DAY 1:

Drive through the fertile plain of Beotia region, pass by the towns of Thebes, Levadia and via the picturesque village of Arachova, arrive in Delphi and visit the Archaeological Site, the most famous oracle of the ancient world.

Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of the Meteora, those gigantic rocks that rise steep from the plain of Thessaly (dinner and overnight).

DAY 2:

Visit the Meteora: perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art.

Depart from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki, driving through the astonishing valley of the longest river in Greece, Aliakcmon. Arrival at Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece (dinner and overnight).

DAY 3:

In the morning visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the “co-reigning” city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople.

Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe’s Museum Prize for the year 2005. The rest of the day is free, to enjoy time in the lively center of the city (dinner and overnight).

DAY 4:

Depart in the morning for a unique approach to historical Macedonia. First stop at picturesque Edessa where we see the town’s famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa, to a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle’s School, the picturesque site where the great philosopher taught the doctrines of morals and politics to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth.

Then drive to Vergina (ancient Aigai), to live the experience of a visit to the unique Museum, created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander’s father, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. Only a few miles away is Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul’s Bema, and then stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colourful market area. A walk in a city where past is present and around. Return to Thessaloniki (dinner and overnight).

DAY 5:

Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas, in situ as well as in the new Museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and house of the 12 Gods of the Greek Mythology).

On the way back to Athens, drive through the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi, admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympus, pass by Lamia, Thermopylae (see the Leonidas’ Monument) and Thebes, arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.