Northern Greece Private Journey

Duration: 8 days

Explore beautiful northern Greece on this private journey: Greece's second city, Thessaloniki;  Pelion, Land of the Centaurs; the towering Meteora rocks and take in several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

* Minimum 4 persons

Dates upon request

Includes:

• Guide/escort
• All transfers
• Accommodation with breakfast in 4* hotels
• 7 dinners

Not included: Entrance fees for the archaeological sites and tourist guides (tourist guides are optional (Dion, Vergina, Meteora, Thessaloniki).

NB. In January 2018 Greece introduced an Overnight Stay Tax of 0.50 to 4 Euros per room or apartment per night, which is payable locally - the amount varies according to the category of the accommodation (i.e. most self catering and 1-2 star hotels = 0.50 Euros, 5 star hotels = 4 Euros).

We can include flights as part of a fully ATOL-protected package.

• Day One: Arrival in Thessaloniki

  Upon arrival at Thessaloniki airport a member of the team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Your afternoon is free and you can either take a stroll by the sea or visit the Roman Agora next to your hotel. In the evening you'll enjoy local and oriental delicacies at a taverna in the old part of the city, called “Ladadika”.
  
  Meals: Dinner
  
   
  Accommodation: Hotel Olympia, Thessaloniki.

• Day Two: Pelion

  From Thessaloniki you'll be driven to Pelion, approximately 3.5 hours away. En route you will stop off at either Dion, the sanctuary of Alexander the Great and his father Philip, or the town of Litochoro located at the slopes of Mount Olympus, where you may choose to take a short walk in the Enipeas valley. From the mountains you'll drive to the seaside for lunch or coffee in a traditional Greek taverna. Then continue south to the city of Volos and to the picturesque village of Portaria for your overnight stay. In the evening dinner will be taken at a local taverna in the village square.
   
  Meals: Breakfast, dinner
   
  Accommodation: Hotel Xenia Palace, Portaria
  

• Day Three: Pelion peninsula sightseeing

  Today you'll get to know Mount Pelion, otherwise known as the Land of the Centaurs. Most of this area is covered with lush vegetation, orchards, olive and chestnut trees. Twenty four villages emerge through the forests with their remarkable cobblestone paths and characteristic manor homes and you will be able to visit some of them. Along the coastline you'll discover isolated shores drenched in a tapestry of colours, sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages that create a perfect combination of walking and swimming, while admiring stunning views on almost every route. In the afternoon return to your hotel.
   
  Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
   
  Accommodation: Hotel Xenia Palace, Portaria
  

• Day Four: Meteora

  From Portaria return to the city of Volos and continue west to Kastraki, a small village situated among the spectacular Meteora rocks. After visiting one of the monasteries you can enjoy a short, easy hike visiting some lesser-known abandoned monasteries. Dinner in a local taverna.

  Meals: Breakfast, dinner
   
  Accommodation: Kastraki, Hotel Dellas

• Day Five: Meteora - Grevena - Veria

  In the morning there will be time for a scenic drive including photo opportunities and to enjoy the spectacular views of the monasteries and the gigantic rocky pinnacles. Then leaving Meteora behind you'll drive to one of the lesser-known areas of Greece. After a break at the mountain town of Grevena you'll continue on your way to the city of Veria and dinner in a local taverna.
   
  Meals: Breakfast, dinner
   
  Accommodation: Hotel Aiges Melathron, Veria

• Day Six: Vergina - Pella - Edessa - Thessaloniki

  In the morning you'll visit the Royal Tombs of Aigai. Also known as Vergina, it was the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia. Today it is one of the most important sites of Greece and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

  The most important remains are the monumental palace and the burial ground. One of the royal tombs discovered in 1977 has been identified as that of Philip II and another one discovered a year later, as the tomb of Alexander IV, son of Alexander the Great. The underground museum contains the main treasures of the tombs of the Macedonian Kings. Then drive to the city of Edessa and continue to the archaeological site of Pella, the first capital of the Ancient Kingdom of Macedonia. Finally make your way back to Thessaloniki and dinner in a local taverna.
   
  Meals: Breakfast, dinner
   
  Accommodation: Hotel Olympia, Thessaloniki

• Day Seven: Thessaloniki at leisure

  Today can be a day of relaxation or you can head out to discover the city of Thessaloniki on your own.
   
  Thessaloniki was built in 316 BC by King Kassandros and named after his wife, the sister of Alexander the Great. For several centuries it was the second-most important city of the Byzantine Empire, played an important role for Christianity during the Middle Ages and was adorned with impressive buildings. You can walk by the sea, enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the many fantastic tavernas, visit the archaeological museum or the Byzantine churches, which are listed as UNESCO Heritage Sites. Dinner in a local taverna.
   
  Meals: Breakfast, dinner
   
  Accommodation: Hotel Olympia, Thessaloniki

• Day Eight: Departure

  After breakfast you will be taken from your hotel to the airport for your return flight.

  Meals: Breakfast

"Everyone had a most enjoyable holiday, not bad for a party of nine. The arrangements were all as expected, locations, hotels and especially travel arrangements and drivers, which were very good indeed. I am not a smart phone user but most others were and Vamoos got a big following, a real success. Your information beforehand, timings during the two weeks and overall setting of expectations proved excellent. Thank you for all that and please accept my thanks for your professional, knowledgable and genuinely helpful approach that provided us with such an enjoyable holiday. I will certainly recommend Rediscover to others."

M Read, UK, July 2018