Thessaloniki – In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great
Thessaloniki – Philip I, Alexander the Great, Aristotle, Brasidas and Kleon, Ottoman and Byzantine
Oft unfairly overlooked, Saloniki/Ancient Macedon offers a wealth of cultural cross-fertilisation – unsurprising as it sits upon one of the most important trade routes of the ancient world
Day 1
< Thessaloniki
Dpt Gatwick 05.55hrs
Fly to Thessaloniki
Late afternoon free to explore Anapoli, Byzantine Walls, Churches and Markets
Hotel and Evening Meal
Evening Stroll along the seafront via Ladadika (old merchants district) to Aristotelous Square
< The Derveni Krater, Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum
Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum, repository of the famed Deveni Krater and ‘Macedonian Gold’
Pella, Capital of Ancient Macedon and birthplace of Alexander for Lunch, Archaeological Museum and Site
Hotel and Evening Meal
Perhaps Sail around the Bay on a Caique or walk along the seafront to the Alexander the Great Monument
< Archaeological Site of Pella Photo courtesy of Joy of Museums
< Dionysus Mosaic, Pella Archaeological Museum
Day 3
< Amphipolis fortifications
Amphipolis Archaeological Site and Museum. Site of the famous battle between Athens and Sparta in 422BS and preparation point for Alexander’s Asian Campaign.
< Philippi Theatre
Philippi Archaeological Site and Museum. Fortified by Philip who established a mint here, utilising the nearby gold mines
Hotel and Evening Meal
Day 4
< Philip II Tomb Vergina
Ancient Aigai for Vergina Royal Tomb and 2klm walk to Royal Palace Excavations Ancient Meiza Macedonian Tombs & Theatre
Lunch en route to School of Aristotle and Nymphaeum, Esvoria
Hotel and Evening Meal
< School of Aristotle, Nympheon
< Tomb of the Palmettes, Meiza
Day 5
< Roman toilet seat Dion
Dion Archaeological Sites, Museum and Lunch – Religious Centre of Ancient Macedonia and Sacred to Zeus
< Dionysus Mosaic, Dion
Visit Litochoro before drive through Olympus National Park to base camp Prionia Refuge and Café stopping at waterfalls, Aghios Dionysios Monastery remains and Holy Cave.
Hotel and Evening Meal
< Olympic National Park
Day 6
< Mosaic Floor Olynthos Photo courtesy of Christaras A
Morning visit to Ancient Olynthos, famous for its Hippodamian grip plan and pebble mosaics, later levelled by Philip.
Late morning and afternoon in Thessaloniki City for Sites of Choice:
Greek Agora and Roman Forum (+ Museum beneath)
Galerian Complex and Rotunda
Museum of Byzantine Culture
White Tower
Ataturk Museum
Hagia Sophia
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Aghios Demetrius
Hotel and Evening Meal
< Triumphal Arch of Galerius, Thessaloniki Photo courtesy of Joy of Museums
< Thessaloniki Ancient Agora
Day 7
< Thermopylae Hot Springs
Morning Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport
Or
Transfer to Athens Airport via Thermopylae Hot Springs, Hill of Kolonos & Visitors Centre and Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion en route.
< Thermopylae
Feel free to contact us to tailor your own tour. 01342 324727
Optional Extras:
< Monastery Varlaam, Meteora, Greece
Full Day or overnight to Meteora for Monasteries/Nunnery of choice & Old Kalambaka including Church of Dormition, built upon Site of Julius Caesar’s Camp en route to Pharsalus
Archaeological Museum of Karditsa: one of the finest collections and presentations of ceramics in Thessaly + spectacular Bronze Cult Statue from the archaic Temple of Apollo at Metropolis
Unique Theopetra Cave: prehistoric site 4klm from Meteora + oldest known man-made structure on earth, officially dated to this day.
Blogs:
“ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ”, nesting storks, Technicolour Macedonian Tombs and a new Courier!