Athens: Thermopylae Battlefield & Delphi Arachova Private Tour

Livadeia is a town in central Greece. It is the capital of the Boeotia regional district. The area around Livadeia is mountainous, with farming activities mainly confined to the valleys. The area has traditionally been associated with the production and processing of cotton and tobacco, as well as the cultivation of cereal crops and the raising of livestock. The city is also known for having participated in the War of Troy in allegiance with Mycenae.

Next, make your way inside Delphi Archeological Museum and explore the veritable treasure trove at leisure. Home to countless artifacts and relics, the museum consists of some 15 rooms arranged in chronological order.Delphi Archaeological Museum is one of the principal museums of Greece and one of the most visited.

At the midday, head inside the UNESCO-listed Archeological Site of Delphi, and explore the intriguing ruins while learning about famous monuments such as the Temple of ApolloThe Temple of Apollo, god of music, harmony, light, healing, and oracles occupied the most important and prominent position in the Delphic Panhellenic Sanctuary. The edifice with the partially restored colonnade visible today dates to the 4th century BC. It is the third temple built at the same place. The famous oracle, the Pythia, operated inside the temple, the location chosen, according to one tradition, due to a sacred chasm beneath the site emitting vapors, which were inhaled by the Pythia.

Αn intriguing architectural marvel nestled within the archaeological site of Delphi. Tholos provides us with a window into the ancient world and the rich tapestry of beliefs and traditions. The Tholos of Athena Pronaia is a circular building with a distinctive architectural design, featuring a ring of Doric columns surrounding a central chamber. Built in the 4th century BCE, this unique structure served as a sanctuary dedicated to Athena Pronaia, a variant of the goddess Athena worshipped in Delphi.

Head back to Athens via the beautiful mountain village of Arachova, situated on the hills of the Parnassus Mountains, where the tour will stop for a short photo opportunity.

eonidas was a king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, and the 17th of the Agiad line, a dynasty which claimed descent from the mythological demigod Heracles and Cadmus. Leonidas was son of King Anaxandridas II. He succeeded his half-brother King Cleomenes I to the throne in 489 BC.
Leonidas had a notable participation in the Second Persian War, where he led the allied Greek forces to a last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) while attempting to defend the pass from the invading Persian army; he died at the battle and entered myth as the leader of the 300 Spartans. While the Greeks lost this battle, they were able to expel the Persian invaders in the following year.

Next to the monument of Leonidas, in the historic Thermopylae, lies the innovative museum of the Lamia Municipality, dedicated to the 480 BC battle that changed the course of Greek history. A scientific project of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, the Centre of Historical Information of Thermopylae opened its doors to the public in 2010. The building, in the shape of an ancient spearhead turned to the north as if facing the invaders, is characterized by its ergonomic design that applies to the most up-to-date museological purposes and features glass panels that allow in plenty of natural light. The Centre represents history as an interactive narrative and discourse: In its three exhibition halls -named Leonidas, Dienekes and Thermopylae- multimedia applications offer visitors a virtual trip to the time and battlefields of the Persian Wars, as recounted by the ancient historian Herodotus, while the very battle of Thermopylae comes alive in a digital 3D movie.