Discover Northern Greece

A place full of surprises and hidden gems

When you think of Greece, you think of the sun, the sea and the Greek islands. But Greece has more to offer. The NORTH OF GREECE, Greece’s mainland, is where you can find magical settings between forests and mountains, while the sea is never far away. NORTHERN GREECE is the area where the gods chose their home on Mount Olympus, where you can find numerous outdoor thermal spas, and where the vibrant metropolis of Thessaloniki is. It is also the region where Alexander the Great has his origin from, where you will be mesmerized by the extraordinary Meteora monasteries, and where you will find a wealth of history, as the fingerprint of the different peoples that once lived here. The remains they left behind are not only great monuments but are enhanced by their fusion with gastronomy as well. You will get a full taste of all that on your visit to Northern GREECE with us.

Highlights

– City Food tour in Thessaloniki

– Cooking at a Pontian family farm

– Wine tasting and cooking class

– Natural outdoor thermal spas

– Mount Olympus hiking

– The Meteora monasteries experience

– Truffle hunting and cooking

– Delphi, at the Navel of the world

– Galaxidi, a picturesque & relaxing spot

– A stop at Thebes

– Athens & farewell dinner

Why select this tour?

If you love adventure, experiencing new tastes and living life to the fullest, while enjoying breathtaking landscapes, high altitude plateaus and diving into some important ancient Greek history, then this is THE tour for you!

History & Glossary

The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos.The six (of an original twenty-four) monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the twenty-four monasteries were established atop the rocks.
Meteora is located near the town of Kalabaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains. Meteora was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988 because of the outstanding architecture and beauty of the complex, in addition to its religious and artistic significance.

A truffle is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus Tuber. In addition to Tuber, many other genera of fungi are classified as truffles including Geopora, Peziza, Choiromyces, Leucangium, and over a hundred others

Thessaloniki is located on the Thermaic Gulf, at the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea and is an important metropolis of Northern Greece. It is a popular tourist destination in Greece. In 2013, National Geographic Magazine included Thessaloniki in its top tourist destinations worldwide, while in 2014 Financial Times FDI magazine (Foreign Direct Investments) declared Thessaloniki as the best mid-sized European city of the future for human capital and lifestyle.

Delphi is known as the Navel of the Earth. Ancient Greeks believed that Delphi was the Navel of the Earth, a place seen as a spiritual focal point for all Greeks; it included many sanctuaries and the most prestigious oracle in all of ancient Greece. This is where Pythia, the high priestess, uttered the divine advice of god Apollo to mortals who travelled from across the world to seek a prophecy. Apart from Greeks, the Oracle was visited also by foreign leaders and dignitaries who were anxious to know the will of Apollo on important state affairs. At a stone’s throw from the archaeological site, you can visit present-day Delphi town, lying at the foot of Mt. Parnassus, near Arachova town.
Choose the area for your winter holidays as it is close to Parnassus ski centre, or visit it any other time of the year and explore the beauty of nature and the nearby beaches. It’s situated at a conveniently short distance from the mountain, the woods, the archaeological sites that are famous the world over, and some beautiful beaches.

Thebes was the largest city of the ancient region of Boeotia and was the leader of the Boeotian confederacy. It was a major rival of ancient Athens, and sided with the Persians during the 480 BC invasion under Xerxes I. The modern city contains an archaeological museum, the remains of the Cadmea (Bronze Age and forward citadel), and scattered ancient remains. Modern Thebes is the largest town of the regional unit of Boeotia.

Itinerary: Discover Northern Greece

Day 1 – City food tour in Thessaloniki, the Nymph of Thermaikos

Experience a taste of the city’s well-known fusion kitchen and walk around one of the oldest food markets in Europe. Walk through the different neighborhoods (Ottoman Turkish, Jewish), alongside the waterfront to the imposing statue of Alexander the Great. You will also see Byzantine architecture, Roman walls, the Arch of Galerius and many more.

Day 2 – Farm2Table agricultural experience

Visit a Pontian Greek family farm, their creamery and pasta workshop, and see how the typical Pontian products are made. Prepare your lunch, mostly outdoors on the fire and in the wood oven and dive into the secrets of their kitchen!

Day 3 – Wine tasting and cooking class

Become a wine “connoisseur” for several PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) wines at a family wine business. Walk through the vineyards, the wine-producing facilities and the family’s unique wine museum. Get the chance to learn how to roll the perfect “dolmades” (stuffed vine leaves) at the COOKING CLASS.

Day 4 – Relax and rejuvenate at a natural outdoor spa

Feel like in a fairy tale in these beautiful natural surroundings with the running streams, plane trees and hot springs. There are small natural private lakes and tubs to bathe in. Night out in Thessaloniki.

Day 5 – Visit Mount Olympus, a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Visit the mountain of Gods, the highest mountain of Greece, 2.917m (9,571 feet).

Easy hike up to 1.000 m to a monastery, enjoy the nature and spectacular panoramic views at Zeus’ throne. A visit to the archaeological site of Ancient Dion (Dios = Zeus). Overnight at Meteora.

Day 6 – Meteora monasteries

Visit the enigmatic Meteora monasteries (from the Greek word “meteoros”, which means “suspended in the air”). Have a tour around the city of Kalambaka.

Day 7 – Truffle hunting

Go truffle hunting with local experts and their truffle-dogs. Walk through beautiful nature and then make a delicious pasta dish from the wild mushrooms and truffles you have found.

Day 8 – Delphi, the centre of the world

Visit the centre of the earth. Of all the ancient sites in Greece, Delphi is the one with the most “spirit of place”, built on the slopes of Mount Parnassos. The Delphi Oracle, the most powerful in Greece, and the most famous oracle of the ancient world, sat on a tripod at the entrance to a chasm which emitted vaporous fumes.

Have a 3-hour guided tour at the archaeological site and the museum.

Day 9 – Delphi, Galaxidi leisure day

Drive to the picturesque coastal town of Galaxidi, the prettiest of the low-key resorts on the north coast of the Corinthian gulf. Stroll through town and enjoy lunch and leisure.

Day 10 – Thiva, Athens, farewell dinner

Depart for Athens, with a stop halfway in Thiva (Thebes) for lunch and WINE and “TSIPOURO” (the Greek double distillation of wine).

Day 11 – Check out, departure

Check out and departure.

*You will receive a detailed itinerary after booking this pack!

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Important Information: Discover Northern Greece

Price Includes

– Accommodation (Double room sharing) in all 4-star hotels and boutique traditional guesthouses.

– Land Transportation with luxury mini bus and a professional driver

– All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner and a picnic. Local wines, soft drinks and water.

– Historical Guided Tours

– Tour Guides

– Tours as described

** Prices may be changed depending on season & number of persons

Price Excludes

– Your return travel expenses to Greece from the country of your arrival.

– Travel and medical insurance.

– Personal charges such as hard liquor, laundry, telephone charges, room service, tv on demand, mini-bar, souvenirs.

– Private excursions not mentioned in the itinerary

– Gratuities to the hotel personnel or the tour operators -guides at your discretion

– Entrance fees in archaeological sites & museums

Discover Northern Greece

A place full of surprises and hidden gems