The journey to Meteora (Kalambaka) is a road trip that connects the beauty of the seaside with the otherworldly mountain landscape of Thessaly.
The route from Thessaloniki to Meteora (Kalambaka) is about 240 kilometres and takes almost 3 hours.
Meteora is one of the most impressive geological and religious monuments in the world. It is a complex of giant dark sandstone rocks, which rise above Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki.
Monastic Community: It is the second most important monastic complex in Greece after Mount Athos. The first hermits settled in caves within the rocks in the 11th century.
World Heritage: Since 1988, the area has been included on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
The 6 Functioning Monasteries: Historically there were more than 24 monasteries, but today only six are in operation:
- Great Meteoron (Transfiguration of the Saviour): The largest and oldest monastery.
- Holy Monastery of Varlaam: The second largest, with a remarkable museum.
- Holy Monastery of Agios Stefanos: A convent, the most easily accessible as it has no stairs (ideal for people with mobility difficulties).
- Holy Monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity): The most difficult to reach with many steps, famous from the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only"
- Holy Monastery of Roussanou: An impressive convent that seems to be suspended in mid-air, built on a vertical rock.
- Holy Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas: The first one encountered when ascending from Kastraki, with exceptional frescoes by Theophanes the Cretan.
a traditional settlement, it is the key to Meteora as it lies right at the foot of the holy rocks. Joined with Kalambaka, it is the immediate gateway to the monasteries. The view is fantastic; the most renowned attractions in Kastraki are:
- The little church of Panagia of Kavala: built into a cleft of the rock.
- The Holy Mandylion (Agios Georgios o Mandilas): a cave where climbers hang colourful scarves every year as a votive offering.
This is where the traditional cuisine of Thessaly meets the monastic tradition.
Traditional local meats, famous pies, wild mushrooms and herbs combined with local wines and ouzo or tsipouro will elevate your palate!
- Departure at 08:00 from Thessaloniki and return at 20:00.
- Possibility to adapt the programme according to the passengers' wishes.
- Participants under 15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
