Spirits of Fire (May 2017)
Join us at the excursion in the North of Greece to discover the mystical power of fire!
This tour includes discovering the town of Thessaloniki and its flavours, archaeological sites relating to the dynasty of Alexander the Great, exploring Greek nature and food at Lake Kerkini, and the mystical tradition of fire walking-Anastenaria!
Day 1 (17/05): Thessaloniki
- Arrival in Thessaloniki
- Orientation Tour of Thessaloniki with stops Ano Poli, Rotonda, Aghia Sophia, Roman Agora and Aghios David,
- Check In at hotel
- Welcome dinner at Ladadika
- Overnight at centrally located Hotel (4*)
Day 2 (18/05): Pella – Vergina – Thessaloniki
- Breakfast
- Visit to Pela and Vergina archaological sites and museums birthplace of Alexander the Great.
- Visit Miesa for Aristotle’s school and tomb of Palm and tomb of Crisis and visit to local winery
- Free time for Lunch in local restaurant
- Dinner at local restaurant or hotel in Thessaloniki
- Overnight in Hotel
Day 3 (19/05): Lake Kerkini
- Breakfast
- Arrival at Lake Kerkini hotel for check in
- Walk in nature and visit the monastery of St. John
- Boat ride in the Lake for bird watching and photography
- Visit to original Byzantine Hammam and the village for the preparations of the festival including animal sacrifices and icons procession with live traditional music. Ritual dances and firewalking.
- Dinner and overnight at a domain in Lake Kerkini
Day 4 (20/05): St. John Prodromos Monastery
- Breakfast
- Visit the Monastery of St. John Prodromos
- Visit local trout farm for lunch
- Visit to the village for observation of Panigiri (festival) including animal sacrifices and icons procession with live traditional music. Ritual dances and firewalking.
- Return in the evening for cooking lessons at the hotel and dinner.
Day 5 (21/05): Lake Kerkini – Lithotopos Village
- Breakfast
- Visit to Water Buffalo farm for tour, walk by the lake to Lithotopos village for lunch
- Visit to Village for observation of the preparation of the Panigiri (Festival)
- Fire walking and live traditional music
- Return to hotel for buffalo meat based dinner
Day 6 (22/05): Amphipolis – Thessaloniki
- Breakfast
- Visit to the archaological site of Amphipolis and museum and 400BC wooden bridge
- Return to Thessaloniki with free time for lunch at the upper city walls
- Check in local hotel 4*
Day 7 (23/05): Thessaloniki
- Breakfast at hotel and transfer for departure
The package includes:
- Guided tours with private bus
- 3 nights in centrally located hotel 4* with breakfast
- 3 nights in domain in Lake Kerkini with breakfast
- Lunch on days 3, 4, and 5
- Cooking lessons and activities on day 4
- All taxes
Package does NOT include:
- Entry to archaeological sites
- Pella site and museum, Vergina, Amphipolis
- Lunch on other days
- Personal expenses