Northern Greece and Corfu Highlights

Discover Thessaloniki through its cuisine. Walk through historical markets, visit specialty food shops and taste famous delicacies. The local expert offers insights into the port city’s culinary history influenced by Frankish and Ottoman conquerors, Arabs and Jews. Visit the Kapani Market, which offers a colorful introduction to the city’s food scene. In its narrow arcades, you’ll find vats of glistening olives, tubs of feta and chains of piquant sausages. Spice vendors, butchers and fishmongers clamor for attention of passersby. Next, head to Modiano Market in the Jewish quarter. Navigate your way through the maze of vendors selling varieties of cheeses, coffee beans, herbs and confectioneries. Try sweet bread topped with almonds, melted chocolate coating or chestnut filling. Sample buttered phyllo pastries dunked in syrup. Finally, visit Athonos Square, popular for its cafés, taverns and restaurants serving delectable local fare.(Duration: half day; Time: 1100 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meal included: light snacks; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Please wear closed toe walking shoes.)

Travel back in time to discover the origins of Alexander The Great on this full day adventure in Greece. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Thessaloniki at 0900 hrs and take you to the ancient site of Pella. Alexander was born in the Pella region in 356 BC and he and his sister were raised in Pella’s royal court. Walk through the excavated section of the city and note how it was designed in a grid of parallel streets. Your guide will tell you what life was like in an Ancient Greek city and explain the significance of the buildings. From Pella, drive south for about an hour to reach Vergina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Royal Tomes of Vergina, where Alexander’s father, King Philip, is buried. Your guide will also show you the subterranean structure that was built in 1993 to protect the tombs. Learn about the importance of the Macedonians in ancient Greece and the relationships between the various city-states that existed at the time. Enjoy some free time around lunch before returning to Thessaloniki. (Duration: full day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included)

Discover the natural and cultural marvels of Meteora with a visit to the Three Monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set off from your Kalambaka hotel in the company of your local guide, as he/she traces the history of this monastic community back to the ninth century. Spot the towering rock pillars where the first hermits decided to build the monasteries of Meteora. The name itself means ‘suspended in the air,’ giving you a sense of the serenity of the space. Explore the hushed environs of the monasteries and later take in stunning views of the countryside from lookouts suggested by your guide. (Private Activity & Transfer; Duration: 3-4 hrs; Time: 0900hrs; Tour includes guide; Fitness level: moderate. The guide will discuss with you which monasteries to visit based on your physical condition; Guests are requested to bring water, hat, sunscreen and walking shoes)

Embark on a gastronomical tour of Corfu, while you explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town on foot. Walk around the prominent landmarks in the old part of the city as your expert guide narrates their historical significance. Uncover the hidden culinary treasures of the city as you navigate the alleys and narrow pathways, stopping at carefully selected food outlets. Learn how Venetian and Greek influences have given an innovative twist to traditional recipes. Sample locally made meze dishes and get insights about their making from the store owners. Feel free to ask questions about Corfu and its food to your knowledgeable guide. (Duration: half day; Time: around 1100 hrs;Private activity & transfers; Meals included: food tastings; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Please wear non-slip walking shoes; This tour involves walking through busy streets and over uneven ground)

Learn to cook traditional Greek dishes on this immersive tour. Set off with your guide along the narrow alleys of Corfu to the local outdoor market. Take in the sights and sounds as you pick up fresh organic produce and other ingredients for your culinary session. Stop by the local bakery and the small cheese shop for more supplies. Once you’ve got everything you need, head to a country home for your cooking class. Learn to prepare traditional dishes as you enjoy the hospitality of your hosts. Watch as the chef demonstrates age-old techniques of cooking that are still in use today. You will get to use a wood-fired oven that lends a distinct flavor to the dishes. Afterwards, sit down and feast on the delicious food you learned to prepare. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Suggested start time is 0900 hrs; Please wear non-slip walking shoes; This tour involves walking through busy streets and over uneven ground)

Explore the lovely island of Corfu on this day tour, accompanied by your English-speaking guide cum chauffeur. Corfu, one of the most beautiful Greek islands, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After an early breakfast in your hotel, meet your chauffeur and drive down to the seaside village of Palaiokastritsa by the Ionian Sea. Enjoy a dip in the sea, or a boat trip with your guide to explore the secluded coves and beaches. Drive onwards to Kanoni, visiting the Vlacherna Monastery and the Mouse Island, which provide fantastic photo ops. Constructed in the 17th century, the monastery has beautiful frescoes and wood carvings. Stop by the 13th century church of Pantokrator and enjoy some refreshments, before heading back to the town of Corfu. Stroll down the lovely town square with its Byzantine churches, museums and monuments. Your guide will take you down pedestrian friendly streets lined with heritage buildings from the Venetian era. Wind down at sandy beaches before you wrap up the tour. (Duration: half day; Time: 0900 – 1330 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are not applicable; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).

Explore the prominent attractions of Athens. At the scheduled time, you will be picked up by a private vehicle and driven to the city center where the Panathenaic Stadium is located. Built entirely of marble, it was the venue of the first modern Olympics held in 1896. Next, drive to the Temple of Zeus to see the ruins of this ancient shrine with colossal columns that was once the largest temple in Greece. As you travel between the various landmarks, your knowledgeable guide will regale you with details about the history and significance of these sites. Journey past the national gardens and the Greek Parliament building to the UNESCO-listed Acropolis of Athens. Walk amid the cluster of ancient structures including the famous Parthenon, Propylaia and the Temple of Athena Nike. While you explore the ruins, learn how they epitomize the ancient Greek civilization and the ideals of democracy. After, set off on the short downhill walk to the Acropolis Museum that was opened in 2004. Browse the aesthetically arranged displays of over 3,000 artifacts before the tour winds up. (Duration: half day; Time: 0900 hrs (or on request); Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: easy; Wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing a hat and drinking water recommended; Please note that this activity involves walking on slippery inclines; The order of the itinerary may vary)