An 11-day cultural trip with hiking opportunities. Greek Macedonian royal tombs and sanctuaries, floating monasteries and Byzantine churches, legendary mountains and overwhelmingly beautiful coastlines: a journey through the northern Greece into a world full of secrets and mystical sites, historical places and unique natural beauty. It shivers thinking of the oracle of Zeus at Dodoni, the necropolis of the Macedonian kings in Aigai and the Meteora monasteries.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Northern Greece
Flight to Thessaloniki. Transfer to the hotel. Orientation walk through the bustling center of Thessaloniki. 2 nights in Thessaloniki
Day 2 - The Lion of Amphipolis and Philippi
Day trip to Philippi. Passing by the lakes of Koroneia and Volvi, and through the valley of Rentina we reach the Bay of Orfanos. Short stop at the famous Lion of Amphipolis. In Philippi, where the battle against Caesar's assassins took place and St. Paul preached the gospel for the first time in Europe, we will visit the excavation site. Then we reach the harbortown Kavala, where St Paul first set foot on the European mainland.
Day 3 – Thessaloniki: The capital of Northern Greece. The Macedonian Royal Tombs in Vergina
Sightseeing tour in Thessaloniki: we visit the Byzantine city walls and the Acropolis, the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda of Saint George, the Basilica of St Demetrius and the church of Agia Sofia. We are also visiting the Archaeological Museum with its sculpture collection and the gold treasures from Macedonian Tombs. Vergina, the ancient Aigai, was the old capital of the Macedonians. In the grave hill of Philip II of Macedon, the priceless grave goods are expertly prepared and presented. Drive to Kalabaka or Kastraki. 2 nights below the rocks of Meteora
Day 4 - The convents of Meteora
Overwhelming is the scenery of the "Meteors". We will visit two of the unique "floating" monasteries, with their decorated with frescoes churches and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the plain of Thessaly and the Pindos Mountains. Opportunity for a short hike. In the afternoon we will visit the village of Pili with its old stone arch bridge and the Byzantine Church of Porta Panagia.
Day 5 - The oracle of Zeus at Dodona. Ioannina: The lake city
Via the mountains of Pindos we access to Epirus. We visit one of the most important oracles of antiquity: the great ancient oracle of Zeus at Dodona, located at the foot of Mt Tomaros. The city of Ioannina, today the commercial and cultural center of Epirus, was the seat of the legendary Ali Pasha. We will visit the castle with its two mosques and Ali Pasha's grave. By boat, we reach the small Island of the Lake of Ioannina with its traditional settlement and its byzantine monasteries. 2 nights in Monodendri, a village in the northern part of the Pindos Mountains
Day 6 - Zagori - "The land behind the mountains"
The villages of Zagori are famous for their traditional stone architecture and impressively situated in a rough mountainous landscape. They are connected with each other via paved paths, while old arch bridges are stretched over rivers and streams. The area is dominated by the mountains of Gamila and Astraka. Today we will reach several traditional settlements and old stone bridges; it will be also the opportunity for walking in this merveilleuse mountain landscape.
Day 7 - Byzantine churches in Kastoria
Today we drive through one of the remotest parts of Greece. Passing by Konitsa and through the villages Eptachori and Pentalofos, we get to Kastoria, the lively district capital of Macedonia situated on a promontory on the western shore of the Lake of Kastoria. Its decorated with frescoes Byzantine churches attest the importance of that city during the Middle Ages. 2 nights in Kastoria
Day 8 – Aquatic birds and hermitages
The Greek National Park of Prespa Lakes is a nature reserve for aquatic birds. On the island of Agios Achilleios in the Small Prespa Lake, you can see the imposing ruins of the Basilica of St. Achilleios. The Great Prespa Lake is shared between three countries. From the fishing village of Psarades, you can reach by boat the decorated with frescoes ermitages at the lakeside.
Day 9 - Waterfalls and manufacturies in Edessa. Pella, the capital of Philip II and Alexander the Great
Through a spectacular landscape we travel to Edessa, where by the use of hydro power- in former times- a flowering textile industry had been developed. Stroll through the old town and on to the waterfalls. Pella was the royal seat of the Macedonian kings Philip II and Alexander the Great. Famous are, above all, the magnificent floor mosaics. 2 nights in Nikiti on the peninsula of Chalkidiki
Day 10 – Mt Athos: Cruise to the monastic state
The Mount Athos peninsula is the easternmost "leg" of the larger Chalkidiki peninsula; like emerging from the sea, Mount Athos dominates its southwestern tip. The Holy Mount Athos is an autonomous monastic state; women are not allowed to access his territory. From Ouranoupolis, we travel by boat along the coastline of Mount Athos, from where women also can observe and take pictures of the mysterious Athos monasteries.
Day11 – Goodbye!
Say goodbye with a walk along the beach. Transfer to the airport of Thessaloniki.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Thessaloniki, the Balkan metropolis with the Palaeochristian and Byzantine monuments
- Philippi, where Christianity first gained a foothold in Europe
- The tomb of Philip II of Macedon at Vergina
- Meteora, the "Floating" monasteries
- The oracle of Zeus at Dodona
- Zagori, "the land behind the mountains"
- The Prespa Lakes National Park with its Byzantine monuments
- Kastoria, the lakeside city with its decorated with frescoes churches
- Pella, the ancient capital of the Macedonians
- Mount Athos, a monastic state dedicated to Our Lady, where women have no access
SERVICES
- 10 overnight stays with breakfast in good middle class hotels
- 10 dinners in taverns or in the Hotel
- Transfers and tours in a comfortable bus
- Athos cruise and boat trips in the Great Prespa Lake and the Lake of Ioannina
- All entrance fees according to the program
- NOT included: Flight to Greece; travel insurance
PRICE
Price per person, double occupancy: € 1239
Price per person, single occupancy: € 1439
Number of participants: min 15, max. 25 persons