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5 Days Tour of Northern Greece

Visit Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki & Macedonia
Duration:
5 Days / 4 Nights
Destinations:
Delphi
Kalambaka
Meteora
Thessaloniki
Macedonia
The iconic White Tower in Thessaloniki overlooking the Thermaic Gulf
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per person 865€

Time to focus on the rich history of Northern Greece with a meticulously designed 5-day tour starting from Athens! The ancient Hellenic world and the days of Byzantine come together in a combination of destinations that span millennia of history. Through the scenic plains of Boetia we will visit the archaeological site of Delphi, where the famous Oracle once stood. The ancient Greeks called it the navel of the world which betrays the key importance its prophecies carried for the Greek city-states. We will move on from antiquity to the spirituality of Byzantium in Meteora, a truly stunning valley in Thessaly. Giant rock pillars rise up from the fertile valley below to create a unique site that will excite geologists and laymen alike. On top of those pillars stand Byzantine monasteries, the construction of which is a testament to human perseverance.

Continuing north, we will reach Macedonia, land of Alexander the Great. After establishing your base at Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city and a place that was second only to Istanbul during the Byzantine Empire, you will launch expeditions to points of interest around Northern Greece. However, Thessaloniki itself is well-worth exploring. Remnants of that era of Byzantine Emperors are still all around the city in the form of architecture, art and archaeological sites. Your excursions in the region will bring you to charming towns like Edessa and its famous waterfalls, Naoussa and the nearby School of Aristotle, Vergina with the Royal Tombs of King Phillip II, and Pella, the capital of Alexander's Great Empire!

This summer head North and explore a different side of Greece!

Select Saturdays from May to October (first class only). For a specific date, check availability here.

Only guests ages 5 through 12 are eligible for "children's rates"

Pricing

First class half board:
865,00 € per adult
670,00 € per child
Single supplement 205,00 €

  • Day 1 -  Athens to Kalambaka via Thebes, Levadia and Delphi
    We will pick you up from select spots in Athens (departure at approx 8:45) and drive through the scenic plains of Beotia, passing by the town of Thebes, which was an important city-state in the Hellenic world, as well as the picturesque village of Arachova. Not long after we'll arrive in Delphi, known the world over for the Oracle which the ancient Greeks used to consult before starting a war campaign. We will visit the archaeological site, which houses the Temple of Apollo, the ancient Theater, the Stadium which hosted the Pythian Games and many different Treasuries from various city-states among many other sites. Afterwards, we will depart for Kalambaka, a cozy town in the heart of Greece, situated right at the foot of the astonishing rock complex of Meteora.
    Overnight: Kalambaka
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
     
  • Day 2 - Kalambaka to Thessaloniki and a visit to Meteora
    After a fulfilling breakfast, we will head for Meteora, a place of immense religious importance which encapsulates the very meaning of the word numinous. Meteora is a geological marvel since vast, rock pillars rise up from the valley below to create a unique spectacle that is a testament to wonders of nature. On top of the pillars, stand Byzantine Monasteries, build over many decades during the Middle Age, and against adverse conditions. We will visit at least two monasteries and take in the stunning scenery before we bid adieu to Thessaly and proceed through the valley of Tempi to Macedonia, passing in view of the iconic figure of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods of Greek Mythology. We will arrive at Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, where you will have free time to explore the city's nightlife at your own pace.
    Overnight: Thessaloniki
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
     
  • Day 3 - Explore Thessaloniki's Byzantine Heritage
    Thessaloniki is a city of immense historical importance, serving as one of the most prominent cities of the Byzantine Empire, second only to Constantinople. We will take a walking tour to explore its rich history through a series of monument that highlight the city through various eras. The spirit of Byzantium is ever-present in the architectural style of the many churches decorating Thessaloniki and the Museum of Byzantine Culture can serve as a jumping off point for you to familiarize yourself with it. A visit to the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda will elucidate early Byzantine art and it will immediately become clear why it was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Once you've had your fill of history, you can soak in the modern aspects of the city at your leisure. Make sure to sample as many treats as you can, as the culinary tradition of Northern Greece differs significantly from the rest of the country!
    Overnight: Thessaloniki
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
     
  • Day 4 - Explore Macedonia
    Time to explore the historical grounds of Macedonia through a series of excursions! We'll start heading west, through beautiful and diverse landscape until we reach the town of Edessa. Picturesque and quaint, Edessa has been a beloved vacation destination for locals due to its waterfalls, which augment its natural beauty. We will then we proceed to the town of Naoussa to visit the School of Aristotle. The Lyceum -as it is better known as- was famous for its Peripatetic school which was established in 334 BCE by the great philosopher Aristotle, and it is a place in which Socrates and Plato taught. Continuing south on the same route we will reach Vergina, or Aigai as it was known during antiquity. There we will visit the museum created in the Great Tumulus, covering the Royal Tombs of Macedonia. This is the house of the astonishing findings in the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father, one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. Close by we'll find the town of Veria, our fourth and final stop for the day. Known as Beroea in biblical times, it is the place where the Apostle Paul taught and it is there that we will find Saint Paul's Bema. Afterwards we'll stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the town's colorful market area. The return to Thessaloniki will be filled with musings about the multitude of diverse destinations your day entailed.
    Overnight: Thessaloniki
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
     
  • Day 5 - Visit Pella and Return to Athens
    A morning trip to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great's empire is the perfect segue to concluding your trip and saying goodbye to Northern Greece. We will admire the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas, in situ as well as in the Archaeological Museum of Pella. On our way back we will stop at the Archaeological Park of Dion on the foot of Mount Olympus. A religious center for Macedonians during antiquity, Dion eventually developed into an ancient Greek city of its own. Continuing our drive back to Athens, through the plains of Thessaly, we will pass by Thermopylae, where you will have the chance to see the Leonidas' monument, before arriving in the capital late in the afternoon.
    Overnight: -
    Meals: Breakfast
  • Motor coach through Boetia & Thessaly plain, Tempi Valley & the towns of Thebes, Levadia, Arachova, Naoussa & Edessa.
  • Visit Delphi archaeological site.
  • Visit of Meteora monasteries (2 monasteries).
  • Visit Archaeological Park of Dion.
  • Visit Saint Paul Bema at Veria town.
  • Visit Aristotle's School at Naoussa town.
  • Visit Pella new museum (Pella is the capital of Alexander the Great).
  • Visit Thessaloniki city's main attractions & monuments.
  • Visit Thessaloniki Museum of Byzantine Culture.
  • Visit Vergina Museum and the Royal Tombs of Macedonia (King Phillip II tomb)
  • Short stop at Thermopylae (see Leonidas monument)
  • 1 night 4-star hotel accommodation in Kalambaka (Meteora area)
  • 3 nights 3-star hotel accommodation in Thessaloniki
  • 4 breakfasts, 4 dinners
  • Professional guide
  • Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach
  • Pick up / drop off service from most of the hotels in Athens
  • VAT for all services

Not included:

  • Visit to Delphi museum
  • Your international airfare
  • Personal expenses, beverages at lunch and / or dinner
  • Customary tips to your drivers, guides and escorts
  • Stayover hotel tax, to be paid directly to the hotel
  • This tour includes a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service from and to your hotel or other predefined spots in Athens and surrounding areas. Maximum duration of this service to gather / distribute tour participants is approximately 1 hour. Thus, pick-up time may vary for each guest and will be provided during the booking process.
  • Clients staying at the coast will depart for their hotels, from G.O. terminal around 19:30hrs.
  • Appropriate clothing is required to visit the Monasteries. Long skirts below the knees for the ladies and long trousers for the gentlemen. The monasteries, also, provide long skirts before every entrance. The ladies can choose and wear a long skirt over their clothing, during the tour, and return it, prior to their departure.
  • The tour is implemented only in English.