Treasures of Mainland
Mainland
Treasures of Mainland
Explore some of the more popular central and northern parts of Greece with specialty tours packed with sights, tastes, experiences unlike no other. Authentic activities let you experience the destinations at a more intimate level.
Be a traveler not a tourist!
ITINERARY
Day 1
Depart Athens
Delphi visit & guided tour
Drive to Meteora
Overnight in Meteora
Day 2
Meteora Half day tour OR Meteora hiking tour OR Meteora food tour
Meteora Sunset tour
Overnight in Meteora
Day 3
Dodoni visit & guided tour
Ioannina visit & guided tour
Overnight in Zagori
Day 4
Zagori Exploration – villages
Regional cuisine cooking lesson
Overnight in Zagori
*Options for hiking and/or rafting activities in Zagori with one day extension
Day 5
Visit Metsovo
Truffle hunt activity in the forest & truffle tasting lunch *Alternatively tour around the village, enjoying shopping and crafts and tastings.
Vergina visit & guided tor
Overnight in Vergina or Thessaloniki
Day 6
Drive to Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki half day historical and food tour
Drop off to Thessaloniki airport
Highlights
Day 1
You will depart Athens in the morning to reach Delphi, once believed to be the Centre of the world and the site at which Apollo spoke through his oracle. Your guide will explain everything about the functions of the oracle and the role it held during the ancient times. You will then visit the traditional mountain village of Arachova, where you will enjoy the regional cuisine through a delicious lunch. In the early afternoon you will depart to Meteora. On your way you will have a stop to the site of Thermopylae where mighty Leonidas and his bold 300 Spartans held off hordes of Persian invaders for 5 days, till the last of his men’s living breath.
Day 2
This day will be dedicated to the thorough exploration of the UNESCO Heritage site of Meteora.
Day 3
Today you will visit Dodoni, renown throughout ancient Greece and it is mentioned in both the Iliad and the Odyssey, as well as in the scrips of Herodotus and Strabo. It is a very attractive archaeological site including a well preserved Hellenistic Theatre and the foundations of the Hiera Oikia that stood next to the sacred oak, as well as the traces of the ancient stadium.
In the early afternoon you will visit Ioannina. The natural environment, the climate and character of the city are defined by Panvotida Lake, the area’s trademark.
Day 4
This day will be dedicated to the exploration of Zagori through a tour to the most beautiful of its villages. Zagorochoria is a cluster of 48 traditional picturesque villages built amphitheatrically in the wider area of Timfi, Pindos and Mitiskeli. In the afternoon you will enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson by a local cook to learn everything about the specialty of the region.
Day 5
You will depart Zagori in the morning and head to Métsovo, a small traditional town of exquisite beauty with grand mansions and stone-paved streets, where the older generations still wear in their everyday life the traditional clothes of the region and enjoy the regional cuisine and local cheeses.
You will then go to Vergina, to visit the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th century in Greece; the archaeological site of Aiges. Once there you will admire the first ancient capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia and the impressive finding of the tomb of King Phillip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great.
Day 6
This day will be dedicated to the exploration of Thessaloniki. You will enjoy a historical tour of the city that will be accompanied by some delicious tastings, connecting the history of the city and the many different people lived here and how they have influenced the local culture.
Day 7 (Optional – if returning to Athens, alternative departure from Thessaloniki)
You will depart in the early morning to reach the site of Prionia on the eastern slopes of Mt. Olympus for some light hiking in the forest one the beginning of the mountain trails. Mt. Olympus’ wonderful nature of rich flora, proclaimed as the first National Forest in 1938.
Alternatively you may visit Dion, standing in the northern foothills of Mount Olympus.
Our Arrangements include:
- Private transportation
- English speaking driver
- Private Guided tours
- Gas and toll costs
- Refreshments and snacks basket
- Wifi
- Accommodation
- Entry Fees
- Meals
- Activities
- Taxes