Program

Day 1 Good Friday 18/4: Larnaca – Athens – Livadia – Distomo – Itea
Meeting at Larnaca airport and departure by flight to Athens. Arrival, boarding the buses and we begin our journey to Itea. First stop in the city of Livadia. At the springs of Krya, time stops and you are automatically transported to another era. Where everything looks as if it were taken from a painting or a fairy tale. Watermills, small waterfalls, ancient plane trees, running waters and stone bridges. Those who know the existence of this magical place will know that the waterfalls, watermills and running waters that supply the city with water are the legendary river with the feminine name, Erkyna. We continue our journey to Distomo, which is built on a plain between the mountains Kirfi, Parnassos and Helicon. It has gone down in history as a martyr town, due to the Massacre by the Germans in 1944. Today, near the entrance to the town, there is the Museum of Victims of Nazism, which presents the complete history of the place through documents and photographs. Also, on the Kanales hill is the Mausoleum of the victims of 1944. In the afternoon, arrival in Itea and check-in at the hotel. Free time for a first acquaintance with the beautiful town that is built on the north side of the Corinthian Gulf and within walking distance of the foothills of Parnassos. Due to its shape, it is "wetted" on both sides by the sea and you will find many seaside taverns and restaurants where you can taste fresh fish, seafood ouzo mezes, as well as the famous Roumeli kontosouvli, kokoretsi, spit-roasted lamb, splinandero, Amfissa olives and sheep's yogurt. The tree-lined squares and the coastal road "Akti Poseidonos" are suitable for a walk, which, combined with the amazing view, will leave you unforgettable. The sights of Itea include the church of the "Transfiguration of the Savior", whose construction began in 1890, a major project for the data not only of that time but also of today, as well as shelters of natural beauty, such as the hill of Agioi Anargyroi, the olive grove and the seven small islands scattered in the sea add their own touch to the beautiful landscape of the bay. In the evening we will watch the procession of the Epitaphs accompanied by mournful marches of the Municipal Philharmonic. Overnight stay.

Day 2 Holy Saturday 19/4: Galaxidi – Nafpaktos – I.M. Transfiguration of the Savior
Breakfast and departure for Galaxidi, a town with stately beauty, characterized as a traditional settlement since 1978. It was a great naval city in the early 19th century and today has evolved into one of the most beautiful traditional settlements in Greece. Through the narrow cobblestone streets we will admire the neoclassical captain's houses and wonderfully preserved mansions. In Heroes' Square stands a marble column with the names of all the Galaxidi people who gave their lives in the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913. At the highest point of the city we will visit the church of Agios Nikolaos with the masterful wooden carved iconostasis, the two bell towers and the imposing dome. Our next stop is Nafpaktos, with the well-preserved Venetian Castle on the top of the hill, which is one of the best-preserved examples of fortress architecture in Greece and one of the most beautiful in Europe. We will see the Botsaris Tower, an impressive 15th-century building that operates as a museum, and the city clock from 1914. The view from the top of the hill to the sea where the impressive Rio Antirrio Bridge rises is unique. The Venetian harbor, with the two towers that close its entrance, is the trademark of Nafpaktos. It was part of the fortifications of medieval Nafpaktos, while today it is a point of reference and meeting place for its residents throughout the day. Not far from Nafpaktos, we will visit the Men's Monastery Metamorfosis of the Savior, a modern monastery with a conference center, its own radio station, a hagiography, a museum of Greek Orthodox tradition, a museum of the Naval Battle of Nafpaktos, as well as a state-of-the-art fish farming unit for the needs of the monastery. The Brotherhood consists of young and qualified Monks, graduates of Higher - University Schools. Immediately afterwards we return to Itea. In the evening we go to church for the Easter Liturgy. This is followed by the Easter dinner with the traditional magieritsa, red eggs and other delicacies. Overnight stay.

Day 3 Easter Sunday 20/4: Itea – Malandrino
Happy Easter – Christ is Risen!
Breakfast at the hotel and free time to wander around the neighborhoods of the city. In Itea, Easter is celebrated as it used to be. Images, customs, habits, time has not changed them. Anyone who has seen it understands exactly what we mean. The city is covered with smoke from the fires from early in the morning. The pits where the lambs and goats are roasted are communal, since each neighborhood “collaborates” from the beginning to the end of the day in roasting, in company and in feasting. Streets, sidewalks, courtyards are closed and everything is occupied for the custom of roasting that is observed reverently. At noon we go to Malandrino, one of the largest and most historic villages in the prefecture of Fokida, where our Easter meal will be served. Late in the afternoon we return to Itea. Rest of the day free. Overnight.

Day 4 Easter Monday 21/4: Amfissa – Mining Park of Fokida – Hani Gravia – Agoriani
Breakfast and departure for an excursion to the hinterland of the prefecture of Fokida. Our first stop is its capital, Amfissa, a city with a long history, natural beauties and scattered neoclassical mansions. In more recent times, its contribution to the Revolution of 1821 was decisive, as in Salona – as the city was then called – the slogan of the uprising in Roumeli was given on March 25. Most of its inhabitants are engaged in olive cultivation, since the city is surrounded by a beautiful olive grove with trees that are several hundred years old and is even referred to as the oldest in the world. Next, we visit the Mining Park of Phocis, the “Vagonetto”. The idea for its creation was born from the people themselves who worked in the mines and wanted to preserve and exhibit the memories of the place – now inextricably linked to the bauxite mining process. The tour of the “Vagonetto” gives the visitor the opportunity to learn step by step about the bauxite mining process. The acquaintance with the history of bauxite begins at the old mine, Stoa 850, and continues with the tour. Discover the experience of bauxite mining and live the daily life of the miners through their own stories. Get on the train that transported them to the gallery and “listen” to them talking, tour the exhibition. We continue our journey to Gravia, a village built in a strategic, naturally fortified position, where Odysseas Androutsos and his few companions stopped the Turkish advance towards the Peloponnese on May 8, 1821. Visit the historic Hani of Gravia which has been converted into a museum. We end up in Agoriani (Eptalofos as it is officially called), the absolute Alpine dream on Parnassos, drowned in fir trees. Its attractions are the waterfall near the central square, the folklore museum, the 7 springs/fountains and the Holy Church of Agia Paraskevi. Don't forget to enjoy irresistible Roumeli delicacies in its famous taverns. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 5 Easter Tuesday 22/4: Chrissos – Delphi – Arachova
Breakfast and we head to the wonderful village of Chrissos, which is “nestled” at the foot of Mount Parnassos and its gaze is directed towards the sea. The village is characterized by its picturesque alleys with well-kept houses, fountains and its epicenter is the square with the centuries-old plane tree from where you will enjoy a wonderful view of Itea. Buildings with neoclassical elements are also preserved, which are a sample of the old heyday of Chrissos. In a characteristic building from the late 19th century that was the Didakterion, the Ethnological and Folklore Museum is housed with a large collection of traditional costumes, rare engravings, embroideries and weapons from 1821. We continue our journey to visit the historic city of “the Navel of the Earth” as Delphi was called in antiquity. At the foot of Parnassos, in the imposing landscape formed between two enormous rocks, the Phaedriades, is the Panhellenic sanctuary of Delphi and the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. We will visit the archaeological site and the museum. Next, we visit the cosmopolitan Arachova, which is built amphitheatrically on the slopes of Parnassos at an altitude of 960m. The cobblestone streets, traditional houses and the wild beauty of its nature will enchant you. The famous Clock, with its unique view, has endured trials, such as the earthquake of 1870 and the bombing by the Germans in 1944. It dates back to the 18th century and owes its current form to the abbot of the Monastery of Saint Loukas. At the top of the village stands the church of Saint George, Protector and Patron Saint of Arachova. During the Battle of Arachova, in 1826, the church was the base of Georgios Karaiskakis. We will also have the opportunity to experience the “Feast of Saint George”, which is the best living example of an authentic Greek festival as they were celebrated in Byzantium and during the years of Turkish rule. Its beginning is marked by cannon shots and bells. Late afternoon return to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 6 Easter Wednesday 23/4: Itea – Monastery of Saint Luke – Chalkida – Monastery of Saint Ephraim – Athens Airport – Larnaca
After breakfast we depart from Itea and head for a pilgrimage to the most important Byzantine monument in Greece of the 11th century, the Holy Monastery of Saint Luke of Steiriotis which is founded on a picturesque slope on the western slopes of Mount Elikon, near ancient Steiris. During the approximately ten centuries since its foundation, it played a leading role in the historical adventures of the place, winning the favor of emperors and officials in the Byzantine years. During the Frankish period, it came under the possession of an order of Catholic monks and experienced the destructive fury and plunder of the conquerors, Catalans and Turks. In the struggle of 1821, the Monastery became the revolutionary base of Roumeli, disposing of its enormous property in the Struggle. Next stop is Chalkida, the so-called city of "crazy waters", where it is built on both sides of the Evripos Strait, where one part of it occupies part of Evia, and the other in Central Greece. We will see the tidal alternating movement of the waters of the Evoikos Gulf. We then head for a pilgrimage to the Holy Monastery of Saint Ephraim, where the Miracle-Working Great Martyr Saint was martyred by the Turks. He was arrested on 14/9/1424 and subjected to daily torture for eight consecutive months. Until Tuesday, 5 May 1425 AD, when they decided on the horrible end of the Great Martyr, hanging him upside down on a mulberry tree that survives to this day, nailing him to the feet and head with pointed nails and violently piercing his devastated body with a burning stick at the end. His holy relics were found after 524 years, by the blessed Elder Makaria on 3/1/1950, following miraculous appearances and guidance from the Saint, who has been performing countless miracles since then, with the Grace of Christ. We then board the bus to the "Eleftherios Venizelos" airport and the return trip to Cyprus with our suitcases full of beautiful memories from our six-day stay in Greece.