Family Exploration of Mainland Greece: Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Nafpaktos & Corinth - 10 Days

Explore the myths and fables of the natural world inside the Ioulia & Alexandros N. Diomidis Botanical Garden. 

At the largest botanical garden in the southeastern Mediterranean, you'll be surrounded by over 4,000 species and subspecies of plants. As you stroll through the greenery, learn about the relationship between humans, nature, and plants. According to Ancient Greek legends, gods, goddesses, and nymphs play with our imagination and travel around us in nature. 

The ancient Greeks lived inside forests, near the sea, and atop mountains for centuries. Many feared and worshipped nature, including the sea, sky, rivers, lakes, trees, and fountains, all designated as gods or mortals who changed shape to become a rock, a tree, or an animal. Listen to their various stories, including Aphrodite’s myrtle, Apollo’s laurel, and Zeus’ oak tree.

This kid-friendly activity features a professional biologist who shares the stories of gods and goddesses. You'll learn the answers to questions within these stories, such as what connects the pine trees with Pitys and the relationship between the first feminist, Rodanthe of Corinth, and the roses.

Αt the end of the tour, you can stay and enjoy the gardens. The grounds are the perfect place for a family picnic and feature a well-protected playground.

Enjoy one of the most impressive road trips in Greece as you drive from Athens to Meteora, a drive of about 4.5 hours along the North Euboean Gulf coastline.

Along the way, you'll pass Thermopylae, a narrow pass where one of the country's most famous battles took place. In 480 BCE, Leonidas, Sparta's leader, and 300 brave soldiers sacrificed their lives to stop the Persian army. Today, Leonidas's large statue marks the battle site, but you can also visit a modern museum.

Once you arrive in Meteora, set out on a private tour of its clifftop monasteries. Reaching heights close to 2,000 feet (600 meters), Meteora is one of Greece's most important monastic communities. Your local guide will take you through this UNESCO World Heritage Site and explain its geological, cultural, and historical significance.

Home to some of the oldest monasteries in Greece, Meteora rises out of imposing rock formations created 60 million years ago. Enjoy a guided tour of ninth-century monastic life that has been nearly unaffected by modern times. You'll visit all six monasteries and enter two or three of them (depending on which are open and conditions that day). Along the way, your guide will continue to share historical information, local knowledge, and insider specifics. They'll offer plenty of photo stops and a few short walking excursions for the best views and hidden vistas.

Drive roughly 3.5 hours today along the scenic route from Meteora to Delphi.

Over the course of the drive, you'll traverse the hilly Domokos mountain range. This area is known for its creamy white cheese called katiki. You can stop at most towns for a quick snack or take the cheese with you (remember to keep it cool along the way). Another potential stopping point is Trikala, considered the most ecologically and sustainably advanced city in Greece. A stroll in its picturesque old town of Varousi is worth the time.

Discover the ancient archeological site of Delphi, known as the "center of the world," where Apollo spoke through his oracle. A family-friendly guide will lead you through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, set against a scenic mountain landscape. You'll explore the most sacred place of this ancient civilization while walking amongst ruins and learning all the secrets of the old prophecies.

As you discover different treasures of Delphi, you'll hear stories and myths of ancient Greek gods, goddesses, and heroes. Follow along the paths to view the Temple of Apollo, the Athenian Treasury, and the preserved Theater. Then, walk up to the stadium for stunning views of olive groves and the Corinthian Gulf. 

After the tour, you'll explore your artistic skills and enjoy a unique painting workshop with a specialized guide. Choose your favorite scene of Delphi or its natural surroundings and work to create your own masterpiece. Your guide will help you learn a few painting techniques and offer advice as you work.

Once you've finished painting, let your little ones explore the nature around Delphi with this easy walk in the National Park of Mt. Parnassos. Established in 1938, the park encompasses Mt. Olympus and stands as one of the country's oldest national parks. Enjoy walking through the forest, in fields, and amongst the wildflowers with your babies, toddlers, and young kids. 

You'll walk along a circular path smooth enough to accommodate strollers. Along the way, your kiddos can peer into the entrance of the underground Eptastomos Cave. Deep inside sits the southernmost glacier in Europe, but the Ancient Greeks considered it one of the entrances to the underworld.

Take a stop to enjoy a picnic with traditional delicacies while you get to know your guides. Discuss local traditions, try your hand at archery, or play and climb on the trees. You'll find two main tree species in this area: the Cephalonian Fir and the juniper tree.

Drive from Delphi to Nafpaktos today, a drive of roughly 1.5 hours along the Gulf of Corinth. Stop back in Galaxidi again, or visit Itea to see Greece's largest olive grove and a pleasant walking path along the water.

Nafpaktos is a beautiful seaside town. The historic town wraps around the scenic fortified old port, where you’d never guess the naval battle of Lepanto took place in the 16th century. The waterfront promenade, central square with views of the old port, and the statue of Miguel de Cervantes (to honor his participation in the Battle of Lepanto) have made Nafpaktos a favorite spot for locals and visitors.

Visit the hilltop Venetian castle or stroll around the historic port for a scenic view of the now-calm harbor and the Rio bridge that connects central Greece and the Peloponnesian peninsula. 

Today you'll drive from Nafpaktos to Corinth, about a 1.5-hour drive.

Explore the beauty of the Aigialeia region, situated by the northern tip of the scenic Peloponnese. You can start with the Odontotos Railway, a steep mountain railway that takes you to the alpine town of Kalavryta through the impressive Vouraikos Gorge. Many visitors opt to hike part of the distance (usually from Zachlorou to Kalavryta, or vice versa) to fully enjoy the area's natural beauty. Still, the railway alone will give you incredible panoramic views of the gorge and Aigialeia's scenic landscapes. 

An alternative to the railway is driving to Mt. Helmos, allowing you to lose yourself amongst endless alpine forests and creeks. This drive is ideal for hot summer days but can be done any time of year with the right equipment. Stop to enjoy an easy trek to the waterfalls near Mesorougi village, whose waters flow down from Ydata Stygos, the spring where Achilles became immortal. 

Whether you chose a railway adventure or a hiking excursion, you can end the day with a visit to a highly awarded olive farm in the village of Akrata. Relax in the shade of olive trees and absorb the amazing views of the Gulf of Corinth. You can even adopt an olive tree and receive its olive oil at home.

If you choose, while on your way to Corinth, you can also stop at the village of Psathopyrgos, where you can enjoy fresh fish and take a refreshing swimming break. Or, if you're a history aficionado, visit the Ancient Theater of Aigeira just off the highway. This hidden gem dates back to the 3rd century BCE and features a chiseled orchestra area and stone-cut seating.

Enjoy a family-friendly boating adventure in the Corinthian Gulf, a scenic waterway connecting the Aegean and Ionian Seas. You'll cruise out to sea on a high-speed rigid inflatable boat, passing through the crystal-clear waters and along the shores of Northern Peloponnese. This area is a favorite place amongst the local dolphins, and you may see them playing in the water!

Along the way, you'll pass the tiny islands of Diporta and Alkyonides and gaze at idyllic beaches and small fishing villages. Stop to admire coastal archaeological sites, such as Heraion, a sanctuary dedicated to Goddess Hera. You'll also see the 19th-century Melagkavi Lighthouse and the narrow canal connecting to Lake Vouliagmeni.

Your guide will make a stop at a white-sand beach with clear, turquoise water. Here, enjoy some free time to swim, play on the beach, or snorkel. Before heading back, you can snorkel and swim in the miniature cave called the Maltese Azure Window.

Experience the world of traditional Greek folklife with a visit to an old winery-turned-museum. In the shadow of Acrocorinth Hill, you'll find the remains of a traditional wine press that was once a staple in every Greek home. This winery has been transformed into an experiential museum where you can explore traditional Greek professions and life in the old times.

Your guide will lead you through a kid-friendly and interactive tour of the museum's three exhibition rooms, housed in a traditional late-19th-century Greek home, for a glimpse of how people lived in the Greek countryside. You'll first visit the main room, with a traditional kitchen and fireplace. In the second room, observe various crafts from local artisans and traditional professions, including a blacksmith, carpenter, and weaver. The third room is the home's cellar, where parents can taste the museum’s wine and other local varieties. Depending on the season, you can also try tsipouro, a strong and aromatic drink.

After the tour, head to the garden and help collect vegetables and fruit, plus eggs from the chickens. Your host will serve you a light traditional meal made from local ingredients. If you need a pick-me-up, enjoy a Greek coffee served traditionally with dessert and good conversation.

Next, you'll cross the Corinth Canal and travel back in time to the 7th century BCE. The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea, and is considered the second-most important place to visit in Greece, after the Parthenon.

You'll cross the canal in a traditional ship, cruising underneath the submersible bridges of Posidonia and Isthmia. As you squeeze through the narrow waterway flanked by cliffs, discover the history and construction of this unique site, including the Peloponnese's transformation to an island. Enjoy an up-close experience of this engineering marvel conceived over 2,000 years ago and learn why in his book "Corinthian," Pausanias famously wrote that, “whoever attempted to make the Peloponnese an island failed even before starting to dig the isthmus."