Meteora is an area in Thessaly (Central Greece) and Kalampaka is the city under the rock towers of Meteora. The thing that makes Meteora so special is the monasteries on the top of the rock towers. The monasteries, the amound of peaks to climb and the paths for hiking brings in Meteora  the whole year many tourists.

Historians and geologists started to be interested in the creation of these rocks (Meteora) about 1000 years ago, expressing several theories.

The prevailing theory about Meteora creation, is that one of the German geologist Philipson, who came to Greece in the late 19th century. According to his theory, a large river had his estuary in this area which for million of years was covered by a narrow and deep part of the sea .The river waters place matter, stones and generally several materials that were transferred by its waters at the estuary from Northern parts of primordial central Europe. From the accumulation of these materials deltaic cones were formed.

25-30 million years ago, after some geological changes took place during the centuries, the central part of today’s Europe was lifted. That’s how the opening of Tempi was created ,having as a result the pouring of the waters in today’s Aegean sea.

During the tertiary period ,at the time of the alpine orogenies, the solid volumes of the “rocks” were cut off from the mountain chain of Pindos that was created and as the centuries went by, the plain of Pinios river was formed between them.

With the continuous corrosion by the wind and the rain as well as by other geological changes, these rocks took their present form through the passing of million of years.

At the cavities, fissures and peaks of Meteora rocks, the people of that place found protection from the raids of several conquerors and of those who passed from the area.

Also, several bold hermits and anchorites found shelter at these rocks, seeking for mental calmness, tranquility and while praying they saught for Christian perfection.

Today, the tradition of Orthodoxy is continued uninterrupted for over 600 years by the Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoro or (the Transfiguration of Jesust), the Varlaam Monastery, the Saint Stephen Monastery, the Holy Trinity Monastery, the Saint Nicolas Anapafsas Monastery and the Roussano Monastery. All these monasteries are on the top of Meteora rocks.

On your way up to the slopes of Mt. Parnassus and the archaeological site of Delphi, about 13 km before the town of Arachova, leave the main road and turn towards the village of Distomο and Styri. Keep driving for about 9 km and the road will bring you to one of the most impressive monuments in the Mediterranean Sea:

the monastery of Hosios Loukas, situated in a picturesque valley teemed with olive trees. Byzantine monasteries are built in sites characterized by amazing natural beauty, always in harmony with the surrounding landscape, following the example of the ancient temples.

In a landscape untouched by time, you will discover two magnificent Byzantine churches decorated with frescoes and mosaics, with their characteristic golden background (10-11th century AD). The Byzantine abundance of the monastery still functioning today was recently brought to light due to a successful restoration project. The monastery was founded around the middle of the 10th century AD by the monk Loukás from Stýri. His relics are exhibited in the Katholicon (main church of the monastery). They were stolen by the Crusaders during the 13th AD and kept in the Vatican for centuries.

The two churches of the monastic complex are built next to each other, and there is access from one to the other through a passage. The most ancient one is the church of the Virgin Mary (middle of the 10th century AD), while the largest one was built a little later (early 11th century AD), and it is dedicated to the founder. The church of Virgin Mary is clearly one of the masterpieces of Byzantine architecture. It is the best example of the "cloisonné" style of masonry, according to which the ashlar blocks of stone are surrounded by bricks, forming lines of decorative motifs. It became the prototype for all the classical Byzantine churches of southern Greece.

If the church of the Virgin Mary impresses us with its external appearance, the Katholicon of the monastery surprises us with the multicoloured marble revetments, while the ceilings are illuminated by the mosaics with the golden background (11th century AD). The scenes are religious, chosen and designed according to the strict rules followed by the artists until nowadays. Byzantine painting doesn’t mean, though, strictness and lack of movement. The Byzantine artists never ceased to be inspired by ancient art, and its harmonious proportions and elegance. Byzantine art is the only form of European art that began with the end of antiquity and reached its conclusion with the Renaissance, connecting the ancient world with the recent history.

Before you leave the monastery don’t forget to visit the crypt, located under the Katholicon. There are no mosaics here but paintings and their subjects are similar, though the style is different, more sentimentally charged and more expressive, clearly proving the wealth and variety of Byzantine art.

Arachova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassus in Viotia, Southern Greece.It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favourite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities.

Its modern ski resort, its close proximity to Athens, and its breathtaking mountainous landscape are the strongest reason why. Apart from the mountain activities, Aráchova is also famous for its bustling nightlife and as the favorite mountain resort of Athenians. It is located 35 km west of Livadeia.

It was in Arachova that Georgios Karaiskakis (1780-1827) defeated the Turkish army led by Moustafabei in November 1826.

The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the most important in Greece, exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary, site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculpture, statues and minor objects donated to the sanctuary.

These reflect its religious, political and artistic activities from its early years in the eight century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.

The museum is housed in a two-storey building with a total surface area of 2270 square metres, with fourteen exhibition rooms, 558 square metres of storerooms and conservation laboratories for pottery, metal objects and mosaics. A new lobby, cafeteria and gift shop were created during the museum's latest refurbishment.

The layout of Delphi is a unique artistic achievement. Mount Parnassus is a masterpiece where a series of monuments were built whose modular elements - terraces, temples, treasuries, etc. - combine to form a strong expression of the physical and moral values of a site which may be described as magical. Situated in a magnificent natural setting which is still intact, it is an outstanding example of a great Pan-Hellenic sanctuary.

During the Mycenaean period, the female deity of Earth was worshipped in the small settlement of Delphi. The development of the sanctuary and oracle were to begin in the 8th century BC with the establishment of the cult of Apollo. Under the protection and administration of the Amphictyony, the sanctuary continued to be autonomous after the First Sacred War and, as a result, increased its Pan-Hellenic religious and political influence. The Pythian Games were reorganized, the sanctuary was enlarged, and it was enriched with fine buildings, statues, and other offerings. In the 3rd century BC it came under the domination of the Aetolians and later, in 191 BC, was conquered by the Romans. During the Roman period the site was plundered on occasions, but it was also favoured by some of the Emperors. With the spread of Christianity, the sanctuary lost its religious meaning and was closed down by Theodosius the Great.

Some of the most important monuments of the site:

• Temple of Apollo: dated to the 4th century BC, the temple was erected precisely on the remains of an earlier temple of the 6th century BC. Inside was the adyton, the centre of the Delphic oracle and seat of Pythia.
• Treasury of the Athenians: A small building in Doric order, with two columns in antis and rich relief decoration, built by the Athenians at the end of the 6th century BC to house their offerings to Apollo.
• Altar of the Chains: The large altar of the sanctuary, in front of the temple of Apollo, erected by the people of Chios in the 5th century BC, according to an inscription. The monument was made from black marble, apart from the base and cornice in white marble, resulting in an impressive colour contrast.
• Stoa of the Athenians: Built in the Ionic order, has seven fluted columns, each made from a single stone. According to an inscription cut on the stylobate, it was erected by the Athenians after 478 BC, to house the trophies taken in their naval victories over the Persians.
• Theatre: Originally built in the 4th century BC, but the visible ruins date from the Roman imperial period. The cavea had 35 rows of stone benches; the foundations of the skene are preserved on the paved orchestra. The theatre was used mostly for the theatrical performances during the great festivals.
• Stadium: Constructed in the 5th century BC and remodelled in the 2nd century AD at the expense of Herodes Atticus; at this time the stone seats and the arched monumental entrance were added. It was in this Stadium that the Pan-Hellenic Pythian Games took place.
• Castalia Spring: The preserved remains of two monumental fountains that received the water from the spring in the ravine of the Phaedriades date to the archaic period and the Roman era. The later one is cut in the rock and has niches cut high in the cliff, which probably held the offerings to the Nymph Castalia.
• Tholos: A circular building in Doric order, built around 380 BC: its function is unknown but it must have been an important one, judging from the fine workmanship, and the high-standard relief decoration.
• Polygonal Wall: Built after the destruction of the old temple of Apollo in 548 BC, to support the terrace on which the new temple was to be erected. The masonry is polygonal and the curved joints of the stones fit perfectly in place. Many inscriptions, mostly manumissions, are carved on the stones of the wall.

Crossing the canyon of Neda, one has a unique chance to get in touch with the mysteries of the Greek mythology and the treasures of nature. The river springs from the foot of Mount Lycaion, in Petra of Messinia, a quite peaceful landscape. As it flows, it gets rapid and foamy, because many rocks stand in its way, narrowing the river-bed.

Perhaps the most well-known myth of ancient Greece is the one about god Cronus, who used to swallow his children, fearing they would dethrone him, When his wife Rhea gave birth to her last child, Zeus on Mount Lycaion, according to the natives of Arcadia, she decided to save him, so she entrusted him to the care of nymphs Neda, Thissoa and Agno, and asked them to raise the child. According to the descriptions of ancient traveler Pausanias, after the childbirth the nymphs cleaned the puerperal and threw the impure water with the placenta to Lymakas, a river in Figalia which empties into Neda. The ancient Greek word for this dirty water is “lymata”: that's how Pausanias explains the name of the river.

He also offers us valuable information about Neda. He lets us know that the river was navigable for small vessels; various signs of anchorages have been found and that nearby, on Mount Elaion, there was a sacred cave. It's in this cave that goddess Demeter, the protectress of agriculture, took refuge in and hid for a long time, dressed in black, mourning because her daughter Persephone had been kidnapped. The Olympian Gods moved heaven and earth to find her, because the soil was no longer fertile and people were dying of hunger like flies, God Pan, who had gone hunting in the region, ran across Demeter and said it to Zeus. The king of Olympus sent the Fates to soothe her anger. They managed to convince Demeter to come out to light again. Unfortunately, archeologists have not located the cave yet.

Pausanias also informed us about a devout custom according to which the youngsters of the region used to cut their long hair short and throw it into Neda, in order to thank the deity of the water for their happy transition from childhood to adolescence.

By word of mouth, nymph Neda changed into river and her long braids became wonderful waterfalls, that have decorated the canyon ever since. The descent towards the canyon starts from the village Figalia which used to bear the name of Pavlitsa, where an important archeological area is located. Hikers would be interested to know that a path of medium difficulty {M2} starts right from the ancient spring of Figalia. The traveler gets for the first time in touch with the singularity of Neda when he meets the waterfall "Asproneri" (which means "White Water"), which falls from a height of 60m. and continues its course towards the river. The waterfall can be approached by another road, which crosses the village.

The owners of vehicles could follow the track which begins from the archeological area of Figalia, and after an impressive course ends in a wooded little valley, right to the point where the single-arch bridge of Jouloucha links two neighboring prefectures: Messinia and Elia. The most exciting course starts from there. The track hikers are protected from falling down the precipice by wooden handrails leads, through the dense foliage, to the waterfalls and the well-known Stomio, the cave which is traversed by Neda.

First surprise the little cascade. Near it, the Greek nature reveals one of its most impressive and well-kept secrets. The huge, white, foamy waterfall flows down along the mountainside into a cavity shaded by huge plane-trees, forming a lake in dazzling colors, which invites us to dive into its cool water.

A little higher up, a small country church made of stone hangs literally from the reddish rocks. It is consecrated to Virgin Mary. According to the legend, there was a miraculous icon of Hers in a small cave a little further from the church nobody knows how it was found there.

After a few meters on the same path, the canyon of Neda takes its legendary dimensions. The course ends in the flat upper part of cave Stomio, which is totally dark, full of bats and overflown by the water of Neda. For the few brave ones who dare cross it, getting out of it to light is the most impressive part of the course. From the bridge of Jouloucha the traveler can start crossing the canyon through water. If he is willing to walk between the huge, shiny stones and to swim wherever the water gets deeper, then he will undoubtedly experience an unforgettable feeling. To cross the river-bed of Neda, one needs a bathing suit and stout, water-resistant shoes.

6 h. tour (Private tour)

(transportation + visit Elafonisos + stop for a swim at Simos beach + optionally snorkling at Pavlopetri)

For those of you that are not interested in seeing the many medieval castles of the area, but would rather have an off the beaten track experience, this is the ideal tour.

Departing the beautiful port, you will enjoy a drive of approximately one hour until you reach the port of Pounta and then get on a ferry to visit the beautiful island of Elafonisos that is nearby. The ferry ride is only 10 minutes. As soon as you get off the ferry, you will be in the small and charming fishing village of Elafonisos, where several cafes and seafood restaurants are serving their delicacies on tables situated right next to the water. You may want to have a short stop in this village, either before or after your visit to Simos beach. You will drive to the southeast part of the island and visit one of the most beautiful and famous beaches in the world, Simos beach. The combination of turquoise waters, sand dunes, and unique flora create an atmosphere that is appreciated by all. You will have a chance to unwind, swim and relax at the beach. The entire family can enjoy Simos Beach during the day. Children can swim and splash in clear, shallow water with a sandy floor. For those of you interested both gorgeous beaches in Simos are offering sunbeds as well as the service of snacks and drinks by the water.

After you have enjoyed your swim, you will return back to the Peloponnese. Near Pounta port, to the east, lies the sunken village of Pavlopetri, dating back to 3000 BC. The most adventurous of you can optionally extend the tour's duration to enjoy a snorkling experience to explore the underwater village. Pavlopetri was incredibly well designed with roads, two storey houses with gardens, temples, a cemetery, and a complex water management system including channels and water pipes.  In the centre of the village was a square or plaza measuring about 40x20 meters and most of the buildings have been found with up to 12 rooms inside. The design of this village surpasses the design of many cities today. Who knows what else remains to be found and to surprise us in the future since the excavations remain to be continued and one of the big dreams of many archaeologists and local people is to create in the future an underwater museum for people to be able to visit.

If you happen to be in the area in early spring or late autumn and you wouldn't like to swim in waters that might be cold, we could arrange for you a private mini cruise with captain Michalis and his wooden boat who can take you all around Elafonisos and Pavlopetri and even give some of you the chance to dive from his boat and snorkel above Pavlopetri.

At the end of your tour you will return back to the port of Monemvasia.

6 h. tour (Private tour)

(transportation + guided tour of Mystras castletown + short stop in Sparta + optionally stop for lunch or dinner at Mystras modern village)

Departing the beautiful port, you will enjoy a drive of approximately one and a half hour through the lush valley of Evrotas, till you reach modern Sparta, a city that doesn’t look at all as simple and remote as the descriptions about the ancient one let us imagine. Nowadays it is characterized by the beautiful architecture of the many neoclassical buildings in it and the several palm trees along the central avenue, which ends in front of the colossal bronze statue of Leonidas, the General, a legend of the ancient times.

Soon after that you will start driving up the mountain to the ruined Byzantine city of Mystras. It is divided in 3 sections, surrounded by the ancient walls and has two gates, either to enter, or exit. There is one on the top level and one on the lowest one. Be prepared for extensive walking on a steep path made of stone and have your guide enter with you the most important of the remaining Byzantine churches, where you will see and hear explanations about the wall paintings and the floor mosaics. You will also see several foundations of houses where the nobles lived and the Palaces which are under restoration.

After the end of this visit, if you would like to and time allows it, you can enjoy a lunch break in any of the small villages nearby and then return back to Monemvasia either to board the ship or to go and explore Monemvasia castletown on your own.

3 h. tour (Private tour)

(private transfer to the castle and back + guided walking tour of Monemvasia + free time in the castletown + optional lunch or dinner)

Once you get off the cruise ship to the port of Monemvasia, look for the private vehicle that has a sign with your name on it, which will offer you the short but very impressive drive to the castle's gate where your tour guide will be waiting for you, in order to offer you a "journey back in time", walking you into the castle through the only still standing land gate.

From there your walking tour of the main parts of the castletown will begin, as well as a guided tour of the historical metropolis church of Christ in Chains. You can also visit next to the main square of Monemvasia the small but interesting museum there is, where you will see fragments of utensils and pieces of the architecture of the buildings from the middle age during which Monemvasia was at its flourishing period. Be prepared for a lot of walking on steep original steps and cobbled pathways, built in different levels, if you want to take in and photograph the most important parts of this unique place. For those of you that would not want to do a lot of exercise, your tour guide will navigate you through the main parts of the castletown and will then give you suggestions on how to take advantage of your time there.

At the end of your walking and hiking exploration, you shouldn't leave this majestic place, without relaxing at the balconies or the indoor areas of any of the few but impressive cafes or restaurants of this town, that offer spectacular view of the Myrtoon Sea. Most people that first experience Monemvasia on a short visit, come back to stay!

Ask for our suggestions if you are planning on having a romantic lunch or dinner in Monemvasia, which by many people has been characterized as the "Santorini of the Peloponnese".

Since you will know in advance that your driver will be meeting you outside the main castle's gate for your short drive back down to the port, this tour can be extended to more than three hours without any extra cost as long as inform us about that in advance.

The Holy monastery of Skafidia is located 10 klm from Pyrgos and near the blue waters of Ionion sea.It took it’s name after The Holy Mary of Skafidia and it was built in 10th century A.D.You can also see "treasures" as Holy Vessels ,Vestments, reliquary and a library of handwritten books among them you can see how the Monastery helped in the Greek revolution of 1821. Nowadays the Monastery consists of 4 nuns only.