Delphi - Kalampaka (day 10)

After once again a scanty breakfast we left Delphi and headed to Kalampaka. But first we passed the museum where we were yesterday, because a little further up ahead is the excavation site. On this site you can find the temple of Apollo, an amphitheatre and a stadium (track) from the ancient Greek era (4th century B.C.).

After seeing this, we drove on for a long time until Thermopylae. This place is known for the heroic battle that took place here, where 300 Spartans (led by king Leonidas I of Sparta) fought against 100.000 Persians. The Spartans fought brave for 3 days, until the Persians found a sneaky way (with thanks to a traitor) to come around behind the Spartans and gave them a backattack. They spared no one. I found this very impressive to stand there, though the place isn't much of a big deal. But it gives you a great impression of what happened ± 2400 years ago. By the way, there's a famous Hollywood movie about this battle called "300". After this we drove further to Kalampaka. Upon arrival we dropped our luggage, as usually and we walked to the neighboring village Kastraki. This village is less touristic than Kalampaka. In fact, it's still quite an authentic village. While walking to this place you had a good view on the mountains of Meteora (where we'll be going to tomorrow). These are strange kind of mountains that looks like a massive rock full with huge holes. Such a hole actually looks like a cave entrance. In some of those holes are monasteries located. Meteora is by the way known as a monastary village on top of these rocky mountains. 5 of those monasteries (who aren't located in a hole, but on top of the mountains) are open to public. 1 or 2 of those are closed tomorrow all day long unfortunately, so we will be visiting those the day after tomorrow. The constructions in those holes look particular and the mountains itself looks picturesque. After the walk we went back to the hotel to freshen up and after that we took the car and went back to Kastraki. Here we went to the restaurant, unfortunately no outside terrace this time, because half of the day the weather wasn't that great. Even a bit rainy with some flashes once in a while (just to think the day started so nicely and sunny...). Tomorrow as I said earlier we will be visiting Meteora, but the hotel owner recommanded us some other villages in the area that are nice to go to. So we will be visiting a few of them. Also there's supposed to be a nice sunset, son hopefully the weather will be better then the 2nd half of this day. That would be a nice bonus! But for now night 1 of 2 here in Kalampaka. Have a good evening / night and see you tomorrow!

Day 9

Travel overview

Day 11