Athens-Meteora-Thessaloniki by train

Day 1 - Day of arrival

On arrival in Athens, transfer to the 4 star Royal Olympic Hotel. The Royal Olympic has long been used by Sunvil as it is a leading four star hotel in Athens. It is perfectly located across the road from the ruins of The Temple of Zeus, within a stone’s throw of restaurants and 10 to 15 minutes’ walk to the Plaka District, the Acropolis Metro and the New Acropolis Museum. So, if you are not too tired, take a walk around the locality to find your bearings. Much of the area below the Acropolis and into Plaka is pedestrianised.

Overnight at The Royal Olympic Hotel in Athens.

The Royal Olympic Hotel, Athens

Day 2 & 3 - Free time to explore

Our chairman always says that the best and cheapest introduction to a city is to take a ‘hop on hop off’ bus tour. Such tours give you an overall view of a city, the distances involved and the areas and sites you would like to visit at your leisure later on. So, take one of these tours. There are stops near the Royal Olympic. Our local agents can also book walking tours which run daily. The meeting point is generally at the main entrance of the Ancient Agora. These cost in the region of €30 per person. Make full use of the Metro. You should definitely visit the New Acropolis Museum and make sure you eat at the cafe/restaurant there, which has fabulous views of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Don’t forget the Benaki Museum, again with an excellent restaurant with views over Athens, and the Archaeological Museum. Then just simply explore, people watch from the many cafes, visit the flea markets and of course the Plaka area.

Overnight at The Royal Olympic Hotel in Athens.

Acropolis, Athens

Day 4 - Transfer to Kalambaka and Sunset Tour

Transfer to Athens train station to catch the train (first class seats) at 08.00. Due to ongoing works Kalambaka Station is currently not operational so there is a rail replacement service for the final leg of this journey. The train arrives at Paleofarsalos station at 10.45 and the bus gets you to Kalambaka at 13.00. From there you will be transferred to the Kastraki Hotel in Kastraki town (2.6km approx 10 min). Please note that these times are subject to change and we will update this information once the direct train services resume. The hotel has its own restaurant/taverna in the town for lunch. In the afternoon you will be collected from the hotel for a 4 hour sunset tour of the monasteries of Meteora. The organisers quote as follows:

“The 4 hour tour is promoted as a ‘life-seeing’ experience rather than a sight-seeing experience. When the masses of tourists are long gone, join an amazing sunset tour that undoubtedly will be the highlight of your entire Meteora visit. This tour will take you on a late afternoon visit to discover the hidden gems of this place. Allow the locals to guide you through the winding narrow roads of Meteora to places away from the standard tourist paths. The Sunset tour begins with a visit to one of the monasteries, Agios Stefanos or Roussanou on the rocks. Then we will guide you to the oldest standing monument of our place, the Byzantine church of the Virgin Mary, located in the town of Kalambaka. A church founded in the early Christian period with ancient marbles embedded in its walls, telling the town’s long history spanning 27 centuries. Visit the thousand year old hermitages of Bandovas, learn the stories and the legends and enjoy great views from the most panoramic spots. And, as the sun slowly begins to descend, getting ready to touch the mountain ridges, we’ll bring you high up on the rocks of Meteora, on a magical spot to enjoy the most captivating sunset views. Up there, sitting on the edges of cliffs you will feel the cool evening breeze as it passes through a landscape which is out of this world. Let your heightened senses explore moment by moment the dimming of daylight and the vividness of the sunset colours on the earth and the sky above. A perfect way to end a beautiful day at Meteora, with an awe-inspiring tour to be remembered forever!” This spectacular rock formation in Thessaly, central Greece, is the location for one of the most extensive complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. It is the siting of the monasteries, on top of high natural pillars that makes the Meteora unique. Originally a home for Neanderthal man and subsequently a residence for 9th century AD hermits who inhabited many of the inaccessible nooks and crannies in the monumental rocks, the monasteries were not built on the rock towers (some as high 1,800 ft) until the 14th century. The monasteries were built to protect the monks from Turkish attacks.

Out of the 24 monasteries, only six remain, four occupied by monks and two by nuns. Before the nineteen twenties, access was only possible by makeshift (and rather dangerous) rope lifts and ladders, lowered only when guests were welcome! Now access by modern methods is rather easier. Overnight at the Hotel Kastraki in Kastraki.

Meteora Monastery

Day 5 - Transfer to Thessaloniki

An early morning transfer to to catch the rail replacement bus at 07.00 to Paleofarsalos (2 hours). The train departs Paleofarsalos at 10.45 and arrives in Thessaloniki at 12.50. Please note that these times are subject to change and we will update this information once the direct train services resume. Transfer from the station to the hotel Bristol for 3 nights. The Bristol is a five star hotel converted from a very beautiful neoclassical building. It is located in the historical Ladadika district, where all the authentic street restaurants and bars can be found, and a 10 minute walk from the city centre.

Overnight at The Bristol Hotel in Thessaloniki.

The Bristol Hotel, Thessaloniki, Greece

Day 6 & 7 - Free time in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki brims with life, helped by the fact that it is a university city with 150,000 thousand students. It is a very cosmopolitan city, with innumerable restaurants, cafes and traditional tavernas. It is set right on the sea with long promenades suitable for strolling and jogging. Roman ruins and Byzantine churches are scattered around the city and there are 30 museums. Thessaloniki was made for walkers, with many cafes where you can stop and stare and some very chic shopping streets. Thessaloniki is located at the crossroads of the East and West and, since 315 BC, when the city was founded, the Romans, Ottomans and Byzantines have all contributed to the mix of cultures which is reflected in the cuisine. A wonderful city to explore and one that calls for you to return.

Overnight at The Bristol Hotel in Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki, Greece

Day 8 - Day of departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.