Thessaloniki – The city of love 8Days - 7 Nights (07 nts in Thessaloniki) A few words about the destination… Thessaloniki is easy to fall in love with – it has beauty, history and culture, a remarkable cuisine and wonderful, vast sea views. This is Greece’s second city with streets remain full of life and vibrancy. Useful information… Best Time to visit: The entire year Language: Greek, English Currency: Euro (EUR) / (1 EUR) (86 INR) Time Difference: Greece is 2 hours and 30 mins behind from India from April to October and 3 hours and 30 mins behind India from November to March. Excursion schedule… Day 1 Arrive – Thessaloniki – Hotel – Thessaloniki by night (optional) On arrival at Thessaloniki International Airport you will be transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (optional)Get to experience the city when the day goes and lights turn on with this Thessaloniki night tour! Picking you up just before dusk, on this Thessaloniki photography tour you will have the opportunity to see the sunset across the Thermaikos Gulf and to explore the best of the city. Highlights Take a romantic walk along the promenade in the twilight Watch the sunset from across the Thermaikos Gulf Explore the best of Thessaloniki in comfort with our driver Admire the most famous landmark the White Tower at night Wander through the hotspot of nightlife: Ladadika Area Day 2 Thessaloniki – City Tour Today we discover the Byzantine aspect of Thessaloniki and learn about the Byzantine art and history of the «co-reigning» capital during the Byzantine Empire in a tour full of images, aromas and flavors of tradition. We start our tour at the Upper Town (Ano Poli). Highlights Visit the Old Monastery of Vlatadon. The unique Byzantine Monastery that remains in operation in Thessaloniki and offers a wonderful panoramic view of “The Bride of Thermaikos Gulf”. Discover the church of Saint Nicholas Orphanos, a particular graphic church with exceptional mural paintings of the 14th century. The church is located at a beautiful spot surrounded by structures of distinct architecture that denote the city’s rich history. Admire the glorious Rotunda, one of the most ancient and most impressive monuments of the city. According to the latest consensus it was erected in 300a.C by Galerius and forms one of the most significant monuments of Thessaloniki, known for its exceptional mosaics as they are among the most ancient in the Middle-East. Visit the church of St. Sofia, the «Big Church», as it used to be the metropolitan church of the city with the famous mural painting on its dome of the 9th century and the Early-Christian chapiters of the 5th century. Saint Sofia, as well as all the previous monuments we visit, are part of the World Heritage sites of UNESCO. Free time to drink your coffee in the countless cafes of the city, to walk by the sea and to taste the rich gastronomy of the city. In the evening we suggest you have fun at “Ladadika” district, a beautiful walkable area which is one of the favorite destinations for both local and tourist visitors and the city’s college community. Ladadika is one of the hot spots of Thessaloniki when it comes to entertainment. It is located in a central area right opposite to the port’s central gate and within a five-minute walk from Aristotle’s Square. The colorful buildings are two-story with wide, rectangular windows and, along with the paved alleys, they exhale the spirit of old Thessaloniki. Here the old merges with the new. Day 3 Meteora – Vergina – Pella - Thessaloniki 80klm x 2 Breakfast at our hotel and we start our tour in capital of ancient Macedonians. We reach Vergina where we visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai, situated in the borders of the village. Admire the characteristic Golden Larnax (funerary casket), an urn with the cremated remains of Phillip II is marked with a 16-rayed sun, the symbol of Macedonia. The Sun of Vergina (or Star of Vergina), which is characteristic symbol of the Argead Dynasty (of the King Phillip II and Alexander the Great) was found together with the excavations that brought back to light his father’s Royal Tomb. 4 of the sun rays represent of the 4 classical elements and the other 12 sun rays represent the 12 Olympian Gods. Observe the golden oak wreath that Phillip II had during his funeral pyre, military armors, various grave goods, the other tombs that were brought back to light and a small sanctuary, the Heroon. Next stop Pella. Get to know the imperial capital, the ancient city where Alexander the Great was born and raised and where the great philosopher and tutor Aristoteles was invited to educate him. The archaeological treasures of the glorious Macedonian Kingdom of Alexander the Great and his father Phillip II, as detailed by Herodotus, invite you to a unique roadtrip to history Return to Thessaloniki and free time to enjoy the city. Day 4 Thessaloniki – Dion – Mount Olympos 110klm x 2 Breakfast at our hotel and we start an excursion to the mythical mountain of the 12 Gods of Olympus, the history and the culture! The cultural heritage of the ancient city of Dion is combined with the incomparable beauty of the foothills of the mythical Mount Olympus. The residence of the 12 Gods couldn’t be something less than majestic, with the charming nature and its unique biodiversity, forms the first national park in Greece. Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, interwoven with greek mythology, is a challenging invitation to discover its greatness and capture amazing photos! Highlights Feel the enchanting aura walking through Enipeas Gorge! Discover the archaeological site of Dion, walk back in history and admire the various findings around the ancient park. The unique statues, the mosaics and the various artifacts that were brought to light are left in their original place and that so, we pass through the same paths as the ancient Greeks used to do. Don’t miss the chance to visit the ancient theater with the perfect acoustic balance since antiquity. Until nowadays many ancient tragedies are revitalized by modern actors and various festivals every year. Visit the modern museum and view the statues and findings of the ancient city with more characteristic the Hydravlis (an ancient wind instrument) and the unique mosaic that represents the “Villa of Dionysos” lying in the building next to it. Next stop in the picturesque village of Litochoro where we enjoy our lunch in a beautiful traditional restaurant. Litochoro is located right on the foothills of Olympus and forms the main starting point for the various trekking paths of the mountain that reach until Mytikas, the highest top of Olympus Return to Thessaloniki and free time to enjoy the city. Day 5 Thessaloniki – Cruise to Mount Athos 140klm x 2 Day trip to the heart of the Orthodox monastic life which beats for more than 10 centuries. Live a unique experience with the summer breeze that travels you while being on board to Mount Athos. Highlights During the cruise, you can admire eight of the twenty Holy Monasteries of Mt. Athos, situated in the west coast of the peninsula of Athos, in Sithonia bay. During the cruise through the west coast of Mt. Athos, we have the chance to see from a short distance and in turn, the ports (tarsanades) of the Holy Monasteries of Hilandar and Konstamonitou, the colorful Monastery of Docheiariou, the nearby Monastery of Xenophontos, the renovated Holy Monastery of Saint Panteleimon’s – the Russian monastery – the Holy Monastery of Xeropotamou, the main harbor of Mount Athos called Daphne, the impressive Holy Monastery of Simonos Petras (or Simonopetra) and the Holy Monasteries of Hosios (Saint) Grigorios, Dionysios and Agios (Saint) Pavlos (Saint Paul’s), scattered along the verdant western coastline of the Mount Athos peninsula. Lastly, we can see the skete of Agia Anna (Saint Anne’s skete), just below the imposing Mount Athos, which stands magnificent at 2.000m above sea level. Return to Thessaloniki and free time to enjoy the city. Day 6 Thessaloniki – Amfipoli – Filippi - Kavala 185klm x 2 Breakfast at our hotel and we start for a complex trip which gives you the opportunity to follow into St. Paul’s footsteps, which will introduce to you the Ancient town of Filippi and the modern city of Kavala. But firstly we will visit Amfipoli and see the famous Lion of Amfipolis! Then we set off for the Ancient town of Filippi, a settlement founded by Alexander the Great’s father. Highlights Admire the basilica, the theatre and the Roman forum. Discover the cell where Apostle Paul was imprisoned but also the Octagon Church-the first Christian church of Europe. Subsequently we will arrive in Kavala, the amphitheatric town, where we will have a couple of free hours to go shopping, go on a walk or for a visit to the old fortress, the aqueduct or to see Muhammad Ali's house. Return to Thessaloniki and free time to enjoy the city. Day 7 Thessaloniki – Jewish Tours - La madre de Israel (optional) Breakfast at our hotel and we start a gain deeper insight into the long and varied history of Thessaloniki on our Jewish Thessaloniki tour. Known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans”, Thessaloniki has been the center of Greek Jewish scholarship and community since ancient times. A Thessaloniki Jewish tour with our profoundly knowledgeable and experienced guides lets you experience Thessaloniki’s rich Jewish heritage from the inside. Highlights Explore Thessaloniki’s highlights of general interest, as well as specifically Jewish sites, ensuring a meaningful, enjoyable and memorable visit to this lively and multifaceted city.