Delphi
Ancient Dion
Iconic White Tower, Thessaloniki
Palace of Aigai
Meteora
Gold Crown, found in Philip II tomb
Rotunda ceiling mosaic
Outer facade of Philip II's tomb
Gold Casket - found in Philip's tomb
Alexander the Great
Arch of Galerius
Hosios Loukas Murals
The remarkable site of Delphi and the exceptional mosaics of Pella, the home of the Macedonian elite
The impressive Meteora Monasteries, a unique experience of nature’s grandeur
The spectacular gold treasures of Macedonia and the ornate tomb of Philip II
Thessaloniki - an exciting capital of culture and history with impressive historic monuments
Travel with Dr Rita Roussos PhD to the heartland of Macedon, home of Philip II and Alexander the Great.
Our journey includes the magnificent sanctuary of Delphi, the remarkable Meteora Monasteries, situated in an incredible and unique landscape; and vibrant Thessaloniki, Greece's second city. In Macedon we visit the spectacular tombs of Philip II. Discovered in 1977, the tombs now lie in a museum under a brilliant recreation of the tumulus. We also visit Pella and see the houses of the Macedonian elite with their remarkable pebble mosaics; and Dion, the Macedonian religious centre where Philip and Alexander celebrated their victories.
Your Lecturer - Dr Rita Roussos Phd
Rita studied ancient Greek and Latin at the University of Califonia, Berkeley, and completed her Phd in History of Art at the Courtauld Institude of Art, University of London. She has excavated in Greece and taught at the American University of Athens.
Available Departures |
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| 26 - March - 2025 | £ 1975.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings London Gatwick Departing: 26th March 2025 at 12:20 Returning: 03rd April 2025 at 11:55 |
Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Athens. On arrival transfer to the Likoria Hotel, Arachova for a two-night stay. Brief introductory talk by Dr Rita Roussos PhD.
Day 2: Delphi and Byzantine Hosios Loukas.
Visits to the breath-taking ruins of the great oracle of Delphi, hidden in the folds of Mount Parnassus, and the magnificent Hosios Loukas, one of the finest Byzantine monasteries in Greece. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Delphi to Meteora.
We leave Delphi behind and head to our second destination, Kalambaka, the home of the magnificent Meteora Monasteries. Enroute we have the opportunity to see the site of the 480 BC battle of Thermopylae between the Spartans and the Persians. Check-in to the Kastraki hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 4: Magnificent Meteora.
A day spent amidst these magnificently located monasteries, that teeter on the top of incredible rock pillars and date from the 14th century. We shall visit two of the six monasteries that continue monastic life here today, enjoying the exceptional landscape while learning more about the continuing traditions of Orthodox life. Overnight Kastraki hotel.
Day 5: Meteora to Thessaloniki via the ancient site of Dion.
Enroute to Thessaloniki we visit the archaeological site of Dion. Very much a place of religious importance, Dion became the religious centre of the Macedonian kingdom in the 5th C. BC and hosted important games. In the 4th C. BC, Alexander the Great offered sacrifices at the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Dion before setting out on his campaign against the Persian Empire. Check-in to the centrally-located City Hotel, Thessaloniki for a four-night stay.
Day 6: Byzantine Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki was, for many centuries, the second-most important city of the Byzantine Empire, and this legacy has left some wonderful monuments, many of which are listed UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visits today will include the churches of Vlatadon (14th C), Agia Sofia (8th C) and Hosios David (5th C) as well as the grand catherdral of Saint Demetrios, the patron saint of Thessaloniki since 1912. Today will be spent mostly on foot.
Day 7: Pella and Ancient Aigai.
Pella, a later capital of ancient Macedon, is today an extensive archaeological site with an impressive museum. The city of Aigai, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, was discovered in the 19th century near the village of modern day Vergina. The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century BC, and the magnificent museum of the Royal Tombs, created in the Great Tumulus, one of which is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander the Great and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.
Day 8: Sites of Thessaloniki.
We spend another day exploring Thessaloniki and discovering more of its long history. Visits today include the Roman Forum, the excellent Archaeological Museum, the Arch of Galerius and the magnificent Rotunda.
Day 9: Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport for return flight to London Gatwick.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
The maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers.
local restaurant.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Excellent quality hotels are used throughout this tour, all offering a high standard of service, facilities and comfort in ideal locations to explore the sites visited.
Likoria Hotel, Arachova
At 990 metres above sea level, the comfortable four-star Likoria Hotel is situated in the heart of the picturesque mountain village of Arachova. Each spacious and tastefully decorated room has a private balcony with views over the valley of Delphi. Hotel facilities include a bar, sauna, steam room, heating/air-conditioning and wi-fi. Rooms all have a private bathroom with bath or shower, balcony, TV, mini-bar and kettle. There is a good choice of tavernas within easy reach on foot from Likoria and some interesting shops, many selling local products of the region.
Likoria 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
City Hotel, Thessaloniki
This eco-friendly four-star hotel is perfectly situated right in the heart of Thessaloniki, which provides ease of access to both the city’s commercial and historical centre. The hotel embraces the eco-friendly style of operating and has been awarded the ‘green key’ for its eco-design.
The comfortable rooms are classically furnished and feature wooden floors. Each is equipped with bathroom with shower or bath, hair-dryer, air conditioning/heating, tea and coffee making facilities, TV and mini-bar. Guests benefit from free wi-fi access in all hotel areas.
The rooms we have selected are ‘inner view’ rooms. ‘City view rooms are available at a small supplement and these rooms have balconies and are slightly more spacious.
City Hotel Website
Your Lecturer - Dr Rita Roussos Phd
Rita studied ancient Greek and Latin at the University of Califonia, Berkeley, and completed her Phd in History of Art at the Courtauld Institude of Art, University of London. She has excavated in Greece and taught at the American University of Athens.
A most enjoyable holiday. Travel Editions staff were very efficient and helpful
Review by Berger who travelled 19-October-2023
Everything was excellent in every respect. Our Tour Manager Miranda SPITHA was so lovely, with a wicked sense of humour, she looked after us like her own children! Our accompanying lecturer Dr. Rita Roussos was so knowledgable, whe made evey visit and lecture magical. I would love to travel with them both agan. Macedonia is a beautiful place. The only negative incident, beyond TE control, was the nerve-shredding hour spent at Athens Airport, trying to get through passport control. We were trapped with hundreds of others, ziz-zagging round the barriers, to shuffle 10 yards to the control booths, 3 of which were staffed, the other three not staffed. Airport officials were totally indifferent to our plight. We got through with minutes to spare, ran down to the gate as the plane was bording to depart. Horrible experience!
Review by Anonymous who travelled 19-October-2023
2 issues- the stop at Thermopylae en-route from Meteora to Arachova is poor as is the museum. Need to re-plan this day. (Whilst I realise it is a travel day must be something better to see. Longer time may be needed for check in /passport control at Athens we arrived 2 hours before flight but were in passport control line for at least 1hr 35 mins. Were very worried we would miss flight Best hotel was Kastraki definitely excellent position/ room & food. Worst hotel Likoria room excellent but breakfast poor with lots of stale items & no bar open in evening
Review by Anonymous who travelled 19-October-2023
We are grateful to have visited the range of sites. Route starting Thessaloniki instead of original description worked well. At times, the plan for the order of day's events could have been emphasised. Use of "whispers" ( devices which amplified commentary, with ear pieces for group) was helpful at sites and museums. Formal evening lectures could also offer an informal outline of sites to be visited next day .Standard of site commentary excellent.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 19-October-2023
An excellent tour full of interest with good manager and guide and efficient transport between 3 different areas. Our only reservation was the first hotel in Thessaloniki which we found slightly basic. The other two were excellent.
Review by Sandars who travelled 19-October-2023
Rita, Miranda and Nicos were all absolutely excellent. Rita was wonderfully informative and imparted information in a clear scholarly way. Miranda knew her subject matter very well and was very engaging, and Nicos was a very safe very efficient driver. I would point out that ALL of us disliked the tipping system - you tip waiters and taxi drivers, not this level of people, We all said we would rather pay a little extra for the trip itself and avoid the embarrassment of tipping. In terms of the travel, as the tour was inverted and we left from Athens rather than arriving there, we should have been there 3 hours ahead, not 2. We had a ghastly two hour shuffle through the queues at passport control and a few people were late catching the plane. Obviously an arrival in Athens and departure from Thessaloniki is preferable where possible. I have written to Dimitri at the Hotel Likoria in Arachova in the hope that they will rescue my pearl earring which fell down the plughole (it was only a hole! no cover!) on the morning of 27th October, When I rang the hotel there was no answer from anyone wo could speak English. This was in fact a brilliant tour, very well planned with wonderful things to see and learn about. I enjoyed every minute of it, and would certainly travel with you again. In fact, please can you tell me if/when you are running your tour "Villas and gardens of Rome and Lazio" next year. This year it clashed with this tour, otherwize I would certainly have done it.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 19-October-2023
Wonderful tour manager and lecturer. Very friendly group, much appreciated as solo traveller.
Review by Lee who travelled 19-October-2023
BA flight was very disappointing- in line with previous experiences with BA. Aegian in contrast provided an excellent service. travel from site to site was excellent, very good coach driver. Other than that it was a brilliant trip, very well organised and the changed itinery worked very, very well. A big, big thank you to Miranda and Rita.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 19-October-2023
Miranda and Rita are excellent managers and guides. The itinerary was very well planned and undertaken. A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting guided tour. Richard and Sabina
Review by Bush who travelled 19-October-2023
We learned such a lot, all very enjoyable. We need to thank particularly Jane our leader who was kind and helpful beyond the call of duty when we needed (non-urgent) medical attention. We found the partnership of local guides with Dr Roussos very well done
Review by Barton who travelled 06-May-2022
Very well planned and managed tour. Jane did a terrific job as tour manager and Rita added enormous value with her erudite briefing lectures and on-site explanations
Review by McKenna who travelled 06-May-2022
Very impressed with our Lecturer who gave three interesting lectures and information as we went round. Also with our Tour Manager who was very patient and approachable.
Review by Hughes who travelled 06-May-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 06-May-2022
All the staff , tour manager, historian guide, tourist guides and the bus driver were outstanding. The hotels were excellent and characterful. The only exception was the City hotel in Thessaloniki which was good but soulless.
Review by Brignell who travelled 06-May-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 16-May-2019
Karen was excellent, and quickly adjusted to any changes needed. Friendly & helpful. Rita, our lecturer/guide was also excellent - she knew a lot, drew out the historical connections for us, including the human element, and pointed out at the sites the important features she had included in her lectures. Education with enjoyment. Both of these ladies took seriously their specific contributions and collaborated easily. The tours would have scored excellent with a different mandatory local guide. I would be happy to explain and discuss this particular comment.
Review by Beaton who travelled 16-May-2019
Karen, tour manager, had not been in tour area before and (understandably) was not fully up to speed. Eleni, the Greek guide for most of the tour, was dreadful. She seemed to know very little about the places we visited, wittered on endlessly about her faith and not much else - someone to avoid in future. Huge contrast to Greek guide at Meteora who was excellent. Rita, lecturer, was a curate's egg: excellent when talking extempore on matters she knew well, unreliable and dry on other matters and in delivery of written lectures.
Review by Stevenson who travelled 16-May-2019
