Delphi, was famous in ancient times for hosting the Panhellenic sanctuary of Delphi and the Delphi Oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world. Delphi was labelled as the “omphalos” (navel) of the earth, in other words the center of the world since this sanctuary for many centuries defined a spiritual and religious center and a symbol of unity among the ancient Greeks. Delphi is located 180km (118miles) north-west of Athens in an imposing landscape at the foot of Mount Parnassus.

Hosting the “Charioteer of Delphi”, also known as Heniokhos (the rein-holder), one of the finest examples of ancient bronze statues.

Arachova, a picturesque village on the north slopes of Mount Parnassus at an altitude of 950m is located 8km away from Delphi and offers unique views of the mountainous landscape, beautiful stone houses, narrow streets and fountains but also original Greek food and local products. Arachova is also ideal for nature lovers because of its rich fauna and flora. It is a popular destination for mountain hiking lovers during summer and skiing fans in the winter.

The monastery of Hosίos Loukas, located about 170km (105miles) north-west of Athens was built in the 10th century on the west-slopes of Mount Helίkon, near ancient Stiris, is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art in Greece and has been listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. During the roughly ten centuries since its foundation, the monastery has played α leading role in the historical vicissitudes of the area.

In its present form, the monastery complex consists of a group of two churches (the church of the Panayia built between 959-963AD and the church of Hosios Loukas built in the first half of the 10th century), flanked by cells, its crypt and ancillary buildings.  It is protected by an enclosure wall with towers at the corners. The churches are built on a cross-in-square plan with a large dome supported by squinches defining an octagonal space. In the 11th and 12th centuries they were decorated with superb marble works as well as mosaics on a gold background, all characteristic of the ‘second golden age of Byzantine art’.