Venture through the captivating history of Macedonia and Byzantine christianity while taking in the spectacular sights of ancient burials, vibrant landscapes and the sheer magnitude of nature. Along this journey, travelers will find the strength of human hands to have intertwined together thousands of threads, leaving a lasting impression in the hearts of all who traverse it. From the ancient vergina to Meteora, come explore the wondrousness of this land!
Vergina is home to one of the most opulent and awe-inspiring museums in Greece. Here, in the latter half of the twentieth century, researchers uncovered a number of unspoiled royal tombs. The grandeur of the alyakmonas river gorge, seen from the st. John the forerunner monastery, will be permanently etched into your memory and your photos.
Vergina is the veritable treasury of the Macedonian dynasty. It`s the perfect place to start exploring the remarkable past of Macedonia. Thousands of years ago, the small town of Vergina was the site of aeges, the first Macedonian capital. It is not surprising that the tomb of Philip ii, Alexander the great`s father, was discovered here. Alexander the fourth, philip`s son, was also laid to rest in this region.
It was said in classical times that the argeades dynasty would collapse when one of their kings was interred in a foreign land. This seemed like an unlikely prophecy, however, with the death of Alexander iii — whose burial site is still unknown — the might of Macedonia began to diminish.
This traditional Greek town has more to offer than just archaeological sites. At the back of its cliffs lies a remarkable landscape. The mountains and hills around the john the baptist skete are covered with lush greenery and abound in natural caves. Here, the first monks-hermits built a sacred abode. It’s a stunning christian sanctuary, shrouded in rocks, with beautiful temple walls. The peaceful atmosphere of the monastery and the crystal-clear waters of the alyakmonas river make this a place that travelers can`t help but want to capture on film.
On the vast plains of thessaly lies the small town of Kalambaka, known more for its proximity to the remarkable meteora than its history and landmarks. On the path to Kalambaka, one can find the enchanting liakou estate — a place with the sweet scent of fresh berries and wine. Visitors to the estate can appreciate the vineyards and the pure, fruity wines they produce. There is also a production hall, the sacred place of the winery, where one can sample the local wines that were cultivated beneath the shadows of Meteora.
In close proximity to the Meteora, it’s worth spending a day admiring its astonishing rocks. It`s hard to determine what`s more breathtaking — the 600-meter high rocks or the man-made monasteries that seem to merge with the rocks that loom over the plain. Many centuries ago, the first monastery was constructed in the area, followed by two dozen more that were built later towards the sky.
At these places, the expert artisans use their brushes to bring to life the visages of holy figures right before the spectators` eyes!
Transfer to Vergina.
Excursion to the Museum of the Macedonian Royal Tombs in Vergina
Moving to the monastery of st. John the Baptist, located in a picturesque place on the western slopes of Mount Olympus, in the rocks above the river Alyakmonas
Visiting the monastery, where the great saints and theologians of medieval Byzantium lived. Here the cave of St. Gregory Palamas and the holy relics of many saints are still preserved
Moving to the city of Veria - the capital of the Immathia region, where in the 1st century AD the apostle Paul preached
Lunch in one of the town restaurants can be combined with a visit to the \"Tribune of the Apostle Paul\" - the place where, according to tradition, the apostle addressed the local inhabitants with the Evangelic sermon
Moving to Meteora with a stop at the winery, located in the vicinity of Meteora
Get to know the winemaking traditions of Northern Greece and taste the local wines (optional)
Accommodation in a hotel in one of the towns, located at the foot of the Meteor rocks: Kalambaka or Kastraki. On request, dinner and free time
Breakfast in the hotel
Visit to the Iconpainting Workshop at the foot of the Meteora Cliffs
We visit two or more of the six Meteora monasteries opened for tourists, as well as several historical churches and monasteries, which are closed to visitors, the existence of which is not suspected not only by the numerous tourists, but also by most guides visiting Meteora
in one of the traditional taverns in the town of Kalambaka at the foot of the Meteor Cliffs
Transfer to the gorge of Tembi, where on the southern slopes of Olympus is the cave temple of St. Paraskevi
That\'s how the name of St. Paraskeva is being translated. Her miracle-working icon rests in a small cave church in this amazing place. The temple and the spring of St. Paraskeva can only be reached by an overhang bridge connecting Central and Northern Greece!
Return to Thessaloniki
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What to takeDrinking water, money for souvenirs, lunch, wine and entrance tickets to the monasteries, a positive attitude and a desire to get rich spiritually :)
What to wearComfortable shoes, a hat, appropriate clothes for visiting monasteries.
