Natural MYthic paTHS “Capture”

DAY 1:

Arrival in Thessaloniki

Reception at the airport and transfer by ecological vehicle to a hotel in Thessaloniki. Check in at the hotel. Free time for a walk on the beach of Thessaloniki and optional boarding a wooden boat for a cruise in Thermaikos and a fantastic opportunity for photography through the sea. Dinner at a restaurant overlooking the White Tower and the Beach. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 3-4 hours

DAY 2:

THESSALONIKI city

After breakfast, transfer by ecological vehicle to the famous and beautiful forest of Sheikh Sou, gentle hiking on wonderful paths of natural beauty that help us to relax while enjoying and photographing the wonderful view of the city and Thermaikos gulf. Then we go to Ano Poli, (upper town) stroll through the alleys, stop at the century-old plane tree, lunch at the local ouzo taverna. Return to the hotel free time / rest
At the afternoon guided walking in New Paralia, with stops at the theme parks and attractions such as the White Tower, the statue of Alexander the Great and the Umbrellas, while admiring Mount Olympus standing proudly in the distance of the horizon and photographing the landscape with its wonderful sunset helium.
ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 7-8 hours

DAY 3:

THESSALONIKI City

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. Koulouri, Greek coffee or cold coffee in a historic cafe in the city, Mpougatsa, olives, extra virgin olive oils, visiting Kapani market, Modiano market, aromatic herbs and local cheeses. Relaxation. In the afternoon, departure by ecological vehicle to the village of Panorama, a drink in a cafe and then we go to Hortiatis for wine tasting and delicious food, admiring the magnificent view.
ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 6-7 hours
Duration: +/- 4 (h)

DAY 4:

Olympus area Planes / Bird watching

We will get up before sunrise to photograph the white tower and the port of Thessaloniki.  Breakfast and check out. We head to Pieria/Olympus area. Visit to the largest plane tree in Greece ” Baras’ Plane tree” outside of Kolindros’ village, visit to the folklore museum of Kolindros, Greek coffee and traditional loukoumades in the central square of the village. Next stop in “Axios – Delta” protected area – “New Agathoupoli” birdwatching tower and photo shouting, (photography workshop). We pass from the seaside villages Methoni/Makrigialos Food in a Methoni fish restaurant enjoying the wonderful and famous mussels of the area. Arrival and check-in at a hotel in Litochoro. Sunset shoots. Free time – Walk in the area.
ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 6-7 hours

DAY 5:

Olympus area / Planes / Litochoro village

Transport by eco-friendly vehicle to the “Olympus National Park Information Center” and the New Monastery of Agios Dionysios overlooking the shores of Mount Olympus. We head towards the amazing Enipeas gorge and the small waterfalls, stopping at an old plane tree. Hiking accompanied by a mountain guide, gentle and beautiful route with stops for plant observation and photography. Free time for rest. Afternoon horseback riding at the foot of Olympus and dinner at a restaurant in Litochoro. Overnight in Litochoro.
ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 6-7 hours

DAY 6:

Ancient Leivithra / Paleos Panteleimonas / Palei Pori

We meet the fishermen early in the morning and take photos of the magnificent sunrise. Transportation by ecovehicle to Ancient Leivithra, an ancient city at the foot of Mount Olympus, guided tour of the archaeological site and walk in the park. Transfer to the traditional village of Paleos Panteleimonas, meeting – coffee with locals. Great view, photography, the most daring can try paragliding. Visit to the village of Paleo Pori and lunch at the traditional tavern “Old School” Transfer to Platamonas sea side village for a walk, coffee under the castle of Platamonas and swimming (summer season)
COURSE: Mild difficulty
DURATION: 6-7 hours

DAY 7:

Ancient Dion / Katerini city / Rachi village

After breakfast, check out, boarding an ecological vehicle, departure. Arrival and guided tour of the archaeological site – park of Dion, the holy city of the Macedonians. Transportation with the ecological vehicle in the city of Katerini. Walking in the center – pedestrian street of the city, stopping at the sycamore-fountain, we take traditional pies, continue our walk in the beautiful city park.
Departure for the plane tree forest, short walk in the area and next to the river, photos. Visit to the Mastodontas Museum in Neokesaria Then we go to Rachi, through the vineyards and cherry trees of the village. Visit to the “Kourtis Estate” for a wine tasting of the Estate’s award-winning wines accompanied by local delicacies. Dinner with traditional music and songs from locals. Departure for the hotel in Agios Dimitrios – Overnight.
ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 6-7 hours

DAY 8:

Agios Dimitrios village / Ano Milia village

Breakfast. Traditional pies from the village’s traditional oven. Departure with an ecological vehicle for Ano Milia. Hiking of moderate difficulty on the Path of Love in the Pieria Mountains. Coffee in a traditional coffee shop in the area. Return to Agios Dimitrios. Tour of the hotel’s authentic-organic farm, with ecological crops and domesticated animals, spread over a green slope of 45 acres. Experiential workshop-production of essential oil, with collection of local plants and herbs and then distillation. Gastronomic dinner at the hotel, guided by the Estate chef. Pick the vegetables and herbs you need from the organic gardens and prepare your own traditional ‘farm to plate’ meal. Overnight in Agios Dimitrios.
ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 4-5 hours

DAY 9:

Elatochori, Rizomata Village / Veria city

Breakfast, check out, boarding a friendly eco vehicle, departure for Elatochori. We know and enjoy the famous Olympus tea. (Sideritis scardica). Rest in a local traditional cafe with a drink of local tea. Tour of the botanical trail, muses park, ceramide spring, through forest roads, tree-lined paths and wooden bridges with the company of botanist and mountain guide, who will introduce us to the herbs of the area. Traditional meal. On the way down from Elatochori, on a green route, we will pass by the mountainous settlement of Rizomata, we will visit the archaeological site of Paleokastro where in some places the ruins of the wall have been preserved, which has been designated by the Ministry of Agriculture as a Natural Monument due to its beautiful, large dimensions and holly age. Then we will pass by the beautiful artificial lake Polyphytos of the river Aliakmonas where around it there are various beautiful and unique plants, among them Onobrychis aliakmonia stands out which is a narrow endemic species Arrival in the city of Veria, check-in at the hotel.
ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 7-8 hours

DAY 10:

Veria city / Vergina Ancient Aiges

Departure after breakfast, by ecological vehicle to the “Archaeological site of Vergina” and guided tour. Stroll through the alleys of Veria, shopping, visit to a traditional confectionery workshop (revani), to the monument of the Apostle Paul. The walk ends in a landscape among the trees, next to the river Tripotamos, in the Jewish quarter. Meal in a tavern. Rest at the hotel. In the afternoon, cycling and photography in the plane trees in various parts of the city of Veria.

ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 6-7 hours

DAY 11:

Aristoteles Ancient school / Naousa wine city

Transport by ecological vehicle, with destination to the Macedonian tombs of Lefkadia and the School of Aristotle in the sacred area of Mieza where Alexander the Great studied. Visit to the mountain settlement of Metamorfosi. Gentle hiking on a trail to the waterfalls and then lunch at a traditional taverna. Departure for Naoussa. Sightseeing tour of the city, visit to the wine and vine museum – wine tasting. Return to the hotel. Overnight
ROUTE: Moderate difficulty
DURATION: 6-7 hours

DAY 12:

Veria Thessaloniki

Departure from Veria to Thessaloniki airport SKG