Monday, September 16, 2019 - Docked in Piraeus, visited Athens, Greece

We started the day earlier to meet our guide at Piraeus port.  It was a comfortable Benz van for just four of us.  The 1st attraction was The Monastery of Hosios Loukas.  It is a historic walled monastery situated near the town of Distomo, in Boeotia, Greece. It is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art, and has been listed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.  It is the only church known with certainty to have been built in the tenth century in its site in mainland Greece. This centralized parallelogram-shaped building is the oldest example of the cross-in-square type in the country. The walls are opus mixtum (part brick, part stone, part marble) and display curious pseudo-kufic patterns.

On our way to reach this monastery, we could see the beautiful structure from the bottom of the hill.  After we arrived, it looked equally impressive.  The landscape surrounding the Monastery of Hosios Loukas is green and golden valleys full of flowering almond and olive trees bring harmony and well-being. The temples are beautifully decorated with numerous frescoes and mosaics, all perfectly preserved. We spent about 2 hours there and enjoyed the beautiful structure, landscapes and sceneries.

Square in front of the Monastery of Hosios Loukas

View of Monastery's Katholikon from west

View of Monastery's Katholikon. from rear

Climbing down from stair after viewing Pomegranate trees

Then, we drove to Delphi which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and is about 100 miles northwest of Athens.  On the way we passed by Arachova which is called "the Winter Mykonos" by Greek.  The driver stopped by a photo spot for us to take photos.

View of Arachova from view point

Delphi is located in upper central Greece overlooking the Pleistos Valley, and  it includes the Sanctuary of Apollo (the god of light, knowledge and harmony) and the site of the ancient Oracle. The development of the sanctuary and oracle began in the 8th century BC, and their religious and political influence over the whole of Greece increased in the 6th century BC. At the same time, their fame and prestige spread throughout the whole of the then known world, from which pilgrims came to the site to receive an oracle from the Pythia, the priestess of Apollo. We saw the Temple of Apollo, the theatre of Delphi, and the Stadium of Delphi. 

At a time when the Athenians and the Spartans, the Siphnians, the Knidians, and dozens of other Hellenic states might be engaged in trade wars or hot wars, Delphi was the neutral, Panhellenic place where they could gather together to conduct rituals, settle rivalries, and negotiate deals. Leaders came here to consult the Oracle and then stayed to conduct diplomacy with each other.

Ruins of the ancient temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece

Ruins of the ancient temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece (viewing from the top)

The Stoa of the Athenians, Delphi, Greece

The Delphi Theater, Delphi, Greece

The Omphalos stone displayed outside at Delphi, Greece

We also visited the Archaelogical Museum of Delphi which holds most of the objects discovered during excavations of the Delphi oracle and its vicinity. 

After the visit of Delphi, our driver took us to “Taverna To Patriko Mas” for lunch.  It located in the town of Delphi with beautiful garden terrace which is peaceful and romantic. We had a very nice lunch there and enjoyed the surrounding sceneries.

The garden terrace of Taverna to Patriko Mas

On our way back, the driver stopped by Livadeia to see a water fall in the middle of the town.

Kria Springs, Livadeia, Greece

Then, he drove back to Lycabettus Hill, Athens to see the Illuminated Acropolis.  We viewed the wonderful Acropollis with lights on.  Since we were not prepared for night photographing, we could not take any good photos, but the scene was just amazing.

Night view of Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Night view of Olympic Stadium

After we got back to the ship, it was after 10pm already, therefore we went to Lido Market for a quick bite.