Day 1 in Delphi
Welcome to the Delphi! Upon arrival, you will
go through customs and immigration. Make your transfer to your destination,
arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much
for you to see and do.
Delphi is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and dates back to ancient Greece: 510-323 BC. The town is
very small, but full of archaic treasures. The town itself was said to be
considered the center of the earth, where heaven and earth meet and one could
be closest to god. It was known to be the town that worshipped Apollo, the son
of Zeus, and the god of clarity and moral discipline. The ruins are truly
unbelievable. You cannot even fathom how every single column, grandiose walls
and arenas were built on such a high mountain. The views are out of this world!
Make your first stop
the same way the ancients did, at the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, also known as Marmaria.
Pilgrims who arrived on the shores of the Bay of Itea proceeded up to the
sanctuary, where they paused in order to purify themselves before going to the
Ancient Delphi site. The most notable
among the numerous remains on this terrace is the Tholos (Round
Building), a graceful 4th-century BC ruin of Pendelic marble, the purpose and
dedication of which are unknown, although round templelike buildings were
almost always dedicated to a goddess. The Tholos remains one of the purest and
most exquisite monuments of antiquity.
Next, make your way to the Main
Archeological Site by following the path (which is now called `Sacred Way`) that starts at the
ticket booth. It winds up past a number of Tresuries and then the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle was.
The next big monument you`ll come acorrs is the theatre where over 5,000 people could enjoy poetry
readings, musical events and much more. It was built in the 4th century BC, restored in
about 160 BC, and later was restored again by the Romans. From a sun-warmed
seat on the last tier, you see a panoramic bird`s-eye view of the sanctuary and
the landscape that encloses it. Also worth the climb is the view from the stadium
still farther up the mountain, at the highest point of the ancient town. It
lies cradled in a grove of pine trees, a quiet refuge removed from the
sanctuary below and backed by the sheer, majestic rise of the mountain. As you
head back down you can revisit the same sites while catching stunning
views over the valley.
We
recommend to put aside at least three hours to explore the site; The all-day
ticket for the site includes a visit to the Archaeological Museum, which presents exhibits of
mind-boggling beauty like the perfectly intact bronze statue of the Charioteer
(470 BC), the Large Sphynx of
Naxos and the two identical man-sized Kouroi among many others.
As
evening approaches, make your way to the main streets of the village (modern town of Delphi) where
you`ll find a plethora of shops and restaurants. The pleasant little town
(population 2,300) is now a concentration of hotels, guest houses, restaurants,
shops and attractions catering to tourist. Many of the cafes and restaurants
are located on the valley side of the main street, and therefore offers a
stunning view over the valley. Enjoy a relaxing dinner of authentic
Greek cuisine complimented by some local wine.
Day 2 in Delphi
Rise and shine! Grab some
breakfast and head out to take advantage of the outdoor pursuits available at
the dramatic Mt. Parnassus, which rises 8,061 ft making it the highest
mountains in Greece. Hike the stunning landscapes of the area once only walked
by locals and pilgrims. The ancient paths at the foot of Mt Parnossos are becoming increasingly popular
among hikers, who year-round can choose among paths with varying degrees of
difficulty to admire the landscape, village and monuments.
Venture up Mt Parnassos
along flower-filled paths and visit abandoned mountain shelters, springs and
caves. Another ancient trail
from Delphi runs past the quaint village of Hrisso, with breathtaking views that stretch
over the verdant olive grove of
Amfissa down to the sea in Itea, once the site of an ancient
port. Or, hike along the ancient footpath
of Delphi that takes you from the village to the mystical Corycean Cave thought to be the site of pagan
rituals since Neolithic times. There are also organized mountain biking tours of
these trails as well.
Afterward, enjoy the remainder of your day in Delphi village. There
are many tourist shops, taverns, and cafes to enjoy. For the art lover we recommend a visit to the Angelos and Eva Sikelianos Museum,
the former home of the famous Greek poet and his American wife Eva Palmer,
who together created the Delphic
Festivals. The efforts of Eva and Angelos Sikelianos
served as a catalyst for the creation of the European Cultural Center in
1977. Since then the center has been hosting cultural events and is well worth
visiting to admire sculptures and paintings by a plethora of acclaimed Greek
artists such as Yiannis Tsarouchis, Alekos Fasianos and Giannis Gaitis.
Alternatively, end your day at the mountain
village of Archova, on the north slopes of Mount Parnassus, just east of Delphi. This
small town is famous for its flokati rugs, cheese, honey and wine. Old stone
buildings house old-fashioned hotels and guest houses with traditional décor,
and small romantic taverns serve local specialties such as hilopites (a type of
pasta) and formaela (cheese served grilled). The village is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favorite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities. It is a great spot to wander the streets, enjoy the many shops and indulge in some local cuisine.
Additional Days in Delphi
Should you be able to spend additional
days in Delphi and it`s surrounding areas, don`t
miss these other interesting places nearby:
Monastery of Osiou
Louka,
an 11th century monastery built on the slopes of Mount Hellicon which has
two inter-connecting churches. The great octagonal church of Agios Loukas
contains the tomb of the saint, though the bones have been sent to Rome. It
also contains some of Greece`s finest Byzantine frescos and icons by Michael Damaskinos,
the 16th century cretan icon painter. The wall paintings in the
crypt are from the 11th century. The views from the monastery
terrace are spectacular and there is also a small café.
Galaxidi was a 19th century ship building center, offers a
number of hotels and a naval museum. There is an old castle, a 13th century
monastery and many old mansions. It is one of the most beautiful towns on the
gulf of Corinth and well worth a stop for lunch or to visit the ducks who have
a floating apartment building in the middle of the harbor. There are numerous
beaches and coves along the coast below Delphi and heading west towards
Nafpaktos. Kira was the ancient port of Delphi and has a nice beach.
Nafpaktos
is one of the most interesting towns in the area and has perhaps the most
impressive castle in Greece after Nafplio. Known as Lepanto in the middle ages
a famous naval battle took place here in 1571. The town has a beautiful
fortified harbor and a platanos shaded main square. There are two long
attractive beaches on either side of the harbor and lots of restaurants, cafes
and hotels. The surrounding area is quite green. Be sure to go as high as you
can get to see the castle and the amazing view of the town and the Peloponnesos
across the gulf of Corinth.
Your Last Day in Delphi
Depart your hotel for your next destination for more European adventures or head home. Savor the memories of a very special time in Delphi, Greece.