Depart from Athens early in the morning and drive through the fertile plain of Beotia via Thebes and Levadia. Upon arrival at Delphi, learn the story of the Oracle and its impact on the Hellenic World from an official guide. Pass the Castalian Spring and visit highlights such as the Stoa of the Athenians, Athenian Treasury, polygonal retaining wall, and the Temple of Apollo. Enter the archaeological museum at your own expense to marvel at relics such as the Treasury of the Sifnians, Naxian Sphinx, Statue of Antinoos, and the bronze Charioteer. Get some time for lunch in the village before returning to Athens via the mountain village of Arachova on the south slopes of Parnassus.

See the Gates of Fire, deriving from the hot sulphur springs and the cavernous entrance to Hades. Experience the monument of King Leonidas, erected in 1955 and created by the sculptor Vasos Falireas. At the Thermopylae Museum, learn about the 480 BC battle that changed the course of Greek history and western civilization before seeing the baths of Thermopylae. In Delphi, see the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Theater, the Stadium, the Athenian Treasury, the Gymnasium, and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. The Naxian Sphinx, which dates to 560 BC, is a fascinating stop before seeing the Metopes of the Athenian Treasury, Omphalos, Kleobis and Biton, Statue of Antinoos, and the famous Charioteer. Enjoy a traditional lunch on the Caldera at Delphi, overlooking fabulous Itea and Amfissa before driving back to a designated location in Athens.

Start the tour with pickup from your hotel in Athens, and set off on 182 km drive northwest towards Delphi. Follow the road that leads to the awe-inspiring Mount Parnassus, one of the highest mountains in Greece. Enjoy a break in Arahova, a picturesque village where you can discover the local eateries and shops, traditional stone-built houses, and scenic cobbled streets.  Then, continue on to the nearby archaeological site of Delphi, an extraordinary site where the cult of the Greek God, Apollo, was developed for over 1000 years. Either explore on your own or choose the option to include a private tour with a licensed English-speaking guide who is authorized to enter all the archaeological sites with you.  Proceed into the archaeological site to see the restored Treasury of the Athenians, the ruins of the temple of Apollo, and the open-air theater for religious festivities. Absorb the view of the dramatic surrounding landscape. If time and energy allow, continue walking uphill to reach the impressive Roman Stadium where athletic competitions were held throughout the Greek and Roman times. After this, visit the Archaeological Museum which holds the statue of young Antinous, the bronze statue of the Charioteer and pieces of the ivory-and-gold statues of Apollo and Artemis. Enjoy a lunch break in the picturesque village of Delphi. Choose one of the taverns facing the remarkable view of the Gulf of Corinth and the innumerous olive trees in the valley below.  Complete your visit with a short walk towards the small sanctuary of Athena, with the much-photographed ruins of the Tholos marble monument. Find out more about the relative legends and the history of the region. Finally, return to Athens following the same route.

Day 1: Drive through the fertile plains of the Beotia region, passing the towns of Thebes, Levadia, and Arachova. Arrive in Delphi and visit the archaeological site, the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing Meteora complex, whose gigantic rocks rise steeply from the plain of Thessaly (dinner and overnight). Day 2: Visit Meteora and admire the ageless Monasteries perched on top of huge rocks, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki, driving through the valley of the longest river in Greece, the Aliakcmon. Arrive in Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece (dinner and overnight). Day 3: In the morning visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the “co-reigning” city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe's Museum Prize in 2005. The rest of the day is free, to enjoy time in the lively city center (dinner and overnight). Day 4: Spend the day exploring the highlights of Macedonia, first with a stop in picturesque Edessa to see the town's famous waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa to learn about Aristotle's School, the site where the great philosopher taught the doctrines of morals and politics to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Next drive to Vergina (ancient Aigai) to visit the museum created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. Continue a few miles further to Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul's Bema, and stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colorful market area. Return to Thessaloniki (dinner and overnight). Day 5: Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics decorating the villas from the 4th century B.C. and visit the new Museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion, a city sacred to the Macedonians and situated at the foot of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and house of the 12 Gods of Greek Mythology. On the way back to Athens, drive through the striking Thessaly Plain and the Valley of Tempi, admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympus, and stop in Thermopylae to see the Leonidas Monument. Arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.