14-Day Jewish Heritage Adventure: Ioannina, Veroia, Larisa, Thessaloniki

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY - (optional) ATHENS BY NIGHT TOUR

• On the first day of your itinerary, you will arrive at Athens Airport where you will be met and assisted. From there, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening, you have the option to take part in an Athens by Night Tour.  After the tour, you will have dinner at a traditional Greek tavern in the center of Athens, accompanied by live Greek music. Finally, a driver will pick you up and drive you back to your hotel for an overnight stay in Athens.

DAY 2: ATHENS JEWISH TOUR & SIGHTSEEING

• On the second day, you will continue your tour with a visit to various Jewish sites in Athens. You will start by visiting the Synagogue in the Agora of Athens, an ancient synagogue thought to date from the period between 267 and 396 CE. Next, you will visit Beth Shalom Synagogue, the principal synagogue of Athens, managed by Rabbi Gabriel Negrin. You will also see the Etz Haim Synagogue, built in 1904 by Greek Romaniote Jews from Ioannina. Nearby, you will find the New Holocaust Memorial of Greek Jews, which commemorates the arrest of Greek Jews by the Germans on March 24, 1944. The day concludes with a visit to the Jewish Museum of Greece, which houses a collection of artifacts showcasing 2,300 years of Jewish life in Greece. The duration of this tour is approximately 5 hours, and you will stay overnight in Athens.

DAY 3: ATHENS - MYCENAE - EPIDAURUS - NAFPLIO

• On the third day, you will depart from Athens and head to Mycenae, a famous ancient town. Here, you will visit the archaeological site, including the Lion Gate, Cyclopean Walls, the Palace, and the tomb of Agamemnon. From there, you will proceed to Epidaurus, known for its ancient theater with a seating capacity of 15,000 spectators. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Archaeological Museum of Asklepeion Epidaurus. Finally, you will arrive in Nafplio, one of the most beautiful towns in Greece and the first capital city in modern Greek history. In Nafplio, you will visit the Castle of the Town, Palamidi, a Venetian fortress offering stunning views over the Argolic Gulf. You will spend the night in Nafplio.

DAY 4: NAFPLIO - MYSTRAS - ANCIENT OLYMPIA

• After breakfast in Nafplio, you will travel to Mystras, a Byzantine town known for its medieval splendor. You can explore the Upper and Lower Town, visit the Palace of the Despots, the Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios, and the Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa and Our Lady Perivleptos. From Mystras, you will continue your journey to Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Here, you will visit the archaeological site, including the Temple of Zeus, the temple of Hera, the Council House, the Treasury houses, the Gymnasium, and the Stadium. Ancient Olympia was once the most important religious and athletic center in Greece. You will spend the night in Olympia.

DAY 5: ANCIENT OLYMPIA - CHELMOUTSI CASTLE - KALAVRYTA

• Begin your day by visiting Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Explore the ruins, including the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Hera. Discover other significant sites like the shrine of Pelops and the Council House. Afterward, head to Chlemoutsi Castle in Kastro-Kyllini to witness its well-preserved Frankish architecture. Continue to Kalavryta, where you can explore the city and visit the Municipal Museum of the Holocaust, commemorating the tragic events of World War II. Conclude your day with a visit to the monastery of Mega Spilaio, known for its historical and religious significance. 

DAY 6: KALAVRYTA - COG RAYLWAY JOURNEY - MESSOLOGI - IOANNINA

• The day begins with a visit to the Cave of the Lakes, a unique natural wonder featuring 13 lakes of different colors formed by oxides in the rocks. Next, you will embark on the Cog Railway (Odontotos) journey from Kalavrita to Diakopto. This scenic railway route takes you through the picturesque Vouraikos Canyon, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding nature. Leaving Kalavryta behind, you will reach Messolonghi, where you will visit the Garden of Heroes. This garden pays tribute to the political and military figures who played a significant role in the history of Messolonghi and the Greek War of Independence.Continuing the journey, you will head to Ioannina. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city before checking in at your hotel. 

DAY 7: SYNAGOGUE TOUR AT IOANNINA - PERAMA CAVE - METSOVO

• After breakfast, we will visit Ioannina Castle, the fortified old town, whose present fortification dates to the reconstruction under Ali Pasha. Inside the castle, we will explore the old synagogue of Ioannina, also known as the Inner Synagogue. Constructed in 1826, it is one of the largest and most splendid Jewish religious buildings in Greece that is still standing. Next, we will make our way to Lake Pamvotis and take a regular boat service to Ioannina Island. Continuing our journey, we will proceed to the Perama Cave, located 4 km from Ioannina. This cave is among Greece's largest and most impressive, with stalactite formations. Leaving Ioannina, we will head to Metsovo for an overnight stay.

DAY 8: METSOVO - LAKE AOOS VERGINA - SYNAGOGUE TOUR AT VERIA - THESSALONIKI

• fter breakfast, we will visit Metsovo, a lively Vlach village known for its vibrant atmosphere and cultural significance. We will then head to the sources of Aoos, where we can admire the serene artificial lake. In Veria, we will explore the synagogue and learn about its historical and cultural importance. Our journey continues to Vergina, the ancient capital of Macedon, where we will explore the King's tombs, including Alexander the Great's father's tomb. Finally, we will reach Thessaloniki, a vibrant city with rich cultural heritage. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

DAY 9: CRUISE AT MOUNT OF ATHOS

• After breakfast, we will drive to Ouranoupolis to embark on a ferry tour to Mount Athos, also known as Virgin Mary's Garden. Mount Athos holds great significance in Orthodoxy, as it has been home to Holy Fathers in a place of spiritual enlightenment for centuries. This experience offers devout Christians a chance for reflection, meditation, and spiritual renewal. The ferry departs at 14:00 from Ouranoupolis, and during the three-hour tour, our English-speaking guide will provide detailed explanations about the seven monasteries we will encounter. The tour concludes around 19:00 when our driver will pick us up and transfer us to our hotel in Thessaloniki for an overnight stay. 

DAY 10: TOUR OF JEWISH THESSALONIKI - METEORA       

• After breakfast, we will explore Thessaloniki, the capital of Macedonia and the second-largest city in Greece. Our tour will include visits to significant Jewish sites such as the Jewish cemetery, the Jewish Synagogue, and the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki. We will also pay our respects at the Holocaust Memorial and the Memorial at the former Jewish cemetery. Additionally, we will visit prominent landmarks in Thessaloniki, including the White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos), the Triumphal Arch of Galerius (Kamara), the Rotunda, Aristotelous Square, the historical quarter of Ladadika, and the traditional markets of Modiano or Louloudadika. After the tour, we will leave Thessaloniki and head to Kalambaka - Meteora for an overnight stay. 

DAY 11: METEORA - TOUR AT SYNAGOGUE IN LARISSA - PILION - VOLOS

• After breakfast, we will visit Meteora, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its monasteries perched atop towering rocks. Our first stop will be at the Monastery of Varlaam, founded in the 16th century and located at a height of 380 meters. We will explore this impressive monastery and its historical and religious treasures. Next, we will visit the Monastery of St. Stephen, built in the 15th century on another magnificent rock formation, where we can admire Byzantine and Christian artifacts in the monastery's museum. Continuing our journey, we will drive to Larissa and visit the synagogue, which is the only remaining synagogue from Larissa's once flourishing seven synagogues. We will then proceed towards Volos and Pilion, known as the homeland of the Centaurs. Overnight in Volos. 

DAY 12: TOUR AT PILION PENINSULA - DELPHI

• TToday, you will have leisure time to explore Pilion and its picturesque villages. You can immerse yourself in the traditional Pelian architecture, indulge in the local cuisine, including the famous dish spentzofai made with spicy sausage and peppers, and savor the flavors of orchard fruits, particularly the renowned firiki apple variety. Overnight in Delphi..

DAY 13: DELPHI - HOLOCAUST OF DISTOMO - OSIOS LOUCAS MONASTERY - ATHENS

• Today, we will tour Delphi, visiting significant sites such as Castalia Spring, the archaeological site with its notable monuments, and the renowned Temple of Apollo. We will also explore the Delphi Museum, showcasing remarkable exhibits. Afterward, we will travel to the charming Village of Arachova. Our journey continues to the "Distomo area," where we will visit the Holocaust memorial, honoring the victims of a tragic Nazi war crime. We will then proceed to the Byzantine monastery of Òssios Loukás, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finally, we will arrive in Athens for an overnight stay.

DAY 14: DEPARTURE DAY

• Our driver will meet you at your hotel to transfer you to Athens airport according to your flight details, marking the end of our tour.