Elounda, Spinalonga BBQ, Agios Nikolaos

This excursion is a trip back in time since it carries the sensation and the feel of another era…

Our excursion starts from the beautiful harbor of Elounda where we will get on board to visit the bay of and the beach of Kolokitha. Here you have plenty of time for swimming at the crystal clear waters, tasting the BBQ served on board. The menu includes pork* chop BBQ, Greek salad, feta cheese, bread, wine or Fanta and seasonal fruit.

After our visit at the bay of Kolokitha (app. 1 ½ hours) we depart for the island of Spinalonga. The history and the culture of the island of Spinalonga became one with human tragedy in the course of time. This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it served as a natural guard for the ancient city of Olous ; the history of Saracens as a hide-out for their pirates; the history of Venetians as their fortress; the history of Turks as their settlement (guided tour on the island).

As we head towards our last destination from Elounda by bus, we will have the opportunity for a quick olive oil tasting, before arriving the capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos. There, you can relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni and enjoy your walk to the local shops.

Included
Professional and Multilingual speaking guide.
Transfers with air-conditioned luxurious buses.
Free pick up service from any place between Agia Pelagia – Sissi

Excluded
Tips and Individual expenses.
Entrance to Spinalonga (/person)(reductions available)
Boat ticket & Bbq (ad, chd)

Meteors – “flying monasteries”.

Meteora is a unique geological phenomenon and the only unique state of Christian monks that arose on these stone landscapes. They are located in the northern part of the country, a few hours away by car from the city of Thessaloniki.
It is possible to start the journey to Meteora from Athens. This route will last 12-14 hours.

During an excursion to Meteora from the Thessalian Valley, you will see a majestic view as if the rocks are soaring above the earth, and you will be convinced that such beauty simply does not exist anywhere else.

After Athos, Meteora is the second center of Orthodox monasticism in Greece; they are also called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The “floating” monasteries are located on these rocks. Until the beginning of the last century, the ascent to the monasteries was carried out along rope ladders, the ascent along which was accompanied by great risks, but now there are roads and steps to the top.

Monasteries attracted not only deeply religious people, but also philosophers, poets, artists and deep thinkers of Greece. Today, only six monasteries operate, two of which are female, and the other four are male.

During a one-day excursion to Meteora, we will have time to explore 2-3 monasteries. From the date of excursion you choose, monasteries will be selected, since each of them has its own operating hours. You will hear more detailed information about each of the active monasteries from our guides during the tour, but now a little information about each of them.

*The Monastery of the Great Meteor or Transfiguration of the Lord is the most famous of the monasteries and is built on the highest rock. Founded by Athanasius Meteorite, one of the most famous figures of Orthodox monasticism, construction began in 1382 and was completed by the Monk Joasaph. Since the Serbian Emperor Simeon Uros gave all his wealth to the monastery and became a monk, it has become the richest and most powerful of all the monasteries, housing some of the most beautiful wall paintings and post Byzantine fresco art, as well as a wooden throne decorated with mother of pearl. The monastery is open from 9 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00 every day.
Monastery of St. Varlaam. The second most important complex, where the icon of the “Virgin Mother of God Intercessor” is carefully preserved. The All Saints Cathedral was founded in 1517 by Theophan and Nektarios from Ioannina, although the ascetic hermit Varlaam is considered to be the first to found the monastery. The monastery is built from tuff, an easy-to-work material. The monastery houses an important collection of relics, intricately carved wooden crosses, icons and many others. There are also frescoes by the famous Byzantine icon painter Frangos Katelanos. The monastery is open from 9:00 to 13:00 and then from 15:30 to 18:00. It is closed on Fridays.
*The Monastery of Agia Triada or Holy Trinity is located at an altitude of four hundred meters. The inhabitants of this place carefully preserve the Holy Gospel of 1953. It was founded by the monk Dometius in the 15th century. The monastery is decorated with 18th-century wall paintings by the brothers Antonios and Nikolaos. To reach the monastery, you need to walk up 140 steps cut into the rock, past the Church of St. John the Baptist with wall paintings from 1682. An interesting modern fact: the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only” was filmed there. The monastery is open from 9:00 to 13:00 every day except Thursday.
*The Convent of Rusanou or the Monastery of Saint Barbara was founded in 1545 by Joseph and Maximus, two brothers from Epirus, who built a monastery on the ruins of a church. In 1988, the monastery was converted into a convent. To get to this monastery, you cross a small bridge from one peak to another. The monastery has well preserved wall paintings, wooden iconostases, icons and iconostases. The monastery is open from 9:00 to 13:00 and then from 15:30 to 18:00. It is closed on Wednesdays.
*Monastery of St. Stephen, where the relics of St. Charalampios are kept, protecting against diseases and illnesses. It became a nunnery after reconstruction by the Greek government in 1961. The monastery is open from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00 every day.
*The Monastery of Agios Anapavsas was built in the 16th century by Dionysius, Metropolitan of Larisa and named after the patron saint. The monastery is decorated with wall paintings by the famous Cretan icon painter Theophanis Batas-Strelitsas. This monastery is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
In some monastery shops you can buy memorable souvenirs.

!!! Separately, please note that when visiting monasteries during an excursion to Meteora, you must adhere to strict rules. Women with bare shoulders and without skirts or floor-length dresses will not be allowed into the complexes. Men will not be allowed to visit if they come in shorts and bare shoulders.

The duration of the route from Athens will be approximately 10-12 hours.

ATHENS. A cruise 1 day to the Aegina, Hydra and Poros

A cruise to the three islands of Aegina, Hydra and Poros is an amazing opportunity to visit places with their own unique characteristics and enjoy true Greek dance and folk art.

Our journey will begin early in the morning at the port of Athens. On a magnificent ship you will set off to the farthest point of our route – the island of Hydra.

You will spend about three hours sailing, but this time will fly by unnoticed; the cultural program of songs and dances will swirl around you in a whirlpool of Greek mood, and you will feel like a true Greek. And real Greek food will strengthen this feeling so much that it will be very difficult to resist dancing.

At each stop, the ship’s crew sets a special clock, which indicates the time the ship departs for the next voyage.

Hydra is a small, rocky, but simply stunning island from the first step. Local shipbuilders invested enormous efforts in the development of the Greek navy. The island’s financial income comes from tourism, the sale of souvenirs and the extraction of sea sponges.

But still, the main feature remains the island itself, as well as the basis of the entire cruise around the islands. Even though information about Hydra appeared only in the fifteenth century, being here is like moving to Ancient Hellas – a small village, rocks and donkeys are the only local transport. Chora is a bright splash among the gray rocky landscape. The picturesque mansions here, which once belonged to sea captains, are real museums with antique furniture, old paintings and tapestries.

Chora is a bright splash among the gray rocky landscape. The picturesque mansions here, which once belonged to sea captains, are real museums with antique furniture, old paintings and tapestries.

There are more than 300 churches and 6 monasteries, you can visit two of them, Prophet Elijah and St. Eupraxia. The first monastery is for men, the second is for women. From a height of five hundred meters, every guest will see the stunningly beautiful sea and islands of the Saronic Gulf.

Next we will go to the island of Poros. During the voyage, a delicious national lunch awaits you.

Poros, with its pristine coastlines and a huge amount of greenery, creates the impression of a paradise. In ancient times, the island was glorified by the miners of Parian marble. The well-preserved ruins of an ancient temple, built in the sixth century BC and named after Poseidon, are interestingly combined with the monastery of Our Lady of Life-Giving. This is a common unique feature of the entire country, a combination of ancient Greek culture and the Christian religion. The population of the island is 4000 people, it is divided by a sea canal into two parts – Kalavria and Spheria.

The island of Aegina will be the final point of our voyage. The terrain of this place combines volcanic rocks and coastal plains. Aegina pistachios, olives, grapes and almonds are known all over the world. The island’s main city and namesake was the capital of the new Greek state from 1827 to 1829. The first newspapers and the first coins of free Greece were produced in local printing houses and mints.

At the end of this spectacular island cruise, we will return to the ship and head back to the port of Athens.

Departure: from Marina Flisvos (Palaio Faliro) at 08:00 and back at 19:30.
The program includes:
• Visits to three islands are planned.
• Buffet lunch on board with Mediterranean cuisine in the cruise ship restaurant.
• Entertainment with music and folk dancing.

Time spent on the islands (subject to change):
Hydra – 1 hour 30 minutes
Poros – 50 minutes
Aegina – 2 hours 30 minutes

Boat Cruise with BBQ

Boat trip with swimming in the water caves of the Kolymbari area. Stops along the route, sunbathing on a wild beach. Barbecue with drinks on the ship is organized by the team. Big boat for 15-35 people.

ATHENS. Acropolis and Parthenon

Athens includes the Old Town, central areas, suburbs, and the port of Piraeus. In the center there are two hills: the Acropolis hill with the Parthenon and ancient temples and the Lycabettus hill (Lycabettos)

During the sightseeing tour, you will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the main and most interesting architectural monuments. In Athens, you can spend a month exploring in detail all the ancient monuments and ruins, the charming neoclassical buildings in the historical center and museums.

Acropolis of Athens
Probably the most famous landmark of Athens all over the world and a kind of calling card of the city is the Acropolis, built 2,500 years ago. No matter where you are in Athens, the Acropolis, perched on a hill, is visible from everywhere. Whether you are looking out the window of a hotel, sitting on the terrace of a street cafe, wandering around the city in search of souvenirs for family and friends, you raised your head, turned around, and now it looms on the horizon. It is on its flat top that the most famous ancient temple is located The Parthenon and some other religious buildings dating back to the 5th century BC

Parthenon
The Parthenon is a classic ancient Greek temple – a rectangular building framed by a colonnade. According to the standards of ancient Greek architecture, the number of columns on the side facade is 1 unit greater than twice the number of columns on the front side of the building (in relation to the Parthenon – 8 and 17). Ancient architects gave the massive temple elegance by developing an optical correction system.

Parthenon sculptures
The Doric frieze of the facade was decorated with bas-reliefs depicting scenes of martial arts: the battle of the Lapiths and centaurs on the east side, the Greeks and Amazons on the south, gods and giants on the north, and participants in the Trojan War on the west. The sculptural composition on the eastern pediment is dedicated to the myth of the birth of Athena.

On the southern slope of the Acropolis is an ancient stone theater known as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Herodion). It was built in 161 AD. Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus in honor of his late wife Regilla.

One of the most colorful areas of Athens is Plaka. Its winding streets, lined with olive and tangerine trees, are bustling with life: Greeks sit at the tables of open-air cafes, talking with each other and drinking wine or coffee.
Excursion program bus with guide. 4-6 hours including sightseeing program, transfer and free time for lunch or shopping for souvenirs. Transport and guide are included in the price.