Splendour of Northern Greece

Thursday 26 October
Meet your tour-leader at the airport at 2 am for our Airmalta flight to Thessaloniki departing at 4 am. After arrival, transfer to hotel for early check in and breakfast. In the afternoon there will be a free city excursion led by an English speaking guide. We will get an insight of the most important landmarks such as Galeria complex, Rotunda triumphal arch, Via Egnatia with its medieval churches, the holocaust memorial and the white Tower of Thessaloniki amongst others. Dinner (extra) and overnight.

Friday 27 October
Breakfast followed by an optional day excursion to the beautiful city of Edessa, famed as the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon. It is also home to the famous and largest waterfall in Greece. We will then proceed to experience a traditional Greek lunch including Greek salad, mixed grill, Greek appetizers and desserts (drinks excluded). Before returning to our hotel, a stop will be made at the Mediterranean Cosmos, the biggest mall in Greece. We return to our hotel in the evening followed by overnight.

Saturday 28 October
Early breakfast followed by a full day optional excursion to discover the captivating clifftop monasteries of Meteora. With a name that means “hovering in the air”, Meteora is one of the most striking architectural sites in Greece thanks to its sky-high communities of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, six monasteries that are masterpieces dating back to the 12th and 18th centuries with frescoes and icons. Together with a local English-speaking guide we will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site (entrance extra), for an unforgettable tour of this natural and cultural treasure. Late evening return to the hotel.

Sunday 29 October
Following breakfast we make our way to the amazing Mount Olympus area renowned as the home of Zeus and the Greek Gods. Our first stop shall be at the Dion archaeological site, where one of the most interesting inventions of the ancient Greeks lie – the ruins of the heating systems of Greek bath houses and Roman baths. We then shall visit the modern museum packed with ancient remains. We then visit the picturesque village of Litohoro, known as ‘The Gate to the God Residences’ as it is built at the slopes of Mount Olympus. We return to Thessaloniki for room check out of hotel at around 6pm. There will be free time in Thessaloniki for dinner (not incl) in one of the numerous restaurants nearby with a late evening transfer to the airport. Flight to Malta departs at 1.20 am (30 Oct) and arrival in Malta is expected at 01.50 am.