100% customisable travel idea
From Thessaloniki to Pelion Sheltered from the world, the Greece of the gods
Greece - Thessaloniki - Mount Olympus - Pelion
100% customisable travel idea
Greece - Thessaloniki - Mount Olympus - Pelion
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.
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