Sparta, Greece

 Place: Sparta, Greece

Weather: Thundershowers following a period of rain early, 54/65F.

Route: From Epidaurus 154 km SW on 7, E65 and E961.

Population: 35,259

Places to visit: Mystras (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Acropolis and Ancient Theater, Archaeological Museum of Sparta, The Menelaion, Archaeological Site of the Acropolis of Sparta.

Images:

The medieval site of Mystras, high above Sparta (from whc.unesco.org)

The theater of Sparta, with modern city behind (from thecollector.com)

Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, Greece - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Epidaurus, Greece

Weather: Sunny along with a few clouds, 60/71F.

Route: From Delphi 243 km SSE on E03 and 8.

Significance: The Sanctuary of Asklepios was the center of healing cults in ancient Greece, which eventually turned into the foundation of western medicine. The acoustics of the theater are still incredible. 

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Images:

The theater (from whc.unesco.org)

The abaton, where patients slept (from whc.unesco.org)

Delphi, Greece - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Delphi, Greece

Weather: Steady light rain in the morning, showers in the afternoon, 48/65F.

Route: From Meteora 234 km SSE on E65 and A3.

Significance: When Greece was the center of the world, this was the center of Greece. For centuries people would come from all over the Greek world to hear the oracle of Apollo.  It was called the "navel of the world." 

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Images:

Tholos of Delphi (from whc.unesco.org)

The Theatre, with remains of temple of Apollo in the background (from whc.unesco.org)

Meteora, Greece - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Meteora, Greece

Weather: Occasional rain, 50/71F.

Route: From Corfu 210 km east on ferry, A2, E90.

Significance: Starting in the 11th century monks decided to start building monasteries on these incredibly dramatic sandstone cliffs. Most of them are from the 15th century.

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Images:

One of the monasteries perched impossibly above the void (from whc.unesco.org)

Beautiful frescoes fill the inside of the monasteries (from whc.unesco.org)

Corfu, Greece - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Corfu, Greece

Weather: Rain and thunderstorms, 60/69F.

Route: From Berat 264 km south on E853, SH4 and ferry.

Population: 39,674

Places to visit: Church of Saint Spiridon, Old Fortress Corfu, Casa Parlante, Corfu Museum of Asian Art, Mon Repos Palace, British Cemetery, New Fortress, Archaeological Museum of Corfu, Maitland Rotunda, Palaiopolis.

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Video:

Image:

Roof top view of old town with the "new" fortress built by the Venetians in the background (from whc.unesco.org)

Berat, Albania - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Berat, Albania

Weather: Rain showers all day, 55/73F.

Route: From Thessaloniki 427 km west on A2 and E90.

Population: 60,031

Significance: Berat was first inhabited in the 6th century BC. There are several Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques showing how this area was influenced by different cultures through the years.  

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Images: 

Berat is along the Osum River (from theculturetrip.com)

Church of the Holy Trinity and the old Berat Castle (from whc.unesco.org)

Thessalonika, Greece - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Thessalonika, Greece 

Weather: Cloudy with periods of rain 53/67F.

Route: From Mt. Athos 125 km WNW on 16.

Population: 824,646

Places to visit: Church of Saint Dimitrios, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, White Tower of Thessaloniki, Ataturk Museum, Museum of Byzantine Culture, Rotunda, Church of Agia Sofia, Vlatadon Monastery, War Museum of Thessaloniki, Church of Agios Nikolaos Orphanos, Eptapyrgio Castle, Osios David, Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki, Trigonion Tower, Greek Agora and Roman Forum, Museum of Macedonian Struggle.

Images:

The modern city next to a part of the Roman wall and Rotunda (from whc.unesco.org)

Panagia Chalkeon, built in the 11th century (from whc.unesco.org)