Learn all about the homeland of Alexander the Great on this 7 day educational trip to Northern Greece

Itinerary:

Day 1: FLIGHT TO THESSALONIKI
Flight to Thessaloniki. Welcome by our guide and transfer by bus to our hotel in Veria for 6 nights. Distribution of rooms and dinner in Veria.

Day 2: THESSALONIKI, KALAMBAKA, METEORA, WORKSHOP FOR IMAGES
After breakfast we go to Meteora. Guided tour of the famous, built on tall sandstone cliffs, monasteries of Meteora. These monasteries which hovered between heaven and earth were created in the 14th century. Here we visit 2 monasteries and give clarification of the importance of the Byzantine-Orthodox monasticism in Greece and Eastern Europe. Then lunch at one of the local taverns in Kalambaka. After lunch we visit the pine images workshop “PEFKIS”. Later in the afternoon return to Veria. Dinner and rest in Veria.

Day 3: VERIA, VERGINA, MONASTERY PANAGIA SUMELA
After breakfast we go to Veria, History of Apostle Paul in Veria. Visit the St. Paul forum. We continue to Vergina, which was heard of all over the world just 30 years ago because of the excavations of the royal tombs. These unique findings, the tomb of Philip, father of Alexander the Great, let us assume that Vergina, then Aigai, was the first capital of Macedonia. We have lunch at a winery with wine tastings. We continue to the municipality of Veria, there we will take part in the presentation by representatives of the University of Thessaloniki, on “From History to Legend” In the evening return to hotel, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4:THESSALONIKI, BYZANTINE MUSEUM, CHURCH OF AGIOS DIMITRIOS AND AGIA SOPHIA
After breakfast we drive to Thessaloniki and tour the city. Thessaloniki is the second largest city in size, in Greece. During our tour we will visit the churches of Agios Dimitrios and Agia Sophia as well as the ancient walls of the city and then we continue to the Byzantine Museum of Thessaloniki. Lunch in the old city of Thessaloniki. Return in the evening to Veria. Dinner and rest at the hotel.

Day 5: KATERINI, DION, OLD PANTELEIMON
After breakfast we will go on a day trip to Katerini, Pieria. There we will visit Dion. The archaeological site with interesting excavations discovered in 1928. Here the Macedonian king Archelaus (413-399 BC) reorganized the Olympia, a religious festival with musical and athletic competitions honoring Olympian Zeus and the Muses at Dion, the Olympia of Macedon. In his honor the temple of Zeus was built. Later this place was used as a military fortress of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. The city was surrounded by walls and had dense, paved roads. Very impressive is the bathing complex with a complex system for water supply. Lunch at Old Panteleimon. The village with its stone houses was restored by its inhabitants and is now a favorite destination for locals. Return to the hotel for dinner then rest.

Day 6: PELLA, NAOUSSA, ARISTOTLE’S SCHOOL
After breakfast we go road to Pella. Pella is the capital of the Macedonian kingdom and hometown of Alexander the Great. Today is a small town with approx. 3,000 inhabitants. In the age of Philip II and Alexander the Great, Pella was the capital of ancient Macedonia. In Byzantine and Ottoman time the city was called Holy Apostles. Then go to the school Aristotle in Naoussa (Mieza). Welcome by the school administration with a film about the school and its history. It is known that Aristotle here in 342 to 229 BC taught Alexander the Great. There you will take part in a presentation on “Alexander the Great and Aristotle.” Back in the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 7: RETURN FLIGHT TO YOUR POINT OF ORIGIN
After breakfast, transfer to Thessaloniki airport and return home.