Northern Greece with Meteora, Delphi and Thessaloniki

Welcome to Athens, the city that never sleeps! Upon your arrival at Athens airport or port, you'll be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your leisure. You might want to visit Syntagma Square, shop in the popular Kolonaki area of Ermou, or take a peaceful walk through the beautiful alleys of Plaka, the old district. Overnight in Athens.

After breakfast at your hotel in Athens, we'll drive through the fertile plain of Beotia, passing the towns of Thebes and Levadia on our way to Delphi. Here, we'll visit the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Delphi, the ancient home of the Oracle. From Delphi, we'll continue to Kalambaka, a small town nestled next to the astonishing Meteora rock formations. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure in this stunning location. Overnight in Kalambaka.

Start your day with a visit to the timeless Meteora monasteries, perched atop sheer rocks. After exploring these remarkable structures, we'll depart Kalambaka and drive across the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi, admiring the majestic Mount Olympus along the way. By late afternoon, we'll arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

After breakfast at your hotel, we'll embark on a tour of Thessaloniki, a city rich in Byzantine history. We'll visit iconic sites like the White Tower, Roman Forum, Ottoman Market, St. Demetrius' Church, and the Byzantine Walls. We'll also take a short walking tour to the ruins of the Palace and Arch of Galerius, and visit the famous Rotunda, known for its Early-Christian mosaics. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy in the city's lively center. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

After breakfast, we'll depart for a tour of historical Macedonia. Our first stop is Edessa, known for its stunning waterfalls. We'll then proceed to Naoussa to visit the ruins of the School of Aristotle, where the philosopher taught his doctrines to Alexander the Great. Next, we'll visit the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Aigai in Vergina, home to over 300 tombs, including that of Philip II. We'll then head to Veria, known as Beroea in biblical times, to visit the Bema of Saint Paul and stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and colorful market area. We'll return to Thessaloniki in the afternoon for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we'll drive to Pella, the historical capital of Macedon and birthplace of Alexander the Great. Here, we'll visit the Archaeological Museum of Pella. We'll then proceed to the Archaeological Park of Dion, an open-air archaeological site at the foot of Mount Olympus. In the afternoon, we'll drive south through Thessaly, Lamia, and Thermopylae, where we'll stop to see the Leonidas Monument, before finally reaching Thebes. We'll arrive in Athens late in the afternoon for an overnight stay.

Enjoy your last day in Athens at your own pace after breakfast at your hotel. You may choose to join an optional half-day excursion to visit the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum (not included). At the indicated time, you'll be transferred to the airport in Athens for your onward journey.