9Days Athens and North Mainland in Greece

Day1: Arrive in Airport El. Venizelos and transfer you to an Athens city 3*Hotel for 1night accommodation with breakfast.

Day2: Drive through the fertile plain of Boeotia region, pass by the towns of Thebes, Livadia and via the picturesque village of Arachova, arrive in Delphi and visit the Archaeological Site. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of the Meteora, those gigantic rocks that rise steep from the plain of Thessaly. (Dinner and overnight)

Day3: Visit the Meteora: perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalambaka, drive through the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi, and admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods in Greek Mythology. Arrival at Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece. (Dinner and overnight)

Day4:  In the morning visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the “co-reigning” city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as in the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe’s Museum Prize for the year 2005. Rest of the day free, to enjoy time in the lively center of the city. (Dinner and overnight)

Day5: Depart in the morning for a unique approach to historical Macedonia. First stop at picturesque Edessa where we see the town’s famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa, to a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle’s School, the picturesque site where the great philosopher taught ‘the doctrines of morals and politics’ to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Then drive to Vergina (ancient Aigai), to live the experience of a visit to the unique Museum, created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander’s father, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. In only a few miles away is Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul’s Bema, and then stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colorful market area. A walk in a city where past is present and around. Return in Thessaloniki. (Dinner and overnight)

Day6: Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas, in situ as well as in the new Museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of mountain Olympus). After the visit we shall start driving south and through Thessaly, Lamia, Thermopylae (see the Leonidas’ Monument) and Thebes, arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.

Day7: After breakfast go to Athens Sightseeing Half Day with the Acropolis Museum. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Evzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis Museum.

Day8: Free day for shopping and exploring the city center of Athens and its beautiful alleys

Day9: After breakfast Transfer you from hotel to airport to flight back home.