When it came time to figure out where I wanted to visit when I went to Greece, I’d like to say it was a several months process of careful research and first hand interviewing of people who’ve been there. But really, it was simple. I saw a photo, felt the urge and immediately knew I needed to go to Meteora.
It’s funny to think about how many times I’ve felt that urge and ignored it. It’s funny in a way that I’ll always wonder what I missed out on before I started letting my instinct tell me where to travel and go instead of letting a book or an Instagram blogger or a Buzzfeed article telling me what the “top ten places to visit before you die” are. This should be something you and only you should decide. But I digress. A decision was made – I was going to Meteora, purely based on an image and an undeniable feeling.
Finding the Right Guide
I didn’t know much about it and when I did actually start the research, the way of getting there seemed just as mysterious and frustrating as the place itself. I was flying into Athens and it was four hours from Athens – simple enough. However, every single blog post advised against doing it as a day trip and you should go with a group or a guide. There are a number of amazing group tours to see Meteora and specifically, all its monasteries (which I found out that’s what it was most famous for). I looked into each and every one of them but none of them felt right. I couldn’t explain it but I wanted to experience Meteora on another level. I wanted to be fully immersed in this mysterious location and get revealed all its inner workings and secrets (and ideally the secrets of the universe). I wanted to learn about what made this place so special and what it had to teach me in particular.
Enter Dimitrios who I found on Airbnb Experiences, specifically his Meteora secret spots & untold stories tour
I needed the right tour guide and after chatting with Dimitrios for a few messages and his declaration that “This place is a magnet for people who want to have a spiritual experience since thousands of years.” I knew I had made the right choice.
But first, how to get there from Athens? For me, it was getting up at 6am and taking a four hour train ride there and back to Meteora (or specifically the town of Kalabaka where Meteora is). This is one of the reasons why I was grateful to be alone on this trip because I don’t know anyone who would do such a thing. And with good reason. It’s a bit like going to New York City and flying to Chicago. Like, yes, you could but why would you wanted to? But I was determined and the train ride was much more painless than all the bloggers made it out to be (or maybe my stubbornness outweighed my discomfort.)
After stepping off the train, I was brought me back to my first solo adventures in Sedona, just me, my little backpack, wandering in a place I’ve never been in order to meet a stranger and hopefully have a spiritual experience – only this time I was in a foreign country.
For some reason, I didn’t feel fear though – I’ve noticed I rarely feel fear when I’m following my gut – like having full ownership of the choice I made makes even the craziest things seem perfectly sensible.
When I met up with Dimitrios, I learned my tour guide not only knows the history about Meteora but he also knows its land inside and out. From filling up our water bottles from a fresh spring straight from the earth to taking the time to point out and explain several different plants and their unique uses, he was a well of knowledge overfilling with advice and guidance on how to use the earth around us as sanctuary, medicine and more. I still have several notes on the plants we encountered and really grew to understand how special the climate of Meteora is to be able to grow such many incredible things.
Meditating on a Rock in Meteora
Halfway through our hike in the woods though, we were talking a lot. I felt the energy change as I entered closer to Meteora but I was also feeling overwhelmed. Energized and peaceful at the same time. It was a lot to take in. I think Dimitrios sensed this because he lead us to a rock overlooking all of Meteora, a beautiful view but before launching into a science lesson on exactly how Meteora was formed – he turned to me and said, “I’m just going to let you sit with this.” Without another word, he took off his socks and shoes and hopped down to another rock as he entered into lotus pose, eyes closed, leaving me on my own rock in silence for what felt like – the first real silence I had in a very long time.
I was grateful for that moment of silence because even now as I type this while hearing the distant sounds of trains and sirens in my New York City apartment, I’m brought back there.
Barefoot, laying on a rock probably thousands of years old, pulsating with energy from the earth at the top of my head to my toes, feeling the warm sun beaming down on me as I looked out at the cliffs of Meteora and marveled in its duality of peace and strength. Then taking a moment to marvel in my own peace and strength of doing this, by myself and what it felt like to know, I had followed my gut and had been in control of this moment occurring. And the gratitude that I had for the work I did on myself to now have that strength and self awareness to do so. I fully took it all in.
After an incredible moment meditating on a rock (yes I know exactly how that sounds), Dimitrios took me to several more sights. I should mention this tour was both wandering through woods dodging through tree vines, some driving from location to location and some hiking on what felt like mountain tops into the crevices of caves. I can truthfully say this is not a tour you could ever do on your own. Dimitrios was generous to show me the most secret and sacred spots of Meteora that can only be found after years of him exploring on your own.
One of the most notable things about Meteora and the reason why most people go is the monasteries and the fact that this place attracted many monks. One of the places the monks would frequently meditate were in caves built into the cliffs, high above the town so they could be alone and do their monk things. They even had a little ladder that they’d put out for visitors and take it away when they didn’t want any company – a process I respect and wish we could implement somehow to this day.
I really felt a connection to the monks when Dimitrios took me to a small cave that was open for exploration. Once again I was given time to just sit and be quiet and take it in. Funny enough, I learned I actually like caves and really appreciated how they block out the noise but still allow you to observe the world around you from your tiny safe hideaway. Call it my spiritual connection with this place or call it I’m too overstimulated by New York City that I want to live in a cave now but I could totally see myself hanging out in a cave and being okay with it.
I couldn’t possibly express through words all the places Dimitrios brought me to and how grateful I was for the experience. Every place was more unique and mind blowing than the next and while I wasn’t brave enough (yet) to climb to some of the higher peaks and caves, he kindly adjusted to my comfort level and I felt like I got as much out of it as I possibly could even being a novice hiker with a mild fear of heights.
The last location was this photo below and nobody would believe me if I said it but this exact view is the one I saw when I made the choice and got the urge to go. The sun looked exactly the same and everything. I teared up when I saw it because I felt it was the most beautiful example of your soul knowing what you need more than you do. It was what I needed and I didn’t even know it.
What Meteora Taught Me
As I’m reflecting on my trip to Meteora, I’m still overwhelmed at the energy of this secret place but I also wanted to share with you all a message that I felt while I was there (this is taken directly from my notebook and tried to edit it as little as possible so it’s my raw thoughts):
“Standing still in a world full of chaos is strength. The ability to harness our energy is even more important than constantly going. I am someone that gets bored quickly and always thinking about the next thing because otherwise I feel like I’m wasting my life. I think living in the moment is actually a skill that you need to go and develop, the same way the things that bring you energy bring you more energy. Maybe even more so. Learning how to sit still and breath is a skill. And there’s power in that. My incredible tour guide in Meteora compared it to that of standing still in the eye of a hurricane. It’s an act of rebellion, strength and self discipline to keep that stillness at all times. It’s the duality of Mother Nature feeling both calm and energizing at the same time. “
I hope this encourages you to follow your gut every time you feel an urge in anything you do in life but especially when it comes to exploring new things and places.
And most importantly, when you get there, always be sure to take time to listen to exactly what it’s trying to teach you.
*Dimitrios and his wife, Katerina also run an Airbnb in Meteora – I haven’t stayed myself but I wanted to link it here for people reading this who are looking to stay in Meteora and also get a tour. I’d trust it would be just as magical of an experience.
