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Greece: The Road Less Travelled

Join us on ‘the road less travelled’ through Northern Greece, from the ancient tombs of Macedonia with their spectacular hoards of gold, to the remarkable ‘monasteries in the sky’, Meteora, and the villages and humped–backed packhorse bridges of the Pindus mountains.

We visit Ioannina, where Byron met Ottoman-Albanian tyrant Ali Pasha. We consult the oracle at Dodona, and see the site of the Battle of Actium where Augustus defeated Antony and Cleopatra. We also visit Pella, the ancient capital of the Macedonians, and explore the fascinating history of Thessaloniki.

From

£2,175

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts and three dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Three nights at the four-star Golden Star Hotel, One night at the three-star Kastraki Hotel, Meteora, and four nights at the five-star Grand Serai Hotel, Ioannina, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
  • Discover Northern Greece’s Hidden Treasures
    Journey through the spectacular scenery and rich history of Northern Greece, from the royal tombs of Macedonia and vibrant Thessaloniki to the sky-high monasteries of Meteora, historic Ioannina, the oracle of Dodona and the stone villages of Zagoria.
  • Your Local Guides
    Local guide and tour manager throughout.
  • Transport & Travel
    Transfers, tours and entrance fees.
  • Flights from the UK
    Return flights from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki     and returning from Preveza airport.
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki

Transfer to the Golden Star Hotel, Peraia, for a three-night stay. 

Day 2: Pella and the Museum and Palace of Ancient Aigai

Our visits begin at Pella, the capital of ancient Macedon, an extensive archaeological site with an amazing museum. Later we travel onto Ancient Aigai and visit one of the great highlights of the tour.

Ancient Aigai is the site of the spectacular tombs of, what is believed to be, Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. Discovered in 1977, the tombs lie under a brilliant recreation of the tumulus which originally covered them, surrounded by an underground display of all the gold and silver objects found buried with the dead.

We will also visit the recently opened Palace of Aigai, which was closed for 16 years whilst undergoing restoration, where Alexander the Great was crowned. Group dinner at a local taverna.

Day 3: Full day Thessaloniki

We enjoy a relaxed day exploring the highlights of Thessaloniki, mostly on foot, visiting some of its great Roman and Byzantine monuments, and some time at leisure to enjoy the lovely seaside setting of Greece’s second city. 

Day 4: Thessaloniki to Meteora

We transfer to Kastraki situated at the foot of the great pillars of Meteora, where we catch our first glimpses of the impressive ‘sky-high’ Meteora Monasteries. Check-in to the Kastraki Hotel, for a one-night stay. Evening at leisure.

Day 5: Meteora Monasteries and onto Ioannina

This morning is spent visiting two of the six working Meteora monasteries, which cling to the top of great and impressive isolated rocks from where we will enjoy breath-taking views. The visit to most of the monasteries involves climbing up and down quite a large number of steps but, of the two we plan to visit, Agios Stephanos has very few steps making it accessible to all.

Next we drive to Ioannina through the beautiful scenery of the Pindus Mountains and check-in to the Grand Serai Hotel, Ioannina, for a four-night stay. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: Ioannina and Dodona

Our day begins at the historic site of Dodona, which is considered the greatest oracle of classical Greece. It’s a beautiful site, in a setting that really showcases the beauty of this exceptional region. We then explore the lakeside city of Ioannina, capital of Epirus, which saw its zenith under the Albanian tyrant, Ali Pasha.

We will cross to Ali Pasha’s island that sits in the middle of Ioannina’s Lake Pamvotis to learn the story of Ali Pasha and his great influence on the region. Group dinner at a local taverna.

Day 7: Preveza and Kassope

Today we travel down to the town of Preveza on the Ambracian Gulf, where Mark Antony and Cleopatra assembled their forces, which were beaten at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. Octavian, the victor, who later became Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, commemorated his victory with a great monument and a new city, Nicopolis, whose extensive remains and museum we visit.

We also have the opportunity to visit the remains of the Hellenistic city of Kassope, it’s hilltop position ensuring extensive views down to the gulf.

Day 8: Zagoria and Pindus Mountains

Our tour finishes picturesquely with a visit to the stone villages of Zagoria, set amidst the fantastic scenery of the Pindus mountains, with its gorges and rivers spanned by humped-back pack-horse bridges, a truly unique and exceptionally beautiful region of Northern Greece. 

Day 9: Return Flight to London Gatwick

Transfer to Preveza Airport for return flight to London Gatwick.

our guests say

Recent reviews

“We loved the beautiful scenery, the fascinating history and the excellent quality of the lecturer and guides, Jeremy especially, but all were very good. A thoroughly rewarding and memorable tour.” 
Mr B, October 2025
 
 “A fantastic and varied trip, with something special each day, from the remarkable tomb of Philip of Macedonia to the beauty of snow in the Pindos mountains. The itinerary offered a wonderful mix of history, culture, landscape and cuisine, and was made even more enjoyable by an excellent tour manager who handled every situation calmly and efficiently.” 
Mrs B, March 2026
 
“A lovely holiday made especially memorable by the excellent team, Jane, Vangelis and local guide Eleni, whose knowledge and support throughout were outstanding. The response to the changed return arrangements was handled brilliantly, with seamless organisation and great teamwork.” 
Mr M, March 2026
 
“Visiting Meteora, the main reason for the trip, was a real highlight, and it was complemented by learning so much about the history of the other places we visited. The tour was very well managed throughout, with a helpful, efficient and considerate approach that ensured everything ran smoothly.” 
Mr E, March 2026
 
“The tour manager and specialist guides made the experience especially meaningful and comfortable, with their knowledge and support adding greatly to the enjoyment of the trip.” 
Mrs W, March 2026

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
26/03/2027
London Gatwick
£2,175
Book Now
Solo Traveller Supplement From: £440
Destination
Departure Date
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Golden Star Hotel, Perea 
Situated just 17 kilometres from Thessaloniki and only a 10-minute drive from the airport, the four-star Golden Star Hotel provides a relaxed place to stay for the start of our tour. Set on the sea front in the small seaside resort of Perea, ensures ease of access to local tavernas, shops and the seaside promenade. The comfortable rooms all have balconies with either mountain or sea view (at a supplement), air conditioning/heating. The hotel facilities include a restaurant and bar. 
Hotel Website

Kastraki Hotel, Kalambaka
The three-star Hotel Kastraki is located at the foot of Meteora rocks in the village of Kastraki, just 2 km from Kalambaka town. The hotel has 27 comfortable and elegant rooms tastefully decorated with earthy tones and dark-coloured wooden furnishings. The public areas include a spacious lounge, TV room and cafeteria. Free wi-fi is available in all areas. A small section of taverna’s are located close by.
Kastraki Hotel Website

Grand Serai, Ioannina
A well-located and very comfortable five-star hotel that offers attractive, warmly decorated rooms. Facilities at the hotel include a spa, outdoor pool (seasonal), bar and restaurant. Ioannina is within easy walking distance of the hotel.
Grand Serai Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

A fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits and exploration. You can expect more time on your feet, including walking between sites, longer periods of standing and some uneven surfaces, cobbles, steps or gentle inclines.
 
Some days may include several visits, longer coach journeys or walking from a drop-off point to an attraction. A reasonable level of fitness and the ability to keep pace with the group throughout the day will help you enjoy the experience fully.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. A reminder will be sent to you approximately 10 days before the balance due date. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

Read More FAQs
Fresh Adventures for Inquisitive Travellers

Why Choose Travel Editions?

Travel with purpose, passion, and like-minded companions, here’s what sets Travel Editions apart.

Designed for Travellers,
Not Tourists

Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.

Personal Service, Real People

Small, friendly team with no automated phone lines. Enjoy personal attention from our team.

Expert Tour Guides, Unique Insights

Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.

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