Flight to Thessaloniki, collect your car and check-in to the hotel. Balance of day at leisure. Overnight.

Breakfast. Start your city tour. The city was named after the sister of Alexander the Great and was first settled by her husband Kassandros in 316-315 B.C. Nowadays it possesses all the features of a large and modern coastal city which respectfully preserves the remains of a noteworthy past. Visit the archaeological museum which contains finds from pre-historic to byzantine times, the Byzantine museum, the Crypt of Aghios Dimitrios preserved underneath the church’s transept (here in 303 A.D. Saint Dimitrios was confined, suffered martyrdom and was buried), several churches like the St George’s Rotunda and Aghia Sophia and the Roman Forum. Pass also the walls and the White Tower. Afternoon at leisure to explore the city or shopping. Overnight.

Breakfast. Early departure for Pella, ancient second capital of the Macedonian Kingdom and the birthplace of Alexander the Great. Next stop is the town of Vergina. The incredible wealth of the site’s finds led to the conclusion that Vergina was actually the first capital of the kingdom of Macedonia ruled by King Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great. Don’t miss the new small museum which contains now the “treasure of Vergina”. Continue to the archaeological park of Dion, a place long sacred to the ancient god of Olympian Zeus. It became the official religious centre of Makedonia in the 5^th century BC and Alexander the Great offered splendid sacrifices at the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus before embarking on his Asian campaign. Return to Thessaloniki in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast. Your first visit today is to the museum of Polygiros. Then drive to Olynthos, whose pre-Hellenic name means wild fig-tree, was founded in the 7th century BC in Chalkidike by the Bottiaioi. Classical Olynthos was laid out according to the Hippodameian system and was surrounded by walls. The wide avenues and large well-built houses, decorated with mosaic floors and plastered walls, indicate the prosperity of the city. It tried to resist the expansionist schemes of Philip II, and as a result was entirely destroyed in 348 BC. Continue Ouranoupolis for overnight.

Breakfast.  Join the cruise to the Mount Athos. Early departure from Ormos Panagias harbour, where the cruise will begin taking you to the southern point of the Holy Mountain. Sailing, you will have the opportunity to view and photograph Europe’s most unique Monk’s Republic with its impressive Byzantine Monasteries. To this day 1.700 monks still live under the strict rule on the Holy Mountain, with no woman ever being allowed to set foot there. The boat will cruise along the west coast to Ouranoupolis.  Overnight.

Breakfast. Depart for a visit of Stagira, the birthplace of Alexander’s tutor, Aristotle. We continue to Amphipolis were we discover a city whose rich history extends from 437 BC well into the Christian period. We continue along the lovely coastal road to the attractive seaside city of Kavala which has a notable historic past. It has been built on the ruins of Ancient Neapolis which occupies the same site. The apostle Paul passed through the town which is the reason why it has also acquired the name of Christoupolis. Overnight.

Breakfast. Today visit the castle of Kavala, the museum, the house Mohamed Ali and the Aqueduct before continuing to the town of Xanthi with its fine town houses built by Ottoman merchants. The journey continues to city of Alexandroupolis, where we catch the ferry to the island of Samothraki. Samothraki’s natural attributes are dramatic, big and untamed. There are thick forests of olive and pine, dense shrubbery and damp, dark glades where waterfalls plunge into deep, icy pools. The Chora nestles almost invisibly in a circular pine-flecked hollow. The streets are twisting cobbled, the houses are crumbling, basalt-built and red tiled, some of grey stone while others white-washed. Overnight on the island.

Breakfast. Visit of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. The site lies in a valley of luxuriant vegetation and used to be the major religious centre of the Aegean. The ruins that are still visible today are mostly late Hellenistic. Though overgrown, they’re still eerily impressive; monuments include a partly re-erected temple of the second initiation. Also visit the island’s major site’s museum: well laid-out, its exhibits include terracotta figurines, vases, jewellery and a plaster cast of the Winged Victory. Time permitting you can also visit the little Folklore museum with its pretty displays of local folklore. The afternoon is free to explore the island. A possible visit would be to Therma (alternatively known as Loutra): an attractive setting with a profusion of plane and horse-chestnut trees, dense greenery and gurgling creeks. Therma is a spa hamlet; the hot springs are divided into three categories, depending on the temperature of the waters. Taking a bath there will undeniably be a great experience, even if you don’t have arthritis or rheumatisms. Overnight.

Breakfast. Depart by ferry back to the mainland (Alexandroupolis) and continue for visit the town of Komotini, which began life as a Byzantine Fortress built by the Emperor Theodosius in the 4th century AD. The ruins of this quadrangular structure can still be found near the central square. Komotini has several museums including the Byzantine, Folklore and Archaeological museum, which exhibits a gold bust, possibly of Emperor Septimius Severus. Continue to Kavala. Use the afternoon to explore this charming city at leisure. Overnight.

Breakfast. Today visit the ancient city of Philippi, where among other remains to see, are two early Christian basilicas, traces of the Egnatian Way, the Roman Forum, the citadel, the ancient Greek theatre, etc… There is also the dungeon dating from the Roman times, believed to have been the place where Saint Paul was imprisoned. At the river-side nearby, Saint Paul converted Lydia to Christianism, thus making her the first Christian in Europe. Return to Thessaloniki for overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. In the morning depart for Kalambaka, a small village at the foot of the Meteora, through villages of Central Greece. Visit the monasteries of Meteora lying in as quite impressive scenery. Meteora are gigantic rocks etched by time into a variety of shapes: grey stalagmites rising towards the sky, they appear as nature’s gift to the pious, who driven by faith, have opted for solitude and a life of worship. The monasteries, with their wooden galleries and corniced rooftops, crown the summits of these formidable pinnacles. Precariously hanging over the sinister abysses, these unworldly hermitages compose one of the most breathtaking sites on the earth. The development of the community may be more thoroughly traced from the 14th century when the first monasteries were established. Then was founded what was to become the most important of all, the “Great Meteora”. Of the 24 monasteries built through the years only 5 are still inhabited and can be visited: Great Meteora, Varlaam, Aghia Triada, San Stefano and Roussanou (the last 2 are run by nuns). You have time to visit 2-3 monasteries and marvel at the priceless historical and religious treasures they contain. Return to Thessaloniki for your last overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Drop off car at the airport for flight back home.