Thermopylae day Trip from Athens-Private Tour
Description
The tour starts from Athens. Driving north from Athens we’ll stop for about 15 minutes to see the natural lake Ylikii.Then we will stop at the Thermopylae, the place that the battle of the 300 Spartans took place at 480 BC.There is a memorial shows the Spartan King Leonids on the top of a wall with the words "Molon Lavei" written under the statue. The phrase means, "Come and get it". This is the phrase that Leonidas said to the Persian king when he told Leonidas to hand over his weapons. The phrase has become a slogan of defiance all over the world. Across the highway from the modern memorial is the ancient memorial that was placed there shortly after the battle. It is a small carved stone plaque that says, "stranger, tell the Spartans that we lay here obedient to their laws". Then we are going to visit the museum and you’ll have the opportunity to see a video that describes the life of the Spartans worriers and the fight and a room with virtual reality games for the battle as well.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Driving north from Athens, about 220 km we will stop at the famous Thermopylae, the place that the battle of the 300 Spartans took place. There is a modern memorial to King Leonidas on one side of the highway.The memorial shows the Spartan King on the top of a wall with the words “Molon Lavei” written under the statue. The phrase means, “Come and get it”. This is the phrase that Leonidas said to the Persian king Xerxes when he told Leonidas to hand over his weapons. The phrase has become a slogan of defiance all over the world. Across the highway from the modern memorial is the ancient memorial that was placed there shortly after the battle. It is a small carved stone plaque that says, “stranger, tell the Spartans that we lay here obedient to their laws”. This ancient memorial is on the small hill of Colonos across the national road from the modern memorial.
The Center for Historic Information in Thermopylae consists of three halls, the applications of which have been curated by the Foundation of the Hellenic World. The collection of the educational material is based on Herodotus' history and on archaeological researches.In the first hall, which is named 'Leonides', the visitor can watch a seven-minute video which informs him about the operation of the Centre, as well as what he is going to see next in the rest of the halls of the Centre for Historical Information. The second hall, that is named 'Diinekis', the visitor wears special glasses to watch a virtual reality fifteen-minute film which shows historical facts concerning the Battle. The armory of the Greeks, the ascend of the Anopaia Way and how the Battle ended. In the specific scene the viewer feels as if he is present and watches the treator Efialtes to lead the Persians in the night through the Anopaia Way to the West Gate and to the Kolonus Hill. In the third hall, named 'Thermopylae', the visitor can activate the screens of special interactive tables through touch and get in an understandable way and get all the information concerning the history of the Battle and the respective historical period learn about the historical framework, the causes of the Persian Wars, see the Sea Battle of Artemision, learn about the protagonists, know who the 300 were, what was their armor, learn about the moves of the two opposing armies and the way they took their position for battle and much more in a way that is unexpectedly amusing.
At the battlefield of Thermopylae, you are going to see the hot gates that flew from ancient times the hot water.
A beautiful sea resort that we"ll stop for your lunch on the way back to Athens.
This is the place that the hot healing water flew from Ancient times in the area of Thermopylae.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up/drop off from your accommodation in Athens
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(4)
Andreas Bolias drove us to our destination in a professional and timely manner. He provided an informative and amazing trip. We will definitely recommend him to our family/friends who travel to Athens.
Thank you very much.I appreciate your time, and hope to see you again on the next trip to Greece . God bless you and your Family. Sincerely yours - Andreas
Andreas was excellent. He picked us up at the hotel and drove us to Thermopylae while answering our questions along the way and telling us the history of Greece and the Spartans. We also stopped for quick caffe along the way there and on the way back, we had an excellent lunch. Great tour, highy recommend!
Dear Michelle thank you very much for taking the time to post this very nice review.I am very glad for managing to meet your expectations and also, for knowing that you spent a very good time in this very nice moment of your life.I am looking forward to welcome you again in the future. Warm Regards, Andreas B.
This is a wonderful tour for ancient history nerds! Our tour guide, Andreas was very knowledgeable and drove us through the stunning Greek countryside and along the Agean Sea. He really brought King Leonidas and the Spartans to life with stories and video presentations.
It is so moving for me to read this kind words about my services .Really was an exciting trip for me . I'll remember you forever .Many many thanks for your excellent review !! Kind Regards Andreas B.
On Sunday, September 19, I met Andreas Bolias for day trip tour of Thermopylae. Andreas was a great driver - especially given some of the harrowing traffic we encountered both in Athens and on the highway; a great conversationalist - we talked about everything from "these kids today," to the Greek economy, to family life in Greece, etc. And, he was a remarkable resource about the battle of Thermopylae, and the events of that day. With his help, I could finally "see" what went on during the battle and in the aftermath. His explanations were clear, concise, and very detailed. It was a great tour with a great tour guide. On the way home, Andreas was kind enough to detour off the main highway to show me some excellent resort towns and beaches just south of the battlefield - I remarked to him how much they reminded me of Lake Tahoe (which launched into a discussion about forest fires). Andreas also was kind enough to recommend several other tours for future visits to Greece, and gave me an excellent gift of post cards and maps of various destinations. I will 1000% use Andreas' services again when we return to Athens! I highly recommend him! He was great!
Thank you so much.It was a pleasure meeting you.I am glad you enjoyed our tour to Thermopylae and you had a great time.I would like to clarify that I am not a professional tour guide. I hope to meet again in the future. Kind Regards Andreas
