Reception at the airport.  Transportation to the hotel.

Accommodation Thessaloniki (Dinner)

DAY 2. JULY 02, THESSALONIKI- THESSALONIKI’S  CHURCHES GUIDED  TOUR

Accommodation Thessaloniki (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 3. JULY 03, THESSALONIKI KAVALA – PHILIPPI

Accommodation Thessaloniki (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 4. JULY 04, THESSALONIKI – PELA – VERGINA – VERIA

Accommodation Veria (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 5. JULY 05, VERIA – PANAGIA SOUMELA – METEORA

Accommodation Kalambaka (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 6. JULY 06, METEORA – DELPHI

Accommodation  Delphi (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 7. JULY 07, DELPHI – OLYMPIA

Accommodation Olympia (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 8. JULY 08, OLYMPIA – AGIA THEODORA AT VASTA – PYLOS

Accommodation Pylos (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 9. JULY 09, PYLOS – MYSTRAS – SPARTA

Accommodation Sparta (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 10. JULY 10, SPARTA – MYCENAE – NAFPLION

Accommodation Nafplion (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 11. JULY 11, NAFPLION – EPIDAVROS – CORINTH – ATHENS

Accommodation Athens (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 12. JULY 12, ATHENS- FLIGHT BACK HOME

Transportation to the airport for the flight back home.

Breakfast

THANK YOU FOR COMING Have a nice flight back home! KALO TAXIDI

DAY 1. JULY 01, THESSALONIKI- ARRIVAL

Reception at the airport.  Transportation to the hotel.

Accommodation Thessaloniki (Dinner)

DAY 2. JULY 02,  THESSALONIKI- THESSALONIKI’S  CHURCHES GUIDED  TOUR

Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city and the capital of Macedonia (also voted “Best Mid-Sized European city for human capital and lifestyle” by Financial Times in 2014). It offers a rich cultural and historical heritage as well as a cosmopolitan café life. We will visit some of the splendid churches including the Byzantine church of St. Dimitrios. Naturally, there’s also time to enjoy the shopping and cafés downtown.

“Meze” lunch at Modiano market. The tour could not end without a visit to one of the city’s oldest confectioneries for a sample of siropiasta. These syrupy sweets are still made from the original recipes that Greek refugees brought with them during the1920s from Istanbul and Asia Minor, the perfect Thessaloniki food to finish off this tour (and aid your digestion!) Evening dinner will be at Athonos Square, and be amazed by beautiful scenery that compliments the numerous old-world ouzeris and small taverns. Visit one of the best ouzeris in the city and taste meze accompanied with ouzo or tsipouro – some flavors you won’t be forgetting in a hurry, that’s for sure!

Accommodation Thessaloniki (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 3. JULY 03, THESSALONIKI KAVALA – PHILIPPI

Full day tour – visit the cities where Apostle Paul taught – previously known as NEAPOLIS and PHILIPPI – now known as KAVALA where St Paul went to prison. Ninety miles from Thessaloniki are the extensive ruins of the city of Philippi, which was one of the leading cities of Macedonia and which St Paul visited in A.D. 50. Among the ruins is a most impressive Roman theatre. Kavala is Greece’s prettiest mainland port with a most elegant harbor. St Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christoupolis because it was the first European city to convert to Christianity. Imagine walking on the same ground as these men of the Bible! We will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this beautifully located city, known since the 5th century as Kavala.

Continue on to Philippi where St Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. We will view the baptismal site where Lydia surrendered her life to Christ and visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for St Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre. We return to Thessaloniki for the night.

Accommodation Thessaloniki (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 4. JULY 04,  THESSALONIKI – PELA – VERGINA – VERIA

Vergina has the tomb of Philip plus an important museum. Staying in Beroea (Veria), which had an important early Christian community and visit the Altar Apostle Paul taught.

Accommodation Veria (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 5. JULY 05, VERIA – PANAGIA SOUMELA – METEORA

A visit to the altar of St. Paul at Veria and then on to the monastery of  PANAGIA SOUMELA. A visit to the monastery and then drive south to the holy rocks of METEORA.  Meteora is a must-see on any trip to Greece.

Here are some of the most ancient, active monasteries in all of Greece, and they are perched miraculously atop the mountains along the Pinios river. Meteora, where we will climb and see the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of grey rock –  pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the Cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, that was later transformed into monasteries. Monks seeking isolation and spiritual salvation first built these monasteries in the 14th century. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes.

Accommodation Kalambaka (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 6. JULY 06, METEORA – DELPHI

Delphi – the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. We will gain a greater understanding of the Greek religious heritage and their influence on the early Christian church. We visit the museum where we will marvel at the site of the Charioteer, a bronze statue so delicate you can see his eyelashes. We will see the Temple of Apollo and the Castalia Springs.

Visit Meteora with its striking scenery. Perched on the top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalambaka towards Delphi. Arrival  Delphi early afternoon.

Accommodation  Delphi. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 7. JULY 07, DELPHI – OLYMPIA

We leave Delphi and travel through Galaxidi -Nafpaktos / Antirion – Rio we pass to Peloponnese and ancient Olympia. Olympia is situated in a fertile valley full of splendor, surrounded by hills and light green forests. The incense and the holy atmosphere of the surroundings along with the classical architecture of the ancient buildings make this place unique in the world.

Accommodation Olympia (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 8. JULY 08, OLYMPIA – AGIA THEODORA AT VASTA – PYLOS

From Olympia, drive 2 hours and reach the little church of Agia Theodora at Vasta. Why visit this little church? In the green-clad gully, near Vasta village, there was certainly a miracle. Whether it is created by God or nature we are unable to tell. On the roof of the small church of Saint Theodora seventeen bigger and smaller trees (holm-oaks, maples and other) have grown in an impressive way embracing and supporting the temple. Their roots are invisible both on the outside and in the inside of the church. Perhaps they run through the stone-built walls and constitute a miracle of nature, perhaps,  a divine hand has woven and maintained their clustering. Lunch at the near restaurant with a variety of local specialties. After lunch, we drive to Pylos, a Mycenaean capital and palace, the traditional home of Nestor (from Homer’s Odyssey), located near the modern city of Pylos. Dinner at local restaurant with a variety of local specialties.

Accommodation Pylos (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 9. JULY 09, PYLOS – MYSTRAS – SPARTA

A visit to the old Navarino castle and you will enjoy the wonderful panorama that unfolds in front of you, the view from Palaikastro hill is unique in all directions. Ending the visit drive to Sparta. A visit to the one time capital of Byzantium, the medieval town of Mystras that is mounted on Taigetos’ slope. It is protected by an impregnable fortress (the Kastro), which was built in 1249 by the Frankish prince Guillaume de Villehardouin, the Byzantine acropolis, the monasteries of Lakonia and the bare and wild slopes of Mani, and Sparta. Lunch at a nearby local restaurant then travels to Sparta.

Sparta – the pride, simplicity, duty, courage, the strength of the Spartan-led to the legendary Thermopiles, the most heroic battle of all seasons. Sparta has fought against many invaders on its native soil and is considered the cornerstone of resistance throughout the centuries.

Accommodation Sparta (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 10. JULY 10, SPARTA – MYCENAE – NAFPLION

Breakfast then one and a half hours drive north to Argos and Mycenae, to visit the archaeological site and the museum. The Mycenaean civilization perished with the collapse of Bronze-Age civilization in the eastern Mediterranean in 1100 BC and then flourished until 1600 BC when Helladic culture in mainland Greece was transformed under influences from Minoan Crete.

Accommodation Nafplion (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 11. JULY 11, NAFPLION – EPIDAVROS – CORINTH – ATHENS

Breakfast and the first stop at Epidaurus to visit the archaeological site and the 2,300-year-old Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its acoustics. Keep driving in the direction of Athens via Corinth. Corinth is the city that inspired many of St Paul’s most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To stand in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where St Paul preached. This will enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as you walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Continue our journey to Athens.

Accommodation Athens (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 12. JULY 12, ATHENS- FLIGHT BACK HOME

Breakfast and transportation to the airport for the flight back home.

(Breakfast)

THANK YOU FOR COMING Have a nice flight back home! KALO TAXIDI

DAY 1. HERAKLION-ARRIVAL

Arrival and reception at Heraklion airport. Lunch and dinner depending on your arrival time.

Accommodation Rethymnon (Dinner)

DAY 2. RETHYMNON-CHANIA-GEORGIOUPOLIS-RETHYMNON

Walk the old city of Chania and taste the famous bread of Georgioupolis.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 3. RETHYMNON-ARGYROUPOLIS-RETHYMNON

Walk the old town of Rethymno.Visit an old 16th-century monastery and end at the waters of Argyroupolis where we offer a variety of Cretan specialties and a variety of grills. Back to the hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the city of Rethymnon.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 4. RETHYMNON-MONASTERY OF ARCADI-PHAISTOS-GORTYS-MATALA-KOKKINOS PYRGOS

Break at the historic monastery of Arkadi.

During the Turkish occupation, due to its strategic location, the monastery became a major revolutionary center that played an important role in all the revolutionary movements that took place on the island of Crete.

Visit drive west and the palace of Phaestos the second most significant archaeological site of the Minoan civilization.

The next stop of the beach and the caves of Matala has by far the best-known beach in the province of Heraklion.

We visit the fishing village of Kokkinos Pyrgos at the Kokkinos Pyrgos restaurant, which features fresh seafood and fresh local specialties. Back to the village later in the afternoon.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 5. RETHYMNON-MOUNTAIN TOUR OF CENTRAL CRETE -RETHYMNON

Visit St. Iakinthos in Anogia, the forgotten monastery of Halepa and the village of Drossia.

First, break the mountain unique small stone church of St Iakinthos

Down the hill direction Anogia. Here you find the best quality cheese Kefalotyri & Kefalogryere.

Visit village Axos and go in the direction the small village of Drossia and taste the authentic tastes of Cretan Cusine. After lunch visits the two monasteries of HALEPA and VOSSAKOS. We will have the pleasure to visit a forgotten treasure – a small almost collapsed forgotten small 15th-century church with beautiful wall paintings/frescoes. Drive to the hotel afternoon.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY  6. RETHYMNON-KNOSSOS-HERAKLION-DOXA-MARATHOS-RETHYMNON

We visit the palace of Knossos. The ancient palace of Knossos built 3.500 years ago.Walk the center of Heraklion city, break for lunch at a small mezedopolion at the heart of Heraklion with a variety of dishes.

After lunch drive north-west to a place 20 km far from the city of Heraklion.We do a short hike and reach the place the bees located and we taste “tiganites”.

Visit women cooperative at the near village of Marathos where they make the very special – unique art pastry small and bigger round bread – we call them XOMPLIASTO KOULOURI – and drive back to the manor. Back our hotel late afternoon.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 7. RETHYMNON-COOKING CLASS-WINE TASTING-RETHYMNON

Last day and will join the courses.

The courses include:

Short lectures on Greek cuisine, raw materials, wine, olive oil, etc.

Practice on cooking, and preparation of Greek food specialties

Practice on food and wine tasting

Lectures and practice on how to combine food with the proper wine.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 8. RETHYMNON-HERAKLION-FLIGHT BACK HOME

(Breakfast)

Transportation to the airport for the flight back home. KALO TAXIDI!

Arrival and reception at Heraklion airport.

Upon arrival at Heraklion airport, you will be met by your personal English speaking driver. If you are arriving in the morning, you will enjoy a traditional Cretan meal with a variety of dishes, and then drive west to the Veneto Exclusive Suites.

For guests arriving after lunch, your driver will meet you at the airport and offer you a snack and water for the 70-minute transfer to the hotel. Check in to your room, and relax and explore your surroundings before joining your dinner made with a variety of local Cretan foods – your first taste of the flavors of Crete

Accommodation Rethymnon (Dinner)

DAY 2. RETHYMNON-CHANIA-GEORGIOUPOLIS-RETHYMNON

Depart at 9.00 AM traveling west to Chania – a scenic city that combines the strong traditional color of living history with the virtues of a modern city. The traces of all cultures and nations that dominated the city in the past are more than obvious as the city is a living museum where architectural styles and cultural attitudes have been harmonically blended together.

Visit the Chania town market dating from the 1900’s – it is a cross-shaped gallery that houses over 65 food stores, presenting fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, bread, legumes and anything else you may like, such as cafés, restaurants, and shopping, to the old town of Chania for one hour. We lunch at the old harbor of Chania with a variety of local specialties.

After lunch, we drive back to our village. Break at the villa of Georgioupolis where we buy and taste the famous bread of Georgioupolis with a unique smoky taste, made the same method for the past 150 years. Back to our village late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel restaurant with a variety of specialties

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 3. RETHYMNON-ARGYROUPOLIS-RETHYMNON

Depart at 10.00 AM. We drive slowly through the vineyards and small villages of the region and our first break are the city of Rethymnon, the capital city of the region. It bears traces of the many different periods of its long history. A beautiful fine, sandy beach surrounds the city. During the Venetian occupation, the city was considered to be the commercial and cultural center of Crete.  Byzantine churches stand alongside the Turkish minaret and characteristic stone Venetian buildings which show the traditional character of the city. You can visit the castle of Fortezza, built on the hilltop that overlooks the city, Lotzia which is an archaeological museum, the Rimondi fountain, the remains of the Venetian fortifications and a number of residences characteristic to the Venetian architectural style. Walk the narrow streets with hundreds of small tourist shops.

Visit an old 16th-century monastery and finally at the waters of Argyroupolis where we lunch with a variety of Cretan specialties and grills. Back to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city of Rethymnon. Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 4. RETHYMNON-MONASTERY OF ARKADI-PHAISTOS-GORTYS-MATALA-KOKKINOS PYRGOS

A combination of culture, food, and history. We stop first at the historic monastery of Arkadi. Because of its strategic location, the monastery becomes a major revolutionary center during the Turkish occupation and played an important part in all revolutionary movements that took place on the island of Crete. During the 1886 revolution, the monastery came under siege by a Turkish force consisting of 15,000 men. After days of continuous fighting, the Turkish forces entered the compound. The defenders of the compound withdrew to the building of the powder magazines and in order not to be captured, lit the fuses of the magazine and committed the ultimate sacrifices, killing at the same time numerous enemies who were entering the monastery’s main yard. After these tragic events, Arkadi becomes the symbol of the struggle against oppression. The visit to the monastery is a mystifying and extremely elevating experience.

Ending the visit drive west to the palace of Phaistos, the second most significant archaeological site of the Minoan civilization. Phaistos is located in the southern region of the prefecture of Heraklion in the valley of Messaras. The site of the ancient city is very impressive and the palace compound, although not as extensively restored as the compound of Knossos, offers a detailed insight of the everyday life of such a historically remote period. According to mythology the king of Phaistos was Rhadamanthus, brother of King Minos of Knossos, and superior judge of the underworld.

We continue driving to visit Gortys, the ruined capital city of Roman province that included not only Crete but also much of North Africa. Including an impressive theatre, the Basilica of St. Titus the eponymous saint converted the island to Christianity and was the first bishop, the Odeon, and the Law code. Next stop the beach and caves of Matala which is by far the best-known beach in the Heraklion province. These are believed to be ancient tombs first used by Romans or early Christians to more recently inhabited by a sizeable hippie community. Visited by modern artists such as Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, and Joni Mitchell, who mentions Matala in her song “Carey”. Lunch will be in the fishing village of Kokkinos Pyrgos at a seafront restaurant consisting of fresh seafood and fresh local greens specialties. Back to the village later in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 5. RETHYMNON-MOUNTAIN TOUR OF CENTRAL CRETE -RETHYMNON

Depart at 9.00 AM towards Mount Nida (Psiloritis). First, stop at the mountain’s unique small stone church of St Iakinthos (Orthodox Saint Valentine) built by the well-known songwriter and singer Loudovikos of Anogia. Down the hill towards Anogia. Here you will find the best quality of cheeses – Kefalotyri & Kefalogryere. Break for a cup of coffee.

Next, the village of Axos and then to the small village of Drossia, known by the local people with the Turkish name Geno-Gave. Break for lunch at the finest little restaurant on the island of Yiannis Petoussis known as Tsangaris (shoemaker).  Authentic, natural and indescribable tastes.

After lunch visits the two monasteries of Halepa and Vossakos. We will have the opportunity to visit a forgotten treasure – a small almost collapsed and forgotten small 15th-century church with beautiful wall paintings and frescoes. Drive to the hotel afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY  6. RETHYMNON-KNOSSOS-HERAKLION-DOXA-MARATHOS-RETHYMNON

Today we visit the Palace of Knossos. When visiting the island of Crete everyone must see the ancient palace of Knossos, built 3,500 years ago. Walk the center of Heraklion city, break for lunch at a small mezedopolion at the heart of Heraklion with a variety of dishes.

After lunch drives 20km north-west from the city of Heraklion where beautiful virgin nature is perfect pasture for bees. Old traditional bee-keeping methods ensure honey and other bee products are ecological, clean and free from any additives. The first honey of the season is collected from spring thyme blossoms and this golden yellow honey is a perfect source of nature’s ingredients.

We do a short hike and reach the place the bees are located, then later walk down to a small local café / restaurant run by the owners since 1949. The owners (two brothers) have been beekeepers all their lifetime, carrying on the business from their father.  Therefore, we taste honeycombs straight from the beehive and learn everything about bees and beekeeping as well as enjoying a kind of pancakes called ‘tiganites’ – small cheese pies with honey, accompanied with local wine and a shot of Cretan ‘raki’. You will definitely feel the positive effect on your body and soul.

A visit to a women’s co-operative at the nearby village of Marathos, where they make very special and unique pastries and bread – we call them ‘compliant koulouri’. Then drive back to the manor, back at our hotel late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 7. RETHYMNON-COOKING CLASS-WINE TASTING-RETHYMNON

The last day we will join some courses Veneto restaurant runs, 3 – 5 sessions presenting modern and creative Greek gastronomy. The courses include :

Short lectures on Greek cuisine, raw ingredients, wine, olive oil, etc.

Practice cooking and preparation of Greek food specialties.

Practice food and wine tasting.

Lectures and practice on how to combine food with the proper wine.

Accommodation Rethymnon  (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

DAY 8. RETHYMNON-HERAKLION-FLIGHT BACK HOME

(Breakfast)

Transportation to the airport for the flight back home. KALO TAXIDI!

PRICE PER PERSON 

Double occupancy

based on 2 persons:          €3180

For SINGLE USE:    Add      €544