Archaeology tour in Northern Greece

Day by Day itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – TRANSFER TO METEORA – WELCOME DINNER.

We are welcoming you to Athens, the capital of modern Greece and birthplace of democracy, theater and western philosophy! Your trip will start in the early afternoon when you will meet your local guide and the rest of your group. Jump on the car/van, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to explore the northern part of the Greek mainland! Your first destination is Meteora. From Athens to Meteora is a 4 hour drive, including a small stop on the way. You will arrive at your accommodation in early evening, at the perfect time to enjoy your welcoming dinner. Hospitality, or “Philoxenia” using the Greek term, is a value of great importance here in Greece and there is no better way to express this value than sharing good food. Overnight Kalabaka or Kastraki.

DAY 2: HIKE METEORA.

Today, you will hike your way through the Meteora Monasteries. Meteora means “suspended in the air” and describes in an excellent way the holistic view of the monasteries area. A natural formation of immense monolithic pillars and huge, hill-like rounded boulders dominates the area. During the Late Middle Ages a total of twenty-four monasteries were built in different cliffs of those hills, creating the illusion of them hanging in the air. Nowadays only six monasteries are active with a small number of monks or nuns residing there. The Meteora complex was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988 because of its outstanding architecture and beauty, combined with religious and cultural significance. In this tour you will have the chance to visit at least two of the monasteries and take a closer look at the architecture, the iconography and the natural terrain. In the afternoon you will have free time for relaxing or take a stroll at the local villages. Overnight Kalabaka or Kastraki.

 DAY 3: VISIT ANCIENT PELLA – TRANSFER TO THESSALONIKI – FOOD TOUR.

After a good breakfast and with our luggage packed, we leave behind beautiful Kalambaka and head to the archaeological site of Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great.

The city of Pella replaced Aigai as the capital of the Macedonian state at the beginning of the fourth century BC and quickly became one of the most important political, economical and cultural centers of Greece. Even from its ruins, someone can understand the city’s grandeur, as the Macedonian rulers adorned their capital with a monumental palatial complex. Exquisite mosaic pavements and wall paintings that used to decorate the private houses of the city’s wealthy inhabitants will surely mesmerize you.  After visiting the archaeological site and having lunch, your trip continues to Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki, the co-capital and second largest city of Greece, is considered one of the must visit destinations of the country and it will be our base for the next 4 days. You will check in your hotel and you can relax or opt for a first stroll in the city. In the afternoon, get ready to discover the great cuisine that Thessaloniki has to offer, as we embark in a food tour. Different tastes and aromas will unfold as the rich gastronomic heritage of the city spans centuries, influenced by different cultures and ideas, resulting in a captivating tapestry of traditional Greek cuisine with cosmopolitan flavors. Overnight Thessaloniki.

DAY 4: AMPHIPOLIS – KAVALA – PHILIPOI.

Today, get ready for a day trip to Northeastern Greece as you will visit the archaeological sites of Amphipolis and Philippi and you will also explore Kavala, a town where the antiquities and natural beauty combine with the lifestyle of modern Greece. Our first stop will be the lion of Amphipolis, one of the most impressive lion shaped sculpture of 4^th century B.C., which is almost 6 meters long. Then we will continue our tour to the archaeological site.

Amphipolis preserves remains of human occupation from the Neolothic period (5^th-3^rd millennia BC) to the Byzantine years (4^th-14^th century AD) and was founded in 438/ 437 BC by the Athenians. Its strategic location near the fruitful Strymon vale and the Pangaion gold mines is the reason that the city reached it’s apogee in the next period firstly under the Macedonian rule, as an important naval base, and later as part of the Roman Via Egnatia. Amphipolis came to the spotlight once again in the 2012-15, when the excavations at the cemetery areas of the city revealed one monumental tumulus tomb, known as the “Amphipolis Tomb”. The tomb is dated to the late 4^th century and many theories were made about the identity and the status of the deceased. Some archaeologists even hypothesize that Alexander the Great was buried here.

After Amphipolis, you will have free time for lunch in Kavala. Not miss the chance to walk along its port, while enjoying the magnetic view of the Thracian Sea, which is the northern part of the Aegean Sea or get lost in the cobbled roads of the Old town with the details of Ottoman architecture all around you.

Next, we continue to the ancient city Philippi, which was named after the king Philippos II, father of Alexander the Great and thrived under the Macedonian and Roman dynasties. During the early Byzantine time the city became a centre of Christianity, since it was here that Apostle Paul founded the first Christian church on European soil. Because of its exceptional Roman architecture, its urban layout as a smaller reflection of Rome itself, and its importance in early Christianity, the archaeological site of Philippi was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. Overnight Thessaloniki.

DAY 5: Thessaloniki city tour and cycling

This day is dedicated to exploring Thessaloniki, a “living history museum”, as it has been called by historians for the numerous archaeological treasures (several of them have been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites) that one can see, while walking through its streets.

Founded in 316/15 B.C. by Kassandro, a military officer of Alexander the Great, in a strategic location around the Thermaiko gulf and at the crossroad of East and West, the years that will follow Thessaloniki will become one of the most important commercial and cosmopolitan centers in the Mediterranean Sea. Romans, that will occupy the city in 168 BC, will understand its significance and make sure that via Egnatia, the road that connected West and East (Rome to Constantinople), will pass through Thessaloniki. As for the Byzantines, Thessaloniki will be the second most important administrative, political and cultural center after Constantinople.

In the morning, you will start your tour from Upper Town (Ano Poli), where you will have the chance to see Trigoniou Tower, which is the most famous and impressive tower of the city’s Byzantine walls. Don’t miss the chance to really take in the panoramic view of the whole city and the Thermaic Gulf, as they become one and take a couple of pictures. Before, heading to the city center, we will visit the church of Agios Dimitrios, which is the city’s largest church (UNESCO World Heritage) and the main sanctuary dedicated to its patron saint, Agios Dimitrios. The delicate Byzantine mosaics decorating the pillars on either side of the entrance to the apse will surely catch your eye.

Next, we will descent to the city center and travel back to the Roman period. The protagonists will be Rotunda, the round shaped monument that was built in the first years of Roman tetrarchy, when Roman emperor Galerius (250-311 AD) was based in Thessaloniki and the famous Arch of Galerius, which is known today as “Kamara”. “Kamara” was built to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius for his victory against the Persians (about 306 AD) and you should really take your time to notice its sculptured panels, as each one of them has a different story to tell. Nowadays, “Kamara” is the meeting point for all the locals and a lot of poems and songs have been written for her.

After being immersed in the past, it is now time for lunch and rest at the numerous restaurants and cafes that the city has to offer.  For dessert, don’t miss the chance to try out mpougatsa, a sweet pie filled with cream, a specialty of the city. In the afternoon, get ready to cycle along the beach of Thessaloniki and to know history, while you are being active. For approximately 5km, you will cycle, having the blue shimmering sea to your right and small green thematic gardens to your left.

Our first stop will be the White Tower (Leukos Pirgos), part of the sea wall of the city, the signature landmark of Thessaloniki, built in the 15^thcentury. Only few meters away, we will meet the bronze statue of Alexander the Great riding his faithful companion of 20 years, Bucephalus. Get ready to be impressed by the magnificence of this statue of Macedonian commander, as it is the tallest in Greece, reaching almost 6.15 meters in height.

Another highlight during our ride will be the work of art by the famous sculptor Giorgios Zoggolopoulos called “Umbrellas”. Umbrellas are 13 meters tall and give the impression that they can reach the sky. “Holding an umbrella” and the blue sea behind you, it is surely a picture that you should take! Our cycling tour will end and you will be free to enjoy dinner. Overnight Thessaloniki.

Day 6: Visit Vergina- School of Aristotle and Wine tasting

Today, history and excellent wine will come together to create a memorable experience, as we depart from our hotel and head to Vergina. Vergina, which was called “Aiges” (the place, where a lot of herds are) in the past, was the capital of the kingdom of Ancient Macedonia. Travel back in time, as we will pass through the ruins of the Macedonian palace and the ancient theater, where king Fillipos ll, the father of Alexander the Great got murdered. Next, we will visit the royal tombs with their amazing wall paintings and in the museum we will see all the artifacts that were given as an offer to the dead Macedonian kings. The highlight is the gold coffin (larnax in Ancient Greek) that contained the bones of the herozed King Philip II, and the oak crown worn by the dead man. The gold oak crown is the heaviest and most impressive wreath surviving from Greek antiquity, as it  has 313 leaves and 68 acorns and weighs 714 gr.

After our tour in Vergina, we will stop in the picturesque town of Veroia for lunch. Veroia is a quiet town full of old mansions, cobbled streets, byzantine churches and restaurants with local dishes that you should definitely try!

After our lunch, our next destination will be the Nymphaeum of Mieza, also known as the  “School of Aristotle”. It is said that it was here that the greatest philosopher of the antiquity met and taught Alexander the Great the greatness of classical Greek thought and the ideals of the Platonic philosophy, changing forever the future of Western civilization.

The best part is left for the end as we will head at a local winery, where you will get the chance to enjoy Greek wine made of local varieties (Xinomauro specifically) accompanied with local delicacies. Head back to Thessaloniki and rest after a full day. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 7: Visit Dion and Thermopylae on our way to Athens

Saying goodbye to Thessaloniki, we pack our bags and start our journey back to Athens. On our way, we will visit Dion, a sacred place dedicated to the father of all Gods and humans Zeus (in Greek his name is Dias), which is located close to mountain Olympus, the house of Gods. It is said that Alexander the Great visited Dion and asked for help from the father of Gods, before starting out his expedition to Asia. After visiting Dion, we head off to Thermopylae, which is a world-famous spot for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces (notably the Spartans) and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, “Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient to their laws we lie.” After a quick stop, we leave for Athens. Overnight in Athens.

Day 8: Departure – (Optional visit of Acropolis and Acropolis Museum)

This tour comes to an end and your luggage is full of memories and souvenirs from all the places you have visited. In the morning, if you would like we can arrange for you to have a guided tour in Acropolis and Acropolis Museum for an extra charge. The New Acropolis Museum is truly a gem that you shouldn’t miss. As you walk on the glass floors, towards the entrance of the museum, you will be able to witness the excavations under your feet. Through the 4,000 Acropolis masterpieces you will travel through time and have the chance to really grasp the myths behind the history. Your tour will be concluded on the Holly Rock of the Acropolis with its beautiful and unique monuments such as: the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaea gateway, the Erechtheion and of course, the most famous archeological monument, the astonishing Parthenon. From the top of the hill and between all those breath taking marble temples you will feel closer to Zeus who will surely blink back at you!!

After this tour, we will transfer you back to the airport to catch your flight back home! We the Greeks don’t like to say goodbye. Instead we prefer to say «Εις το επανιδείν» which means ‘we hope to see you again’