Artistic MΥthic paTHS

DAY 1:

Arrival in Thessaloniki

Welcoming at Thessaloniki airport (SKG). Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Visit to the Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki with preserved mosaic decoration (4th to 14th century) Rotοnda, Church of Agia Sophia, Basilica of Agios Dimitrios and Church of the Virgin Mary Acheiropoietos. Food tour Introduction to the gastronomy of Thessaloniki, which recently became the first Greek city to achieve its inclusion in the Network of Creative Cities of Gastronomy of Unesco. Overnight at Thessaloniki

DAY 2:

Thessaloniki / The art of music

Visiting the ‘Ano Poli’ district. Workshop for construction of an ancient instrument. Duration 2-3 h. Lunch near the old walls in ‘Ano Poli’ at taverna with special local flavours. Free time / Overnight stay at Thessaloniki.

DAY 3:

Paliampela village – Kitros village

We head to Pieria / Olympus area. First stop in the village of Paliampela where we visit a pottery lab and attend a workshop with a famous local professional. Duration 4h. In Kitros village, at a local winery, we have lunch with local meat dishes and the awarded wines tasting. We arrive to Litochoro village late at the afternoon. Check in at the hotel, free time and overnight.

DAY 4:

Dion- Mosaic art: “Like an ancient”

We depart to Dion village by minivan. Guided tour of the Archaeological Park where discovered one of the most impressive mosaics in Greece, covering an area of 100 m2, known as the “House of Dionysus” mosaic, on the floor of a house built in 200 AD. In Archaeological Museum we learn for the mosaics and the ancient instrument called “Hydraulis”. First day in a Mosaic workshop for young and old, starts at the Center of Mediterranean Mosaics. (Duration 3h) (Break for snacks / natural juices). Return to Litochoro by minivan, dinner with local dishes.

DAY 5:

Dion Village & Plaka Litochoro

Departure by minivan to Center of Mediterranean Mosaics in Dion. Second Mosaic workshop (Duration 3h) We finish our art works. We create our own souvenir. (Break for snacks / natural juices)
At the afternoon arrival to a seaside area “Plaka Litochoro”, relaxation, swimming and dinner in a local taverna with seafood.

DAY 6:

Leivithra Archaeological Park & Traditional Villages Palei Pori and Paleos Panteleimon.

Walk tour in Litochoro, visiting Maritime Museum and Olympus National Park Information Center Departure by minivan to the Archaeological Park of Leivithra, that is considered the birthplace and burial place of Orpheus, the most famous and gifted mystic, musician, and singer of antiquity. Later we visit the traditional settlements of Palei Pori and Paleos Panteleimon (Old Panteleimon) and we attend the construction of ancient jewellery. Dinner in a local tavern under the plane trees. Overnight stay in Litochoro.

DAY 7:

Meliki village – Veria

Departure from Litochoro village to Veria city where that located in Imathia regional unit. First stop in Meliki village. Visiting a house with a traditional loom and the Mask Research Center to attend a workshop of the ancient face mask construction. We will have a unique experience taking lunch in a traditional house local flavour, wines, cooking lessons with and musicians. Late at the afternoon we arrive at the hotel in Veria city.

DAY 8:

Veria

Morning walk tour to the Apostle Paul tribune and the Jewish District next to Barbouta area, visiting the stone-built Synagogue with elaborate interior decoration; impressive wood carved ceilings and vivid mosaic tiles. In a small lab we meet a local artist and learn about the art of pigments from the ancient times to this day. During the afternoon workshop (duration 2n) we receive the appropriate materials (powder paint, hagiography glue, brushes, wooden frame) and create our own original souvenir. Free time for shopping and tasting the famous “ravani” sweet.

DAY 9:

Vergina – Naoussa

Breakfast and morning transfer from Veria to Thessaloniki’s airport “Macedonia” (SKG).