Page 130 - 2022 & 2023 Adventures by Land & Sea

Itinerary Mount Olympus at the site of Dion, the sacred city of to prepare handmade pies, a regional specialty.
the Macedonians, and the location of the Olympian Then, we continue to our hotel in one of Zagoria’s
Games that were held in honor of Zeus and the Muses. mountain villages.

DAY 1 • Depart U.S. Then, we’ll drive to the village of Litohoro for lunch B,L,D — Aristi Mountain Resort or similar
Depart for your overnight flight to before returning to Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki, Greece. B,L — Mediterranean Palace Hotel or similar DAY • Explore Zagoria • Optional Vikos
Gorge Rafting

DAY 2 • Arrive Thessaloniki, Greece DAY 5 • Thessaloniki • Explore Royal Tombs VERY ACTIVE DAY (2-hour hike)

Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, an O.A.T. representative of Vergina • Meteora This morning, we’ll explore Zagoria, a region in the
will meet you at the airport. You’ll transfer to our Today we begin our journey to Meteora, stopping Pindus Mountains dotted with hidden villages linked
hotel, and meet your Trip Experience Leader and en route at the village of Vergina, home to Aigai, by mountain roads and arched stone bridges. In
fellow travelers, including those who took our the ancient capital of the Macedonian kings. The Vitsa, a centuries-old village perched on a mountain
optional pre-trip extension to Ancient Greece: Athens sacred site contains the fourth-century BC tombs slope near the Vikos Gorge, you may choose to hike
& the Isle of Crete or New! Turkey’s Cultural Capitals: of King Philip II—father of Alexander the Great— down the Vitsa stairs to the tiny village of Kapesovo.
Ankara & Istanbul. and other ancient royals. Upon arrival in Meteora, Later, you may join our optional Vikos Gorge Rafting
Mediterranean Palace Hotel or similar we’ll check into our hotel and then enjoy dinner at excursion.
a local restaurant with a syrtaki dance lesson and Please note: Travelers do not have to participate in the

DAY 3 • Explore Thessaloniki performance.
Today, we’ll discover Thessaloniki, the capital of B,L,D — Doupiani House or similar hike in Vitsa if they feel it may be too difficult.
the northern Greek region of Macedonia. First, we’ll B,L,D — Aristi Mountain Resort or similar

visit historic Ano Poli (Upper Town), where we’ll DAY 6 • Explore the monasteries of Meteora
admire the Byzantine churches and traditional • Home-Hosted Dinner
pastel-painted homes. Then, we’ll visit the Museum This morning, we’ll witness the towering rock
of Byzantine Culture. Later, we’ll explore the city formations of the region, on top of which are built the Watch this independent video to learn
center before stopping at two traditional markets— famous monasteries of Meteora, some of which date more about this adventure
Modiano; and Kapani, a 200-year-old market perched back to the early 14th century. This afternoon, we’ll
on a hilltop. visit a nearby icon-painting workshop, followed by
B,D — Mediterranean Palace Hotel or similar free time to explore on your own. This evening, we’ll
join a local family for a Home-Hosted Dinner.

DAY 4 • Thessaloniki • Controversial Topic: B,D — Doupiani House or similar
Greece’s refugee crisis with Nicholas
Connolly Rangos • Mount Olympus • Dion DAY • Meteora • Visit Metsovo

After breakfast, we’ll discuss the Controversial village • Zagoria
Topic of Greece’s refugee crisis with an employee of After breakfast, we set off to Metsovo, a small village
a local non-governmental organization. Then, we’ll nestled in the Pindus Mountains. We’ll explore the
set off for Mount Olympus, mythical home of the quaint town square and enjoy a cooking lesson from watch video
ancient Greek gods. We’ll enjoy a hike near the foot of a family that owns a local taverna, where we’ll learn

Meet the people who call Greece, Albania &
Macedonia home

Icon-Painting Artists : On Day 6, meet with artists at an icon-painting workshop
in Kalambaka to learn about the sacred nature of this artistic tradition, and
discover how spirituality plays into local life in this region.
TavernaOwners : On Day 7, get to know the owners of a local taverna (a Greek

café or restaurant) in Metsovo over lunch, and enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson
from them, the spoils of which we’ll get to enjoy for dessert.
E

Dhoksat Locals :njoy a NEW A Day in the Life experience in the small village
of Dhoksat on Day 10. With a local farmer, Landi Koci, as our guide, we’ll be
immersed in rural Albanian life when we meet a goat herder and a winemaker, try
our hand at traditional farming activities, and enjoy a homemade lunch.
Albanian Journalist : Meet with a local journalist in Tirana on Day 13 and engage
in an enlightening conversation about Albania’s past, including the impact of
communism, and the construction of the ubiquitous bomb shelters and bunkers
that have drained the country of its economic resources.
We’ll witness the walled city of Thessaloniki on Day 3.

130 Northern Greece, Albania & Macedonia: Ancient Lands of Alexander the Great www.oattravel.com/gre2022

4031_GRE2022_PROD.indd 130 9/2/21 10:54 AM