Coolmover

Have got three nights and two full days at Kalabaka wishing to visit these amazing monistaries

Whilst not completely imobile at 76 yrs dont handle hilly terrain (and steep stairs too) like younger
and fitter folks

Will have car but that wont get me up steep steps obviously so???

How is best way for me to see really good things---drive a bit /walk a bit OR
Take a tour

And the cave with neolithic human skeletal remains also interests me

Thank you any one who can help me enjoy my time at Meteora

stanbr

Take the drive up to Monasteries early morning or early evening. The place will be deserted and you can get some great views of the monasteries without buses and people in the way.
Scout out the monasteries that will be open the next day and see what the entrances look like then get to your best choice early. By the time the buses arrive it is very crowded and walking in crowds isn't fun. As I recall there were a couple that seemed to enter across bridges so the up part was only when you got into the building.
Olympia Delphi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645469717811/

Coolmover

Thanks for that and are all available monasteries car acsessable (tho I doubt that)

Where can one find info
on that

artsnletters

One of the monasteries only has about six steps - St. Stephen's, maybe? It's on the opposite end of the string from the Grand Meteora.

Although I had a car, I took a half-day bus tour, and I saw one monastery that I otherwise wouldn't have visited. They dropped us at the top of the hill, we walked down a lot of wide path-type steps, saw the monastery, and walked the rest of the way down, where the bus met us. The tour also included the cave you mention. (Nice view from there!) I arranged the tour through the tourist office. They picked me up and dropped me off at my hotel.

I did take my car around the next day to take photos of the monasteries at my leisure, but didn't visit any of them.

artsnletters

It sounds like the tour only went to the one monastery, but it also went to the Grand Meteora, which is the one you shouldn't miss.

Coolmover

Googled some half day tours (both day and sunset)
Costs were same for both
€25

Did not check what was included but now will

Thank you guys

Coolmover

Checked one tour for €25
Picked up at your hotel in Kalabaka and return 4 hours later
Visit 3 monistaries and some great scenic spots

Some bus driving
Some walking

My hostel has one to offer me as well

Its a good option the tour i believe

Nikki

The tour I took went to two monasteries. St. Stephens had a level entrance so was very accessible. The Great Meteoron had many steps but there was a hand rail so that it was manageable for me.

kja

@ stanbr: Great tip - thanks!

Coolmover

Nikki can i ask what tour you did if you can recall it

Thanks

yiassas

The one I used was this one, https://meteoratour.rezdy.com/
I can highly recommend them! We were lucky as we were off the main season & had the tour to ourselves & they adapted it to what we wanted At the time I had a bad back so although we stopped at most monasteries we didn't go in them all, but did get to visit 3 of them. Also various stops for the views & photo opportunities. The driver was excellent & the guide very knowledgeable & enthusiastic about answering any questions. They use a small bus, so even if they are fully booked it's not as bad as being on a coach with 40+ other people!
Worth sending them an email with your specific preferences & see what they recommend, or can accommodate for you. Check which monasteries are open on the days you will be there, this obviously dictates which ones can be on the itinerary.
If I get time I will upload my photos to Flickr (thought they were already there, but apparently not!)

Nikki

Coolmover, I took a tour that lasted three nights and went to Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora. It was operated by GO Tours. But it was ten years ago, so things may well have changed.

Coolmover

Thanks all for input
After Meteora I drive to Olympia then Nafplio
Very excited actualy

artsnletters

Just my $.02, but if you are choosing between Delphi and Olympia, I liked Delphi better. Beautiful setting, great museum, and two sites for the price of one (the Pronaia of Athena across the road from the main site is free). If you want athletic-games type ruins, you could always stop at Nemea on your drive into Nafplio, which was also the site of ancient games.

joannyc

In case you don't want a tour in Meteora, we hired a taxi driver in Kalambaka to be our "tour" guide. He took us to all of the monastaries in one day and waited for us while we toured many of them.

Coolmover

Am not choosing between Delphi and Olympia
Am spending time at both

Birth place of Olympic games are something I want to do

And also I will stop at Thermoplyae also

The taxi idea is good and I am still to decide wether I do my own with my rental

Plenty of time to ponder that

joannyc

Hiring a taxi driver to take you to the monestaries also allows you the chance to take pics out the windows and view them while driving and not have to worry about driving so everyone gets to enjoy.

kja

@ joannyc: Did you happen to see my preliminary planning thread? I'd love your input!

joannyc

Hi kja! No, I haven't seen your planning thread. You are such a good planner, I doubt I will have much to offer!

I will click on your username to find your thread!

You will love Greece! I spent way too little time there!

kja

@ joannyc: Thanks! But really, I'm just starting, so I KNOW I'll benefit from you.