Vergina is a small town in northern Greece, in the region of Central Macedonia. The town was established in 1922 in the aftermath of the population exchanges after the Treaty of Lausanne. Vergina is best known as the site of ancient Aigai, the first capital of the Macedon people. It was there when in 336 BC Philip II was assassinated and Alexander the Great was proclaimed king. The ancient site was discovered in 1976 and excavated under the leadership of archaeologist Manolis Andronikos.
Pella is an ancient city located in Central Macedonia, Greece, best known as the historical capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon and birthplace of Alexander the Great. On the site of the ancient city is the Archaeological Museum of Pella.
Patras is Greece's third-largest city and the regional capital of Western Greece, in the northern Peloponnese. The city is built at the foothills of Mount Panachaikon, overlooking the Gulf of Patras.
Located on the heart of Peloponnese, the town of Kalavryta combined mountains and water, sitting between the mountains of Erymanthos and Chelmos as well as the bank of the river Vouraikos. Its surrounded area has diverse historical roots, from the Greek ancient city of Cynathea, the Frankish Principality of Achaia, the Byzantine era and even the Despotate of Morea during Ottoman rule.
A popular tourist destination that combines urban lifestyle and rural beauty, Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece, and the capital of the geographic region of Macedonia. With over 1 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, the city might sound hectic, but this couldn't be further from the truth. A more calm and relaxed rhythm of life flows through the streets of the Greek "co-capital", which gives it a unique flavor. The city is renowned for its festivals, events and vibrant cultural life in general, and is considered to be Greece's cultural capital.
Dubbed as the "winter Mykonos" of Greece, Arachova has managed to become one of the most popular Greek winter destinations over the past few decades. Nestled on Mt Parnassos, it sits in between the hustle of the capital and the serenity of the mountain, combining the best of both worlds with its picturesque, yet cosmopolitan vibe. Additionally, its position in the central region of Greece, makes Arachova a great starting point for excursions to important archaeological sites like Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Corinth and Mycenae.
Monemvasia is a town in Laconia, Greece. The town is located on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese. The island is linked to the mainland by a short causeway 200m in length. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau, the site of a powerful medieval fortress. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period. Monemvasia's name is derived from two Greek words, mone and emvasia, meaning "single entrance". Its Italian form, Malvasia, gave its name to Malmsey wine. Monemvasia's nickname is the Gibraltar of the East or The Rock.
Corinth is on the narrow isthmus between the Saronic and Corinthian gulfs connecting the Peloponnese to the rest of Greece, although now it is split by the Corinth Canal. The modern town of Corinth isn't a big tourist attraction, but to the south of the town is ancient Corinth a huge well preserved archeological site. Looming over ancient Corinth is Acrocorinth. A huge fortress citadel that towers over the town and nearby countryside. Nearby you can find the ancient port of Kehries, where St. Paul disembarked.
Nafplio is a seaport town and one of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis (in eastern Peloponnese) as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece. Nafplio consisted the first capital of the newly born Greek state between 1823 and 1834. The most photographed spot of Nafplio –and its point of reference as well– is Bourtzi, the Venetian small fortress standing on the rocky islet of Agioi Theodoroi. In the summer you can reach the fortress by boat departing regularly from the port.
In the western Peloponnese, in the "Valley of Gods", lies the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece, and the birthplace of the most important athletic mega-event of all times; the Olympic Games. The ancient Olympic Games were held there every four years throughout Classical Antiquity, at the sanctuary of Zeus.
The sanctuary, known as the Altis, consists of an unordered arrangement of various buildings. Enclosed within the temenos (sacred enclosure) are the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion, and the area of the altar, where the sacrifices were made.