Galaxidi

This noble and picturesque village is a city with 4000 years of heritage. It resisted attacks from Franks, Catalans, Knights of Rhodes and Turkish pirates. During the age of sail (up to late 19th century) it was a major nautical force and had a big merchant fleet. Wealth accumulated during that time is mirrored by the size and style of local architecture.

Today Galaxidi is one of the most attracting villages in Greece, and yet it is relatively untouched by mass tourism. Places to visit include the church of Agios Nikolaos with a splendid wooden temple, the Nautical Historical Museum, the Folklore Art Museum, the church of Agia Paraskevi with its sundial, the Byzantine Monastery of Saviour built around AD 1250 and the old Girls' School (Parthenagogeio).

Galaxidi has well-preserved traditional houses and buildings, superb beaches with crystal green-blue waters, an adjacent park to walk and hike, and a small port used by small fishing boats and yachts, encircled by fine restaurants and lively pubs.

Galaxidi makes a popular destination for those who intend to visit the magnificent archaeological site of Delphi, just a short drive away (about 30 km of pleasant driving).

Delphi

After the Acropolis of Athens, Delphi is the most popular archaeological site of Greece. A trip to Delphi is listed in just about every tour itinerary and is by far the most popular day trip out of Athens.

Located amidst breathtaking scenery, ancient Delphi is the site of the Sanctuary and Oracle of Apollo, the most important sacred site in ancient Greek religion. The archaeological site also includes the excellent Delphi Museum.

The centre of Delphi is the sanctuary of Apollo, on the southern tip of the mountain slope. The Doric temple was the home of the Pythia, who seated on a tripod above a deep crevasse, would pronounce her prophecies while the priests wrote them down and translated them to the people.

There has been something 'magical' going on in Delphi for several thousand years and the place still attracts a million visitors a year. Built on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, the town and ancient site are as awe-inspiring now as they were three thousand years ago, overlooking the Gulf of Corinth and a valley filled with olive and cypress trees.

Guided tours / scenic walks Hotel Ganimede — in association with an experienced guide — offer special tour programmes to its guests. Guided tours to the archeological site of Delphi, as well as walks/hiking in the stunning landscape around Delphi can be organized upon request, for groups of two or more persons. Please contact the hotel manager Chrisoula Papalexi for information.     Proposed tours 1) Visit the archaeological site of Delphi, the Sanctuary of Pronaia Athena, the Temple of Apollo, the Castalia Spring, the ancient Theatre of Delphi and the Stadium of Delphi. The tour takes 2.5 hours. 2) Visit the Corykion Cave, situated at an altitude of 1400m on mount Parnassos. That was the first sanctuary in the area of Delphi, home of God Pan and the Nymphs and — as described by Pausanias — the most beautiful of his era. The view from there is fantastic. You will see mount Parnassos, mount Kirfi, the Gulf of Corinth and the northern side of the Peloponesse. The tour takes 3.5 hours. 3) Walking the ancient paths of the Apollo Oracle, following in the footsteps of pilgrims until you reach their final goal, the Temple of Apollo, the place where the prophecies were given: Delphi – Chrissa path, almost 2 hours of walking. Corykion Cave path, almost 3 hours of walking. 4) Visit the Thermopiles area, the place where King Leonaidas of Sparta and his 300 soldiers fought till their final breath the Persian King Xerxes and his unbeaten army. 5) Visit the monastery of Osios Loukas and its stunning Byzantine mosaics of the 12th century A.D. Founded in the early 10th century by St. Loukas, whose relics are kept in the monastery. 6) Visit the battlefield of Chaironia, the Chaironia Museum and the Lion of Chaironia. There, in 338 B.C., KIng Phillip of Macedonia won the Athenians and Thebians. His final victory led to the unification of Greece as a single state and paved the way to his son, Alexander The Great. You will also visit the Tristraton, the place where Oedipus King of Thebes killed his father Laios. 7) Excursions to Athens, Olympia, Meteora, Dion, Vergina and Dodoni.