The Mysticism and Beauty of Greek Orthodox Monasteries (8 days)
                   
Athens - Loutraki - Kalavryta - Nafpaktos - Kalambaka – Meteora - Evia - Prokopi
                 
                   
This specialized itinerary invites you to visit select monasteries throughout Greece. Explore the mysticism and history of these beautiful and mysterious places, where spirituality is ingrained into each facet of everyday life.                      
                     
Day 1 - Athens arrival:
Upon arrival Athens International Airport, a representative of KEFI Tours & Conferences ltd., will meet and assist you with your transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day for leisure, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2 - Athens - Loutraki
The first leg of your tour takes you to Loutraki to visit Ossios ('the Blessed') Patapios located high in the Geraneia mountains. Known for his many miracles, Patapios was originally buried at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Constantinople, later to be brought to the Geraneia mountains and sealed in a cave adorned with 13th century Byzantine wall paintings.Dinner & overnight in your chosen hotel in Loutraki.

Day 3 - Loutraki- Kalavryta
After your stay in Loutraki, the tour continues to Kalavryta with a visit to the great Mega Spileo & Agia Lavra monasteries, founded in the 4th century by two monks from Thessalonica, and built in a huge cave on Mount Helmos at an altitude of 924 metres. The monastery of Agia Lavra was constructed in the year 961 at an altitude of 961 metres, housing 961 monks. The monastery church has a fine carved icon screen, frescoes and other valuable relics. Dinner & overnight in the chosen hotel in Kalavryta.

Day 4 - Kalavryta- Nafpaktos - Kalampaka
The tour continues this morning with a drive to Nafpaktos featuring a visit to the monastery of St. Augustine and Seraphim Sarof (Naupaktia). The monastery was built in 1980 but soon became world-known. Its unique bell tower counts 400 bells and is considered to be one of the biggest in the world. In the noon, we will start for our next visit to Kalampaka city. After around 4.30 hour drive, check in to the hotel and rest.

Day 5 - Kalambaka
Breakfast and we move on to our visits in Kalampaka. Today we visit the 11th century Byzantine Monastery of Ossios Loukas. The cathedral is decorated with splendid mosaics, and is architecturally one of the finest Byzantine monuments in Greece. Dinner & overnight in our hotel in Kalampaka.

Day 6 - Kalampaka-Meteora - Athens
Next on the itinerary is a journey to the spectacular region of Meteora, where you will see thousand-year-old Byzantine monasteries perched high on colossal gray and reddish boulders. First built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation, the site now exhibits superb icons, old manuscripts, unique mosaics and frescoes. After our visit to Meteora, in the afternoon we will drive to Athens. Arrival in the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 7 - Athens - EVIA - Athens
The last leg of the tour takes you to the village of Prokopi in the island of Evia, where you will visit the church of St. Ioannis Rossos, a soldier captured by Turks and tortured to death for refusal to give up his faith. We will have lunch to a nice traditional tavern under the trees and in the afternoon will return back to Athens.

Day 8 - Athens departure:
Transfer to Athens International Airport for departure flight.