At 8:30am we met Christos, our super driver, and left Athens spread out in the comfortable coach. Dafni pointed out some of the major sites as we headed into the countryside.

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We arrived at the scenic hillside town Arachova for lunch on our own. Christos stopped just outside the village for us to take in the scenery. The views were breathtaking! We savored a traditional Greek lunch on our own and climbed stairs to a church for a grand view of the valley below.

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In a quick 15-minute drive from lunch, we arrived in Delphi and checked into our rooms at the Hotel Leto. We walked to the Delphi Archaeological Museum and Ruin site. We met Penny, our fantastic guide whom was also the wife of the hotel owner.

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Penny did an awesome job bringing ancient Delphi to life, and telling us the fascinating origin story about the most important Greek temple and oracle of Apollo. Delphi, in ancient Greece, was considered the center of the world.

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“The Oracle of Delphi was consulted on both private matters and affairs of state. City-state rulers would even seek the oracle before launching wars or founding new Greek colonies. For these consultations, the Pythia would enter the adyton and then sit on a tripod chair, possibly behind a curtain. After Apollo’s priests relayed questions posted by petitioners, the Pythia would inhale light hydrocarbon gasses that escaped from a chasm in the ground, falling into a type of trance.

While in this trance, the Pythia would mutter incomprehensible words, which the Apollo priests would translate (sometimes conflicting with one another) for petitioners.” History.com

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In the early 2000’s they discovered ethylene gas, which is capable of producing a trancelike state, which coincides with ancient reports of vapors rising from the floor in the temple.

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We explored the museum first and then were guided to the major sites in the Ruins. The ruins were excellent. Less touristy than the Acropolis, better preserved and the views sprawling. We had time on our own to explore further and many from the group decided to climb to the top of the hill to see the ancient stadium. Steve and Leo climbed up to see the impressive site, while Rachel and Ziana hiked back to the entrance to see playful kittens.