Antiquity & Orthodoxy

From Thessaloniki to Athens (12 days – 11 nights)

Day 1: Arrival in Thessaloniki

Welcome in Thessaloniki! Transfer from the Thessaloniki International Airport "Macedonia" to your booked hotel. Stay for 4 nights. Dinner and overnight stay.

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 3: On the steps of Apostle Paul

Follow Apostle Paul to a journey through time, to some of his most important stops during his tour to spread the word of Jesus. Kavala is your first stop, a city which reminds of a Greek theatre directly by the sea. In this city of Macedonia, you can still feel the presence of the Turkish influence. In Philippi (Acts 16, 12-40), you will learn about the journeys of Apostle Paul and the history of how the first Christian community was created. Among the remnants, you can see the Roman agora and a Basilica dated back to the early Christian times. Later on, you will have the chance to visit a traditional production unit of dairy. https://www.facebook.com/menikio?fref=ts

Day 4: Aristotle & Mount Athos

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 5: 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 6: Meteora – Monasteries hanging from the cliffs

In Meteora you will have the chance to visit one of the most extraordinary sites in Greece. Meteora is considered as one of the most beautiful areas in the Greek mainland (also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List) and is famous for its six monasteries built on top of rock towers; you will visit two of them, which will provide you a totally breathtaking view. In such a place, you can just feel that you are literally approaching the holy heavens. Afterwards, drive to Delphi, where you will stay for 1 night.

Day 7: 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 8: Ancient Olympia & Olympic Games

Visit the archaeological site of ancient Olympia, where the Olympic Games were born. You will have the chance to admire the Temple of Zeus (which once hosted one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world), the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the Museum.

After leaving the sacred grounds of Olympia you will drive to the Corinthian Gulf. Hotel stay for 2 nights in Corinth.

Day 9: Epidaurus – Mycenae – Nafplion

Mycenae was home to the kingdom of Agamemnon, the mythical king referred in Homer’s Iliad. Visit the Palace, the Lionesses Gate and the tomb of Agamemnon. Afterwards, you will visit Epidaurus and its ancient theatre with the fascinating acoustics which still hosts theatrical plays mostly in summer. Epidaurus is alleged to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios, the healer and also the most celebrated healing centre of the classical world.

Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, is the last stop of your tour. Its Venetian fortress of Palamidi and the fortified islet of Bourtzi offer amazing views. After a walk through the streets of the city you can have the chance to visit a traditional ouzo distillery. http://www.karonis.gr/

Day 10: Ancient Corinth & Cape Sounion

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; until 1893, seamen had to travel around the rugged shores of Peloponnese to land e.g. in Sicily. The spectacular cutting through of the Isthmus between the Saronic and the Corinthian Gulf clearly reduced the sea routes from Athens to the Mediterranean Sea. The builders blew up the rock at a length of 6.34 km, dug 60 m deep in the earth and created a shipping channel 24.5 m wide and 8 m deep. It is really something you have to see once from the boat perspective!

Afterwards, you will make a short stop at the female monastery of Agios Pavlos in Lavrio, where you will talk with the Orthodox nuns and learn some things about their everyday life.

The cherry is coming always on top! As a closure for your day, 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.

Marginal note: Experts believe that the column structure at Cape Sounion was dedicated to god Apollo, although an inscription dedicates the temple undoubtedly to Poseidon.

In Athens, accommodation for 2 nights.

Day 11: City Tour Athens

Your city tour in Athens starts with a short stop in the Panathinaiko Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896 and the finish of the Marathon was hosted in 2004. Continue with a panoramic drive to the magnificent archaeological site of Acropolis, an UNESCO’s world heritage monument and landmark of Athens. Visit the Propylae, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion with its porch of Maidens and of course the glorious Parthenon.

On your way down the hill of Acropolis, you will pass by the Herodion and Dionysus Theater and your walk will end in the modern New Acropolis Museum with the spectacular view to Acropolis. Main attractions such as motives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids and the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze are waiting for you and they will surely impress you.

Day 12: Departure – “Geia sas”

Transfer to Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” – Departure