2 Days Herodotus Tour - Marathon, Thermopylae, Delphi, Thebes, Plataea, Salamis

Day 1 · Marathon, Thermopylae, Mount Parnassus: overnight / Herodotus History Greek Persian Battles Tour (Day 1)

1. 1

   Marathon Tomb

   one hour Admission not included

   Visit Marathon battle fields and read the amazing history that is captured by the location and the burial mound, fill the area with a unique meaning. This 10m-high burial mound, sits 1km west of Marathon beach.

   Ticket: 6€ Reduced: 3€ and includrs Msrathon Museum

2. 2

   Schinias

   15 min

   These battle fields become, one of the most popular coastal resorts in Attica located 40 km north east of Athens. Marathon bay or Schinias has a great reputation for its crystalline waters and the comfortable facilities

3. 3

   Archaeological Museum of Marathon

   30 min Admission included

   5 km from Marathon bay, this excellent museum displays local discoveries from various periods, including Neolithic pottery from the Cave of Pan and finds from the Tomb of the Athenians.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   15 min

   The Athens Marathon is like no other on Earth. Staring line is in Marathon modern town and the finish line is in Athens’ magnificent Olympic Stadium, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.

5. 5

   Marathon Lake

   Passing by

   Lake Marathon is a water supply reservoir formed from the construction of Marathon Dam at the junction of Charadros and Varnavas Torrents near the town of Marathon, Greece. It was the primary water supply for Athens from 1931, when it became operational, until 1959. In 1959 water from Lake Yliki became available.

6. 6

   Campo della battaglia delle Termopili

   one hour

   Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces (notably the Spartans) and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie. This passage from north to south along the east coast of Greek peninsula requires use of the pass and for this reason Thermopylae has been the site of several battles.

7. 7

   Thermopylae Museum

   one hour Admission not included

   Next to the monument of Leonidas, in the historic Thermopylae, lies the innovative museum, dedicated to the 480 BC battle that changed the course of Greek history. Ticket 3€

8. 8

   Loutra Thermopilon

   30 min

   The baths of Thermopylae is known for the battle of Thermopylae between the Greeks and Persians in 480 b.C.The Hot Gates is "the place of hot springs" and in Greek mythology it is the cavernous entrances to Hades.

9. 9

   Mount Parnassus

   12 hours

   Drive via Mount Parnassus (duration: 1 hour / 30 min) in central Greece that towers above Delphi, north of the Gulf of Corinth, and offers scenic views of the surrounding olive groves and countryside. According to Greek mythology, this mountain was sacred to Dionysus and the Dionysian mysteries. It was also sacred to Apollo and the Corycian nymphs, and it was the home of the Muses. Parnassus is one of the largest mountainous regions of Mainland Greece and one of the highest Greek mountains. Overnight on the slopes of this amazing mountain, in a traditional village

   We can arrange accommodation for you in selected Boutique Hotels A'class or 3/4* Hotels with breakfast (additional cost 90€ per double room / weekend-holidays 110€ per double room - if more than 2 rooms 10% less. Driver's room complimentary). If you wish to do do your own hotel reservation, you need to reserve an extra room for your driver.

Not included, but we can make an arrangement for you and your driver in Boutique hotels 3 /4 stars. See additional info

Day 2 · Delphi, Thebes, Plataea, Parama/Salamis : Herodotus History Greek Persian Battles Tour (Day 2)

1. 1

   Delphi Archaeological Museum

   one hour Admission not included

   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.

2. 2

   Delphi Ancient Town

   1 h 30 min Admission not included

   Delphi is the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of Pythia, the oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The ancient Greeks considered the center of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the omphalos (navel).

   It occupies a 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 with a small modern town of the same name nearby. It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in having had a great influence in the ancient world, as evidenced by the various monuments built there by most of the important ancient Greek city-states, demonstrating their fundamental Hellenic unity.

   Ticket ( Site & Museum) Summer 20€ Reduced Winter 10€

3. 3

   Tholos of Athena Pronaia

   30 min Admission included

   The sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, and the Tholos.

   The tholos is a circular building which was created between 380 and 360 BC at the center of the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. It is constructed with 20 Doric columns on its exterior diameter which measures 14.76m.

   The building stands 13.5 meters tall at the center of the Athena Pronaia sanctuary, and its interior columns were of the Corinthian order.

4. 4

   Archaeological Museum of Thebes

   one hour Admission not included

   The Archaeological Museum of Thebes is one of the most important museums of Greece since some of its collections are rare or unique. The exhibits originate from excavations all around Boeotia and cover a long chronological period spanning from the Paleolithic to the Post Byzantine periods. General/summer admission: 6 € Reduced/ winter admission: 3 €

5. 5

   Plataea

   30 min

   We visit the battle fields in Plataea and we travel back in time 479 BC. We see Gargathia spring, which was the place of the beginning of this Battle. Next we drive via Mount Kithaeron...to Elefsina (seaside) and follow the coastal road to Piraeus

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Passing by

   Drive via Mount Kithaeron, Eleutherai, on the old Athens-Thebes National Road, north of the Villia junction, encompasses part of the lowland and rocky hill, where the ancient fortress, known as Gyftokastro, stands. Eleutherai was allegedly the birthplace of Dionysus, who founded the homonym city and was thus called Dionysus Eleuthereus. Originally a Boeotian city, Eleutherai went over to Athens in the sixth century BC. The cult statue of Dionysus Eleuthereus was reportedly moved from Eleutherai to Athens on Peisistratus' orders, leading to the establishment of the homonym sanctuary on the south slope of the Acropolis. Strategically located on the borderline of the Athenian territory, with control over the narrow passage between Athens and Thebes and overlooking the plain of Oinoe, Eleutherai was part of the Athenian defense network in the fourth century BC. Next we pass by Elefsina (seaside) and follow the coastal road to Piraeus & Perama

7. 7

   Stop 7

   30 min

   Is a port city and part of Athens urban area and Piraeus regional unit. It lies on the southwest edge of the Aegaleo mountains, on the Saronic Gulf coast.

   The name Perama comes from the Greek word "perasma" which means "passage".