The best introduction to Thessaloniki, this panorama drive through the city will introduce you to all the main sites and monuments of exceptional historical importance.

You will visit the Archaeological Museum, walk through the tiny streets with traditional houses that lead to the Byzantine walls and towers and will stop at the Citadel to enjoy a panoramic view of Thessaloniki.

Later, you will stop at the early Byzantine basilica of Saint Demetrious, built on the ruins of a Roman bath where the patron saint of the city lost his life. You will have the opportunity to see the International Fair of Thessaloniki grounds and the University area.

The triumphal Arch of Emperor Galerius and the excellently preserved circular "Rotonda", the Galerius Mausoleum are close by and there will be time to take a look.

The archaeological site at Vergina testifies to the culture of the Macedonian kingdom. The site contains the ruins of the royal family's summer palace, where, in later years, Philip II was assassinated and buried.

The discovery of his tomb in 1977 was hailed as one of the greatest archaeological finds of the century. The rich and impressive artefacts that were unearthed can be viewed there along with the tombs themselves and the amazing frescoes, rare samples of painting from antiquity. After an hour's drive from Thessaloniki, by coach, we will visit Vergina, the museum of Vergina and the ancient royal tombs of Philip, the King of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great.

Veria is our next stop, a picturesque town with a unique landscape and architecture. We will drive through the city, see St. Paul's Altar, take a rest and enjoy a coffee at a traditional café and walk for a while through the lovely streets of the city, full of old Byzantine churches and unique historical monuments.

We will then take the coach to Naoussa, for a visit to one of the most well known wineries in Greece. We will be offered a guided tour to the production facilities and cellars, attend a multi-media presentation on the history of wine-making in Naoussa and a wine a tasting session. We will enjoy a rich lunch in the winery restaurant accompanied by special wines.

Southeast of Thessaloniki is Mount Athos or "Aghion Oros", a unique place to visit. The "Holy Mountain" has been an autonomous monastic state since the 11th century by order of an Imperial Byzantine decree. It still enjoys a special status of autonomy within the Greek State.

Having reached Ormos Panagias, by coach, we will board the ship for a cruise around the coastline of the monastic republic of Athos. The cruise around Mount Athos is a wonderful combination of knowledge and pleasure. We will have the chance to enjoy the view of the beautiful scenery and the Byzantine monasteries of exceptional and unique architecture. According to regulations we will have to maintain a distance of 500 metres from the shore during the entire cruise. From the bridge of the ship, a tour guide will explain the historical background and give a full description of the Monasteries, helping us get more familiar with the landscape and the history of the world-wide unique peninsula. The cruise ends as we cross back to Ouranoupolis where we will stop for lunch in a Greek taverna. From there, the boat and the coach will take us back to Thessaloniki.

With its characteristic three peninsulas Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos, Halkidiki resembles a trident piercing the Aegean. Sunny, golden sandy beaches, deep and picturesque gulfs, traditional villages and modern tourist resorts, small islands and sheltered bays, pine-clad hills descending to the sea, Mediterranean climate and magnificent natural beauty compose the picture of Halkidiki. Homeland of Aristotle, Halkidiki's history dates back to prehistoric times based on the findings in the Petralona cave.

You will have the opportunity to sunbathe and swim to some of the most picturesque beaches of Greece, surrounded by pine trees and summer sounds. Water sport activities will be possible. You will depart from Thessaloniki in the morning to reach one of the most beautiful beaches. You will enjoy a fish lunch in one of the sea side tavernas and a cold coffee in the afternoon before returning back to the city.

Since 1981 Domaine Gerovassiliou has been active in the cultivation of the vine and the making of wine. Just a few kilometres outside Thessaloniki in the hillsides of Epanomi, the modern winery in which the well-known wines of our Domaine are produced, is surrounded by the carefully tended vineyard. Epanomi is the first big village of western Halkidiki which the visitor reaches from Thessaloniki.

Domaine Gerovassiliou is a single estate vineyard of 45 ha. The vineyard is surrounded on three out of four sides by sea at a distance of nearly 3 km. Located next to the wine cellars in the Domaine's contemporary winery is the museum of viticulture. Vangelis Gerovassiliou –one of the most successful wine makers in Greece- started from 1976 collecting various pieces of unique significance relating to the vineyard, wine and related fields. The Gerovassiliou wines have won many international competitions. The guided tour to the winery and the museum will be followed by wine tasting and a delicious dinner at a fish taverna.

We can locate the first traces of their history from the 11^th century, when the first hermits settled there. UNESCO has characterised the rock monasteries as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage; they form one of the most important stations of cultural map of Greece. Twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of the eremitic ideal in the 15th century. Their 16th-century frescoes mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine painting.

If you have seen pictures of Greece or spend any time looking through travel brochures then you have certainly been impressed by the monasteries perched on top of enormous rocks and have probably wondered how on earth they built them. The rocks themselves are impressive, rising from the plains of Thessaly a few miles northwest of Kalambaka. In fact the producers of James Bond found them so impressive that they had Roger Moore (or his stunt double most likely) climb the stone face of one in the movie For Your Eyes Only. Nowadays these rock faces are climbed by professional and amateurs looking for a challenge.

Pelion:

Traditional villages, proximity to the sea, one of the most preferred holiday places in Greece

Greek islands:

Numerous options on well known Greek islands of the Northen Aegean Sea: Thassos, Samothraki, Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos.