient theater of Epidaurus with its fantastic acoustics that is even used nowadays mostly in the summer for festivals, theatrical plays and music concerts. A must-see is also the sanctuary of Asklipeios, who was the son of the god Apollo. On to Nafplion, the first modern capital of Greece from 1821 till 1834. You will see the castle of the city, the Palamidi that's above the town as well as Mpourtzi the island fortress, the first defence line of the port. This is a wonderful seaside place, ideal to walk around and taste the famous Greek cuisine and have a memorable lunch in a traditional restaurant or tavern. There you can see the old houses of the Nafplion, as well as the local shops that sell handmade objects and jewelry for all tastes and wallets.  After your lunch, you will be driven to Olympia and overnight there. Free leisure time. Day 2: Olympia, Rio Antirio Bridge, Nafpaktos, Itea, Delphi Ancient Olympia is the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games in classical times. There you will visit both the archaeological site and choose between Archaeological Museum of Olympia with a great amount of artifacts and statues, and the Museum of the Olympic Games. The Games were held every four years from the 8th century BC until the 4th century AD. Visit the Temple of Zeus, Pelopion, the stadium, the Temple of Hera, the Phillipeion, the Phidias workshop and many other structures that are worth your attention. You can feel the aura of the Olympic Games, of fighting on the Pallestra or running around the stadium and understand why ancients took the cultivation of body, mind and soul so seriously. After lunch at your choice of restaurant in Olympia, you will drive to Delphi, through the largest cable bridge in Europe, Rio Antirio, and see the magnificent town of Nafpaktos and Itea. Overnight and free time in Delphi. Day 3: Delphi, Amfissa, Lamia, Trikala, Kalambaka, Meteora Delphi was the first touristic attraction of antiquity. It was the place the god Apollo had his sanctuary, were the propheses were given to every man, prince, general and king by the Pythia High Priestess. It was the center of the universe, according to Zeus, king of the gods. You will visit the Oracle of Apollo, the Omfalos, the temple of Athena Pronaia, Kastaleia Spring and see some magnificent artifacts and statues, such as Eniochos the charioteer, the twin Brothers and Sphynx of Naxos. Have lunch in Delphi with a great view of Parnassus and Itea and then you'll head to Meteora, passing by many towns like Amfissa, Lamia (the capital city of the Thessaly Plain), Trikala, Kalambaka. Overnight and free leisure time in Kalambaka or Kastraki. Day 4: Meteora, Thermopylae, Athens After your breakfast you will visit the monasteries of Meteora. They come second in religious importance and size after mount Athos in orthodox christianity. Meteora means "middle of the sky", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" and the monasteries are built on high pillars at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains. Since the 11th century monks and nuns have lived here. The monasteries are: St. Nicolas, Grande Meteoro, Varlaam, Rousannou, Holy Trinity and St. Stephen. You will visit up to three monasteries, depending on the day. Admire the wonderful, panoramic views. After lunch, drive back to Athens with a short stop at the battlefield of Thermopylae or Hotgates and the Hot Springs, where King Leonidas and the 300 brave Spartans gave their lives for the freedom of Greece.

From the classic Temple of Apollo to the towering rock monasteries of Meteora, explore the iconic sights of Greece on an enthralling 3-day tour from Athens. Day 1: Venture through Thebes, Levadia, and Arachova, arriving at Delphi around noon. Once considered the center of the earth and the universe, this ancient city played a central role in the classical Greek world, home to the Temple of Apollo, where the Delphic Oracle was situated. Tour spectacular works of craftsmanship from the era at the Museum of Delphi, including the unique bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx, and the Statue of Antinoos. After perusing the extensive archaeological treasures on display, enjoy a free evening to discover the modern town on your own terms before settling in for the night. Day 2: Leave Delphi for a journey through Central Greece, including a short stop in the historic city of Lamia, before crossing the Thessalian plain to Kalabaka; a small town built at the foot of the majestic Meteora, crowned by the extraordinary monasteries that bare its name, providing for one of the country's most unique attractions. Spend the night in Kalabaka, considered to be one of the most beautiful places in all of Greece. Day 3: Ascend Meteora to tour 2 of the incredible cliff-top Byzantine monasteries. Marvel at the fantastic views over Kalabaka and beyond from atop of these sandstone towers, which for centuries provided totally inaccessible retreats for the residing monks. On return to Athens, stop briefly in Thermopylae to see the heroic monument of Leonidas, King of Sparta, then arrive back at the capital in the late afternoon.