Live Like Locals

MYthic paTHS to entertainment

The participants will be warmly welcomed by the local residents, opening their homes and hearts and offering genuine Greek hospitality. Feasts, festivals, dances and songs are included in this itinerary where the visitor has the opportunity to be introduced to the traditional Greek feast, have fun until dawn and live like a local.

3 nights / 4 days

The itinerary is designed for people from all over the world with love and a passion for the Greek tradition – culture and the timeless Greek cultural heritage. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the areas that inhabitants spend their time, to go to traditional feasts and festivals as well as to performances o Ancient Theater (Dion Theatre in the sacred city of the ancient Macedonians). Evenings with live traditional music will be organized in villages (for groups) where they will have the opportunity to meet and watch the local inhabitants dancing and singing. There will also be excursions to admire the natural beauties of Mount Olympus, the burial place of Orpheus and archaeological sites.

Mt Olympus and Pieria Mountains is the land where, according to legend, were living the 12 Gods and were born the nine Muses, Ancient deities, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. They were the goddesses of music, musical instruments, dance, feasting and poetry. They entertained the Olympians at banquets by singing divine melodies and hymns with their sweet heavenly voices, playing the lyre. From them comes the world- famous word “music”. The famous Greek “feast” (party), the company, the traditional cafes and the picturesque taverns are a vital part of the itineraries. Feasts, festivals, dances and songs are options in our itineraries, where the visitor has the opportunity to live like a local, to be introduced to the traditional Greek feast and have fun until dawn.

Highlights

Festivals
Greek feasts
Entertainment and fun
Authentic flavors, food and wine tasting
Local mentality
Discover the endless green and blue of the Olympus Pieria.
Sight-seeing, mountaineering, outdoor activities

Sustainability

Eco-friendly vehicles
Bike friendly and green key accommodation ✓ Organic and local food products
Recycling / food saving
Ecological agriculture
Supporting local economy and community

DAY 1:

Arrival at SKG airport of Thessaloniki

Reception at the airport and transfer by ecological vehicle to the village of Elatochori. One of the most beautiful mountain destinations in the country, enchanted by it and chosen as their home by the nine Pierides Musses, patrons of poetry, music, song and dance. Check in and relax. In the afternoon we will enjoy the famous mountain tea of the region (Sideritis scardica) in a beautiful courtyard of the village and then we will visit the folklore museum. Food in a traditional taverna.

DAY 2:

Live Like a Local in Elatohori

Breakfast from the village bakery, with traditional pies and other local delicacies. Transfer by ecological vehicle to the location “Nikola Pigadi” and hike to the Erato’s botanical trail or otherwise mushroom trail where we will admire the beautiful waterfall “Sotiris Rema”. Return to Old Elatochori, short walk to the sights such as the Church of Agios Nikolaos (a historical building with great architectural elements) and the old fountains. Greek coffee and maybe a game of “tavli” with the locals at a local coffee shop. Then we will shop at the butcher’s shop and grocery store for the necessary ingredients to cook local food with the villagers at the hotel. In the afternoon, a lesson in traditional folk dances at the cultural club with local snacks and Greek drink (tsipouro). Participation in a traditional feast of the area (if possible)

DAY 3:

Katerini city – Olympus Riviera

DAY 4:

Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Thessaloniki’s “Macedonia” (SKG) airport. Passing if time permits from the centre of Thessaloniki.

Variations

From the first of July until the end of August, the famous “Olympus Festival ORFEO” is held at the foot of Mt Olympus in the ancient places with music concerts and theatres. If this trip takes place during this time, the visitor can attend a performance (Ancient Drama, Ancient Comedy, Concert, etc.) at the Ancient Theater in Dion. In the summer, June to August, there are authentic traditional Greek festivals (panigiria) in the villages of the Olympus area. Also, all the Cultural Associations organize folk festivals with traditional music, dances, dresses, and food. If during this trip, there is such a festival (panigiri) then we will party and dance with the local inhabitants.

Practical Information

Main type of Experience:

Entertainment, festivals, fiesta, siesta, local life, traditions, folklore, culinary, gastronomy, wine tasting, cultural, heritage, sightseeing, exploring, learning, spiritual, myths, legends.

Additional Experiences:

Strong local experience, entertainment, good food.

Number of nights:

3 nights / 4 days

Type of accommodation:

Family Hotel

Starting point:

Thessaloniki, “Macedonia” (SKG) airport

Guided or Self-guided tour:

Guided with an English-speaking tour leader. Self -guided with given information in English / German or French language

Group size:

4 – 15 people

Period / Dates:

All year

Price of the package:

Contact with us.

Included:

All kind of transportation means (eco- friendly vehicles, boat transfer, bikes)
3 overnights as described with breakfast
Mentioned meals
Tour guide for the days it is written
Taxes
Roadbook and maps

Not included:

Air tickets
Extra meals
Drinks
Souvenirs
Tips
Accommodation tax per room / per night (aprox 1,50€). According to the Greek Law, the accommodation Tax be charged to the guest of the room through a special receipt.

Type of travelers:

Families, children, young, adults, seniors.

Accessibility options: