Lake Kerkini
Lake Prespa
St Achilleios Prespa
Limneon Hotel
Palace of Aigai
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Limneon Hotel
Lake Orestiada
Lake Prespa
Timios Prodromo
Lake Kerkini
Preveza city
Villa Belles
Villa Belles
Daluz hotel
Kastoria
Ioannina
Prespa Lake
Vergina
Lake Kerkini
Lake Kerkini – nature and ecotourism at its finest
Lake Orestiada - a listed monument of outstanding natural beauty
Prespes Lakes – one of Greece’s best kept secrets
Ambracian Gulf – one of the biggest wetlands of Greece, both in size and importance
An exciting 'unknown' Greece
One doesn’t think of lakes when one thinks of Greece, it is always the sea, the islands and the countrys beautiful coastline, and yet Greece is home to numerous lakes that offer a completely different view of this wonderful country. This tour will take you on a journey to uncover the joy of these hidden places exposing their exceptional nature, stunning scenery, unusual fauna and, as always, a range of tasty regional food. Birds, buffaloes, beans, bears, boats and magnificent scenery are just a little of what you can expect to discover on this tour.
Your Tour Manager Jane Freeman
Jane has spent many years involved with Greece, one way or another, originally on the island of Crete, where many of our Greek tours are based, but in more recent years, mainland Greece too. Jane enjoys finding something a little different from the usual tourist haunts that she can share with guests and, having spent some time exploring an 'off the beaten tourist track' part of Northern Greece, she came up with the inspiration for this tour. Most of the areas visited will probably not be known or even heard of by guests who have visited Greece before, which is why Jane believes they should be shared. She hopes these lovely places and their special nature will appeal to guests looking for something just a little different!
Available Departures |
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| 11 - September - 2025 | £ 1695.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings London Gatwick Departing: 11th September 2025 at 06:45 Returning: 18th September 2025 at 12:35 |
Day 1: Arrive Thessloniki and transfer to Lake Kerkini and check-in to the Villa Belles hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 2: Exploring on and around Lake Kerkini.
Whether you know the difference between a Grebe and a duck, a boat trip on peaceful Lake Kerkini is a must and a wonderful opportunity to spot birds in their natural habitat. Our exploring will also take us around the lake where we learn more about the buffalos, that are a very important part of local life. We shall enjoy lunch altogether at a local taverna trying some of the regional specialities and visit the lovely nunnery of Timios Prodromos that has panoramic views to Lake Kerkini. Evening at leisure.
Day 3: Kerkini to Kastoria via Ancient Aigai.
En-route to Kastoria, set on the banks of beautiful Lake Orestiada, we take the opportunity to visit the exceptional museum of Vergina built within a remarkable recreated tumulus that contained the tombs of Philip II; the gold, and other more practical every day items, found within the tomb are exceptional. The great Palace of Aigai, which has only just re-opened to the public after 16 years of ongoing restoration, closely associated with both Philip II and Alexanda the Great, is another highlight. On arrival in Kastoria, check in to the comfortable Limneon Spa Hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 4: Exploring Kastoria and around Lake Orestiada.
Today we shall explore the historic and picturesque neighbourhoods of Kastoria, known as Doltso, with buildings that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, and enjoy a tasting of local products at one of the old mansions that is now a lovely cafe. We will have a relaxed stroll alongside the lake visiting the beautiful 11th C. Panagia Mavriotissa Monastery, with its well-preserved wall-paintings, and explore the interesting 'Cave of the Dragon'! This unique treasure of nature is located only 20 metres from the shore of the lake. Returning to the hotel mid afternoon there will be time to relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel before dinner altogether in Kastoria.
Day 5: Explore Prespes.
The lakes of Prespes, situated 850 m above sea level, share their waters with three countries, Albania, North Macedonian and Greece. The whole area, whichever country the Lake falls in, is known as Prespes and was formalised as an international protected wetland and National Park in 1973. It is an area of nature, culture, ancient settlements and beans! Yes beans! They say the best beans are found here because of the altitude at which they grow, which creates a healthy microclimate. We will explore the area visiting the island of Agios Achillios, littered with Byzantine remains, Psarades, a listed settlement where we take a short boat trip to see the rock paintings of abandoned hermitages, and have lunch altogether in a picturesque setting by the lake in the tiny settlement of Mikrolimni. Evening at leisure.
Day 6: Kastoria to Preveza.
En-route to Preveza we will stop at mountainous Metsovo for coffee, enjoy panoramic views of Lake Pamvotis at Ioannina and have time for lunch in the village of Eliniko, which has a delightful and unexpected museum as well as stunning panoramic scenery. After lunch we continue to Preveza and check-in to the comfortable Daluz Boutique Hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 7: The Ambracian Gulf.
This peaceful body of water, a closed internal sea that is connected with the Ionian Sea through a narrow seaway, was created thousands of years ago. Fed not only by the sea but also by two freshwater rivers explains the diversity and richness of the biotopes found here. It is a paradise for birds but bottlenose dolphins and loggerhead turtles are also found here. We will explore this wetland area by boat on a half day tour, which will include lunch, searching for dolphins, turtles and other wildlife. In the afternoon we will visit seaside Preveza before returning to our hotel.
Day 8: Transfer to Preveza Airport for return flight to London Gatwick.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 18 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Villa Belles, Akritochori
Overlooking Kerkini Lake, this traditional style hotel offers comfortable rooms with balcony and a tranquil countryside position.
Limneon Resort Hotel, Kastoria
This luxury spa hotel has a lovely position right on Lake Orestiaida. All rooms are Lake View rooms. The hotel has a bar, restaurant, gym, spa facilities and a swimming pool.
Daluz Boutique Hotel, Preveza
Very comfortable modern hotel with swimming pool in peaceful location close to Preveza. Rooms included are classic double, these can be upgraded to Deluxe double for a small supplement.
Jane Freeman, our tour guide was excellent. She was very kind and helpful and made the holiday very interesting. We enjoyed the holiday being away from the beaten track and we were very impressed by the variety. A really enjoyable holiday which was very good value for money
Review by Anonymous who travelled 11-September-2024
An excellent journey through less well-known parts of Greece in delightful company. Jane and Nikos are a splendid team, always helpful and informative. The hotels, all very different, were well chosen and we enjoyed some memorable meals at local tavernas. Plenty of time was allowed for the visit to the museum at Vergina and the newly displayed site of the palace of Aigai. The scenery and wildlife in Northern Greece were amazing and I shall always remember the pelicans on Lake Kerkini ...a wonderful display of synchronised fishing!
Review by Wardle who travelled 11-September-2024
Second time with Travel Editions and I really trust them to provide an excellent holiday. Jane is a wonderful tour manager and Nicos is a safe and careful driver. Vergina was a highlight but there were many beautiful things to enjoy and remember.
Review by Jeater who travelled 11-September-2024
Excellent variety of fascinating activities over the whole week. The boat trip on Lake Kirkini and the Palace and Museum at Aigai were the particular highlights. All the Taverna meals were authentic and delicious. Also the time in the bus was kept to a minimum yet we had a wonderful overview of Macedonia. Jane Freeman was outstanding in her organisation of everything, her care for everyone and was great fun. Her research and historical details on our way to all our visits were so helpful. Later flight times on the first day would be really appreciated.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 11-September-2024
An interesting and well balanced tour. Jane, our manager, was very welcoming , well organised, knowledgeable and informative.
Review by Dean who travelled 11-September-2024
A most enjoyable trip, excellently managed by Jane Freeman. Hotel Belles Villes at Lake Kerkini was a little below standard but made up for it by having fantastic view of Lake Kerkini.
Review by Comber who travelled 11-September-2024
Travel Editions feedback:
We are delighted that the tour was so enjoyable. Your comment is noted about Hotel Belles Villes and we are very pleased to hear that the view made up for any loss of standards.
An excellent trip, Jane was an excellent tour manager and the trip was well planned. Highlights included the tomb museum in Vergina and the dolphins in Prevaza. Nicos was a very safe driver. I will be travelling with Travel Editions again .
Review by Meldrum who travelled 11-September-2024
A fabulous holiday in a captivating, little known part of Greece. A truly restorative experience that far exceeded expectations. Jane and Nicos are a brilliant double act and worked their socks off to give us a truly authentic and memorable experience.
Review by Richardson who travelled 11-September-2024
Very enjoyable holiday, thanks mainly to Jane who was an excellent tour manager.
Review by Balaam who travelled 11-September-2024
Travel Editions feedback:
We are delighted that the tour was such a success with Jane and hope to be able to welcome you on another tour soon.
What a brilliant holiday. In particular Jane Freeman the Tour Manager was superb at her job and thoughtful throughout. Her organisational skills were second to none. We went to some wonderfully diverse places. Perhaps there was quite a bit of coach travel which would not appeal to some people. I can’t fault any of the arrangements. The scenery was stunning and who knew northern Greece has the beautiful lakes it has. The places visited were by and large off the beaten track and all well researched by Jane. All the restaurants used were excellent. Portions were generally enormous and who knew Greece produced so much good wine. I cannot fault any aspect of this holiday and was one of the best tours we have ever been on. I thoroughly recommend this tour.
Review by Prebble who travelled 15-September-2023
10/0 plus a Gold Star
Review by Anonymous who travelled 15-September-2023
Great holiday, thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent tour manager and driver throughout.
Review by Messias who travelled 15-September-2023
Flights were as uncomfortable as air travel is these days. The early outward departure required leaving home at 3:00am, but at least gave extra time in Greece. The return suffered from inefficiency at Gatwick - hardly your fault, but all too common. The Tour Manager, Jane Freeman, and driver Nikos deserve special mention for organizing the trip so well; we have met them once before and would rate them the best we have encountered in many holidays.
Review by Mulhall who travelled 15-September-2023
I really enjoyed the wonderfully unspoilt area of Greece. Jane our tour manager was fantastic, as was her colleague and our driver Nicos. Brilliant holiday.
Review by Campion who travelled 15-September-2023
I do not think there are enough words to describe how wonderful I found this trip. It exceeded all expectations and they were fairly high to begin with. Jane is brilliant! Nikos, the driver also excellent. And just when I thought the visit could get no better, we were assailed by a large pod of dolphins in the gulf at Preveza.
Review by Christie who travelled 16-September-2022
This was a fantastic tour, well off the beaten track and supervised expertly by our tour guide Jane. A memorable wonderful experience. Thank you very much.
Review by Cawthorne who travelled 16-September-2022
Wonderful holiday. Jane has put together a fabulous itinerary from the birds of Lake Kerkini to the dolphins which obligingly came out to play at Preveza and swam alongside our boat. Not forgetting caves and monasteries. Excellent hotels and delicious food.
Review by Taylor who travelled 16-September-2022
Another wonderful experience with Jane. One of her strengths is that, even when things don't go according to plan, she manages to work round things to make them even better!
Review by Evans who travelled 16-September-2022
I really loved all the boat trips, especially on the first day at Lake Kerkini and the final day in Ambracian Gulf. The hotels were good but yet again, I seem to be jinxed when it comes to room allocation. Jane is aware! IN the first hotel, I was allocated a side room - but with a view of half the lake from my balcony. In the second hotel I had a 'soulless' standard room whereas most others in the group - including singles, had a junior or deluxe suite. 'Why me?'...... Hotel reception were great and moved me to another room the following night. The feel and decor of this room was totally different and made me feel a lot better. I really enjoyed the joint meals and selection of food. As a single traveller, I felt a bit lost on evenings when meals were not arranged as there was not always the opportunity to link up with someone to eat with. The journeys between hotel locations I found a bit long and tiring. I would have liked to stay longer in Previza - and that hotel - and explore more of the area. Jane was fantastic throughout.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 10-June-2022
Marked admin down as Jane had no idea of my dietary requirements, gluten free & veggie. She was aware of another lady who was gluten free. Accommodation in the 2 latter hotels was wonderful although no restaurant in the last one, despite being advertised. Jane was brilliant and although I didn’t know anyone when I joined the trip, I settled down very quickly. Jane made sure we went to some wonderful places both for meals and sightseeing trips. The last day was one of my favorite.
Review by Tourikis who travelled 10-June-2022
Jane Freeman, the tour manager, was excellent, concerned all the time that we were all well-informed and enjoying ourselves! Nikos was much more than a very safe driver, constantly alert for any way to help us. The sheer variety of activities offered was impressive and included several boat trips where we saw pelicans, turtles and dolphins. We visited historical and cultural monuments, tasted local food and wine. and saw beautiful parts of Greece, little visited by British tourists. Norma Cook and Brita De Cata.
Review by Cook who travelled 10-June-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 10-June-2022
Small group, reliable transport and well organised. Very good your overall.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 10-June-2022
A delightful new tour, ably managed by Jane Freeman as always. Wonderful lakes, many birds, loggerhead turtles, dolphins, water buffalo, even hints of bears. Needed more time to see everything.
Review by Pinder who travelled 10-June-2022
Very enjoyable holiday. Our Tour Manager, Jane excelled at care and consideration for everyone in the group, and informed us efficiently of each day’s activities in advance. However, we felt that we would have benefitted from a specialist guide for some aspects of the tour, especially cultural and natural history. Overall, an excellent holiday.
Review by Parrott who travelled 10-June-2022
