METEORA MONASTERIES

The Metéora included on the UNESCO World Heritage "suspended in

the air" is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern

Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. The six

monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, near the Pinios

river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece.

1. The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron the largest of the

monasteries erected in the mid-14th century and was the subject of

restoration and embellishment projects in 1483 and 1552. The building

serves as the main museum for tourists.

2. The Holy Monastery of Varlaam the second largest monastery in

the Metéora complex. It was built in 1541 and embellished in 1548. 3.

The Holy Monastery of Rousanou/St. Barbara was founded in the

middle of 16th century and decorated in 1560.

4. The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas, built in the 16th

century, is a small church. It was decorated by the Cretan painter

Theophanis Strelitzas, in 1527.

5. The Holy Monastery of St. Stephen is a small church built in the

16th century and decorated in 1545. This monastery rests on the plain

rather than on a cliff. It was damaged by the Nazis during World War II

who believed it was harboring insurgents and was abandoned.

6. The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is on top of the cliffs. It was

built in 1475 and was remodeled many times in 1684, 1689, 1692,

1741.

MOUNT ATHOS

(AUTONOMUS MONASTIC STATE)

Mount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Macedonia, Greece.

A World Heritage Site and autonomous polity in the Hellenic

Republic, Athos is home to 20 stavropegial Eastern Orthodox

monasteries under the direct jurisdiction of the patriarch of

Constantinople. Today Greeks commonly refer to Mount Athos as

the "Holy Mountain

The Mount Athos (height 2.033m.) in full blossom and imposing

emerges with dignity from the Northern Aegean Sea.

The visitor has the unique to experience a different kind of life in

the Monastic State of Mount Athos. The imposing historical

Monasteries, the marvelous cells built in caves or pendulous

over rocks, castles, cupolas and campaniles have been standing

on the edge of the mountains for more than thousand years.

In this ark of Orthodoxy, everything follows a different rhythm of

life: the habits, the philosophy and the thoughts, the landscape,

the nature, the calendar (the Julian one), the time (the

Byzantine ceremonial is still followed), the terminology, the

food, the greeting, even the animals! Wherever the visitors

goes, he will be fascinated by the beauty of nature and the

idyllic landscapes, which he can explore by following the

mountains paths.

ATHENS

Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history of 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state. A centre for the arts,

learning and philosophy, home of Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum it is widely referred to as the cradle of

Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy largely due to the impact of its cultural and political achievements during the 5th and 4th centuries BC in later centuries on the rest of the then

known European continent Today a cosmopolitan metropolis, modern Athens is central to economic, financial, industrial,

political and cultural life in Greece

The heritage of the classical era is still evident in the city, represented by ancient monuments and works of art, the most

famous of all being the Parthenon, considered a key landmark of early Western civilization. The city also retains Roman and Byzantine monuments, as well as a smaller number of Ottoman

monuments.

Athens is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Acropolis of Athens and the medieval Daphni Monastery.

Landmarks of the modern era, dating back to the establishment of Athens as the capital of the independent Greek state in 1834, include the Hellenic Parliament (19th century) and the Athens

Trilogy, consisting of the National Library of Greece, the Athens University and the Academy of Athens. Athens was

the host city of the first modern-day Olympic Games in 1896, and 108 years later it welcomed home the 2004 Summer

Olympics. Athens is home to the National Archeological Museum, featuring the world's largest collection of ancient Greek antiquities, as well as the new Acropolis Museum.

FAMOUS GREEK ISLANDS (over 3000 )

Santorini is the diamond of the Greek Islands. Its white

sculptured villages are nestled atop steep volcanic cliffs that fall

sharply to the deep blue Aegean Sea. Santorini is a paradise for

shoppers, photographers, artists, hikers or anyone who just wants

to sit at a cafe and soak up the sun and magic of the Greek

Islands.

Crete is the largest and most varied of the Greek Islands. It is

173 miles long east to west and as narrow as 5 to 30 miles north to south. In the west, it is covered with lush evergreens, while at

the east, Crete is more arid and even hosts palm groves at Vai. There are beaches, resorts, hotels, apartments, archeological sites and ancient cities around the island. The interior is home to

high mountain peaks and is popular with climbers and hikers. If you are looking for more than a beach holiday, Crete may be the

best choice for you.

Rhodes is located within eyesight of the Turkish coast and its

capital Rodos - Rhodos remains a blend of Turkish and Crusador

influences. The Old Hospital of the Knights (above) is a good example of the cut stone buildings that make Rodos one the most beautiful medieval cities in the world and one of the most urbane

and delightful cities on the Greek Islands

Corfu Town is the charming capital of Corfu. At times you

may wonder if you are in Greek Islands or Italy. Corfu, the island

of endless natural beauty, the island of song and music,of unending inspiration, a combination of the cosmopolitan and the

traditional. The island will leave the visitor with unforgettable memories, excite him with unparalleled images and touch chords in his soul as he pays homage to the culture of the seven islands

this place which has been so generously blessed by God and which has been written about by so many illustrious writers and

poets.

Some others : PATMOS-CEFALONIA-ZAKINTHOS-LESVOS-KOS-PAROS-

MYKONOS-SKIATHOS-SKOPELOS-LEFKADA-MILOS-SIROS-TINOS e.t.c.

MACEDONIAN CIVILIZATION

PELLA The city was founded by Archelaus Α΄(413-399 BC) Later, it was destroyed by

an earthquake and eventually was rebuilt over its ruins. At the beginning of the 4th

century BC was the largest city in Macedonia.Ancient Pella is located near the modern

capital of Macedonia and is a huge excavated area where visitors could see the planning

system, the palace, market, shrines, public buildings, cemeteries, etc.

EDESSA Edessa is city in Central Macedonia of Greece, capital of the homonymous

province and the prefecture of Pella. The city is famous for its waterfalls formed by the

river Edessian or Voda flowing through the city. It is the largest in Greece. Previously, the

waterfalls were 6-7, but today still 2 large and some smaller. The venue is accessible by

stairs leading to different viewpoints and even below the waterfall. The water of the

waterfall descends from the sources of wetland Agra-Vrytton-Nisi which is fed by the

snows of Kaimaktsalan

VERGINA Vergina town became internationally famous in 1977, when the Greek

archaeologist Manolis Andronikos unearthed the burial site of the kings of Macedon,

including the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. The finds established the

site as the ancient Aigai .

The museum, which was inaugurated in 1993, was built in a way to protect the tombs,

exhibit the artifacts and show the tumulus as it was before the excavations. Inside the

museum there are four tombs and one small temple, the heroon built as the temple for

the great tomb of Philip II of Macedon.

DELFI (The Navel of the World)

Welcome to “The Navel of the World”, to Delphi. One of the most

important tourist destinations in the world which every year attracts

more than 2.000.000 visitors. An historic place which has been

announced by UNESCO as a place of Worldwide Cultural Heritage.

Delphic history dates back to the 14th century B.C. and Delphi area

has been acknowledged as a place of remarkable positive energy,

which in the lapse of times has given the opportunity for the initiation

of big and important events. A characteristic example of this is that of

the prophesy of the Delphi Oracle and its priestess Pythia, which led to

the initiation of the Olympic Games. Delphi, home of the sanctuary of

god Apollo extends over successive terraces on the lower slopes of Mt

Parnassos, in a stunning location surrounded by towering crags, the

Phaedrades Rocks, and with the gulf of Itea as its backdrop. The

Archaeological Museum holds masterpieces of worldwide splendour.

The famous bronze statue of “The Charioteer of Delphi”, the “Sphinx

of the Naxians”, the archaic Kouroi “Kleovis and Biton”, found in the

remains of Delphi, are dominant and represent art on its best.

Delphi is a place of incomparable natural beauty, which due to its

grace has been characterized as protected “Delphic Site”. Together

with the settlement of Chrisso, they are the twin traditional urban cells,

which make up the Municipality of Delphi.

The area, also, involves the greatest part of the National Woods of

Parnassos, a virgin wood complex, which is protected as national

heritage and is one of the best places for recreation, exercise and

relaxation. Delphi is characterized by its marvelous Mediterranean

climate.

THESSALONIKI (the land of Alexander the Great)

Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece Built near the sea (at the back of the Thermaïkos Gulf), it is a modern

metropolis with stormy history it a special beauty and charm. Archaeological sites The ancient forum (dated to

the late 2nd or the early 3rd century AD) the palace complex of Galerius Maximianus (4th c. AD), the thermae, the hippodrome, the temples and other

The Triumphal Arch of Galerius (The Rotunda Kamara), built in AD 305 to commemorate the Roman Empire.

The churche of Acheiropoietos (5th century )the Holy Wisdom of God (Hagia Sophia) the Panaghia (Virgin) Chalkeon (1028), Hosios David (12th century), Vlatadon

monastery a 14th century Ayios Demetrios a splendid basilica dedicated to the patron saint protector of the city, etc.

The byzantine walls of the city The Heptapyrgion castle was raised in stages, from the early years of the Byzantine Age into the Ottoman period Amazing Ottoman monument

The White Tower (15th century), the hallmark of the city The Mosques of the Hamza Bey Cami (15th century), the Aladja

Imaret Cami (1484) and the Yeni Cami (1902). The Old City (Ano Polis), in which many notable examples of

Ottoman and traditional Macedonian architecture still stand, -

The historical quarter of the Ladadika. Museums the Archaelogical Museum, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the Teloglion Foundation of Art, the

Thessaloniki Science Center and Technology Museum, e. t. c