終日デルファイサーモピラエ

This was our second excursion with Aris. The day before, he took us all around Athens for the "Half Day Athens" trip. The drive to Delphi was spectacular. Once out of the city, the terrain became quite mountainous and heavily treed. It took about two hours to get to Delphi. Along the way, we stopped at the mountain ski retreat town, Arachova, then onward to the Temple of Athena Pronaia, which stands at the gateway to Delphi. Next, we visited the Gymnasium, and then the Castalian Spring where Pythia, the Oracle at Delphi purified herself before she proceeded to Apollo's Temple. The ruins at Delphi extended high up Mount Parnassos, (it was quite a trek), but the view from the top was well worth it....beautiful and impressive. One can see down to the distant ocean's edge. It was quite hot in the sun, but surprisingly cool and breezy under the olive trees dotted along the path. Between Aris' tutelage on the way and our guide book, we didn't really feel the need to hire a tour guide. The Museum at Delphi was lovely and housed many important pieces, several sculptures/fragments/kouroi of which we recognized from our studies as art history students. Next he brought us to Taverna Vakhos for a delicious lunch--yet another incredible view! Then we were on to Thermopylae where we saw the colossal King Leonidas statue and the site of the Spartan/Persian battle. He drove us back to Athens along the northern coast, which rivaled the views of our drive out. What can be more beautiful than mountains meeting sea? Perhaps the teal color of the Aegean itself. It was a long, enjoyable day. He brought us safely back to our hotel and then picked us up the next morning for our flight to Crete! Punctual and in good sprits, just as before! Thank you for a lovely weekend, Aris!!