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The most beautiful garden path ideas can be DIYed or created on a budget using a variety of landscaping materials. Transform your yard, big or small, using bricks, gravel, wood and more.
Pathways are a staple of beautiful gardens. They offer both utility and unmatched aesthetic appeal. Paths provide a clean and clear walkway and enable you to
Discover stunning garden walkway design ideas and tips for creating a beautiful garden path. Transform your outdoor space today with our expert advice!
Pretty DIY Garden Path + Walkway Ideas - How to install your own path or walkway to connect your outdoor spaces. Safe, clean, + curb appeal!
25 beautiful garden path ideas & pro landscape design tips on easy DIY backyard walkways with gravel, brick, stepping stones, wood, pavers, or even mulch!
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Pretty DIY Garden Path + Walkway Ideas - How to install your own path or walkway to connect your outdoor spaces. Safe, clean, + curb appeal!
Having a garden in your home is such a blessing since it could be utilized not only to beautify your outdoor
25 beautiful garden path ideas & pro landscape design tips on easy DIY backyard walkways with gravel, brick, stepping stones, wood, pavers, or even mulch!
Pathways are a staple of beautiful gardens. They offer both utility and unmatched aesthetic appeal. Paths provide a clean and clear walkway and enable you to
Shot with Sony a77ii and Sony CZ 16-80 F3.5-4.5
Discover stunning garden walkway design ideas and tips for creating a beautiful garden path. Transform your outdoor space today with our expert advice!
Explore http://www.paradoxdesign.nl's 1725 photos on Flickr!
When it comes to creating an inviting outdoor space, lighting is key.
You can ask any architect about nature, and they will tell you that there is no greater inspiration for a young, or even a more experienced architect than
Discover stunning garden walkway design ideas and tips for creating a beautiful garden path. Transform your outdoor space today with our expert advice!
Pebble landscapes offer a unique and natural way to enhance the beauty of your outdoor space. Whether you're looking to create a serene garden path or ...
I am Karol Nienartowicz and I'm a 29-year old photographer from Poland. I was born in Jelenia Góra, a small town in the south-western part of the country, and now I live in Gdansk. I still recall one particular day in summer of 2003, when my mom took me on my first mountain trip. I saw that heart-breathing beauty of mountains and I quickly wanted to share this feeling with other people! Thus, I took my photo camera on my next trip. Since that moment, I've photographed mountains, combining photography with my great passion for traveling.
Key Takeaways In ancient times, Delphi was considered the 'naval of the earth' and was home to the Oracle of Delphi. Explore the extensive ruins, including the Temple of Apollo, the ancient theater, and the stadium. Adjacent to the archaeological site, the museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from Delphi and surrounding areas. Delphi is nestled on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, providing panoramic views of the valley below. Located near Delphi, the Corycian Cave is a natural wonder worth exploring. Embark on a guided tour to witness stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations. Did you come across Delphi while reading our Athens travel guide, and now you're thinking about spending some time in this wonderful destination? Here are the top 10 things to do in Delphi for you to experience your trip to the maximum! Right at the foothill of Mount Parnassus in central Greece lies Delphi, one of the most important archaeological sites of the ancient Greek world. The seat of the high priestess of the oracle of Apollo is found in the shadow of Phaedriades Rocks, two awe-inspiring natural rock formations over 700m high dominating the landscape. The history of the site goes back to prehistoric times, especially from the 6th to the 4th century BC when Delphi reached its Golden Age. As a panhellenic oracle site, ancient Greek city-states and foreign rulers rivaled each other in regard to Apollo's offerings, accumulating an enormous amount of wealth and decorating the site with architectural wonders. According to ancient Greeks, Apollo was the god of the sun and light and the patron god of all arts. By being one of the oldest gods of the Greek pantheon, he was one of the most complex yet popular deities of the ancient world. Always depicted as a radiant, handsome young man, his most common attributes were the bow and arrow and the ancient musical instrument of kithára or lyre. When people used to call upon him, they were often using the epithet Phoebus, which literally translates to 'bright.' Alongside his twin sister, Artemis, the goddess of hunting, they are the never-aging teens of the Olympians. Statue of Apollo at château de Champs-sur-Marne - credits: https://goo.gl/bznhmu Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto, the granddaughter of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaia (Earth). When Hera realized that Leto was pregnant by her husband, she immediately demanded from all the Lands of the world not to allow Leto to give birth to them and then forbade the rest of the Gods to help her. The heavily pregnant Leto wandered the world in vain, not being able to find a place to hide from the jealous Queen of the Gods. After her many requests, the floating island of Delos took pity on her and allowed her to give birth on its land. By the time Leto set foot on Delos, four pillars emerged from the earth to immobilize the island. After nine days of sheer agony, Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth, came to Leto’s assistance, and the twin gods, Apollo and Artemis, were born. Delos - credits: Dimitris Panas/Shutterstock.com Apollo learned the art of soothsaying from the goat-like god, Pan. During his journeys around the world, he visited the place where people believed the navel of the earth was located. There, an ancient oracle stood, terrorized by the presence of the beast Python, a frightening serpent responsible for the devastation of the valley of Kríssa. Apollo faced and slaughtered the beast, liberating the land and the Nymphs of the area. On the spot where fumes from a chasm on the surface of the Earth were emitted, he founded his oracle and established his cult, and this is how the panhellenic oracle of Delphi came to be. According to Greek mythology, the god transformed himself into a dolphin, transporting the first priests of his cult from the island of Crete. Apollo and Python - Joseph Mallord William Turner - credits: https://goo.gl/BtCg4Q After his victory over Python and the conquest of the lands of Delphi, Apollo, overly proud of himself, started mocking Eros, the god of love: “What are you doing with powerful weapons, naughty boy?”; “that equipment of yours fits my shoulders, which are able to give certain wounds to the wild animals and to the enemies, which recently killed the swollen Python with countless arrows, the Python who was pressing down so many acres with his disease-bearing stomach! You will be content to provoke some love by your fire, not to claim my honors.” Eros, insulted by Apollo’s words, decided to revenge the god by making him mad in love with the Nymph Daphne. Even though Apollo had his heart set on her, she refused to give in to him. Blinded by his passion, Apollo chased poor Daphne through the woods of mount Parnassus. Eventually, the god captured her, but she desperately screamed for her father, Peneus, requesting her salvation. Immediately, her body got petrified and thin bark covered her skin. Her arms turned into branches, and her hair transformed into the foliage. The god vowed to love her forever, and after granting immortality to the laurel tree his love had turned into, he made a crown out of its leaves. The Bay laurel became his sacred tree, and legend has it that these leaves never decay. The Oracle of Delphi Delphi has long been considered the center of the earth, and as they said, Zeus himself called it the ‘navel of the Earth.’ According to legend, Python, a huge snake, guarded the place until he was killed by Apollo. When the god's arrows pierced the reptile, his body fell into a crack in the ground, and as his carcass rotted, vapors rose. Anyone standing above this crack suddenly fell into an ecstasy that was often violent. They believed that these people were possessed by Apollo, who flooded them with his divine presence. During the Mycenaean Age, these bizarre events attracted the worshipers of Apollo, and slowly, the primitive sanctuary became an altar and, later, in the 7th century BC, a temple that housed a single person that served as a bridge between him and the other world. It was the fortune teller, Pythia, who took her name from the big snake. Pythia played an ancient and very important role - a role that transcended itself and passed into the legend. Because she was very important in Ancient Greece, she had to be completely unknown and had to break all ties with her previous life for the sake of Apollo and his divine status. Pythia also served in an ambitious and religious culture. This visual and verbal connection with the gods was treated with the utmost respect. Because it was believed that during the winter months, Apollo left the temple, Pythia received questions from people from all of Greek society during the nine warmest months of the year, on the seventh day of each month. Pythia was purified by fasting, drinking holy water, and washing her body in the sacred Castalia Fountain. She then sat on a tripod above the crack, holding bay leaves in one hand and a container of spring water in the other. As the fumes from the ancient defeated reptile enveloped her, she passed into the kingdom of the god. People flocked from all over the world to talk to the woman who communicated with the gods and to travel to Delphi many traveled for days, even weeks. According to some narrations, the fortune-tellers did answer, although there are reports that Pythia uttered incomprehensible words, which the priests "interpreted" in the form of verses. After receiving his oracle, the beggar returned to his homeland to do what he had been told. Pythia received many visitors in the nine days it was available, from farmers desperately asking for their harvest to emperors asking how they had to fight their enemies, but its spells were not always clear. Very soon, no one made a serious decision without consulting Pythia. Apart from the Greeks, foreign officials, leaders, and kings traveled to Delphi for an opportunity to ask their questions. Those who had money paid to bypass the long queues of pilgrims. Thanks to donations, the temple grew in size, as did its reputation, and Delphi prospered by attracting visitors to the Pythian Games, a forerunner of the Olympics. Visit the Temple of Apollo Temple of Apollo - credits: Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock.com Located at the end of the Sacred Way, the Temple of Apollo was the center of the god’s cult and the seat of the high priestess Pythia. The importance of the site dictated the erection of the temple with money that was collected from all the Greek city-states in conjunction with some from the foreign rulers as well. The deepest chamber of the temple, 'Adyton,' was only accessible by Pythia and the priests when she was delivering the prophecies of Apollo. The existing ruins on the site belong to the latest phase of the building, succeeding older ones made out of stone, copper, beeswax, and feathers or even entirely made out of laurel leaves! On its walls, sayings of the Seven Sages were inscribed, such as the famous quote ‘Know thyself' by Thales of Miletus. Discover the Treasury of Athens The treasury of Athenians - credits: elgreko/Shutterstock.com While ascending the Sacred Way, after its first turn, a small temple-like doric building was erected by the city-state of Athens in order to house dedications and votive offerings of Athens to the sanctuary of Apollo. By being one of the first public buildings sponsored by Athens, it is considered to be a symbol of Athenian Democracy after the fall of tyranny. According to Pausanias, the traveler of the 2nd century AD, the Treasury was built as an offering right after the victory of the battle of Salamis in 490 BC. Entirely constructed out of Parian Marble, its walls hold inscriptions offering valuable information concerning the festivals and customs of the ancient world or even insights into ancient Greek music. Admire the Theater and the Stadium of Delphi The Theater of Delphi - credits: Anastasios71/Shutterstock.com Right next to Apollo’s temple lies the ancient theater of Delphi, capable of hosting a crowd of about 5000 people. The theater hosted mostly musical contests, which were part of the Pythian Games, one of the four Panhellenic Games of ancient Greece. The first stone theater was built in the 4th century BC but the ruins, which are still visible nowadays, date back to the early Roman times when theatrical contests were introduced. From Athens: Delphi Day Trip BOOK NOW Following the tier of the theater to the west and ascending to the highest level of the site, you are entering the Stadium of Delphi, the best surviving stadium of antiquity in Greece! Do not miss the stone áphesis (starting point) controlling up to 20 athletes simultaneously! Visit Tholos of Delphi Tholos of Delphi - credits: Anastasios71/Shutterstock.com Although in the site of Delphi, Tholos is one of the buildings belonging to the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia (the one standing before the Temple). Dated to the 4th century BC, it is the most iconic ancient building on the site. Located between the Treasury of the Massalians and the Temple of Athena, the small elegant circular incorporated different kinds of marble, resulting in a mesmerizing effect. It stands as one of the miracles of classical architecture. Explore the Archaeological Museum of Delphi Archaeological Museum of Delphi - credits: Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock.com Firstly founded after the completion of the archaeological excavations on the site, the Archaeological Museum of Delphi hosts the miraculous finds of the site, consisting of one of the most important museums of Greece and a crucial ambassador of ancient Greek art. Wander around its over 2000 m2 and explore extraordinary pieces of art covering from prehistoric to late Byzantine times. Do not miss the Treasury of the Siphnians, Heniokhos, the Charioteer of Delphi, or the chryselephantine statues of Apollo and Artemis. It is a perfect stop for your trip to Greece in winter or summer. Visit the traditional village of Chrissó Chrissó - credits: Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock.com Some 6 km west of the site of Delphi lies the village of Chrissó, situated where the ancient city of Kríssa used to be. The modern village of Chrissó, protected as a monument by the Greek state, offers a great opportunity for the visitor to wander around its cobblestone-paved narrow streets and admire its remarkable neoclassical architecture of the 19th century. 5-Day Athens, Meteora & Delphi Exploration Trip BOOK NOW Nowadays, the village is renounced for its olive groves and its olive oil (and other side-products) tradition. Do not miss the church of St. George located at the ancient acropolis of the city, and don't miss the chance to have a coffee break at the village’s square under its centuries-old plane tree. Visiting this village is one of the best things to do in Delphi, Greece. Museum of Delphic Festivals Museum of the Delphic festivals - credits: discovergreece. gr The Museum of Delphic Festivals is housed in 1927, a neo-gothic tower-like house located right next to the archaeological site. This house used to be the residence of the great Greek poet Angelos Sikielianos and his American-born wife, Eva Palmer-Sikielianos. A not-to-miss place for fans of ancient drama, the museum hosts an extended collection of artifacts related to the representation of ancient festivals and drama. If you have some extra time and don't know what to see in Delphi, get to know about the Pyrrhic dance, an ancient Greek war dance, or see the costumes designed and handmade by Eva Palmer for performances held during the Delphic Festivals. Visit the scenic village of Arachova. Aráchova - credits: Vagelis Pikoulas/Shutterstock.com On your way to Delphi, you will drive most likely be through the town of Aráchova, one of the most popular places to visit around Delphi! A favorite meeting point for ski lovers, the picturesque town, with its stone houses and narrow alleys, offers numerous options to the visitor. Some famous visitors of Arachova were Maria Callas, Winston Churchill, the Beatles, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, among others. Wondering what to do in Delphi? Spend some time on top of the rock Tyriás, where the 19th-century clock of the town is located, or visit the impressive church of St. George! Explore Galaxidi Galaxidi - credits: Panos_Karas/Depositphotos.com Half an hour away from Delphi, the town of Galaxidi lies on the mouth of the Gulf of Itéa. One of the most beautiful seaside settlements of the region, it is located on the grounds of the ancient 'Hellion', Galaxidi was always a strategic naval settlement of the Corinthian Gulf. Apart from its ancient history, the town played an important role in the modern history of Greece as well. Nowadays, the visitor can walk among the beautiful neoclassical houses of the 19th century and explore the town’s vast history in the Archaeological Museum or in the Maritime Museum at the old Town Hall. The best time to visit Galaxidi is on Clean Monday when the festival of Alevromoutzouroma (literally Flour Smudging, or else Flour Wars) takes place! Corycian Cave The Corycian Cave of Delphi - Image credits: comboride.blogspot.gr A site not for the fainthearted, Corycian Cave is located above the sanctuary of Delphi. Accessible by a path (European path E4), it is approximately a 3.5-hour walk through the forests of Mount Parnassus. Although the cave has been in use since Neolithic times, the grotto is associated with the cult of the goat-like god Pan and the Nymphs. According to ancient Greek mythology, the cave was named after Nymph Corycia, one of Apollo’s partners. The grotto was part of the pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Apollo. It is also described by Pausanias in the 2nd century AD. For those who long for a trekking/hiking activity at Delphi, the Corycian Cave is an ideal opportunity. Ask for the starting point of the path near the Delphi Archaeological Museum and prepare yourselves for a unique experience! Final Thoughts Although the sanctuary of Apollo is the point of interest for visitors, Delphi offers more than meets the eye and is an excellent spot to spend Christmas in Greece! Combine your visit to the site with one of these options, discover more about Delphi and its surrounding region, or check out our Greece travel guide or one of our Greece tours and Greece vacation packages! Planning your trip to Greece? Get in touch with our travel specialists and design your tailor-made vacation plan! Our Tailor-Made Trip Planning 01 Hop on a quick call with a local expert from our team 02 Receive a tailor-made itinerary for your journey 03 Fine-tune the details and you're ready to go LET'S PLAN MY TRIP
When we think of paths through nature, we may first think of somewhat muddy trails carved out willy-nilly through the trees, covered in leaves. But a few landscape architects and architects have be…
25 beautiful garden path ideas & pro landscape design tips on easy DIY backyard walkways with gravel, brick, stepping stones, wood, pavers, or even mulch!
Discover stunning garden walkway design ideas and tips for creating a beautiful garden path. Transform your outdoor space today with our expert advice!
This collection of garden path ideas shows 17 simple garden walkway applications from a modern garden to an older established creating a cohesive design.
Local basalt and river stones mortared together to make stepping stones between two houses I've been building gardens for over 30 years now....
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
The Secret Garden - photo by Heather Edwards This was taken at The Old Malthouse in Wiltshire, England. Heather Edwards writes of th...
The Japanese observe the spring blossoms as a part of hanami - the appreciation of the transient beauty - but you don‘t need a deep, philosophical meaning to enjoy a leisurely stroll down these picturesque streets. And for those of us still in the icy grip of winter, they‘re a nice reminder of the coming spring.
Your choices will say more than a thousand words.
On the path to King's Cave, Isle of Arran, Scotland. Misty and mysterious, also a great place to dodge the marauding midges... View On Black Apparently this one made Explore, but Scout says not...confusing!
From flagstaff to pea gravel, discover the top stone walkway ideas. Explore unique path designs alongside hardscape and landscaping inspiration.
L'ail des bois a un parfum plus subtil que l'ail classique. Il pousse dans les coins humides de nos forêts, souvent à proximité des clochettes...
