Delphi, the Arbiter
of Ancient Greece
At a glance
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Duration: approximately 8 hours.
Set with a guide, and a vehicle with its driver.
The itinerary includes:
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A tour of the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi and its Museum.
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Lunch at the picturesque village of Arachova, followed by a stroll around it.
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Optional G&I twist: on your way back, a stop by the cobblestone-paved, beautiful old town of Livadeia, for a coffee by the river that runs through it (+45 minutes).
Ideal for:
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Travellers who have a keen interest in the ancient Greek civilization and who want to explore sights that have had a great impact on its history.
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Travellers who love art and want to see masterpieces which are unique to the world.
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Travellers who want to escape for a day from the busy city centre of Athens and sightsee while breathing the fresh air of the countryside.
In depth
An entire week it would take a pilgrim c. 2,400 years ago, to journey from Athens to the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi. Still, the length of the journey as well as the costly offerings that you should be necessarily bringing along, were insignificant compared to what you got in return: words from the very mouth of a god, the laurel-wreathed Apollo.
Amongst the many oracles that existed in the ancient Greek world, Delphi certainly stood out: not only was it one of the oldest oracles in Greece, but perhaps most importantly, the prophecies with which it furnished its many pilgrims would turn out… true. From anxious sailors about to brave the Mediterranean Sea, to superstitious generals that sought reassurance for their strategic decisions, complaints about the oracle’s accuracy were few if any. Or at least so we hear; the more you delve into the life and activity of Delphi, the more you discover a fascinating world where superstition and devotion is tangled with pragmatic back-room talks and marketing tricks, as well as murmurs of an ancient secret buried deep within the bowels of the Temple of Apollo.
With this tour, we will unravel to you the story of one of the most important and mysterious institutions of the ancient Greek world – an oracle which, while now silent, still speaks volumes through its fascinating remnants, stone temples, and beautiful statues.