Your guides to this exciting tour are two expert archaeologists , Heinrich Hall, one of the mastermi

14 days tour / June 14 - June 27, 2014 Number of participants: maximum 18 guests Included: lowest airline fares Full board accommodation (except one lunch and two dinners), elegant hotels of 3-5 stars, airport transfers on first and last day of tour, all entrance fees, excursions with expert guide
Selected as one of the 100 best holidays of 2014 by The Sunday Times, this wonderful tour takes you through a region of prime historical importance. You will explore sites, cities, castles and more from almost every single period in Greek history lowest airline fares and admire no less than three UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites along with many hidden gems that have so far escaped the attention of the crowds.
Mostly known as the geographic and cultural backdrop to the formative years of Alexander the Great and to the achievements of his father, King Phillip II , the historical and archaeological riches of the region go back some 7500 years.
This voyage takes you through a series of remarkably beautiful and unusually lowest airline fares diverse landscapes, ranging from lofty mountains via fertile plains and valleys to the blue waters of the Aegean Sea . You’ll explore grandiose archaeological sites , mighty castles , serene monasteries , picturesquely labyrinthine villages and the great city of Thessaloniki , home to many different cultures during its 2300 years of uninterrupted history.
Along the way, you’ll experience the area’s culture through its gastronomy, enjoying excellent meals at specially chosen venues . As the itinerary passes through several of Greece s key wine-growing areas , we also taste the exquisite products of Greece s recent wine revolution, the rediscovery lowest airline fares of millennia lowest airline fares of tradition.
Your guides to this exciting tour are two expert archaeologists , Heinrich Hall, one of the masterminds of Peter Sommer Travels, and Nota Karamaouna, a charming and caring hostess, who share generously their vast knowledge and genuine passion lowest airline fares for the country with our guests.
- 2 nd day : We visit the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki for an introduction to the splendours of ancient Macedonia. Later, we leave for Pella , Alexander’s birthplace lowest airline fares and capital of the Macedonian kingdom until its conquest by Rome. We explore the site and its excellent museum. After tasting some of the famous Naoussa wines, we continue lowest airline fares to Edessa , where we stay in the picturesque old town.
- 3 rd day :  On to the attractive glade at Mieza , where Aristotle tutored the young Alexander. On to the World Heritage site of Vergina , ancient Aigai, where Alexander’s father, Phillip II, was assassinated and Alexander proclaimed king. The underground museum exhibiting Phillip’s grave and its contents, truly fit for a king, is one of the most remarkable archaeological displays in Europe. In the evening, we stroll among the ruins of ancient Edessa .
- 4 th day :  We explore the splendid site and museum of Dion , the chief sanctuary of ancient Macedonia, sacred to Zeus and set in the shadow of Mount Olympus, home of the gods. It was here that Alexander assembled his armies before setting out to the East. After lunch, we tour the mighty medieval castle of Platamonas lowest airline fares , with spectacular views of mountains and sea, before continuing to the picturesque village of Ambelakia on the border of Macedonia and Thessaly.
- 5 th day :  After visiting the remarkable 18 th century the Schwarz/Mavros Mansion at Ambelakia, a unique testimony of the affluent trading communities in late Ottoman Greece, we continue into Thessaly, to Meteora . Here, Byzantine monasteries (another World Heritage site) are perched in breathtaking fashion on sandstone pillars.
- 6 th day :  Returning to Macedonia, we visit the superb archaeological site and museum of Aiani , capital of one of Macedonia's constituent kingdoms and one of the hidden gems of Greek archaeology. We continue via Veroia, with its important medieval churches, lowest airline fares to Naoussa , overlooking the heart of Macedonia's wine country.
- 7 th day :  We drive to Western Macedonia, where we visit the 7500-year-old Neolithic lake dwellings of Dispilio . We stroll through the lovely town of Kastoria , set upon a peninsula and surrounded by water, with its beautifully lowest airline fares painted Byzantine churches and grand Ottoman-period mansions. On the way back to Naoussa, we try the superb wines of the Amyntaio region.
- 9 th day :  Leaving Central Macedonia behind, we head east for the three-fingered Chalkidiki peninsula. Here we visit the remains of Olynthos , destroyed by Phillip II. The site is key to our understanding of domestic life in ancient Greece. We continue to the neck of sacred Mount Athos.
- 10 th day :  We explore the remains of ancient Stageira , the birthplace of Aristotle. Beautifully situated on a hill by the sea, the city was destroyed by Phillip II, but re-founded soon after. In the afternoon, we sample the excellent wines of Drama, finishing lowest airline fares the day in the picturesque harbour town of Kavala .
- 11 th day :  We cross by ferry to Thasos , once a rich island state. We wander through the village, set within the extensive ruins of the ancient island capital. We explore its shrines, temples and fortifications as well as the fascinating archaeological museum. Returning to Kavala , you are free to dine at a venue of your choice.
- 12 th day :  We visit Philippi , founded by Phillip II to guard the eastern border of his realm, with its impressive Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian remains. lowest airline fares On the way back to Thessaloniki, we stop at the important museum and site at Amphipolis , another key centre of Eastern Macedonia. This was the final mustering point for Alexander's expedition to the east.
- 13 th day :   Thessaloniki : We admire the fine displays in its state-of the-art Byzantine lowest airline fares Museum . Later, we explore lowest airline fares the heart of the ancient and modern city, its grandiose Roman remains and superb Byzantine churches make Thessaloniki another lowest airline fares World Heritage site. Farewell dinner.