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Thessalonica -
City Tour & Shopping One day
The tour starts with a visit
to the market and shops of Thessalonica, which offer a great variety of
modern clothes and all kinds of products. We will next have a city
tour. Starting from the White Tower (symbol of the city), we will
further see the premises of the International Trade Fair, the
University, the Arch of Galerius (Kamara), the Roman Forum and the
Byzantine Church of Saint Demetrius (patron saint of the city). We will
end up in the upper city with the Byzantine Walls and the Citadel, from
where one can enjoy a spectacular view of the city and the Thermaic
Gulf . Arrival at the hotel in the afternoon
Alexander
the Great & Pella- Edessa-Vergina One day
On our way to Naoussa - a
place where high quality wines are produced we will visit Pella , the
birthplace of Alexander the Great and second capital city of the
ancient Macedonian Kingdom . We visit the archeological site, where
unique mosaics have been revealed by excavations and the museum. Our
next stop is the beautiful city of Edessa with its charming waterfalls.
After we will visit Vergina (ancient Aigai), the first capital city of
ancient Macedonia . The tomb of Philip the Second, father of Alexander
the Great, is right here. Arrival at the hotel in the evening.
Dion
-Olympus One day
 
Dion, the ancient Macedonians'
sacred city, lies at the foot of Mt. Olympus , the mythical home of the
Twelve Gods of the ancient Greeks, and is named after Zeus (Dias). It
is at this place that Alexander the Great sacrificed to the Gods and
asked for their favor before starting his campaign to the East. We
begin by visiting the archeological site with the Hellenistic
amphitheater, the temple of Isis , the Odeion and the Baths. We then
visit the museum, which houses findings from the site. Lunch. After the
lunch we will visit the village of Litohoro , which offers splendid
views to the Aegean Sea and to Mt. Olympus , one of Greece 's largest
national parks and visit the cave on the Enipeas river. Arrival at the
hotel late in the afternoon
Meteora
Monasteries One day
Departure early in the morning. On our way there we drive near Olympus
- the mythical home of the 12 Gods, and through the Tempi valley where
the nymphs lived according to the mythology. Arrival in Kalambaka. One
of the most spectacular settings in Greece , towering over nearby hills
and villages, the Meteora Rocks of Thessaly is a geological marvel
which has to be seen to be believed. Built nearly 600 years ago on top
of these rocks, the Meteora monasteries, with their rich collection of
icons, exquisite frescoes and monastery implements, are live museums.
Only 6 out of a total of 24 monasteries are still operational. We will
visit two of them: one for men and one for women. Further we will have
free time for lunch (optional), in a tavern in Kalambaka. Arrival at
the hotel in the evening.
NOTE: Visitors to the
monasteries must be dressed appropriately. Women must wear skirts below
their knees (NOT trousers!), men must wear long trousers and both sexes
must have their arms covered
Mount
Athos Cruise One day
Starting out of a little port
at the second "leg" of Chalkidiki, the boat will take you to the
southern tip of the Holy Mountain peninsula. Sailing up the west coast
of the peninsula, we will admire the unique sight of the monasteries
which, built in unspoilt natural settings, have been facing the sea for
ten centuries. Some of the monasteries that we will see and hear about
their history are Dohiariou, Xenofondos, Dionysiou, Panteleimonos
e.t.c. We will stop at the little town of Ouranoupoli for a swim and
have lunch at one of its many seaside taverns.
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