- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Itea is a small town situated on the north coast of the Gulf of Corinth. The town has a nice beach along with some shops, cafes and restaurants. It allows the closest access to the incredible sight of Delphi, which is ones of the top three archaeological attractions in Greece. It is believed that Zeus wanted to find the center of the Earth so he sent two eagles flying from the eastern and western extremities and where they met was Delphi – becoming the “navel of the earth.”
Enjoy a guided visit that highlights the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, where Pythia, the celebrated Oracle, dwelt; the Temple of Apollo, the Sacred Way, the amphitheater, the best-preserved stadium of Greece, and the Castalia Spring, where in ancient days pilgrims had to wash before they were allowed to consult the Oracle. In the Delphi Museum, see such treasures as the Omphalos, which marked the center of the world, and the magnificent bronze Charioteer, one of the finest pieces of sculpture surviving from the 5th century BCE. After the museum, enjoy free time to visit the village of Delphi.
So narrow! So dramatic! This afternoon, marvel at the steep walls as your ship transits the Corinth Canal. The canal was first completed in 1893, despite previous attempts from ancient times. The first plans date to 602BCE, and the Roman Emperor Nero actually started construction in 67AD, making the first cut himself with a golden pick. The canal transit is 6.3 kilometers (3.9 mi) in length. Before the canal, ships sailing between the Aegean and the Adriatic had to circumnavigate the Peloponnese Peninsula, which adds about 185 nautical miles to the voyage.