Unexpected Northern Explorations
Unexpected Northern Explorations
DISCOVER A DIFFERENT SIDE OF GREECE, WHERE WINTER BRINGS A QUIETER RHYTHM, DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES, AND A DEEPER CONNECTION TO LOCAL TRADITIONS.
FROM THE HISTORIC STREETS AND VIBRANT FOOD SCENE OF THESSALONIKI, TRAVEL THROUGH THE ANCIENT HEARTLANDS OF MACEDONIA AND INTO THE RUGGED BEAUTY OF ZAGORI, WHERE STONE VILLAGES, CENTURIES-OLD BRIDGES, AND MOUNTAIN TRAILS REVEAL THE TIMELESS CHARACTER OF EPIRUS. ALONG THE WAY, DISCOVER GREECE THROUGH ITS WINES, REGIONAL FLAVORS, AND CULINARY TRADITIONS, WITH PRIVATE TASTINGS AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES.
CONTINUE TO IOANNINA AND METSOVO, EXPLORING THEIR RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE AND DISTINCTIVE GASTRONOMY, BEFORE REACHING THE SPECTACULAR ROCK FORMATIONS OF METEORA. HERE, ANCIENT MONASTERIES, FORESTED LANDSCAPES, TRUFFLE HUNTING, AND LOCAL DELICACIES OFFER A FINAL TASTE OF NORTHERN GREECE BEFORE RETURNING TO ATHENS.
A CAREFULLY CURATED ESCAPE FOR THOSE SEEKING CULTURE, NATURE, GASTRONOMY, AND AUTHENTIC LOCAL EXPERIENCES, EXPERIENCED AT A MORE INTIMATE AND ATMOSPHERIC TIME OF YEAR.
Day 01 - PRIVATE TRANSFER TO HOTEL
TRANSFER: UPON ARRIVAL, MEET YOUR DRIVER FOR A PRIVATE TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL. ENJOY A SMOOTH AND COMFORTABLE JOURNEY AS YOU BEGIN YOUR GREEK EXPERIENCE WITH A SEAMLESS ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• PRIVATE TRANSFER TO HOTEL
• MEET-AND-GREET SERVICE
• COMFORTABLE PRIVATE VEHICLE
• ARRIVAL ASSISTANCE
Day 02 - THESSALONIKI: HISTORY, FOOD & THE SOUL OF THE CITY
DURATION: 8 HOURS
EXPERIENCE: DISCOVER THE RICH HERITAGE AND VIBRANT SPIRIT OF THESSALONIKI ON A PRIVATE JOURNEY THROUGH ITS HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CUISINE. EXPLORE ICONIC LANDMARKS, WALK THROUGH THE CITY’S LAYERS OF ANCIENT, BYZANTINE, AND OTTOMAN HISTORY, AND EXPERIENCE ITS RENOWNED GASTRONOMIC TRADITIONS. FROM HISTORIC SITES TO LOCAL FLAVORS, THIS EXPERIENCE REVEALS THE AUTHENTIC SOUL OF GREECE’S SECOND-LARGEST CITY.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• PRIVATE GUIDED EXPERIENCE
• EXPLORATION OF THESSALONIKI’S HISTORIC LANDMARKS
• CULTURAL AND GASTRONOMIC INSIGHTS
• LOCAL FOOD EXPERIENCES
• PRIVATE TRANSFERS
Day 03 - FROM VINE TO GLASS: WINE TASTING AROUND THESSALONIKI
DURATION: 5 HOURS
EXPERIENCE: EMBARK ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THE RENOWNED WINE COUNTRY SURROUNDING THESSALONIKI, DISCOVERING THE ART OF GREEK WINEMAKING FROM VINEYARD TO GLASS. VISIT A LOCAL WINERY, LEARN ABOUT INDIGENOUS GRAPE VARIETIES AND TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES, STROLL THROUGH THE VINEYARDS, AND ENJOY A GUIDED TASTING OF SELECTED WINES PAIRED WITH LOCAL FLAVORS.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• PRIVATE WINE EXPERIENCE
• WINERY VISIT AND VINEYARD TOUR
• WINE TASTING
• LOCAL PRODUCT PAIRINGS
• PRIVATE TRANSFERS
• ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDE
Day 04 - THESSALONIKI TO ZAGORI: THE ROAD THROUGH ANCIENT MACEDONIA
DURATION: 9 HOURS
EXPERIENCE: JOURNEY THROUGH THE HISTORIC HEARTLANDS OF ANCIENT MACEDONIA ON THE WAY TO ZAGORI. EXPLORE VERGINA, THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL OF THE MACEDONIAN KINGDOM, AND DISCOVER THE ROYAL TOMBS OF PHILIP II, BEFORE CONTINUING TO PELLA, THE BIRTHPLACE OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, WITH ITS REMARKABLE ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURES AND MOSAICS. AFTER TRAVELING THROUGH THE SCENIC PINDUS MOUNTAINS, ARRIVE IN ARISTI, A CHARMING ZAGORI VILLAGE KNOWN FOR ITS STONE-BUILT HOUSES, MOUNTAIN BEAUTY, AND PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM THESSALONIKI TO ZAGORI
• PRIVATE VEHICLE AND DRIVER
• VISIT TO VERGINA AND THE ROYAL TOMBS MUSEUM
• VISIT TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF PELLA
• ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDE
• ENTRY TICKETS TO INCLUDED SITES
• HOTEL PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF
Day 05 - PRIVATE ZAGORI STONE BRIDGES & VILLAGES TOUR
DURATION: 7 HOURS
EXPERIENCE: DISCOVER THE TIMELESS BEAUTY OF ZAGORI ON A PRIVATE JOURNEY THROUGH ITS PICTURESQUE STONE-BUILT VILLAGES, HISTORIC BRIDGES, AND DRAMATIC MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES. EXPLORE TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENTS NESTLED IN THE PINDUS MOUNTAINS, CROSS CENTURIES-OLD ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECES, AND LEARN ABOUT THE REGION’S UNIQUE HERITAGE, CRAFTSMANSHIP, AND WAY OF LIFE.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• PRIVATE VEHICLE AND DRIVER
• ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDE
• VISITS TO TRADITIONAL ZAGORI VILLAGES
• EXPLORATION OF HISTORIC STONE BRIDGES
• HOTEL PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF
• PRIVATE GUIDED EXPERIENCE
Day 06 - FREE DAY IN ZAGORI
EXPERIENCE: ENJOY A LEISURELY DAY TO RELAX AND EXPERIENCE THE TRANQUIL BEAUTY OF ZAGORI AT YOUR OWN PACE. TAKE TIME TO EXPLORE THE CHARMING VILLAGES, STONE ARCHITECTURE, AND NATURAL LANDSCAPES, OR SIMPLY UNWIND AND ENJOY THE SERENE MOUNTAIN SURROUNDINGS.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• FREE TIME AT LEISURE
• HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
Day 07 - PRIVATE VOIDOMATIS GORGE RIVER HIKE
DURATION: 3 HOURS
EXPERIENCE: EXPLORE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF ZAGORI ON A PRIVATE HIKE THROUGH THE SPECTACULAR VOIDOMATIS GORGE. FOLLOW THE CRYSTAL-CLEAR RIVER THROUGH A LANDSCAPE OF LUSH FORESTS, RUGGED CLIFFS, AND PRISTINE WILDERNESS WHILE DISCOVERING THE REGION’S UNIQUE FLORA, GEOLOGY, AND TRANQUIL MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• PRIVATE GUIDED HIKE
• ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDE
• EXPLORATION OF VOIDOMATIS GORGE
• HOTEL PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF
• SAFETY EQUIPMENT AS REQUIRED
Day 08 - IOANNINA & PRIVATE COOKING CLASS
DURATION: FULL DAY EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE: AFTER CHECK-OUT, DEPART FOR A PRIVATE JOURNEY TO IOANNINA, A LAKESIDE CITY WHERE BYZANTINE, OTTOMAN, AND EPIROTE HERITAGE MEET. EXPLORE THE HISTORIC KASTRO, CRUISE TO NISSI ISLAND ON LAKE PAMVOTIS, AND VISIT THE ALI PASHA MUSEUM TO DISCOVER THE REGION’S FASCINATING PAST. CONTINUE WITH A GUIDED CULINARY EXPERIENCE FEATURING LOCAL SPECIALTIES, EXPLORE THE TRADITIONAL BAZAAR, AND DISCOVER THE CITY’S FAMOUS SILVERSMITHING CRAFT. CONCLUDE THE DAY WITH A PRIVATE COOKING CLASS, CELEBRATING THE AUTHENTIC FLAVORS AND GASTRONOMIC TRADITIONS OF EPIRUS.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM HOTEL
• BOAT CROSSING TO NISSI ISLAND
• ENTRANCE TO ALI PASHA MUSEUM
• GUIDED CULINARY EXPERIENCE WITH TASTINGS
• SILVERSMITH WORKSHOP VISIT
• PRIVATE COOKING CLASS
• ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDE
Day 09 - PRIVATE WINE TASTING IN EPIRUS
DURATION: 1 HOUR
EXPERIENCE: STEP INTO THE WORLD OF EPIRUS WINEMAKING WITH A PRIVATE VISIT TO A RENOWNED WINERY, WHERE HISTORY, TRADITION, AND INNOVATION COME TOGETHER. EXPLORE THE HISTORIC CELLARS, DISCOVER THE ART OF WINE PRODUCTION AND AGING, AND CONCLUDE WITH A GUIDED TASTING OF SIX SELECTED WINES AND TWO SIGNATURE SPIRITS IN AN ELEGANT WINE BAR SETTING.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• PRIVATE GUIDED WINERY AND CELLAR TOUR
• GUIDED TASTING OF SIX WINES
• TASTING OF TWO SIGNATURE SPIRITS
• ACCESS TO THE WINERY WINE BAR
• WINERY ENTRANCE FEES
• HOTEL TRANSFERS
Day 10 - PRIVATE TRANSFER TO METEORA & METEORA PRIVATE HIGHLIGHTS & GASTRONOMY EXPERIENCE
DURATION: 10 HOURS
EXPERIENCE: AFTER CHECK-OUT, DEPART METSOVO WITH A PRIVATE TRANSFER TO METEORA, ARRIVING AT THE FOOT OF THE ICONIC ROCK FORMATIONS AND YOUR HOTEL. CONTINUE WITH AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE THROUGH THIS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, EXPLORING THE REMARKABLE MONASTERIES PERCHED ABOVE THE CLIFFS WHILE DISCOVERING THE REGION’S HISTORY, SPIRITUAL HERITAGE, AND LOCAL FLAVORS THROUGH A GASTRONOMIC JOURNEY.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM METSOVO TO METEORA
• HOTEL PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF
• PRIVATE VEHICLE AND DRIVER
• PRIVATE METEORA HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
• EXPLORATION OF SELECTED MONASTERIES
• GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE FEATURING LOCAL SPECIALTIES
• ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDE
• CHECK-IN ASSISTANCE AT DIVANI METEORA HOTEL
• SUPERIOR SUITE ACCOMMODATION – BREAKFAST INCLUDED
Day 11 - TRUFFLE HUNTING & HORSEBACK RIDING AT METEORA AND TRANSFER TO ATHENS
DURATION: 3 HOURS 30 MINUTES
EXPERIENCE: DISCOVER METEORA’S NATURAL BEAUTY ON A PRIVATE ADVENTURE COMBINING HORSEBACK RIDING, TRUFFLE HUNTING WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE AND TRAINED DOG, AND A DELICIOUS TRUFFLE-INSPIRED LUNCH. CONCLUDE WITH A VISIT TO THE MUSHROOM MUSEUM TO LEARN ABOUT THE REGION’S UNIQUE FUNGI HERITAGE.
AFTER THE EXPERIENCE, OUR DRIVER WILL PROVIDE A PRIVATE TRANSFER TO ATHENS. UPON ARRIVAL, CHECK IN TO YOUR LUXURY HOTEL, IDEALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE CITY NEAR THE ACROPOLIS AND PLAKA.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
• HORSEBACK RIDING
• TRUFFLE HUNTING WITH TRAINED DOG AND EXPERT GUIDE
• FRESHLY PREPARED TRUFFLE AND WILD MUSHROOM PASTA
• MUSHROOM TASTING
• GUIDED VISIT TO THE MUSHROOM MUSEUM
• ENTRY FEES
• PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM METEORA TO ATHENS
• PRIVATE HOTEL CHECK-IN ASSISTANCE
Day 12 - DEPARTURE FROM ATHENS
TRANSFER: AFTER CHECK-OUT, MEET YOUR DRIVER FOR A PRIVATE TRANSFER TO ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR YOUR DEPARTURE FLIGHT.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
PRIVATE TRANSFER TO ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
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