Religious & Cultural Highlights

Day 2: Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and the capital of northern Greece. In 1997 it was nominated by UNESCO as the European Capital of Culture and for a lot of people it is known as the most romantic Greek city. The cosmopolitan city of Thessaloniki has a great history of about 2,000 years, as it was one of the most important cities in the Roman and Byzantine times. Your city tour starts with a visit in Ano Poli, the highest point of the city, with the walls and the Byzantine fort. The view from this part of the city is really exquisite. Afterwards, you will visit the White Tower, the landmark of Thessaloniki situated by the sea, the Rotonda, the Arch of Galerius (known as “Kamara” among the locals), as well as some important Byzantine churches: Hagia Sophia and the Basilica of Aghios Demetrios (the patron saint of Thessaloniki) with the crypt discovered in the early years of the 20ieth century. Your tour will end with a visit of the old city part, known as “Ladadika”.

Day 4: Thessaloniki & Museums

This will be the best day of the journey for the museum fans. You will visit the Archaeological and Byzantine Museums in Thessaloniki, where you will admire permanent and temporary exhibitions dating back to the ancient and Byzantine times of Thessaloniki and the wider region of Macedonia.

 Today you will make a tour in the peninsula of Chalkidiki. Your first stop will be in Ouranoupoli, the last destination before entering the “abaton” of Mount Athos. From there, you will take the boat for a short cruise around the “Holy Mountain”. Mount Athos is really a small republic of monks with 20 monasteries, where no women are permitted. The cruise will last about 3 hours. After a lunch break in Ouranoupoli, you will visit the archaeological site of ancient Stageira, a small historical town and motherland of the great philosopher Aristotle.

Day 6: Alexander the Great

If the history of Alexander the Great always fascinated you, then Vergina is the right place for you. If not, then you will surely be fascinated after your visit in Vergina. Although it is just a small village 75 km away from Thessaloniki, its name was written with golden letters in history, because the ancient city of Aigai came to light there. Aigai was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia and its cemetery contains the tombs of the royal dynasty and especially the tomb of the legendary King Philip II. The royal tombs were discovered in 1977-8 by the archaeologist Manolis Andronikos. The whole atmosphere in the underground building which hosts the museum of Vergina is mystic and leaves various feelings in the visitor’s heart. The tombs contained so many treasures, that everybody would wonder how luxurious the unfound tomb of Alexander the Great would be.

After visiting the royals, short visit in Veroia, or Berea as it is widely known from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 17, 10-15). Continue to the South, drive-by the Vale of Tempi at the foot of Olymp. You will visit the church of Hagia Paraskevi, famous stop for the pilgrimage tours. Then by driving through Larissa and Trikala, you will reach the old bishopric Stagoi, known today as Kalambaka. Accommodation for 1 night in Kalambaka.

Day 8: Delphi, the Navel of the Earth

Delphi: the most prestigious and authoritative oracle in the Greek world, as well as an UNESCO’s world heritage site. Delphi is known for its theatre, its ancient ruins and of course the Temple of Apollo with the Oracle, where Pythia predicted the future with equivocal sayings. Delphi has been characterized as “the Navel of the Earth”; according to the Greek mythology, Zeus is said to have sent two eagles flying from the eastern and western extremities, and the path of the eagles crossed over Delphi where the omphalos or navel of Gaia was found. After visiting Pythia, you will drive to Antirio, cross the Rio-Antirio hanging bridge and arrive in Olympia, where you will stay for 1 night.

Day 10: Sparta & Byzantine Mystras

After a tour in the city of Sparta, the motherland of Leonidas who fell bravely in the battle of Thermopylae against the Persians (480 B.C), your day continues with a drive to the magnificent Mystras.

The “wonder of the Morea”, as it is known, was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. The city was reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians and finally it was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins standing in a beautiful landscape. Afterwards, you will drive to Tolon and stay there for 2 nights.

Day 12: Ancient Corinth & Corinth Canal

Today you will visit Ancient Corinth, which has been the richest port and the largest city in ancient Greece. Its strategical location on the connection between Peloponnese and the mainland of Greece made the city a powerful commercial centre near two seaports. The city is also very famous in the world of Christianity as one of the main stops of Apostle Paul during the journeys he made to spread the word of Jesus.

Drive to Athens. On your way there you will have the chance to cross the Corinth Canal by boat.

In Athens, accommodation for 3 nights.

Day 14: National Archaeological Museum & Cape Sounion

In the morning, you will visit the National Archaeological Museum. The museum has one of the richest ancient collections in the world. Especially its collections of the Mycenaean jewellery, the Greek sepulchral art, the archaic sculptures and the big bronze sculptures, as well as the geometrical vases are of unique beauty. Due to the wealth of art treasures, it is necessary to see only a few of them.

Afterwards, you will visit the magnificent Cape Sounion, which is only 45 miles (70 km) away from Athens and thus the perfect destination for a sunny, lazy afternoon. The Temple of Poseidon, whose half of the Doric columns are still standing, is perched on a rocky hilltop overlooking the sea and offers an absolutely breathtaking, panoramic view of the Aegean sea.

Transfer to Athens International Airport – Departure