THESSALONIKI JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR & NORTHERN GREECE

1st DAY: MAKEDONIA AIRPORT / THESSALONIKI

Arrival to Makedonia Airport. An ALLER representative will meet you after passport control and accompany you from the airport to your hotel.

2nd DAY: THESSALONIKI / Jewish walking tour

After breakfast we start our city tour. This route includes the most important Jewish sites.

You will love the deep knowledge of your escort, hear extraordinary stories, and in the end you will have a great idea of the importance of the Jewish presence in this city. After a short orientation about the jewish history of the city, we will walk together through the historical center of Thessaloniki, where jewish life used to flourish, from the 15th century until World War II. We start our tour by visiting the Jewish museum where you will receive an orientation of history in Thessaloniki.  We continue to the Modiano market. We proceed to the Yahudi Hamam in the same area, and the Allatini Bank in the area of Frangon, the heart of the commercial life of the past. We will also visit the Malacopi arcade, the Saul arcade and the Alliance school before visiting the Synagogues. The tour will be concluded by a visit to the Shoah monument (Holocaust memorial) at Liberty Square, where the first prosecution was affected from the Nazis towards the Jews of the city. By strolling through the streets of the city’s center, the visitor is also able to see the most beautiful part of the city! Furthermore, we can stop for coffee in the center of the town, where we will have some time to rest. There is always the possibility (optional) of ending the tour with a nice lunch of traditional Sephardic recipes. End of the day and overnight at your hotel.

3rd DAY: THESSALONIKI / Jewish city tour

We begin from the Old Railway Station of Thessaloniki, where the Jews of Thessaloniki were deported to Auschwitz. We continue our tour with a panoramic drive around the jewish Villas (Villa Fernandez, Villa Allatini, Villa Mordoch, Villa Modiano) , the Allatini mills, the Geni tzami and the “haunted house” . During the tour, there will be a short stop at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki where we are going to visit the old Jewish cemetery. We continue with the City Walls where you will have a marvelous view of Thessaloniki (Heptapyrgion, Trigonion tower). The Heptapyrgion (Seven Towers) Fortress which dominates the north-eastern perimeter of the walls is one of the most iconic fortified complexes in the Balkan region. Your professional expert guide will provide you with all the information about Thessaloniki’s history, old and new as you look at these stately buildings. But we do not stop here! A beautiful experience awaits us at the winery | Domaine Gerovassiliou. The tour is led by a wine-guide and comprises the vineyard, the wine-production, bottling, ageing areas, the Wine Museum and wine tasting. Ιn the afternoon return to the hotel, free time, overnight stay.

4th DAY: THESSALONIKI / VERGINA / EDESSA

We start the day with an exciting day trip!

We will visit of Vergina. Vergina (Aigai), one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece and listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site. You will visit the most important remains of the monumental palace of the Kingdom of Macedonia, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs is identified as that of Philip II father of Alexander the Great , who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son and the expansion of the Hellenistic world. Back to nature on a countryside walk!

We will visit the picturesque waterfalls of Edessa, formed by the River Edessaios. Capital of Pella, region of Central Macedonia, best known as the birthplace of Alexander the Great, Edessa has a special place in Greek history and is full of small bridges followed by the gentle sound of running water. Free time for coffee or meal surrounded by the green vistas of the “City of Waters” before our return journey to Thessaloniki.

5th DAY: THESSALONIKI / METEORA / ZAGOROCHORIA

Breakfast. One unique and unforgettable experience to Meteora Monasteries. Meteora is a geological miracle, which everybody have to watch it with their own eyes in order to believe it. These hilltop cloisters are among the most important complexes in Eastern Orthodoxy and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We start early in the morning from Thessaloniki and travel through a landscape of green valleys dotted with dramatic grey cliffs, to reach Meteora. Arriving at the beautiful town of Kalambaka, we will visit the famous Meteora, geological formations unique in their kind, on which the Monasteries are perched. They were built in the 14th century and they are rich in precious testimonies of Byzantine art. We will visit two of these fabulous monasteries, built high upon the steep rocks. Each monastery owns a vast richness of frescoes and icons. Afterwards, we will take our lunch break in Kalambaka  where we will have also the chance to explore the region’s modern-day culture. Overnight in Zagorohoria.

6th DAY: ZAGOROCHORIA / OUTDOOR ACTIVITES

Back to nature! 

Zagorochoria is a beautiful mountainous region in Epirus. Located on the western side of Greece, Zagorochoria is, in fact, a complex of 46 picturesque villages nestled in the heart of nature. These beautiful villages stand out for their trademark traditional architecture, wild natural landscape, and rustic setting. Thanks to its location, Zagorochoria are popular autumn and winter holiday destination in Greece. Over the years, Zagorochoria has emerged as a top alternative destination for extreme sports and activities, such as rafting in Voidomatis river, horse riding, and trekking.

Αre you ready to breathe fresh air? Walk through the forests of Zagori and enjoy the natural beauties of Greece?

 Hiking:

The route starts from the village Kipi at 8:30  and leads you through Dilofo, Vitsa, Koukoyli until you return to Kipi. Tour through the forests and cross six of the local’s magnificent bridges. A unique activity that leads to new adventures in unknown places while gives health. You will enjoy breathtakingly beautiful images that each participant can immortalize in his camera! Frequent stops for rest.We will see enchanted forests of cedars and oaks, forest roads and paths for hiking and we will explore rough areas with dense forests and small villages. Return to the hotel and free time.

7th DAY: ZAGOROCHORIA / OUTDOOR ACTIVITES

Breakfast. The Day starts from Aristi village which is the meeting point and we are divided into 2 groups, depending on the activity you choose to do.

Rafting:

Voidomatis is described as one of the cleanest rivers in Europe. The rafting route in Voidomatis starts from Aristi’s Bridge and ends at the old  Klidonia Bridge, an easy and beautiful journey of 1.5 hours. The 6klm of the route roll without specific technical requirements and difficulties, in a lush natural setting decorated with natural springs, small waterfalls and stone bridges.

Off-road activities (4×4):

Central Zagori Tour off -road. Explore with us Central Zagori to admire the unique architecture, navigate the view of the Vikos Gorge and cross the many bridges in that area. Discover known and unknown aspects of Zagoria through our daily tour and try the traditional cuisine, like the Zagorian pies.

8th DAY: ZAGOROCHORIA / METSOVO /THESSALONIKI

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel! On the way back to Thessaloniki, we visit the traditional high mountain village of Metsovo for lunch and coffee at one of the many taverns which are  serving traditional dishes. Metsovo is a traditional settlement with lush vegetation. During winter attracts thousands of visitors as it is a famous scenic vlach village. After enjoying an optional lunch in a traditional restaurant in Metsovo, we return to Thessaloniki, arriving in the afternoon.

9th DAY: DEPARTURE / MAKEDONIA AIRPORT

 Breakfast at your hotel, and then transferred to the airport for your return flight. If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, then you can take an optional city tour of Thessaloniki in the morning.

Until next time!

• Meeting and Assistance at airport upon arrival and departure.
• 2 Transfers from/to the airport/hotel.
• Accommodation in 4* hotels.
• 8 Nights Hotel Accommodation including daily buffet breakfasts.
• Group leader.
• Government licensed English speaking guide on touring days / Special guide in Jewish history.
• All visits as per the above Itinerary.
• Entrance fees at Museums & Archaeological sites as mentioned above.
• Private comfortable coach services as per itinerary.
• All taxes.
• Travel folder with useful information.
• In all activities any equipment needed will be provided by us.

• Flight tickets
• Water, beverages or drinks during meals.
• Any personal expenses & Tips.
• Whatever is not explicitly stated

• All rooms are standard rooms.
• Optional room upgrades are available upon request for a supplement fee.
• In case the hotels mentioned in the table are not available, a similar hotel from the same category will be booked.
• Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 7 months at the time of your tour.
• The sequence of the tour, hotels used, and sites visited may be amended due to circumstances.
• Tours of holy sites require modest dress (should cover shoulders, no short sleeves, no short skirts or shorts).
• Rates are for regular season (Christian holidays).
• Aller travel may change the sequence of the tour as long as we include all the sightseeing as in the tours program.
• For more information, please see our terms and conditions.