Program

Day 1 Wednesday 23/4: Larnaca – Athens – Livadia – Monastery of St. Luke – Distomo – Itea
Meeting at Larnaca airport and departure for 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 then visit for pilgrimage the most important Byzantine monument of Greece of the 11th century, the Monastery of Saint Luke of Steiriotis, which is founded 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. 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 martyred city, due to the Massacre by the Germans, 1944. Today, near the entrance to the city, 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 Gulf of Corinth. Due to its shape, it is "wetted" on both sides by the sea and you will find many taverns, 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 are suitable for a walk, which, combined with the amazing view, will leave you unforgettable. Its sights include the church of the "Transfiguration of the Savior", whose construction began in 1890, a major project for the data not only of that era 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 in the bay. Overnight stay.

Day 2 Thursday 24/4: Amfissa – Mining Park of Fokida – Hani Gravias – Agoriani
Breakfast and departure for our excursion to the hinterland of the prefecture of Fokida. Our first stop is in 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 are even referred to as the oldest in the world. Afterwards, we visit the Mining Park of Fokida, 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 experience the bauxite mining process step by step. The introduction to the history of bauxite begins in 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 stoa 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, 21. 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 Church of Agia Paraskevi. Do not forget to also enjoy irresistible Roumeli delicacies in its famous taverns. Return in the afternoon to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 3 Friday 25/4: Delphi – Arachova
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will first visit the historic city of “the Navel of the Earth” as Delphi was called in ancient times. 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. Then we arrive in 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 gone through 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 St. Luke. At the top of the village stands the church of St. 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 “Festival of St. 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. At 3 p.m. Arachovite feast is organized in the courtyard of the Holy Church with local costumes, where Arachovites and visitors participate. At 5.30 pm. we will experience the “Chalasma tou Panigiriou” with a ritual dance around the Holy Church and dances in the central square “Papaioannou”. In the evening return to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 4 Saturday 26/4: Galaxidi – Nafpaktos – Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior
Breakfast and departure for Galaxidi, a town of stately beauty, designated as a traditional settlement since 1978. It was a great naval state 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 residents 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 its masterful wood-carved iconostasis, two bell towers and an 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 of 1914. The view from the top of the hill to the sea where the impressive Rio Antirio 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 fortification of medieval Nafpaktos, while today it is a point of reference and meeting for its residents throughout the day. Not far from Nafpaktos, we will visit the Men's Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration 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. In the afternoon return to Itea. Overnight stay.

Day 5 Sunday 27/4: Itea - Thebes (tomb of Evangelist Luke) - Holy Trinity Monastery - Athens
Breakfast and departure from Itea. Our first stop is in the city of Thebes for a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Luke the Evangelist, the Physician, who met a martyr's death (he was hanged from an olive tree). He was of Greek origin from Antioch in Syria and had come to preach the Gospel, after the Martyrdom of the Apostle Paul in Rome, according to the testimony of the ecclesiastical historian Eusebius. According to the testimony of the ecclesiastical writer Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos, on the day of the martyrdom of the Apostle Luke, a miraculous liquid fell from the sky onto his tomb, which cured eye diseases. This healing power emanates from the marble shrine to this day. The fact that the shrine continues to work miracles after so many centuries is evidence that it is the authentic tomb of the Evangelist Luke. The Holy Relic is currently located in Padua, Italy, near Venice, where it was transferred by the Frankish conquerors of Byzantium in 1204, and is placed in the church of Santa Justina in the center of the city. Our next stop is the village of Plataies, where a short distance from it we will reach the Holy Monastery of the Holy Trinity. Its history has been little researched to date, however its foundation dates back to Byzantine times. The extensive construction work carried out during the 20th century, especially after the devastating earthquake of 1981, has significantly altered its original form. The catholicon in its current form is a peculiar cross-roofed church to which lateral niches were added later. It was erected in 1632, according to the marble engraved founding inscription preserved on its western side. Information about the history of the monastery during the Post-Byzantine period is limited. During the 20th century, a new female brotherhood was established, which, to meet its needs, erected a new catholicon in the name of the Holy Cross and other auxiliary buildings within an enlarged enclosure. We end up in Athens, transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. Free time and overnight stay.

Day 6 Monday 28/4: Athens – Monastery of Saint Ephraim – Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” – Larnaca
Breakfast and free day to enjoy the capital. Visit the Acropolis and its new Museum, as well as walk through Plaka, perhaps the oldest district in Europe. Don’t forget to visit the commercial streets of Ermou and Stadiou for your shopping. In the afternoon, board the bus and head for a pilgrimage to the Holy Monastery of Saint Ephraim, where the Miracle Worker 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, May 5, 1425 AD, when they decided on the horrible end of the Great Martyr, hanging him upside down on a mulberry tree that still survives today, nailing him to the feet and head with sharp nails and violently piercing his devastated body with burning wood 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 and with the Grace of Christ. We end up at the “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport and the return trip to Cyprus with our suitcases full of beautiful memories from our six-day stay in Greece.