The North of Greece is often overlooked by visitors, but it is a most exquisite region, with unparalleled nature, strong historical and cultural ties to the past and monumental figures like Alexander the Great.
Day 1:
Fly from Athens to Thessaloniki.
Day 2:
Visit the Archaeological Museum, the old city with its Byzantine walls, the Church of St Demetrius –patron saint of the city -, the Rotonda, the Arch of Gallerius and the Byzantine Museum.
Visit the Archaeological Museum, the old city with its Byzantine walls, the Church of St Demetrius –patron saint of the city -, the Rotonda, the Arch of Gallerius and the Byzantine Museum.
Day 3: :
Cruise Mt Athos, and see the unique monasteries untouched by modern technology.
Cruise Mt Athos, and see the unique monasteries untouched by modern technology.
Day 4:
: Visit Vergina, and the Royal Tomb of Philip II in the new museum that houses the spectacular finds discovered in 1977. Continue with a visit of Macedonian tombs known for the quality of the frescoes at Lefkadia and the new capital of the Macedonians Pella to view the pebble mosaics.
: Visit Vergina, and the Royal Tomb of Philip II in the new museum that houses the spectacular finds discovered in 1977. Continue with a visit of Macedonian tombs known for the quality of the frescoes at Lefkadia and the new capital of the Macedonians Pella to view the pebble mosaics.
Day 5:
Visit Dion, on the foothills of Mount Olympus, the site dedicated to Zeus where the Macedonians held their athletic competitions. From there continue to Meteora and the extraordinary Christian Monasteries perched on rocks. Overnight at the town of Kalambaka.
Visit Dion, on the foothills of Mount Olympus, the site dedicated to Zeus where the Macedonians held their athletic competitions. From there continue to Meteora and the extraordinary Christian Monasteries perched on rocks. Overnight at the town of Kalambaka.
Day 6:
Visit the sanctuary and oracle of Apollo in Delphi, perched on the cliffs of Mount Parnasos, followed by the recently renovated museum.
On the way to Athens stop at the mountain village of Arachova for lunch, and visit the Byzantine Monastery of Ossios Loukas with fine mosaics.
Visit the sanctuary and oracle of Apollo in Delphi, perched on the cliffs of Mount Parnasos, followed by the recently renovated museum.
On the way to Athens stop at the mountain village of Arachova for lunch, and visit the Byzantine Monastery of Ossios Loukas with fine mosaics.
Special Features
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A study leader accompanies the group throughout the trip.
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Lectures before the visits.
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In Thessaloniki lecture by a professor of Byzantine history and art.
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Cruise Mt Athos.
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Visit the Macedonian tombs at Lefkadia.
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Lunch at the village of Arachova near Delphi.
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A booklet with the history of Greece, its architecture, art, religion, drama and the ancient Olympics.