Cutting Edge 66th Street Travel Cruise n Tour Experts

03/12/2026

Check out the new shuttles at Tampa International Airport 👇🏻

Don't forget for all your travel needs call Jay at (727) 546-7855 today!

11/06/2025

Tampa Airport posted this today

An update from your friends at TPA ❤️✈️

08/22/2025

Facebook would not let me upload pictures and videos together. So here are some videos from the Monastery of Valaarm. After thinking, I posted a bunch of videos. It only allows you to post 1 video at a time. So this is probably all I will post

08/22/2025

There are 10 monasteries at Meteora and 6 are open to the public. We visited 4 of them. It was absolutely amazing and needs to be on your bucket list! Remember for all your travel needs to call Jay at (727) 546-7855 today!

See previous posts going into some detail about Meteora and how the rocks were formed thousands of years ago. Hermits first lived in caves here and then the monasteries were built. Meteora means suspended in mid air. When the clouds are below the tops of the rock formations the rock section above appears suspended in mid air and then with a Monastery on top that looks like part of the rocks, it's a sight to behold. Below is more information. These pictures are of the Monastery of Valaarm. It's one of 2 nunneries there. The other one is the Monastery of Roussanou which I have included in the pictures as seen from Valaarm. Another Monastery picture you can see from Valaarm is the Monastery of the Meteorite. It's massive

The Meteora monasteries in Greece have a rich history rooted in the desire for spiritual refuge and isolation. Initially, hermits began settling in the area in the 11th century, drawn to the unique rock formations. From the 14th century, monasteries were systematically built atop these inaccessible peaks, reaching a peak of 24 during the 15th century. The monasteries served as a place of refuge from political instability and later, Ottoman incursions, and also became centers of monastic life, art, and learning.

Here's a more detailed look at the history:

Early Ascetic Life:
Hermits and ascetics began settling in Meteora in the 11th century, drawn to the area's isolation and natural beauty.

The First Church:
In the late 12th century, the church of Panaghia Doupiani was built, marking the start of organized monastic life in the area.

Growth and Construction:
The 14th and 15th centuries saw the establishment of numerous monasteries, often built with great difficulty on the towering rock formations.

Byzantine Influence:
The monasteries thrived during the Byzantine era, with monks contributing to the region's art, culture, and spiritual life.

Periods of Decline:
While Meteora flourished for centuries, some monasteries faced decline after the 17th centu
ry due to factors like raids and abandonment.

Modern Use:
Today, six monasteries remain active, attracting visitors who come to admire their unique architecture, art, and history.

The Meteora monasteries are a testament to human resilience, faith, and the enduring power of monastic ideals.