Itinerary
- Day 1
Igoumenitsa to Arta
A driver picks you up from your hotel, airport, or marina to start the trip. You'll head to Parga, a resort town where you can walk around and check out the beaches and local architecture. After exploring a bit, you'll drive inland to Arta, an ancient city that was once called Ambracia, where you'll spend your first night.
- Start point
- Igoumenitsa, Greece (We will pick you up at any hotel or place, in Igoumenitsa or nearby.)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Sightseeing in Parga
Landmarks Parga Arta - Day 2
Oiniades - Messolonghi to Nafpaktos
This morning you'll start in Arta looking at the medieval stone bridge crossing the Arachthos River and what's left of ancient Ambracia. There's also a 13th-century Byzantine castle and several Byzantine churches to see, plus the Archaeological Museum. After that, you'll drive to Oiniades to visit the UNESCO theatre with its distinctive horseshoe shape. The route continues through the Messolonghi-Etoliko Lagoons wetlands before you arrive in Nafpaktos, a beach town where you'll stay overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Sightseeing in Arta's medieval stone bridge
- Visit remains of ancient Ambracia
- Explore the 13th-century Byzantine castle
- Visit Byzantine churches including Panagia Paregoretissa
- Tour the Archaeological Museum of Arta
- Visit the theatre of Oeniadae at Oiniades
- Explore Messolonghi-Etoliko Lagoons National Park
Landmarks Arachthos River Ambracia Panagia Paregoretissa Archaeological Museum of Arta Theatre of Oeniadae Messolonghi-Etoliko Lagoons National Park Nafpaktos - Day 3
Nafpaktos to Delphi
You'll spend time in Nafpaktos, a beach town famous for the historic Battle of Lepanto. The port is worth seeing, and there's a hilltop castle that gives you views out over the Ionian Sea. The beaches here have blue flag status. Later in the day you'll drive to Delphi, a mountain town that's one of Greece's most interesting destinations. You're checking in for two nights, so after settling in you'll have the rest of the day to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Nafpaktos picturesque port
- Visit Nafpaktos castle with panoramic views
- Enjoy Nafpaktos blue flag beaches
- Learn about the Battle of Lepanto and see statue of Miguel de Cervantes
Landmarks Nafpaktos Castle Delphi - Day 4
Arachova - Delphi
You'll spend the day at the Archaeological Site of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage location on the slopes of Mount Parnassos. This was home to Apollo's famous oracle. The site has several monuments to walk through, and the archaeological museum next door has 14 rooms displaying objects and information from the sanctuary. Later you'll drive to Arachova, a mountain town with a ski resort and nice scenery, then head back to Delphi for free time this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit the Archaeological Site of Delphi
- Tour the Archaeological Museum of Delphi
- Explore Arachova's narrow cobblestone streets
Landmarks Archaeological Site of Delphi Mount Parnassos Archaeological Museum of Delphi Arachova - Day 5
Delphi to Kalampaka via Livadeia and Thermopylae
After breakfast, you'll visit the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, a UNESCO site at Mount Parnassos's base that represents important Byzantine art from the second golden age. From there, you'll go to Livadeia, which sits in an amphitheater shape against Mount Elikon and has a medieval castle and the Erkynas River to explore. Later you'll see Thermopylae, the historic battlefield where King Leonidas I and 300 Spartans fought in 480 BC. You'll end the day driving to Kalampaka for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Monastery of Hosios Loukas
- Explore Livadeia's medieval castle
- Walk along the Erkynas River
- Visit Thermopylae battle site
Landmarks Monastery of Hosios Loukas Mount Parnassos Livadeia Mount Elikon Erkynas River Thermopylae Kalampaka - Day 6
Meteora
After breakfast you'll explore Meteora, a UNESCO site with tall sandstone rock formations and six Orthodox monasteries built on top of massive boulders. Monks and nuns still live in these monasteries, which were first built starting in the 11th century by monks looking for isolation. Inside you'll see 16th-century frescoes that represent an important period in Byzantine painting after the earlier Byzantine era. You'll spend the day walking around and experiencing this holy location with its unique rock formations, then return to Kalampaka for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meteora monasteries
Landmarks Meteora - Day 7
Kalampaka to Ioannina to Dodoni to Igoumenitsa
On your final day, you'll drive to Ioannina, the Epirus region's capital, where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures have all left their mark. You can walk through the historic center and visit the Castle of Ioannina, an ancient Byzantine fortress built in 528 AD, which has several museums inside. Later you'll head to Dodoni, an important ancient religious site at Mount Tomaros's base that had an ancient oracle and includes a theatre built in the early 3rd century BC. After checking out the archaeological site with its acropolis, theatre, and stadium, you'll drive to Igoumenitsa for your final drop-off.
- End point
- Igoumenitsa, Greece (Drop off is the same as pick up, or upon request in another place.)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Ioannina's historic centre
- Visit museums within Castle of Ioannina
- Visit Dodoni archaeological site
- Explore Dodoni theatre
- Explore Dodoni acropolis and stadium
Landmarks Ioannina Castle of Ioannina Dodoni Theatre of Dodona Mount Tomaros Igoumenitsa
