Olivia sports and sea complex is situated just in the center of CONTINENTAL GREECE, offering plenty of opportunities for guests, who is particularly interested in discovering Greek historical heritage and famous natural resorts. A lot of worldwide famous destinations, such as METEORA, DELPHY, DION, OLIMPUS and many other are accessible during one-day trips, making the host place as ideal location for discovering of continental Greece and nearby islands.
Meteora
A lot of people are coming to Greece just in order to visit Meteora.
SERENE, SPIRITUAL, MAGICAL, mystical, extraordinary, breathtaking, immense, inspiring, impressive. These are only some of the words people very often use in an effort to describe THE METEORA PHENOMENON. The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area.
At their peak in the sixteenth century there were 24 monasteries at Meteora in Greece. They were created to serve monks and nuns following the teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Much of the architecture of these buildings is Athonite in origin. Today there are six still functioning, while the remainder are largely in ruin. Perched onto high cliffs, they are now accessible by staircases and pathways cut into the rock formations.
Apart of visiting monasteries the area of Meteora offers also very nice opportunity for hiking lovers – unique nature, caves in the rocks and breathtaking views are guaranteed. Kalampaka – small town next to Meteora. Has a lot of restaurants and other places to eat after the visiting of Meteora.































































- Distance to Meteora: 180 km
- Driving time: 2 h 15 min
- Website: visitmeteora.travel
- Working hours of monasteries: the most of them are opened for visitors at 9:00 and closed after 15:00. In order to visit more monasteries, it is necessary to start the trip early in the morning.
Delphi
Must visit place! Ancient Delphi is famous as sanctuary, grew rich as THE SEAT OF PYTHIA, the oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. It is now the as EXTENSIVE ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Ancient TEMPLES, TREASURES, THEATRE, STADIUM and lot of other civil buildings represent unique opportunity to get in touch with ancient Greek history. It is very advisable to start the excursion from the visiting of Delphi museum, which exposes a lot of artefacts of the ancient Delphi area, including CHARIOTEER OF DELPHI – one of the best known statue of antiquity.
The late lunch or early dinner in the nearest village in one of the restaurant will provide you with the nice break before the way back. Order the meat with lemon sauce, baked in in the oven and enjoy the spectacular view on the valley.































































Dion
Ancient Dion is located at the FOOT OF MOUNT OLYMPUS, 15 km south of Katerini (capital city of Pieria prefecture) in 1,5–1 h 45 min driving distance from Olivia sports and sea. Stretched in a plain area, Ancient Dion is recognized as is one of the largest and best organized archaeological sites in Greece, covering the area of 1,500 acres and it is very well organized.
The archeologic zone includes the city area, surrounded by the walls with perimeter of 2.550 meters, where visitors can see the remains of buildings, houses, shops and workshops, most of the from the Roman era.
On the east side the House of Dionysus stands, that took its name from a LARGE MOSAIC COMPOSITION of God Dionysus. On the south side are the impressive public baths named Melages Thermes and a complex of buildings dating back to 200 BC.
The archaeological site spreads outside the city walls, having sanctuaries, theaters and a gymnasium. South, just outside the walls and near the main gate, is the SANCTUARY OF GODDESS DIMITRA.
The site has also two theaters. West of the Sanctuary of Demeter, at the slope of a low hill, is the Hellenistic Theater, built during the rule of King Philip V of Macedonia (221–179 BC). Nearby is the Roman Theater, smaller than the Hellenistic, built in the 2nd century AD. Near this theater, according to two inscriptions that have been discovered, was the SANCTUARY OF ZEUS and the SANCTUARY OF ASCLEPIUS.
Finally, the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM is located In the village of Dion, less than 1 km from the archaeological site. Inside the museum are exhibits from Dion and the broader region.
On the way back, after visiting ancient Dion and short lunch break in the Litochoro village guests could also visit Platamonas castle, or, hike on the spurs of Olimpus mountains.
OLIMPUS MOUNTAINS, being the highest peaks in Greece (2918 m), represents plenty of opportunities for lovers of hiking in untouched nature. The unlimited kilometers of pathways, stunning views, fresh air and the beauty of surrounding nature will introduce visitors into new world of unknown Greece, not really associated with the beach leisure.































































Pelion
HIKING EXPERIENCE and visiting of villages in Pelion: Portaria and Makrinitsa. Villages are situated in one hour driving distance from the Olivia sports and sea. Highly recommended to visit.
The Pelion peninsula is the unique place, composed by the HISTORY, unforgettable BEAUTY OF NATURE and true SPIRIT OF GREECE. The legend says, that Kentavros – half people, half horses – lived in the forests on the slopes of Pelion, Argonauts started their far journey from the Volos port of Pelion, and the villages, located in deep forests of Pelion, were never concurred by centuries of Turkish occupation.
The Pelion is completely COVERED BY UNTOUCHED FORESTS (in some places plane and beech forests) with plenty of water springs and rivers, and have a big network of “calderimi” roads – old stone-paved paths, connecting in the past mountain villages of the peninsula, and nowadays very popular as routes of hiking lovers.
Villages of Pelion have their OWN UNFORGETTABLE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE and CHARMING ATMOSPHERE – it is very recommended to make a long “calderimi” (paved roads) trip and then to finish the day in the restaurant under the huge platen tree on the village main square.
During the summer time (weekends in July-August) SMALL EXCURSION TRAIN makes the regular trips between two mountain villages: Ano-Lekhonia and Millies. Very advisable entertainment for adults and kids. Recommended to buy the tickets in advance (the limited number of sits) via st.volos@trainose.gr.































































- Distance to Portaria: 82 km
- Driving time: 1 h 15 min
- Distance to Makrinitsa: 87 km
- Driving time: 1 h 25 min
- Website: www.volosinfo.gr
Plastira
The most of the people are not aware, that more than 80 % OF GREEK TERRITORY IS COVERED BY THE MOUNTAINS. People perceive Greece as only beach and sea destination, but in fact, this is not true. One day trip to Plastira lake will introduce “alternative” vacation experience, available just in 1,5–2 hours driving distance from Olivia.
This lake was called after the General Nicolaos Plastiras, who decided to create an IMPRESSIVE DAM, that would reinvigorate the entire region. It is one of the biggest artificial lakes in Greece, created in the location, wherein antiquity we could find the confluence of the rivers Tampros and Achelous.
Lake Plastiras is also known as a “LITTLE SWITZERLAND”. There are several reasons for this comparison: first of all, the grandeur of the lake is crowned with the surrounding alpine peaks, which are snowcapped in winter and green in summer. In spring, the green mountains are covered by rushing streams, that flirt by lacy coves. This place could be even called “SMALL NORWAY”, because narrow inlets of water between cliffs create fiord-like scenes and single luscious green islet in the middle create and mind-blowing landscape, which is mirrored in the emerald waters of the lake. Near the lake you can find plenty of authentic charming villages, situated along the lakeshore or on the mountainous slopes which offer you an idyllic view of the lake.
In the area of Plastira lake people can enjoy a lot of activities at any time of the year: CYCLING, HIKING, CYCLING ON WATER BIKES, SWIMMING and FISHING in the lake, HORSE RIDING and, of cause, eating in plenty of AUTHENTIC LOCAL TAVERNS in the area of Plastira lake.































































Athens - Thessaloniki
Very often guest of Olivia Sports and Sea come to Greece via ATHENS of THESSALONIKI, due to the fact, that there are much more international flights, hosted by airports of these cities.
Both Athens and Thessaloniki don’t need in any promotion – plenty of MUSEUMS, world-wide famous ARCHEOLOGICAL ZONES, and all year around warm atmosphere of Greek hospitality. It is very advisable to stop for one night upon arrival or before departure and to enjoy excursions, visiting of museums and historical places of Athens and Thessaloniki. ONE DAY TRIPS from the complex are also possible, provided by assumption, that the day will start early in the morning and finish late – in this case enough time is available for the visiting of the city. The road to the both Athena and Thessaloniki is very convenient for the long trips – this is the national road between two cities with relatively high speed limit, and without too much traffic.































































- Distance to Athens: 273 km
- Driving time: 3 h
- Website: greece-is.com
- Distance to Thes/niki: 247 km
- Driving time: 2 h 40 min
- Website: thessaloniki.gr