Taxipoint

Visit three world heritage sites of UNESCO through a three-day private tour with Taxipoint!

 Tour Description:

The Corinth Canal (isthmus):

The idea for a shortcut so the sailing boats not travel around the Peloponnese had considered for a long time by the ancient Greeks. The first attempt to open a canal was made by the tyrant Periandros but in the 7th century BC left the project due to technical difficulties and instead constructed a simpler and less costly overland stone ramp, named Diolko, as a transit route. Remnants of Diolkos still exist today next to the modern canal. When the Romans gained control of Greece attempted several different solutions. During the reign of Tiberius engineers attempted to dig a canal but failed due to a lack of modern equipment. In 67 a.d., the Roman Emperor Nero ordered 6,000 slaves to dig a canal with spades. The following year Nero died, and his successor Galba abandoned the project as too costly. In modern times the idea first proposed the 1830, soon after the liberation of Greece from the Ottoman Empire and was completed in 1893 after eleven years.

Olympia:

The Olympic Games were held every four years throughout Classical antiquity, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The sanctuary, known as the Altis, consists of an unordered arrangement of various buildings. Enclosed within the temenos (sacred enclosure) are the Temple of Hera (or Heraion/Heraeum), the Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion, and the area of the altar, where the sacrifices were made.
To the north of the sanctuary can be found the Prytaneion and the Philippeion, as well as the array of treasuries representing the various city-states. The Metroon lies to the south of these treasuries, with the Echo Stoa to the east. The hippodrome and later stadium were located east of the Echo Stoa. To the south of the sanctuary is the South Stoa and the Bouleuterion, whereas the Palaestra, the workshop of Pheidias, the Gymnasion, and the Leonidaion lie to the west.

Olympia was also known for the gigantic ivory and gold statue of Zeus that used to stand there, sculpted by Pheidias, which was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Antipater of Sidon. Very close to the Temple of Zeus which housed this statue, the studio of Pheidias was excavated in the 1950s. Evidence found there, such as sculptor's tools, corroborates this opinion. The ancient ruins sit north of the Alpheios River and south of Mount Kronos (named after the Greek deity Kronos). The Kladeos, a tributary of the Alpheios, flows around the area.

Delphi:

Delphi is famous as the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of the oracle that was consulted on important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. Moreover, it was considered as the navel (or centre) of the world by the Greeks as represented by the Omphalos.It occupies an impressive site on the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus overlooking the coastal plain to the south and the valley of Phocis. It is now an extensive archaeological site and the modern town is nearby.

It is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in having had a phenomenal influence in the Ancient world, as evidenced by the rich monuments built there by most of the important ancient Greek city-states, demonstrating their fundamental Hellenic unity.

Meteora:

The Meteora literally "middle of the sky", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" — etymologically related to meteorology) - is a formation of immense monolithic pillars and hills like huge rounded boulders which dominate the local area. It is also associated with one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on natural conglomerate pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece.

Metéora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria

Tour description:

1st Day: We depart early in the morning and through the national road we arrive at the isthmus of Corinth (short stop). We continue heading to Olympia where the Olympics were born. There you can admire the Temple of Zeus and Hera there where begins the Olympic flame. To the north of the sanctuary can be found the Prytaneion and the Philippeion, as well as the array of treasuries representing the various city-states. The Metroon lies to the south of these treasuries, with the Echo Stoa to the east. The hippodrome and later stadium were located east of the Echo Stoa. To the south of the sanctuary is the South Stoa and the Bouleuterion, whereas the Palaestra, the workshop of Pheidias, the Gymnasion, and the Leonidaion lie to the west. We continue towards the Museum of ancient Olympia and admiring the wonderful marble sculptures. After lunch, depart for Delphi, passing bythe bridge Rio Antirio, one of the largest bridges of Europe.

2nd Day: You will continue your tour to Delphi known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Pass by Castalia Spring, visit at the archaeological site and view the monument of the Argive Kings, the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and  the Temple of Apollo famous for its oracle and  Delphi museum, with it's spectacular exhibits include the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos the metopes of the Athenian treasury, the famous bronze Charioteer, originally created to commemorate a victory during the 476 B.C. Pythian Games, and many other artifacts.

Ημέρα 3η: From Meteora back in Athens. Starting early in the morning we drive to Meteora where we will visit the two Byzantine monasteries located on top of a gigantic natural rock oddly shaped. After lunch, starts the return to Athens with a stopover at Thermopylae where King Leonidas of Sparta, along with other 300 Spartans stopped Xerxes during the invasion in Greece. You will encounter the Statue of Leonidas, with the inscription '' Molon Labe ''. After this short stop, we return to Athens.

Indicative programme: (It can be tailored according to your own requirements)

1st DAY:

08.00: Departure from Athens.

09.15: Arrival at Isthmus (Short stop)

12.30: Arrival at the ancient stage of Epidaurus (approximately 1.5 hours)

13.00: Arrival at Nafplio. Lunch.

15.00: Arrival at Mycenae

19.30: Arrival at Olympia(Overnight)

2nd DAY:

09.00: Explore Ancient Olympia (4 hours).

13.00: Lunch.

18.00: Arrivat at Delphi(Overnight)

 3rd Day:

09.00: Explore Delphi  (4 hours).

13.30: Lunch.

18.00: Back to Athens

Note that photography is permitted throughout the tour. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also recommended.

Booking - Prices:

Prices vary according to the number of people involved and the car used. Indicative for three to four people with Mercedes A/C sedan car/taxi the price starts from 800 €.

Important information:

* While driving, the guides provide comments only when it is safe. Your safety is our first priority.
* Greece has strict laws and regulations on the tour to archaeological sites. For this reason, our guides can offer comments about sites only in the vehicle and always outside of archaeological sites.
* Only licensed guides can accompany you or guide you to the sites you visit. If you want to have a personal tour guide please include it with your request and we can hire one.
* Drivers will leave you as close as is permitted in the places of visit and according to the laws of movement of Greece. We will be waiting for you at the same point for the departure.
* Prices include all taxes, fuel, insurance and parking fees. Does not include tickets to archaeological sites and museums. Ask us for the prices of museums and archaeological sites.
* Also does not include the accommodation and personal travel expenses. We are on your disposal if you want to book a hotel room or a specific restaurant at lower prices and best quality.

Payment methods:

The payment for the trip is made in euros at the end of your trip. You can also pre-pay in advance via PayPal or credit card (Visa-Mstercasd-American Express). Just let us know via e-mail if you want to prepay in advance.