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7 nights from

£1895

Secret Greece - Alexander & Olympus

The Monastery Of Saint Gregory, Athos, Greece
Aristotelous Square At Afternoon, Thessaloniki, Greece
Acropolis Of Athens, Greece

From Thessaloniki’s Byzantine quarter to the haunts of Alexander the Great, the home of the Gods, Mount Olympus, the monasteries of Mount Athos, Philippi’s Roman remains, and bountiful Nature at Lake Kerkini, this is a glorious discovery of northern Greece

Question: Where on Earth did this man come from?

Answer: Pella in Greek Macedonia reveals the birthplace of Alexander the Great, conqueror of a great Empire stretching into three continents from southern Europe to Egypt, Persia and the borders of India!

Perhaps he was really from nearby Mount Olympus, mythological home of Zeus and the Greek Gods, bearing in mind that he declared himself a God in Egypt.

Ancient Dion (‘Of Zeus’) in the shadow of Mountain Olympus was the Macedonian holy city. Aigai (now Vergina) reveals the necropolis of his father, Philip, who conquered all Greece and paved the way for Alexander’s conquests.

Philippi itself is a UNESCO site known as ‘Small Rome’ after the Battle of Philippi (Octavian & Mark Anthony versus Julius Caesar’s ‘assassins’) with significant early Christian architecture.

St. Paul first landed at Kavala and the whole region reveals much of the early Christian Heritage. Indeed Thessaloniki (former Salonica), Byzantium’s and now Greece’s second city, is a further UNESCO site for the art and architecture of its Byzantine churches.

Mount Athos’ monasteries still run on Byzantine time, their appeal perhaps that they cannot easily be visited (female visitors are prohibited) but many are visible to all from the sea.

Overview

  • Thessaloniki  - 4 nights
  • Serres  - 3 nights
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Aristotelous Square At Afternoon, Thessaloniki, Greece
Acropolis Of Athens, Greece
Way To Hellenistic Theater At The Archaeological Park Of Dion Pieria, Macedonia, Greece
The Monastery Of Saint Gregory, Athos, Greece
Vergina Museum, Thessaloniki, Greece

Tour Highlights

  • Cultural Tour
  • Jules Verne Sightseeing
  • Improved Itinerary
  • 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites
  • Local Expert Guides
Secret Greece Map 2023
Lake Kerkini, Central Macedonia, Greece
Unique Experiences

Cruise and Cuisine

Cruises around Mount Athos and on the man-made Lake Kerkini. Savour traditional lunches in the village of Litochoro and at Kerkini. Enjoy welcome and farewell dinners.

Book Tour

From Thessaloniki’s Byzantine quarter to the haunts of Alexander the Great, the home of the Gods, Mount Olympus, the monasteries of Mount Athos, Philippi’s Roman remains, and bountiful Nature at Lake Kerkini, this is a glorious discovery of northern Greece

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki. Transfer to the 5-star Mediterranean Palace in Thessaloniki for four nights. Welcome drink. Short introductory walk followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
(D)

Key: B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

Read More

- Itinerary -

Key: B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner
Day 1

Fly from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki. Transfer to the 5-star Mediterranean Palace in Thessaloniki for four nights. Welcome drink. Short introductory walk followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
(D)

Day 2

Tour of Thessaloniki and its Byzantine monuments. Walk amongst the Roman ruins, churches, monuments and neoclassical buildings visiting Agios Dimitrios, the castle walls and the Acropolis. The Archaeological and Byzantine Art museums give an excellent introductory insight into Thessaloniki and the surround region.
(B)

Day 3

Visit Pella and its archaeological museum. Continue to Vergina and visit the museum built around the ancient tombs of King Phillip II and family, revealing their golden treasures, frescoes and artefacts.
(B)

Day 4

At Dion visit the ancient site including the temple of Zeus, the House of Dionysus. Marvel at the statues and mosaics in the museum and on the site. Enjoy lunch in the traditional village of Litochoro on the slopes of Mount Olympus and walk along the Enipeas River.
(B, L)

Day 5

Travel to Ouranoupolis village and cruise round Mount Athos peninsula viewing the 1,000 year old monasteries. Drive to Serres and stay at the 4-star Elpida Resort & Spa for three nights.
(B)

Day 6

Drive to Philippi, the remains of a walled city, founded by (and named for) King Philip II, but re-designed and developed as a ‘Little Rome’ when the empire took the city in the first century BC, adding the forum and Christian basilica to the existing theatre, gates, and temple. Enjoy a unique experience at the beautifully located Château Nico Lazaridi winery, and tour the vineyard, taste some wine and visit ‘The Magic Mountain’ art gallery and admire paintings from Greek and foreign artists that are also portrayed on their wine labels. Continue to the port of Kavala, founded in the 7th century BC, climbing the slopes of its crescent bay in amphitheatre style, and fronted with a strollable promenade. (B)

Day 7

Head west to the Serres wetlands for a sail on Lake Kerkini reservoir, the centre point of its namesake national park, and a beautiful haven for wildlife, with big flocks of pelicans among the birdlife. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to very traditional Kilkis to visit the imposing Doiran Memorial of the 1917-18 battle, and the British Military Cemetery. Enjoy a Farewell dinner in a local restaurant overlooking the city of Seres.
(B, L, D)

Day 8

Return flight to London Gatwick.
(B)

Close Itinerary
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Accommodation

alt="Mediterranean
alt="Mediterranean
alt="Mediterranean

Mediterranean Palace - Thessaloniki

A central 5-star hotel located next to the historic district of Ladadika with beautiful view of the Thermaic Gulf. Restaurant, bar, gym, sauna, spa, pool and WiFi (free). 118 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, safe and satellite TV. An accommodation tax is payable locally, currently €4 per room per day.
alt="Elpida
alt="Elpida
alt="Elpida
alt="Elpida
alt="Elpida

Elpida Resort & Spa - Serres

A 4-star hotel in the valley of Agioi Anargyroi with views of Serres Acropolis. Restaurant, bar, pool, spa and WiFi (free). 111 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV. An accommodation tax is payable locally, currently €3 per room per day.

Extension Options

EXT Aerial View Cavo Olympo Hotel Pieria Greece

Pieria Extension

Stay four nights at the 5-star Cavo Olympo Hotel in Pieria located in a private cove in Plaka of Litochoro, right between the Aegean Sea and the foot of the majestic Mt. Olympus.

Itinerary

Day 1

Transfer to the 5-star Cavo Olympo Hotel for four nights.
(B)

Key: B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

Read More

- Itinerary -

Key: B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner
Day 1

Transfer to the 5-star Cavo Olympo Hotel for four nights.
(B)

Day 2

At leisure.
(B)

Day 3

At leisure.
(B)

Day 4

At leisure.
(B)

Day 5

Return flight.
(B)

Close Itinerary
Cavo Olympo, Pieria, Greece, Pool
Cavo Olympo, Pieria, Greece, Restaurant
Cavo Olympo, Pieria, Greece, Bedroom

Cavo Olympo Hotel - Pieria

Restaurants, bars, pool, WiFi (free) and air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV. An accommodation tax is payable locally, currently €4 per room per day.

Extra Nights

Stay in Thessaloniki before you start your tour or before flying back to the UK

Extra nights are on request, please call to discuss your requirements

Mediterranean Palace Hotel
(per night) £90
Single supplement £65
Sea view (per night)  £95
Single sea view supplement £75
Arrival transfer £35

Mediterranean Palace, Thessaloniki, Greece, Exterior
Mediterranean Palace, Thessaloniki, Greece, Restaurant
Mediterranean Palace, Thessaloniki, Greece, Bedroom

Mediterranean Palace - Thessaloniki

A central 5-star hotel located next to the historic district of Ladadika with beautiful view of the Thermaic Gulf. Restaurant, bar, gym, sauna, spa, pool and WiFi (free). 118 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, safe and satellite TV. An accommodation tax is payable locally, currently €4 per room per day.
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Departures & Prices

per person in a twin/double room
easyJet from Gatwick (14 May - British Airways from Gatwick)

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May
May 14 (Tuesday)

£ 1895
September
September 17 (Tuesday)

£ 1945
October
October 8 (Tuesday)

£ 1925
Price Includes:

Air travel and taxes, transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 2 dinners, itinerary as described, entrance fees, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.

Not Included:

Travel insurance, optional excursions, accommodation tax, tipping, porterage, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.

Notes:

An accommodation tax is payable locally, currently per room per day €4 in Thessaloniki and Pieria and €3 in Serres.

Supplements per person

Book Tour
Single Supplement
  • Single Supplement
  • £415
Tour Only
  • Save
  • £250
  • Arrival transfer
  • £40
  • Departure transfer
  • £80
Extension Options
  • Pieria Extension (4 nights)
  • 2024: May
  • £525
  • 2024: Sep, Oct
  • £625
  • 2025: May
  • £575
  • 2025: Sep, Oct
  • £675
  • Single Supplement
  • 2024: May
  • £295
  • 2024: Sep, Oct
  • £375
  • 2025: May
  • £345
  • 2025: Sep, Oct
  • £455

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In certain countries we recommend the currency most widely accepted rather than the local currency.


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