Macedonian Treasures – Tour

1^st Day: AIRPORT – ATHENS – SOUNIO

Departure from the airport to Athens and our hotel. Arrival and arrangement/check-in in the rooms. Our Sounion Τour begins with a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road which allows a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of Athens’ most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza). Cape Sounion rises like a sheer cliff out of the sea as one approaches the site. At Cape Sounion we will visit the Temple of Poseidon, dated from the 5^th century B.C. and offering one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world. According to legend, Cape Sounion is the spot where Aegeas, King of Athens, believing that his only son Prince Theseas was dead, jumped off the cliff, giving his name to the Aegean Sea. The wind-swept Cape Sounion was an obvious choice for a sanctuary of Poseidon, where the sailors might offer a last sacrifice to appease the mighty God of the Sea before leaving the comparative safety of the Saronic Gulf for the perils of the open Aegean Sea.  The archaic temple was destroyed by the Persians in 480 B.C. and a new one was built in its place in 440 B.C. by Pericles.  The contrast between the 12 white remaining Doric columns and the deep blue of the sea is still as spectacular as in the days of Lord Byron, who carved his name on the marble. We will have lunch at a seaside tavern. Return to our hotel. Overnight stay.

* The Tour in Sounion depends on the time of arrival of travelers

2^nd Day: ATHENS CITY TOUR

After breakfast we depart for a City Tour starting from the Panathenaic Stadium known as Kallimarmaro. In Antiquity, the Stadium was used for Panathenea, the celebration held in honor of Goddess Athena. Free time for photos will be given. With the bus we will be heading for Zappeion Hall, the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, which is a symbolic monument dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who died fighting for their country. Passing along Panepistimiou Street, one of the most known and central streets of Athens, we will end up in the triad of neoclassical buildings: The Library, the Academy and the University. Coming next is our most important visit in the center of Athens, Acropolis. Here we will have the chance to admire magnificent monuments, such as Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Propilaia, the Ancient Agora, the theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. We will have time for a tour in Parthenon Monument, which was built in the 5^th century B.C by the architects Ictinus and Kallikrates. A visit in the New Acropolis Museum follows, which mainly includes findings of the archaeological area of Acropolis. The Museum first opened in 2009 and the building was designed by French-Swiss Benar Tschumi. It is considered one of the most beautiful museums. After that, we will have a guided tour followed by free time in the old historical neighborhood of Plaka, a district in the center of Athens, near the Acropolis. In the afternoon we will return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

3^rd DAY: VERGINA – VERIA – THESSALONIKI

Departure after breakfast for Macedonia and the town of Vergina, which was built at the foothills of Pieria Mounts. Vergina became famous in 1977, by the archaeology professor Manolis Andronikos and his colleagues, when he discovered the burial places of Macedonian Kings and a funerary monument, which according to Andronikos was of King Philip II, father of Alexander the great. A guided tour in Palaces and Royal tombs will follow. Then, we will be heading to Veria, a beautiful city in Central Macedonia and the capital of Imathia. We will have the chance to see the Step of Apostle Paul, which is a historical monument of worldwide interest. The Apostle Paul taught in Veria during the 1^st century B.C. We will have free time for our lunch. Next, we depart for the second in population city of Greece, Thessaloniki. The city was founded by Alexander descendant, Kassander. Arrival at our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

4th DAY: THESSALONIKI

Departure after breakfast and our tour begins with Saint Dimitrius Church. We will admire the mosaics of the Church and see where the Saint martyred. Then, we will visit the White Tower and the Upper Town, where we can enjoy a panoramic view of Thessaloniki. Our next stop is the Archaeological Museum. Thereafter we will have free time for wandering around the center of the city and for lunch. Arrival at our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

5th DAY: THESSALONIKI – PELLA – POZAR BATHS

After breakfast, we start our tour heading to the ancient city of Macedonia, Pella. The city was founded by Archelao in 413 B.C. A guided tour of the archaeological site will follow. Our next visit is Pozar baths. There are metal springs at a temperature of 37o Celsius with remarkable chemical composition. The water includes many healing properties and it is suitable for balneotherapy or toning and relaxation. Free time for those who want to enjoy a swim. Then we will have our lunch in a traditional tavern. Return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

6th DAY: CHALKIDIKI – ARISTOTLE’S PARK – ANCIENT CITY OF AMPHIPOLIS

After breakfast we depart for the most important historical area of Chalkidiki, the Ancient Stageira, where Aristotle was born. The city was founded in 665 B.C by Ionian settlers who arrived from the island of Andros. There, we will have the chance to visit the Aristotle’s Park, which is the only theme park in Chalkidiki. The original interactive organs hosted are operating on the basis of natural laws and are mentioned to Aristotle’s writings. The experimental instruments, hosted in the park, are the followings: the compass, the telescope, the prism, the sundial, the lens, the pentafono, the water turbine, the idle globes and the parabolic mirrors. We will have free time wandering around the park. Our tour continues at the Ancient City of Amphipolis, which was built in Eastern Macedonia, on the banks of the river Strymon. The city was founded by the Athenians in 437 B.C. Free time for a guided tour in the Archaeological Site. Return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

7th DAY: PHILIPPI – ANCIENT THEATRE – TRADITIONAL WINERY

After breakfast, we will visit the ancient colony of Philippi, which was built in 356 B.C. by Alexander’s father, Philip II. Our tour continues at the Ancient Theatre and the Church of Philippi, founded by Apostle Paul in 49 a.D. We will also see the Baptistery of S. Lydia of Filippisias. Our tour continues with a Traditional Winery, where we will taste local wines. Return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

8th DAY: THESSALONIKI – AIRPORT

After breakfast we depart for the airport of Thessaloniki.