100% customisable travel idea
From Thessaloniki to Pelion Sheltered from the world, the Greece of the gods
Greece - Thessaloniki - Mount Olympus - Pelion
Centaurs and sacred mountains
Your trip
In myths, heroes face many obstacles, setbacks and detours on their quest. But there will be none of that for you though, thanks to the expertise of our travel experts. Arrival and departure are scheduled in Thessaloniki, to simplify things. Direct flights serve the city for part of the year, further enhancing your comfort. Once you arrive, there's nothing quite like a rental car. Yours is already booked and will be available as soon as you leave Thessaloniki - and you'll even have a private transfer to the rental company. Driving during this trip is a formality as the roads are good and the distances are short. Your itinerary has been designed with this in mind. We have focused on comfort at every level when choosing your accommodation. This includes carefully selected locations: in Thessaloniki, a short walk from Aristotle Square and the seafront; in Litochoro, on the edge of Olympus National Park and a few miles from the water; and finally, you will settle down facing the Aegean Sea in Pelion. The interiors are of the highest quality and are extremely cosy. During the day, you are free to explore at your leisure, with our suggestions if needed. The only requirement is that you do not miss the two outings with private guides that are listed in your itinerary: one urban and the other more rural. If you would also like to explore the coast by bicycle, for example, simply let us know. Your trip can be customised from start to finish thanks to the expertise of our travel specialists and our on-site Concierge. They will be happy to help you review your trip, even once you are there. Once you arrive at your destination, it is hard to resist extending your adventure - to the Sporades or the Meteora, to name but a couple of options.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, private transfer and stay for two nights in the city centre. Aristotelous Square, the nerve centre of the city, is just a few steps away, and the seafront is also within walking distance. The rooms are spread out over several floors. They feature soft tones that are conducive to sleep. A few touches of green create a feeling of being surrounded by nature and hint at what is to come. All of this is bathed in sunlight during the day. In the restaurant, you can enjoy an introduction to Greek cuisine, while you can sample the cocktails in the bar. As for the spa, it allows you to start your journey on the right foot.
On your itinerary - Thessaloniki in private. The country's second largest port and second largest city, Thessaloniki is a city that matters. It is strategically located at the crossroads between East and West, so this has always been the case. The city's historical heritage, which has its roots in antiquity, reflects this perfectly. To ensure you don't miss out on any of this rich history, a private guide will accompany you. This is invaluable for accessing the hidden corners that locals keep to themselves, such as small traditional shops, taverns, delicatessens and counters. You can stroll around and chat. Look, Hagia Sophia, the White Tower, the Jewish Museum. The city and its history are invariably evoked.
Private transfer to the rental agency. Pick up the vehicle and drive to Litochoro. The route follows the curves of the coast before slowing down on the outskirts of Mount Olympus. Settle in for the night on the slopes of the summit of the Gods. There are only eight rooms inside this pretty traditional house. Wood and stone dominate. The floors are stone or ceramic tiles. Sturdy beams support the floors. The living room has fragrant leathers and fabrics. Here, rustic charm is not a limitation but an aesthetic choice defended with sensitivity.
See and do - Explore the ancient ruins of Dion; walk the cobbled streets (literally) of the village of Palaios Panteleimonas; visit the beaches of Skotina or Milos; gaze up at the summit of Mount Olympus in the hope of catching a glimpse of a god (even a demigod will do).
Departure for the Pelion region. Logic would suggest driving down the coast, and so would the heart, for that matter. Reason suggests otherwise. And for good reason, as part of the coastline has no road network, which could also be seen as something to be welcomed. In the meantime, you have to take a detour inland for today's itinerary.
At your destination, you can settle in for four nights facing the sea, with the beach below. The rooms and suites all open onto the water thanks to a pleasant outdoor area. Inside, contemporary design and shades of grey inevitably take a back seat. The restaurant serves exclusively local produce, whose exquisite flavours are brought to life by the Greek chef. On sunny days, it's a pleasure to dine on the terrace. The bar serves local cocktails - that is to say, with generous amounts of ouzo and raki. All this can be enjoyed around the beautiful swimming pool at sunset.
On your itinerary - Guided hike. The challenging terrain and thick forests of Pelion make it an attractive playground for those who enjoy exploring on foot. Pine, chestnut and olive trees competed for the privilege of occupying the territory before agreeing to live here in harmony. In the background, the cerulean waves of the Aegean Sea create a striking contrast. A mountain guide will accompany you as you explore the other side of this vigorous natural environment, ancient gorges and secret paths.
Homeric tales have painted an idyllic picture of this land. Unsurprisingly, there was no shortage of people wanting to settle here. Like white specks scattered across the canopy, the local villages are a delight. In the centre, the plateia, or central square, is lined with tables where lively discussions take place. There is normally a gigantic tree there to provide shade. Further away, the houses feature two-tiered architecture, with a solid ground floor made of rough stone and an upper floor enhanced by the region's finest craftsmen. The church, of course, has not been forgotten. It is at Easter that religious fervour reaches its peak, with every inhabitant armed with their red boiled egg competing in a game called tsougrisma (we'll leave you to discover what it's all about).
See and do - Pay your respects to the giant plane tree in Tsangarada; browse the Byzantine museum in Makrinitsa; study the local architecture of old stones, slate roofs and corbelling; sample the tavernas of Damouchari; catch the steam train in Millies; enjoy life (and apples) to the full in Zagora.
Optional - The coast at your leisure.
Fakistra, Milopotamos, Agioi Saranta, Ntamouchari, Limnionas: what do these poetic names evoke? Beautiful stretches of sand, of course! Because Pelion is two-toned. Beyond the vast jade-coloured expanses and waters in fifty shades of blue crash against the coast. It must be said that the peninsula is spoiled: on one side you have the Pagasetic Gulf and on the other you have the Aegean Sea. This special environment produces beaches worthy of the most beautiful Greek dreams, which are every bit as good as their island neighbours - the Sporades, Ionian Islands and Cyclades. So take a deep breath, prepare to be blown away, and sink into the warm sand between two cliffs, a book in your hand and the sun warming your skin.
Head back up the coast to Thessaloniki. On the way, the curious will allow themselves a detour to Veria. In ancient times, the city worshipped the eponymous goddess. The turbulent history that followed saw its allegiances change, but not its religious attachment. Conquered by the Byzantines and then the Ottomans before being annexed by Greece, it boasts a heritage that is more eclectic than ecclesiastical, with a handful of Byzantine churches, a few Ottoman houses, a synagogue and a Jewish quarter, a minaret and a pair of mosques...
In Thessaloniki, return your rental car and board your international return flight.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Pelion - Cycling along the coast
An all-in-one adventure. Follow a private guide on a scenic journey along the Aegean Sea. The route takes in several beaches, winds through a lush chestnut forest, passes several waterfalls, encounters lakes and, of course, stops off at the beach. Swimming is not only tolerated, but encouraged. And in the middle of it all, a picnic break - enough to recharge your batteries before getting back on your bike.And with a few extra days…
… Summer - The Sporades Islands.This northern archipelago - on a Greek scale - spreads out in a graceful triangle off the coast of Mount Pelion. The main islands are Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros. The first (and closest to the mainland) is the most popular with visitors; the second keeps the undecided at bay with its rugged terrain; on and around the third is a nature reserve home to the last monk seals in the Aegean; and the fourth, forced to stand out, is renowned for the quality of its marble and the delicacy of its embroidery.Winter - Meteora.Meteora rises on the other side of Mount Olympus, still in Thessaly. These six Orthodox monasteries, perched atop isolated peaks in the Pineios Valley, are among the most astonishing architectural achievements in the world. Construction began in the 14th century, reaching up to 25 establishments. Today, only a handful remain, all adorned with admirable frescoes. It is impossible to resist the chance to admire them.
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