Duration: 10 Days
Dates: July 23 - August 01, 2024
Departure City: Charlotte,NC

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, July 23 - Depart to Greece

Day 2, July 24 – Arrive Thessaloniki – dinner, overnight Thessaloniki

Day 3, July 25 - THESSALONIKI CITY TOUR
Start your excursion viewing the White Tower, an historical landmark of the city before continuing on to visit the Archaeological Museum which houses interesting finds from the Archaic, Classical and Roman periods, with findings from the Sindos area and a stunning exhibition of golden jewels. From here, drive by the International Trade Fair grounds and the Aristotelion University, which was established in 1926 and today is the largest of all universities in Greece. Next, make your way up to the once upon a time, Acropolis, located in the upper part of the city. It is here, where you will have a superb panoramic view of the entire city with the Thermaic Gulf and Mount Olympus in the background. Additionally, visit of St. Demetrios Basilica which was erected in the 5th century AD. The five aisled basilica suffered a tragic fire in the year 1917 but was later restored in 1948. Marvel at the beautiful mosaics, dating back from the 5th to 9th Centuries. From here, follow your guide to the area located under the basilica, where you will see the famous crypt, which according to tradition, was once the confinement for an officer by the name of Demetrius who was later executed by the Emperor Gallerius. Today, St. Demetrius is the patron Saint of the city. Then view the Arch of Gallerius and St. George Rotonda. The tour will end with a short stop at the well preserved Byzantine Basilica of St. Sophia, an 8th Century structure, rich in mosaics and frescoes.

Day 4, July 26 - KAVALA/FILIPPOI/AMPHIPOLIS
A great and attractive tour which gives you the opportunity to follow St. Paul’s footsteps and will introduce to you the Ancient town of Filippi and the modern city of Kavala. But first we will visit Amfipoli and see the famous Lion of Amfipolis! On this full-day tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the most important archaeological sites and monuments in North-Eastern Greece such as Lydia's Baptistry, the great Amphipolis Lion statue, discover landmarks of glorious history and admire Greek nature very distinct from the well known Aegean islands! Then arrive to the resort area of Asprovalta for a coffee stop. Continue to St. Lydias Baptistery where the first Christian woman of Europe was baptized and then proceed to the Archaeological site of Philippi, founded by Philip II King of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. It was here where St. Paul set foot on the European Continent during his second missionary journey, establishing a thriving Christian church. The ruins include the Forum Romano with its Basilica, St. Paul’s Prison and the Theater. The famous ancient road Egnatia, which once ran from the Adriatic Sea all the way to Constantinople (modern time Istanbul), passed by this city. The next stop is in Kavala (ancient site of Neapolis) for a city tour giving you the opportunity to view the Sylas Monastery named after one of St. Paul’s companions. Return to Thessaloniki in the late afternoon.

Day 5, July 27 - VERGINA VEROIA TOUR
Drive from Thessaloniki to Vergina, the first capital of ancient Macedonia where all Macedonian kings should be buried. We start our day with a drive to Pella, birthplace of both Phillip the II and Alexander the Great. We visit the excavations with the unique pebble floor mosaics. We later go to Vergina, first capital of ancient Macedonia and burial place of all Macedonian Kings. We visit the newly completed exhibition bearing the finds of all three tombs, one of them famous as the Royal Tomb (allegedly belonging to Philip the II, father of Alexander the Great). We will visit the unique subterranean structure built to encase and protect the ancient excavated Royal Tombs, as well as the exhibition with all the findings. Continue further south passing from the town of Veroia where we will see the bema where St.Paul stood and preached to the Greeks.

Day 6, July 28 – Day Meteora Monasteries
After your breakfast check out the Hotel and follow your guide to explore the beauty of 2 Monasteries of Meteora. Meteora is a unique rock formation in central Greece hosting a complexof monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and are all in use today. The Monastery of Great Meteoron - This is thelargest of the monasteries located at Meteora,erected in the mid-fourteenth century. Very few monks still reside there. The Monastery of Varlaam was built in 1541 and furtherembellished in 1548. Varlaam has the largest monk community of all the monasteries-seven in 2015.The Monastery of Rousanou was founded in the middle of the sixteenth century and decorated in 1560. It is one of the nunneries in Meteora with 13 nuns in residence in 2015. The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas , built in the sixteenth century only has onemonk in residence in 2015.The Monastery of St. Stephen is the only monastery that is actually on the plain rather than on a cliff. It was abandoned for a number of years following WWII but today it is the largest populated of the monasteries with almost 30 nuns. The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is on top of the cliffs. It was built in 1475 and today has four monks in residence.

Day 7, July 29 – Delphi – Osios Loukas Monastery
This morning we will visit Delphi whose allure is two fold-its amazing setting on the cliff and its ruins who will enthuse even the most skeptical among you! In ancient times, pilgrims from all over the world traveled to Delphi to consult the oracle for any major decisions that needed to be taken. The oracle’s priestess, Pythia, always gave ambiguous answers that could only be deciphered by the Priests of the Oracle. You will see the Roman Agora, walk along the Sacred Way, the monument of the Argive Kings, the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and the Temple of Apollo where the oracle resided. Above the Temple, you can visit the well preserved 3rd century Theater. On the lower slope of the mountain is the Tholos, a building whose exact purpose is unknown but architecturally speaking is considered one of the masterpieces of the ancient world. You will also see the Palestra where the althlets trained in preparation for the Pythian games. You will the visit the Delphi museum whose exhibits include the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the metopes of the Athenian treasury the famous Charioteer originally created to commemorate a victory during the 476 BC Pyhtian Games, and many other artifacts . After the tour ends, there will be time for lunch (at client’s own expense) and in the afternoon, we will begin our drive towards Athens.

Day 8, July 30 - ATHENS FULL DAY TOUR
Depart for a drive to the City of Athens. On this tour to Athens you will view many significant historical and archaeological monuments that date back to the Golden Age of Pericles, in the 5th century BC. During that time, the wealthy, newly democratic and invigorated city-state decided to rebuild the Temples on top of the Acropolis in great splendor. Visit the Parthenon, dedicated to the Goddess Athena, a unique masterpiece of Greek Architecture. This monument is recognized as the culmination of Greek architecture and sculpture. Examine the Propylea, which blends Doric and Ionic building principles. Continue to the Temple of the Athena Nike (Wingless Victory) and the Erechtheum Temple, which was formerly used for cult worship and consists of three basic parts: the main Temple, the north extension and the famous Porch of Maidens. Explore the Museum of the Acropolis housing many masterpieces. The Acropolis museum is considered one of the most important archaeological museums in Athens and ranks among the most important museums of the world. The museum houses more than 4,000 artifacts from the Acropolis site, and its exhibits cover the Greek Bronze Age as well as the Roman and Byzantine periods You will also visit Mars Hill, where St. Paul preached Christianity. You will have a chance to see the Ancient Agora, Tower of the Winds, Herodes Atticus Theater, Theater of Dionyssos, Temple of Zeus, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the former Royal Palace which is now the House of Parliament. Continue by bus to the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, the National Library and then to the “Panathenian” Olympic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. {You will have the chance to enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant in the centre of Athens. Then you will have the chance to stroll at the Plaka which is the historic heart of Athens. Blending with the adjacent Monastiaki district, the Plaka area seems to have a little of everything, from the ancient ruins of a Roman forum, the Greek Agora, and Byzantine-influenced churches, to restored 19th-century neoclassical homes and modern day stores, boutiques and cafes sprinkled throughout. Back to hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 9, July 31 - ANCIENT CORINTH
Corinth is a city blessed with a superb location, fertile plains and virtually impregnable refuge. Excavations reveal that the ancient city was huge and wealthy; a survivor of the numerous invasions but devastated by earthquakes. St. Paul lived and worked in Corinth for 18 months, making converts where he could. The Bema (platform) where the Roman governor tried him is still visible. See one of Corinth’s most striking ancient buildings – the Temple of Apollo, seven of whose original columns still stand. Walk through the remains of the Market Place, a colonnaded square once surrounded by many small shops. See the celebrated Fountain of Priene, which has produced water from earliest times, and the Lechaion Road, formerly the main thoroughfare to the port of Lechaion.You will then visit the incredible Corinth Canal. The concept of cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth to link the Ionian and Aegean seas was first proposed by the tyrant Periander, founder of Ancient Corinth. The magnitude of the task defeated him so he opted instead to build a paved slipway across which sailors dragged small ships on rollers- a method used until the 13th century. Nero, Rome’s most infamous emperor, inaugurated one attempt in 67 AD with his golden spade, but it was finally completed in 1893. Then return to Athens.

Day 10, August 1- Departure transfers
After breakfast, meet your local escort for the ride to the Athens International Airport with unforgettable memories to cherish forever.

* In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change.