Day 1 - Touchdown in Thessaloniki

As soon as you touch down in Salonica, we’ll be there to welcome you with open arms. A private transfer will take you to your hotel where you’ll get the chance to freshen up before heading downtown.

Our first stop is the White Tower, an emblem of Thessaloniki with a bloody story to tell. Once known as the “Red Tower”, it took on a new life thanks to a Jewish prisoner named Nathan Guidili. He offered to paint the tower white in exchange for his release, an attempt by the Ottomans to whitewash its brutal past away.

On the way back, we will pass close by what used to be two ghetto areas in German-occupied Salonika of 1942. We will stop by Plateia Eleftherias, where in the same year, 9,000 Jewish men were ordered to assemble for forced labor. This event was a precursor to the mass deportation to Auschwitz of the flourishing Jewish community of Thessaloniki that began the following year. Remnants of this devastating history will lead us through the city on our walking tour, offering a poignant reflection on the past.

We’ll wrap up the day in a cozy taverna, reflecting on the day’s revelations over a hearty Greek meal. It’s a chance to digest not just the flavors, but the profound history we’ve walked through, setting the stage for the incredible journey ahead…

Accommodation: 3-4* hotel

Activities:

  • Visit to the iconic White Tower by the waterfront (entrance fee included)
  • A quick stop at the Liberty Square (Plateia Eleftherias)
  • Walking Tour through the historic city center of Thessaloniki

Meals: Dinner in local taverna

Day 2 - From Thessaloniki to Kavala

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll set off on a scenic drive to Kavala, beginning with a special visit to the Tobacco Museum – a fascinating glimpse into the often-forgotten lucrative tobacco industry and the blend of Ottoman, Armenian, Jewish, and Greek families that shaped it.

We’re getting close to Thrace now!

We will also explore Philippi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history dating back to King Philip of Macedonia – the father of Alexander the Great – and its gold trade heritage.

Following a traditional Greek lunch, we’ll check into our hotel in Kavala.

We’ll stroll past architectural landmarks such as The Schinazi Bros Tobacco Warehouses, The Municipal Tobacco Warehouse, and the historic Rezi Tobacco Warehouse. While we can’t enter these buildings, our guide will offer captivating stories about their historical significance and the city’s once-thriving tobacco industry.

We’ll end the day with dinner by the waterfront.

Accommodation: 4-5* hotel

Activities:

  • Visit to the Tobacco Museum or Philippi (entrance fees included)
  • Private tour with a licensed tour guide at Philippi (entrance fees included)
  • Private guided city tour of Kavala, including historical sites (external viewing allowed only)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 - Up Towards Drama and Into The Heart of Thrace

After breakfast, we’ll head north toward Drama and start with an exciting falcon and eagle show at the Park of Birds of Prey. We’ll then enjoy a quick coffee and stroll through the springs of Agia Varvara Park.

Next, we’ll tour the historic Hotel Hydrama, a former tobacco warehouse, followed by a visit to the stunning Cave of Aggitis River. Lunch will be at a nearby highly-rated tavern.

In the late afternoon, we’ll travel to Alexandroupoli, check into our hotel, and relax over dinner.

Accommodation: 3* hotel

Activities:

  • Visit to the Park of Birds of Prey – A fascinating show!
  • Sightseeing tour of Drama and the Agia Varvara Park
  • Visit the Cave of Aggitis River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Exploring the Cultural Gems of Thrace: Alexandroupoli & Soufli

We’ll start the morning with a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupoli. There, artifacts collected throughout the Evros region will depict the city’s cultural evolution since prehistoric times.

We’ll then head to Soufli, stopping to fill up on lunch at a local tavern. Soufli is renowned for its silk production, a tradition dating back centuries. In Soufli, we’ll visit the Silk Museum to delve into this rich textile heritage and discover the intricate process of silk-making.

After checking in at your hotel, you’ll have a free evening to explore, followed by dinner at a local tavern.

Accommodation: 3-4* hotel

Activities:

  • Licensed tour guide at the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupoli (entrance fee included)
  • Visit to the Silk Museum of Soufli (entrance fee included)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Xanthi: Nature or Culture

After breakfast, we’ll make our way back to Xanthi, where you get to choose your adventure!

Dive into the vibrant life of Xanthi with our fantastic tour guide. Wander through the colorful old town, explore bustling markets, and soak up the rich cultural vibes of this lively city.

Check-in to our cozy hotel and we will have a memorable lunch sampling the best local cuisine.

Free the rest of the day

Accommodation: 3* hotel

Activities:

  • A guided city tour of Xanthi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 - Back to Thessaloniki

After breakfast, we’ll hit the road back to Thessaloniki. Our first stop is the Monastirioton Synagogue, the only one in the city still standing in its pre-Holocaust glory. It escaped destruction during the Nazi occupation because the Red Cross used it as a warehouse.

Then we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at a nearby tavern.

Check-in to our hotel.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore, relax, or join an optional walking tour in Ano Poli, Thessaloniki’s charming old town with its winding streets and stunning views.

We’ll wrap up the evening with a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: 3-4* hotel

Activities:

  • Visit to the Synagogue
  • Optional walking tour in Thessaloniki’s Ano Poli

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Discovering Vergina & Tracing Apostle Paul's Steps To Veroia

Today, we will begin our journey with a visit to Vergina, home to the ancient royal tombs of the Macedonian kings, including the stunning tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander The Great.

After exploring this remarkable site we will head to Veroia, a city with deep-rooted Jewish heritage.

Veroia is where Apostle Paul preached to the Jewish community in the 1st century AD, making it a significant site for early Christianity. We’ll visit the Jewish quarter, Barbouta, known for its beautiful houses and the historic synagogue.

For lunch, we’ll dine in a lovely spot in the old city and during the afternoon you’ll have a wine-tasting experience as well.

We’ll return to Thessaloniki in the evening, where you’ll have a free night to unwind or explore the city at your own pace.

Accommodation: 3-4* hotel in Thessaloniki

Activities:

  • City tour of Veroia
  • Wine-tasting experience

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - Time to Say Goodbye (for now)!

After breakfast, take a moment to soak in your last morning in Thessaloniki and the journey of history and culture you’ve soaked in through your travels.

When it’s time, we’ll arrange your transfer to the airport and send you off with warm wishes and a promise to see you again very, very soon!

Meals: Breakfast

Day 1 - Touchdown in Thessaloniki

As soon as you touch down in Salonica, we’ll be there to welcome you with open arms. A private transfer will take you to your hotel where you’ll get the chance to freshen up before heading downtown.

Our first stop is the White Tower, an emblem of Thessaloniki with a bloody story to tell. Once known as the “Red Tower”, it took on a new life thanks to a Jewish prisoner named Nathan Guidili. He offered to paint the tower white in exchange for his release, an attempt by the Ottomans to whitewash its brutal past away.

On the way back, we will pass close by what used to be two ghetto areas in German-occupied Salonika of 1942. We will stop by Plateia Eleftherias, where in the same year, 9,000 Jewish men were ordered to assemble for forced labor. This event was a precursor to the mass deportation to Auschwitz of the flourishing Jewish community of Thessaloniki that began the following year. Remnants of this devastating history will lead us through the city on our walking tour, offering a poignant reflection on the past.

We’ll wrap up the day in a cozy taverna, reflecting on the day’s revelations over a hearty Greek meal. It’s a chance to digest not just the flavors, but the profound history we’ve walked through, setting the stage for the incredible journey ahead…

Accommodation: 3-4* hotel

Activities:

  • Visit to the iconic White Tower by the waterfront (entrance fee included)
  • A quick stop at the Liberty Square (Plateia Eleftherias)
  • Walking Tour through the historic city center of Thessaloniki

Meals: Dinner in local taverna

Day 2 - From Thessaloniki to Kavala

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll set off on a scenic drive to Kavala, beginning with a special visit to the Tobacco Museum – a fascinating glimpse into the often-forgotten lucrative tobacco industry and the blend of Ottoman, Armenian, Jewish, and Greek families that shaped it.

We’re getting close to Thrace now!

We will also explore Philippi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history dating back to King Philip of Macedonia – the father of Alexander the Great – and its gold trade heritage.

Following a traditional Greek lunch, we’ll check into our hotel in Kavala.

We’ll stroll past architectural landmarks such as The Schinazi Bros Tobacco Warehouses, The Municipal Tobacco Warehouse, and the historic Rezi Tobacco Warehouse. While we can’t enter these buildings, our guide will offer captivating stories about their historical significance and the city’s once-thriving tobacco industry.

We’ll end the day with dinner by the waterfront.

Accommodation: 4-5* hotel

Activities:

  • Visit to the Tobacco Museum or Philippi (entrance fees included)
  • Private tour with a licensed tour guide at Philippi (entrance fees included)
  • Private guided city tour of Kavala, including historical sites (external viewing allowed only)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 - Up Towards Drama and Into The Heart of Thrace

After breakfast, we’ll head north toward Drama and start with an exciting falcon and eagle show at the Park of Birds of Prey. We’ll then enjoy a quick coffee and stroll through the springs of Agia Varvara Park.

Next, we’ll tour the historic Hotel Hydrama, a former tobacco warehouse, followed by a visit to the stunning Cave of Aggitis River. Lunch will be at a nearby highly-rated tavern.

In the late afternoon, we’ll travel to Alexandroupoli, check into our hotel, and relax over dinner.

Accommodation: 3* hotel

Activities:

  • Visit to the Park of Birds of Prey – A fascinating show!
  • Sightseeing tour of Drama and the Agia Varvara Park
  • Visit the Cave of Aggitis River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Exploring the Cultural Gems of Thrace: Alexandroupoli & Soufli

We’ll start the morning with a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupoli. There, artifacts collected throughout the Evros region will depict the city’s cultural evolution since prehistoric times.

We’ll then head to Soufli, stopping to fill up on lunch at a local tavern. Soufli is renowned for its silk production, a tradition dating back centuries. In Soufli, we’ll visit the Silk Museum to delve into this rich textile heritage and discover the intricate process of silk-making.

After checking in at your hotel, you’ll have a free evening to explore, followed by dinner at a local tavern.

Accommodation: 3-4* hotel

Activities:

  • Licensed tour guide at the Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupoli (entrance fee included)
  • Visit to the Silk Museum of Soufli (entrance fee included)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Xanthi: Nature or Culture

After breakfast, we’ll make our way back to Xanthi, where you get to choose your adventure!

Dive into the vibrant life of Xanthi with our fantastic tour guide. Wander through the colorful old town, explore bustling markets, and soak up the rich cultural vibes of this lively city.

Check-in to our cozy hotel and we will have a memorable lunch sampling the best local cuisine.

Free the rest of the day

Accommodation: 3* hotel

Activities:

  • A guided city tour of Xanthi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 - Back to Thessaloniki

After breakfast, we’ll hit the road back to Thessaloniki. Our first stop is the Monastirioton Synagogue, the only one in the city still standing in its pre-Holocaust glory. It escaped destruction during the Nazi occupation because the Red Cross used it as a warehouse.

Then we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at a nearby tavern.

Check-in to our hotel.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore, relax, or join an optional walking tour in Ano Poli, Thessaloniki’s charming old town with its winding streets and stunning views.

We’ll wrap up the evening with a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: 3-4* hotel

Activities:

  • Visit to the Synagogue
  • Optional walking tour in Thessaloniki’s Ano Poli

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Discovering Vergina & Tracing Apostle Paul's Steps To Veroia

Today, we will begin our journey with a visit to Vergina, home to the ancient royal tombs of the Macedonian kings, including the stunning tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander The Great.

After exploring this remarkable site we will head to Veroia, a city with deep-rooted Jewish heritage.

Veroia is where Apostle Paul preached to the Jewish community in the 1st century AD, making it a significant site for early Christianity. We’ll visit the Jewish quarter, Barbouta, known for its beautiful houses and the historic synagogue.

For lunch, we’ll dine in a lovely spot in the old city and during the afternoon you’ll have a wine-tasting experience as well.

We’ll return to Thessaloniki in the evening, where you’ll have a free night to unwind or explore the city at your own pace.

Accommodation: 3-4* hotel in Thessaloniki

Activities:

  • City tour of Veroia
  • Wine-tasting experience

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - Time to Say Goodbye (for now)!

After breakfast, take a moment to soak in your last morning in Thessaloniki and the journey of history and culture you’ve soaked in through your travels.

When it’s time, we’ll arrange your transfer to the airport and send you off with warm wishes and a promise to see you again very, very soon!

Meals: Breakfast

Ready to plan your trip to Greece?

Overview of this Group Tour

  • 7 nights accommodation

  • 7 breakfasts

  • 16 activities

  • airport transfers

  • 6 lunches

  • 5 dinners

  • All ground transportation to listed activities

  • insurance

  • visa

  • tips

  • any services of activities not mentioned

  • alcohol unless mentioned

  • international flights

Guest Reviews

Extending Your Trip

If eight days in Northern Greece leave you yearning for more, we invite you to extend your adventure either before or after this enriching tour. Imagine delving into the ancient wonders of Athens, where history and modernity intertwine, or exploring the picturesque landscapes of Epirus with its majestic mountains and traditional villages. Alternatively, consider the Peloponnese, a region rich in archaeological sites, stunning coastlines, and charming villages.

Our dedicated team is here to craft the perfect extended stay, customized to your preferences and pace.

Let us design an ideal itinerary that complements and enhances your exploration of Greece, making your travel experience truly exceptional.

Extending Your Trip

If eight days in Northern Greece leave you yearning for more, we invite you to extend your adventure either before or after this enriching tour. Imagine delving into the ancient wonders of Athens, where history and modernity intertwine, or exploring the picturesque landscapes of Epirus with its majestic mountains and traditional villages. Alternatively, consider the Peloponnese, a region rich in archaeological sites, stunning coastlines, and charming villages.

Our dedicated team is here to craft the perfect extended stay, customized to your preferences and pace.

Let us design an ideal itinerary that complements and enhances your exploration of Greece, making your travel experience truly exceptional.