Historical MYthic paTHS Myths and philosophy in a legendary land

DAY 1:

ARRIVAL AT SKG AIRPORT OF THESSALONIKI

Welcome at the airport and transfer by minivan. Check- in at the hotel and free time for a walk in the city along the sea. Dinner at restaurant, in the center of the city where we see the process of making bread in a built wood-fired oven and taste fine wines from its rich wine cellar. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

DAY 2:

THESSALONIKI

Greek breakfast. Guided tour of Ano Poli – Eptapyrgio with panoramic view to the city, and the sea. The experienced guide will accompany you in narrow streets, arcades and unknown corners, among temples, mosques and baths and will tell you the stories that built one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Free time. After the afternoon, 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 in Thessaloniki.

DAY 3:

THESSALONIKI / VERIA

Transfer with ecofriendly vehicle to city of Veria. Morning walk tour to the steps of Apostle Paul, 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. Check-in at the hotel and free time. Dinner at a local learning and tasting the local gastronomy.
Overnight in Veria.

DAY 4:

TOUR TO ALEXANDER’S THE GREAT LEGENDARY KINGDOM Vergina and Pydna

We head by eco – friendly vehicle to Vergina (ancient Aigai), the first capital of the Macedonians, where the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, is located. Transfer to Methoni / Makrigialos. Getting acquainted with the mussel cultivation and seafood lunch at a local tavern. Guided tour of Ancient Pydna and the place where Apostle Paul passed. Visit the Ancient Macedonian tombs in Korinos. Arrive in Litochoro at the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel and free time to walk through the alleys and cobbled streets of the “City of Gods”. Dinner in a traditional tavern with local gastronomy. Overnight in Litochoro.

DAY 5:

Exploring the Holy City of the Macedonians

Departure to Dion, the sacred city of the Ancient Macedonians, (10 km) by eco-friendly minivan. We follow the guided tour with a visit to the Museum of Dion: Among other things we will admire the Hydraulis, which dates to the 1st century BC and is the oldest musical instrument of its kind that has survived, and also, we admire one of the most impressive mosaics in Greece, known as the mosaic of the “House of Dionysus”. Visit “Osios Efraim’ Monastery in Kontariotissa village *Optional: Mosaic presentation at the Center of Mediterranean Mosaics in Dion: An excellent seminar for young and old that introduces you to the secrets of the art of mosaics. Return to Litochoro by eco-friendly vehicle. Dinner at a local taverna.
Overnight in Litochoro.

DAY 6:

Platamonas village (Castle & coastline)

After breakfast we start with eco-friendly vehicle from Litochoro to Platamonas Castle (18 km). Guided tour of the castle and its history. Hiking: a thrilling walking tour in the castle’s gallery. Free time for coffee or even swimming, learn about the history of the tunnel. Swimming and optional lunch by the sea. Dinner in a traditional Greek taverna in Skotina Village and overnight stay in Litochoro.

DAY 7:

Hiking with the 12 Gods of Olympus/ Discover Enipeas Gorge

We start the day with a visit to Maritime Museum of Litochoro and later to “Olympus National Park Information Center”. After a short stop to the historical monastery of St Dionysios of Olympus we head to Prionia. Hiking to the amazing Enipeas Gorge, we see the old Monastery of Olympus, the holy cave, the waterfalls.
Route: Medium Difficulty
Duration: 5 – 6 (h)
Dinner at a traditional Greek taverna Overnight in Litochoro.

DAY 8:

In the land of Orpheus

Transfer by eco-friendly vehicle to Ancient Archaeological Park of Leivithra at the foot of Mt Olympus. Ancient city Leivithra is considered the birthplace and burial place of Orpheus, the most famous and gifted mystic, musician, and singer of antiquity. We pass by the “Olympus magnetic field”, an optical illusion due to the various anomalies in topography of Olympus near the Acropolis of the ancient city Leivithra Optional (upon request) workshop with title: “The Mycenaean world of Olympus”. It includes a) an introductory briefing on the Mycenaean era in the Mycenaean centres (palaces), b) a presentation of Mycenaean finds and burial practices in the region of the Macedonian Olympus, c) a workshop for making copies of seal stones discovered during the excavations of the Mycenaean sites. It is addressed to pre-school, primary and secondary school students. Duration 1-3 hours. Lunch with seafood dishes at a tavern by the sea. Free time for relaxation / swimming (if the weather allows). Return to hotel in Litochoro / overnight.

DAY 9:

Exploring the Historical Traditional Villages.

After breakfast we start by ecological vehicle from the foot of Mount Olympus for a tour to traditional villages and enjoy the breathtaking view. Τraditional settlements of Ano Skotina, Paleos Panteleimonas (Old Panteleimon) and Palei Pori (Old Pori-Pourlia). Take a walk in its picturesque, cobbled streets with the endless view of the coastline of Olympus. Visit to the church of Ag. Athanasios, a historical monument that dominates the square of Ano Skotina. The Church of Agios Athanasios 17th century is rich in hagiographies (1st prize Brussels on 25.11.1995. Built in 1656, located at an altitude of 750m. Dinner in a tavern with local dishes in the village square, under the plane trees with traditional Greek songs. Overnight in Litochoro.

DAY 10:

Departure

Farewell breakfast and departure to “Macedonia” (SKG) airport.