Day 1 - Touchdown in Thessaloniki
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 perfect trip?
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
Genevieve Absey2024-01-10I cannot say enough good things about Efi and the service she provides. I had never used a travel agent before reaching out to Efi, and I immediately felt a kinship with her and knew we would be taken care of. She listened intently to the kind of trip we were hoping to have during our 10 days in Greece, and orchestrated an experience for us that was beyond anything we ever could have done on our own. She’s like the grand maestro of travel! From planning private tours of the Acropolis and Delphi with the most knowledgeable and engaging tour guides, to day trips through side streets and cafes of smaller villages and lesser known historical sites, to seamlessly handling transfers to and from airports and hotels, to advising us on the best things to do and places to visit on our own. The list goes on and on. Everything that Efi had a hand in exceeded our hopes and expectations and had a personal touch that we could not have achieved otherwise. Not the mention the fact that I would go back to Greece just to spend time with Efi, she is gracious and curious and funny and incredibly sharp, but maybe that’s besides the point 😂 After having the great fortune of getting to work with Efi, I trust her implicitly, and urge anyone visiting Greece to hire her to make it a one-of-a-kind experience for you.hendrikje tromp2023-12-28Visiting Greece this year was extra special to us, celebrating our 45th anniversary with family and friends!! Efi and her team made it even more magical. Thank you!! ❤️🎶Gail Banzon2023-11-28Vacation in Greece I had a most wonderful holiday in Greece! Efi was able to compress the essence of her beautiful country in stories, sightseeing and food in 12 days! All personal and delightful! Though we were a group twenty, my experience felt so personal and unhurried - thanks to Efi’s attentive, warm and generous spirit. Each of our concern was important to her and did her utmost to be flexible to make us happy and satisfied. All our guides were knowledgeable and well-versed! People who love to eat are always the best and the happiest people and do the Greeks love their food. Me, too! Healthy yet flavorful! Green with lots of exciting spices! I’m so missing those sumptuous meals we had! I want to do another Greek vacation soon! 💕Benjamin Williams2023-09-30We had a wonderful time on our first trip to Greece/Hellas! Efi planned a beautifully relaxing trip with beaches, history, great food (try the grass!) and wonderful company alone the way. The trip guide, Rania, was so very accommodating to our every need and very flexibly with any changes we wanted to make during the trip. Our driver, George, was great as well - full of great energy, music and knowledge on the culture. All in all it was a trip we’ll never forget and will definitely be back to explore and reunite with new friends. Thank you so much Efi, Rania and Sir George! Until we meet again - BenTim L2023-09-28Efi put together a customized trip that gave us a delightful introduction to Athens and Greece. She first took the time to get to know my wife and I, and then shaped a trip that matched our interests. She enabled us to see and experience much more than I thought we’d have time for. Efi provided excellent guides for the historical sites (Acropolis, Delphi) — trained archeologists who could convey the inspirational spirit of classical Greece. She also personally took us to several small towns, where we enjoyed bakeries and tavernas that only the locals know about. The food was delicious. Definitely a highlight! Efi loves Greece, and truly enjoys giving visitors a variety of experiences that go far beyond the typical tourist sites. She is friendly, creative, warm and accommodating, and her enthusiasm is infectious. She went above and beyond our expectations by making us feel like we were being shown around by a good friend. I highly recommend her.Tom M2023-05-03What a wonderful few days in Athens and the mountains of the Peloponnese! Efi and her team worked extremely hard to make the holiday an extraordinary experience. Everything worked seamlessly from the transfers around the Peloponnes to the farewell lunch in Athens with Efi herself, not forgetting the brilliant guiding and dissemination of local history by George in the mountains and the warm welcome from Nelly in Kalamata. We were treated like royalty with warm friendship from everyone. We will be returning to explore more of this beautiful country very soon. Thank you!!Evelien Meyer2023-03-19There are so many things to consider when curating your own travel adventure and it is super helpful to get that local insight. Her advise also helps prevent blunders I might've made if I had not known... Efi took our top destinations we wanted to hit along our 13 day journey and compiled all the information so I could narrow down the decisions a lot easier. Many of the accommodations she recommended were no brainers, chic and convenient for the price. With the structure of the trip complete, I have a pdf of links and info available at my fingertips to fill in the details. Very much looking forward to this upcoming adventure traveling with my mom. Thank you Efi for helping us make the most of our trip!Ashley Tanzosh2022-10-14Definitely Greece put together our honeymoon trip. It surpassed our every expectation and created an experience for us that is difficult to fully convey in words. It was my husband's first time abroad and he was a bit nervous about going so far and needing to coordinate things from the States. Efi and her team took all of that worry from us and made it seamless. The attention they put into organizing our trip allowed us to visit so many places, see so much and soak in every second without stress. Every tour and tour guide was awesome. Sharing tons of details and history for us history buffs, answering questions and making sure we got to see everything. All of our food accommodations were perfect. No tourist traps, every place we went was an immersive experience in Greece's incredible culture and peoples. Everyone was so friendly, it felt like we were with family. We tried new foods, drinks and just had the best time. All of our accommodations were beautiful, well located and allowed us to explore freely and come back for quick naps before heading out again. We have recommended Definitely Greece to all of our loved ones and can't wait to get back next year to do another trip and see more of this beautiful country that feels like our second home. 5 stars!!!!Hilary Wendel2022-09-28For my first trip to Greece i felt very overwhelmed with all the choices! Which islands, in which order, for how long and once there, where to stay? I decided to get the help of the consultants at Definitely Greece, and I am glad I did! I signed up for the “consulting session” where I had a zoom call with Efi. I explained our timeline, and the kind of trip I was imagining. It was easy to schedule our meeting, and very easy to communicate with her. She asked me some questions about our tastes etc to understand more about our travel style and budget, and then a few days later she sent me a suggested itinerary with a list by location of their personally recommended and researched hotels, restaurants and things to do with links to each suggestion. Although there were still many choices for me to make, and some work to be done on my own to make the actual reservations, having a custom list of recommendations greatly reduced my choices to make it more manageable, less time consuming, and less overwhelming! I was also able to shoot a few follow up questions along the way and she was quick to respond. Thank you Efi and the team at Definitely Greece!Theo Seel Kent2022-09-27Efi has really outdone herself, our holiday was truly unforgettable. Smooth sailing from start to finish. Great food enjoyed and beautiful sunsets watched. Can’t wait to come back and do it all again!
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.