Thessaloniki | Greece

Friday 14 April | Meet at the airport at 11pm on the evening of Thursday, 13th April for our flight to Thessaloniki, departing early in the morning on Friday, 14th April at 1am.  On arrival, transfer to hotel for early check in and breakfast.  Our free city panoramic tour of Thessaloniki will depart late morning.  We will get an insight of the most important landmarks such as the Galerian complex, the Rotunda triumphal arch, Via Egnatia with its medieval churches, the holocaust memorial, the port of Thessaloniki and the symbol of the city, the White Tower, amongst others.  The rest of the day will be free for personal sightseeing.  Thessaloniki is also a leading shopping destination in the region, full of large department stores, small eccentric boutiques, electronics megastores and traditional markets.

Saturday 15 April | 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, 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 16 April | Breakfast followed by a full day optional excursion to the beautiful city of Edessa, famed as the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon. It is also home to the largest and best-known waterfall in Greece.  Following a walk through the National Park, we will continue to Varosi, the historical and traditional part of the town with various shops selling local products such as honey, herbs, cosmetics and fruits of the area.  For lunch, we will be experiencing a traditional Greek lunch including Greek salad, mixed grill, Greek appetizers and desserts (drinks excluded) in a picturesque restaurant.

Monday 17 April | Breakfast followed by departure to the amazing Mount Olympus area renowned as the home of Zeus and the Greek Gods.  At Dion archaeological site, we will walk back in history and admire the various findings around the park, following the footsteps of ancient Greeks.  The unique statues, mosaics and various artifacts that were brought to light can still be found in their original place.  Don’t’ miss the chance to visit the ancient theatre with perfect acoustic balance.  Every year, many ancient tragedies are still revitalized by modern actors in various festivals here.  We will also have time to visit the modern museum.  Free time in Thessaloniki for dinner, followed by a late evening transfer to the airport for our flight departing to Malta at 11.40pm.