Visit Meteora 

A Trip to Greece would not be complete without a night  in Kalambaka and a visit to Meteora.  Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose name was derived from a Greek contraction meaning “suspended in the air.”   The sandstone megaliths on which the monasteries were built average 1,000 feet  in height, with several reaching 1,800 feet.   Although 24 monasteries were built, each containing a church or two, monks’ cells, and a refectory, only 6 remain: Great Metéoron, Varlaám also called All Saints , Roussanou, St. Nikolas , Holy Trinity , and St. Stephens.  Our groups enjoy a chance to visit St. Stephen’s Monastery which today is the most accessible.   The beginning of monastic life on the rock of Agios Stephanos dates back to early in the 12th century. Hosios Antonios, in the first half of the 15th century, and Hosios Philotheos, who renovated or rather rebuilt from its foundations the old small and elegant Catholicon, the present church of Agios Stephanos, in 1545 are mentioned as its founders.  St. Stephen’s Monastery includes two cathedrals; the old 16th century chapel which was severely damaged during WWII and the consequent Greek Civil War, and the 18th century main cathedral that is dedicated to Saint Charalambos and includes his holy relics.