Walking around the ruins of these sites, visitors will be impressed at the grand scale of all that had been built to honour the Gods. They will feel very humble as they stand next to the columns that still stand as proudly as they did in ancient times at the Temple of Bassae.

The area around Olympia and all the archaeological ruins that can be found here are surrounded by tall trees and the land is green and sheltered. This has kept the remains of this ancient world protected from the elements for thousands of years. People have come from all over the globe to see and marvel at the beauty of Olympia. It is peaceful, tranquil and visitors cannot help but have a profound experience as they wander through the ancient ruins.

Modern Olympia has kept to the tradition of creating an area which is both welcoming and warm. It does not overshadow the ancient Greece which is so much in evidence, but it will always be somewhere that the modern day visitor will want to come and visit for a short while. There are lovely restaurants, tavernas and cafes to relax in and enjoy the wonders of ancient Greece in a setting that will simply take their breath away.

The Temple at Bassae still stands proudly on its plateau with mountains as its backdrop making it one of the most beautiful vistas in the area. Located on a remote plateau, it is mysterious, huge and classical in design and one of the oldest temples in the world. Built to honour the God Zeus, this fabulous construction incorporates Doric, Ionic and Corinthian elements that will leave visitors speechless at its magnificence.

The small fishing village and port of Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia from the sea. This delightful village has shops, fish tavernas, some restaurants and lots of cafeterias where visitors can relax and watch the colourful fishing boats in the harbour. There are some lovely small hotels to stay at in Katakolon and enjoy the life that

the village has to offer. Close by, the Mercury winery and estate languishes elegantly in the sun and visitors are welcome to take a guided tour around the estate to sample the fine wines that they produced here.

Olympia, the ancient and the new, is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It is tranquil with landscapes that are unique to mainland Greece.

Home of the Olympiads and the God Zeus, visiting this wonderful area is an experience that will leave you profoundly touched at all that you see and do.

Delphi remained a sanctuary, a sacred place, a religious centre and the symbol of unity for the Hellenic world. In Greek mythology, Delphi was guarded by the much feared serpent, ‘Python’. The Cretans arrived here at the port of Kirrha with their deity in the form of a dolphin and built a temple in honour of the God Zeus for destroying the Python who had guarded the town.

The whole district of this part of Greece is full of mythological tales and legends and has ancient ruins of civilisations that date back to the Neolithic periods (4000 BC). Many of the Greek Gods are associated with Delphi, giving it a mystical aura that sits so well in the beautiful landscape that surrounds it.

Over time there have been many important archaeological excavations around Delphi which have produced some incredible finds. Visitors can marvel at the ruins that lie peacefully around the scenic area and tour the museums to view the wondrous artifacts that long lost civilisations had created as they passed through this ancient land.

There are many beautiful villages around Delphi and one of these is the delightful and traditional village of Arachova. As with anywhere in Greece, visitors who come here are welcomed with warmth and friendliness. The villagers enjoy sharing their lovely ways with all who come here and are proud to show off their beautiful carpets and woven materials. Famous throughout the entire country, the women of Arachova are known for their talent and creativity.

With so much to see – the beautiful landscapes, the quaint villages and the gorgeous coastlines, it is easy to get carried away back through time when you first arrive in Delphi and the surrounding areas. It was here that the Pythian Games first started sometime in the 11th century BC.

Mythology engulfs the land and religion plays an important role in everyday life.

The modern world has arrived in Delphi, it has embraced the ancient with the new in such a way that visitors feel that the Gods and the legends will always remain as strong tomorrow as they were yesterday in this very beautiful area of mainland Greece.