A warm welcome starts from the heart, and the heart of Thessaloniki lies in its center. Geographically defined by three focal points, the White Tower, Aristotelous Square, and Thessaloniki Port, this tour provides a deep dive into the city’s cultural and historical identity, along with a first look at the city’s urban character and design. Apart from the city centre you will be able to admire the Neoclassical mansions at V. Olgas str., as well as the Upper Town which is the highest part of the city, and is dominated by the Byzantine and Ottoman-era fort known as Heptapyrgion.

Thessaloniki Waterfront extends approximately 5 kilometers, stands between the city center and the Aegean Pelagos while framing the Thermaikos Gulf and the city’s amphitheatrical structure. It serves as a compass for moving around the town, being Thessaloniki’s southern border, providing a constant reference point on the city’s map. Starting from the west – Thessaloniki port - we will begin this tour on foot on the waterfront, passing by Aristotelous square and continuing up to the White tower (approximately 30’ walk) where we will embark a small boat. Sailing in the Thermaikos gulf, we may view the city peripherally, enjoying the front’s scenery and architectural elements, which are only surpassed by the panoramic view of mount Olympus throughout it’s length.

 

  The Kaleidoscope Walk: Exploring the many   

  colors and images, the many stories of Thessaloniki

 

Thessaloniki’s long history and intricate past are reflected in today’s urban landscape as a kaleidoscope of colours and images, a mixture of ethnicities, religions, and empires, all leaving their traces of cultural heritage over the centuries, thus creating the cultural collage that Thessaloniki is today. On this tour you will find out which elements prevailed in time, as the city’s monuments become the reference points for understanding its different historical periods and introducing its ethnic communities of the past: Roman (Galerius Complex – early 4^th century), Byzantine (examples of 4^th-15^th century churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Ottoman (15^th century - ex mosques, hamams, markets), Jewish (Yad Lezikaron Synagogue & Holocaust monument). The last stop in this overview of Thessaloniki’s multicultural identity is the port, the focal point for the city’s occupation history and population movement. 

 

Food and culture go hand in hand, and this Food on Foot tour is not one to be missed. If Mediterranean cuisine is    at a hype, then Thessaloniki’s culinary scene is at its peak. Trying some of the most iconic traditional dishes, as well as new and refreshed tastes of the past with a modern twist, you will be tastefully immersed into the food culture of northern Greece. From fresh produces and traditional pie bakeries all the way to the fish market and the local bazaars, you will peel off the historical heritage of Thessaloniki bite by bite, while getting to know the people behind the recipes, and the family traditions that passed through each generation. Unveiling the blending flavors that have made Thessaloniki such a vibrant and multifaceted city, the end of the tour will find us in a small restaurant enjoying delicacies, such as savory fyllo pies and the famous Greek salad. 

 

Everything we see around us may change the moment we change our perspective. This dynamic sailing tour will give you the opportunity to see Thessaloniki from a different point of view, keeping a distance from the street sounds, but close enough to familiarize with the city’s structure, looking from the outside-in. Whether you are an experienced sailor or a first-timer, you will be able to actively participate as part of the crew, while an experienced and passionate sailing professional will easily and safely guide you through all the steps of sailing.  A beautiful spot, relaxing atmosphere, and an incredible view are what make this tour a favorite.

 

Having a deity like Dionysos, a God in the Greek pantheon entirely dedicated to wine, may be enough to give you an idea of the importance of wine in Greek culture. With this aromatic tour you will acquaint yourself with some of the best Greek wines while visiting one of the most renowned winery in Greece, Domaine Gerovassiliou winery. www.gerovassiliou.gr/en.  The tour will start with a tasting of the most indicative wines of Northern Greece, after which you will have the chance to tour the wine cellars and learn all about the wine-making process, as well as the vineyard (depending on the weather). Furthermore, you will be able to visit the Wine Museum, located near the cellars and see various pieces of significance relating to the vineyard and to wine history.

 

 

 

 Dion: The sacred city in the foothills of Mount Olympus /

Palaios Panteleimonas: a picturesque village in the mountains

 

Dion, the sacred city of Macedonia, is known for its archaeological significance and place in ancient Greek history. Inside this incredibly reserved Archaeological Park one can see the remains of residential houses, the baths, the Odeon and a Christian basilica. Outside the walls, one can see exquisite sanctuaries and the earliest existing theatre in Macedonia. However few are those who are familiar with its natural beauty. At 700m altitude, on the hillside of Lower Mount Olympus lies one of the most beautiful traditional villages called Palaios Panteleimonas. The richness of fauna and flora surrounding the fairy tale path leading from the forest to the village will give you the chance to enjoy the raw and majestic nature of Mount Olympus. Once at the village, inside the narrow stone pavements, you will admire the traditionally restored houses and discover the picturesque stores offering a variety of local products and folk artifacts. Apart from its beauty and scenic attractions, Palaios Panteleimonas is also known to offer the best panoramic view of Thermaikos Gulf and the shores of South Pieria. 

 

 

 

 Vergina: the royal tombs of Ancient Macedonia, the kingdom

 of Alexander the Great / Winery visit: a local tradition, a pleasure worldwide