Private tour to Meteora Monasteries - Columns in the Sky (day tour)
Trip advisor rating: 
The word Meteora translates as "hovering in the air" and that is just what the region's medieval monasteries seem to do. Built high atop towering rock pinnacles they were once virtually inaccessible.
On this full day tour you will get to meet the plains of central Greece, Thessaly, after a drive through winding roads. The awe-inspiring steep-sided pinnacles of rock at Meteora though will justify your 2-hour drive from the capital city of Volos.
These towering pillars of stone, a unique geological phenomenon, provided an ideal location for medieval monasteries. The natural isolation aided the monks in their search for solitude while providing safety from plundering bandits.
Originally the only access was via net baskets which would transport each monk up the straight rock by a rope pulley system. Now a road leads close to the base of the pinnacle and a rock staircase provides access to modern-day visitors.
Your tour of the small monastery buildings with their Byzantine artifacts, icons and wall paintings, help to illustrate the life and times of medieval Greek monks.
- The highlight of your 2-hour drive from Volos will be the portion of the road that winds through steep-sided pinnacles of rock at Meteora, one of the world's most intriguing landscapes.
- Your guide may lead the way to visit two Meteora monasteries, pausing periodically to relate the rich history of each respective site. The climb is well rewarded by sweeping views of the low plains of Thessaly as well as the neighboring monasteries atop their pillars of stone.
- As you stand and marvel at the magnificent panorama, you cannot help but be amazed and filled with admiration for those early pious monks whose gritty determination built these religious monuments.
- Don't miss acquiring your own souvenir from the collection of the monks' handicrafts.
- Relax by having lunch at a local tavern at the town of Kalampaka and share your experience with your friends as you make your way back.
Included:
- Transportation by deluxe Mercedes vehicle
- Professional non-smoking, English speaking driver
- Insurance coverage during bus transfers
- Mobile contact number for any emergency available 24/7
Not included:
- Guided tour by certified tourist guide by the Greek Ministry of Tourism (upon request)
- Drinks, snacks, appetizers, lunch
- Gratuities
Admission
ticket for Meteora Monasteries: 3€ per person (each monastery)
Good to know:
ONLY CERTIFIED TOURIST GUIDES BY THE GREEK MINISTRY OF TOURISM MAY CONDUCT TOURS WITHIN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES & MUSEUMS IN GREECE.
THE ORDER OF TOUR EVENTS MAY VARY FOR YOUR OWN CONVENIENCE SO AS TO AVOID THE CROWDS.
DRESS CODE TO ENTER THE MONASTERIES OF METEORA:
MEN MUST WEAR LONG PANTS AND WOMEN, LONG SKIRTS. SLEEVELESS SHIRTS ARE NOT ALLOWED. SKIRTS AND TROUSERS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCE TO MONASTERIES.
General conditions:
Except otherwise stated, tours, packages or any service canceled without due notice within three (3) days prior to your service confirmed date, there will be no refund.
Any cancellation made within seven (7) – four (4) days prior to your service confirmed date, there will be a 25% charge for services.
In the case of cancelation more than seven (7) days prior to your service confirmed date, there will be a 50% charge for services
For cancellations more than twenty (20) days prior to the tour, there will be a full refund (no charge).
For any cancelations due to bad weather conditions leading to a change in the cruise ship itinerary, there will be a full refund (no charge).
In all of the above cases, bank expenses or administration fees that might occur for the refund will be deducted from the amount.
Cancellations can only be made by confirmed email communication.
No servant or agent of ours can vary our conditions and any such purposed variation shall be of no effect unless it has been signed by one of our directors.
All matters concerning this booking shall be subject to Greek Law.
Small group tours:
Each tour operates to sufficient demand. The Travel Insiders reserves the right to cancel scheduled tours due to limited participation or other reasons beyond our control two (2) weeks before the date of the tour.
In such case, no compensation will be paid or requested from The Travel Insiders. In the event of “Places of Interest” being closed or road conditions en-route prevent the tour as advertised being operated, every endeavor will be made to substitute an alternative, but the company reserves the right to cancel or alter arrangements.
Once the group reaches the minimum number of participants (8 participants) you will receive an email notification two (2) weeks prior to tour confirming that the itinerary of your choice will be conducted as planned.
If there is not enough participation (minimum 8 participants), you will be notified via email, in which case you can alternatively book a private tour at a special price, or if you prefer, you will be fully refunded.
Cancellations can only be made by confirmed email communication.
