Greece - The Road Less Travelled
10 Days Starting in Thessaloniki, Greece and ending in Preveza, Greece
Visiting: Thessaloniki, Pella, Meteora, Ioannina, Preveza, Pindus Mountains
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 25
Special diets catered:
Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Greece with "Greece - The Road Less Travelled." This tour offers a perfect blend of historic sites and breathtaking scenery, starting in the vibrant city of Thessaloniki, where you'll explore Roman remains, Byzantine churches, and the Archaeological Museum. Visit the ancient capital of Macedon, Pella, and the spectacular tombs of Philip II at Ancient Aigai. Marvel at the sky-high Meteora Monasteries and the serene lakeside city of Ioannina. Discover the Hellenistic city of Kassope, the picturesque stone villages of Zagoria, and the stunning Pindus mountains. With comfortable accommodations and expert guidance from historian Jeremy Paterson, this tour promises a rich cultural experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly From London Heathrow To Thessaloniki
Location: Thessaloniki
Accommodation Name: Royal Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Transfer to the Royal Hotel (10 minute transfer) for a three-night stay. Welcome dinner.
Day 2: The Site Of Pella And Its Excellent Museum Followed By The Impressive Museum And Palace Of Ancient Aigai.
Location: Pella
Accommodation Name: Royal Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our visits begin at Pella, the capital of ancient Macedon, an extensive archaeological site with an amazing museum. Later we travel onto Ancient Aigai and visit one of the great highlights of the tour. Ancient Aigai is the site of the spectacular tombs of, what is believed to be, Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. Discovered in 1977, the tombs lie under a brilliant recreation of the tumulus which originally covered them, surrounded by an underground display of all the gold and silver objects found buried with the dead. We will also visit the recently opened Palace of Aigai, which was closed for 16 years whilst undergoing restoration, where Alexandra the Great was crowned.
Day 3:Â Full Day Thessaloniki
Location: Thessaloniki
Accommodation Name: Royal Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We enjoy a relaxed day exploring the highlights of Thessaloniki, visiting some of its great Roman remains, its Byzantine churches and its excellent Archaeological Museum.
Day 4:Â Thessaloniki To Meteora
Location: Meteora
Accommodation Name: Kastraki Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We transfer to Kastraki situated at the foot of the great pillars of Meteora, where we catch our first glimpses of the impressive ‘sky-high’ Meteora Monasteries. Check-in to the Kastraki Hotel, for a two-night stay. Evening at leisure.
Day 5:Â Meteora And Its Monasteries
Location: Meteora
Accommodation Name: Kastraki Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our day is spent visiting two of the six working Meteora monasteries, which cling to the top of great and impressive isolated rocks from where we will enjoy breath-taking views. The visit to most of the monasteries involves climbing up and down quite a large number of steps but, of the two we plan to visit, Agios Stephanos is accessible to all as it has very few steps.
Day 6:Â Meteora To Ioannina
Location: Ioannina
Accommodation Name: Grand Serai Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We journey from Kalambaka to Ioannina through the beautiful scenery of the Pindus range stopping en-route to visit the picturesque mountain town of Metsovo. Check-in to the Grand Serai Hotel, Ioannina for a four-night stay.
Day 7:Â Ioannina And Dodona
Location: Ioannina
Accommodation Name: Grand Serai Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We explore the lakeside city of Ioannina, capital of Epirus, which saw its zenith under the Albanian tyrant, Ali Pasha. We will cross to Ali Pasha’s island that sits in the middle of Lake Pamvotis, to visit the Philanthropinon monastery with its fine cycle of 16th century wall-paintings. Later we visit Dodona, the site of one of the great oracles of classical Greece.
Day 8:Â Preveza And Kassope
Location: Preveza
Accommodation Name: Grand Serai Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we travel down to the pleasant town of Preveza on the Ambraciot Gulf, where Mark Antony and Cleopatra assembled their forces, which were beaten at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. Octavian, the victor, who later became Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, commemorated his victory with a great monument and a new city, Nicopolis, whose extensive remains and museum we visit. Later we visit the remains of the Hellenistic city of Kassope and see the nearby monument to the Suliot women, who danced themselves off the cliff rather than surrender to Ali Pasha.
Day 9:Â Zagoria And Pindus Mountains
Location: Pindus Mountains
Accommodation Name: Grand Serai Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our tour finishes picturesquely with a visit to the stone villages of Zagoria, set amidst the fantastic scenery of the Pindus mountains, with its gorges and rivers spanned by humped-back pack-horse bridges, it is the territory of the Sarakatsani shepherds, traditionally transhumant shepherds, who grazed their flocks in the summer pastures of the high Pindos, moving them down in the winter months.
Day 10:
Location: Preveza
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Preveza Airport for return flight to London Heathrow. Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
What's Included
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Return flights; London Heathrow to Thessaloniki and Preveza to London Heathrow
Return flights from London Heathrow to Thessaloniki and from Preveza to London Heathrow are included.
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One night half board and two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Royal Hotel based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
Accommodation includes one night half board and two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Royal Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
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Two nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Kastraki Hotel, Meteora, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
Accommodation includes two nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Kastraki Hotel in Meteora, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
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Four nights’ bed and breakfast at the five-star Grand Serai Hotel, Ioannina, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
Accommodation includes four nights’ bed and breakfast at the five-star Grand Serai Hotel in Ioannina, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
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Transfers, tours and entrance fees
All transfers, tours, and entrance fees are included.
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Jeremy Paterson, local guide and tour manager throughout
The tour will be accompanied by Ancient historian Jeremy Paterson, who will serve as the local guide and tour manager throughout the trip.
What's Not Included
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Single room supplement
A single room supplement is not included.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included.
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Meals other than those stated
Meals other than those stated in the itinerary are not included.
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes return flights from London Heathrow to Thessaloniki and Preveza to London Heathrow, along with transfers, tours, and entrance fees.
Accommodation
The 4-star Royal Hotel in Thessaloniki offers comfortable rooms with balconies, air conditioning, and a restaurant and bar. The 3-star Kastraki Hotel in Kalambaka features elegant rooms, a lounge, TV room, and free Wi-Fi. The 5-star Grand Serai in Ioannina provides warmly decorated rooms, a spa, outdoor pool, bar, and restaurant.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes stays at three different hotels: the 4-star Royal Hotel in Thessaloniki, the 3-star Kastraki Hotel in Kalambaka, and the 5-star Grand Serai in Ioannina. Each hotel offers comfortable rooms with various amenities such as air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and on-site restaurants and bars.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour package includes one night half board and two nights' bed and breakfast at the Royal Hotel, two nights' bed and breakfast at the Kastraki Hotel, and four nights' bed and breakfast at the Grand Serai Hotel. Meals other than those stated in the itinerary are not included.
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What is the role of Jeremy Paterson during the tour?
Jeremy Paterson, an Ancient historian, will serve as the local guide and tour manager throughout the trip.
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Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour?
Yes, all transfers, tours, and entrance fees are included in the tour package.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include visiting the impressive Meteora Monasteries, exploring the vibrant cultural city of Thessaloniki, seeing the remarkable tombs of Philip II, visiting the site of Pella and its excellent museum, and exploring the lakeside city of Ioannina and the Philanthropinon monastery.
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Is there any physical activity involved in the tour?
Yes, visiting the Meteora monasteries involves climbing up and down quite a large number of steps. However, the Agios Stephanos monastery is accessible to all as it has very few steps.
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What is the transportation arrangement for the tour?
The tour includes return flights from London Heathrow to Thessaloniki and Preveza to London Heathrow, along with transfers between locations.
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Are there any additional costs not covered by the tour package?
Yes, the tour package does not include a single room supplement, holiday insurance, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls, and porterage and gratuities.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.