Fly Drive Thessaloniki and North Western Greece

Day 1 - Day of arrival

On arrival at Thessaloniki Airport you will be transferred to the Olympia Hotel in the city.

This evening, take the opportunity to wander around the lively Ladadika area near the hotel and enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants or tavernas.

Overnight at the Olympia Hotel, Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki at dusk

Day 2 & 3 - Thessaloniki

Enjoy time at leisure discovering this multi-faceted city. Take your exploration at leisure and allow yourself time to connect with the history, culture and geography of the city. Do not miss the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the White Tower Museum and, in the evening, perhaps attend a performance at one of the ancient open air Greek theatres or an opera in what is one of the largest and most modern concert halls in Greece.

Overnight at the Olympia Hotel, Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki, Greece

Day 4 - Veria

After breakfast, your car will be delivered to your hotel and you are able to set off for Veria, a drive of 72km (1 hour). Veria is now a fairly prosperous agricultural town but dates from as early as 1,000 BC. It was an important town for Philip II of Macedon and also subsequently for the Romans. St Paul preached there and under the Ottomans and Byzantium the town was a centre of learning. During World War II it was an important resistance centre against the Nazis. There are many Byzantine monuments in the town as well as mosques and Ottoman buildings. Ancient Aegae (Vergina), the summer capital of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander The Great, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is only a 12km drive away. The site contains the tomb of Philip II and is one of the very famous archaeological sites in Greece.

Overnight at the Veritas Hotel in Veria. The overnight can also be arranged in Vergina.

Royal Tombs of Aigai. Vergina. Central Macedonia, Greece

Day 5 - Kastraki

After breakfast, continue south to Kalambaka or Kastraki in Thessaly, a drive of 164km (2 hours). Either is a good base from which to view the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora, one of the most spectacular sights in Greece with monasteries seemingly impossibly perched on monolith shaped pillars of rock. Needless to say the monasteries of Meteora are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Out of the 20 monasteries build at the beginning of the 14th century in order for the hermit monks to escape from the Turkish occupation, only 6 remain today.

Overnight at the Kastraki Hotel in Kastraki.

Monasteries of Meteora

Day 6, 7 & 8 - Epirus and Zagori

After breakfast, the drive is to the west through the mountain village of Metsovo (worth a stop for coffee and a wander) and then on through the Pindus Mountains and the municipality of Zagoria to Micro Papingo. The total drive is 122km (1 hour 45 minutes). With wild rivers, 18th century bridges, some 46 grey stone villages and spectacular mountains this is an area for walkers and nature lovers. The jewel in the crown of the Pindus Mountains is, of course, the Vicos gorge, the deepest in the world. Head for the viewing point at Oxia, near the village of Monodendri, for the most spectacular view in Greece. Mikro Papingo where you will be based is one such stone built village sheltering below a dramatic craggy outcrop and the perfect base from which to explore the Zagoria area. You might even see a wolf or bear!

Overnight at the Ariston Hotel, Epirus and Zagori.

Zagori

Day 9 - Florina

Today you will complete the longest drive of the itinerary and so you will need a good breakfast and an early start! Florina is 282km (3 hours 20 minutes) almost on the Albanian border. You should also stop in the town of Kastoria, international centre of the fur trade as well an important religious centre, for a coffee and a snack by the lake before continuing to Florina. Florina, in mountainous north-western Macedonia is the gateway to the famous Prespa lakes bordering Greece, Macedonia (not Greek Macedonia) and Albania. This is a market, agricultural town. The Prespa lakes (there are two) are located 850 metres above sea level are set amongst wooded mountains and are one of the most important wetlands in Europe and of considerable beauty. Hundreds of bird species migrate through the area and nest and breed here with many very rare species. A boat ride across the Great Prespa Lake on a traditional ‘plaves’ boat is highly recommended.

Overnight at either the Pleiades Hotel in Florina or the Phaidon Hotel & Spa.

Florina, Greece

Day 10 - Edessa

From Florina to Edessa only takes an hour (77km). Edessa is a city at the crossroads of history and traditionally controlled the Via Egnatia, the most famous of Roman Roads. The city has been occupied by Parthians, Armenians, Romans, Persians, Normans, Ottomans, Serbs and Byzantines. Known for its waterfalls and the site of ancient Edessa, the ancient city of Pella is a short drive away. A good base for your final night in Macedonia, the home of Alexander the Great.

Overnight at Aigai Hotel or Varosi 4 Seasons Hotel

Alexander the Great

Day 11 - Day of departure

After breakfast set off for Thessaloniki Airport, an hour and a half's drive (109km) for your flight home. If you'd like to extend your holiday with a few nights R&R by the sea we'd recommend a few nights at the 5 Star Cavo Olympo Luxury Hotel 2 hours drive to the south (90 mins from the airport) which can be added at a very reasonable cost.