- From Athens we picked up a hire car at the airport and drove towards Delphi.
- On the way we stopped at Moni Hosios Loukas, one of three World Heritage monasteries from 11th and 12th centuries that are characteristic of the second golden age of Byzantine art. It has a beautiful complex of buildings in a very peaceful setting, and we happily whiled away a few hours.
- Not far from here lies the town of Distomo which was the site of a Nazi war crime in World War II. German forces killed 228 chlidren, women and men in reprisal for actions of the Greek resistence. We visited the monument and paid our respects to the dead.
- Arrived in the town of Delphi late that afternoon, and enjoyed great views down to the Gulf of Corinth from the hotel balcony.
- Spent all of the next day exploring the World Heritage site of Ancient Delphi and the nearby Delphi Archaeological Museum.
- It’s thrilling to walk up through the Roman Forum, along the Sacred Way, past the Polygonal Wall, on to the Temple of Apollo, then the Theatre, then the Stadium. Descending back through the Sanctuary of Apollo we crossed the road to see the Sanctuary of Athena Pronea. The location of Ancient Delphi is very dramatic and it does have a special feel about it.
- From there we visited the museum which has many fine peices from the ancient site. The Bronze Charioteer is certainly a standout, dating from around 478 BC. All in all we had a fabulous day at Delphi.
