28/8/2011

Thessaloniki was the "Coreigning" City throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople (Instanbul). Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian World as well as the Archaeological Museum which houses findings starting from the prehistoric Macedonia to the Roman times. The highlight of the Museum is the Gold of the Macedons exhibition, which presents the importance of gold for the civilization of ancient Macedonia, above all during the Archaic and Classical periods.

Price: 65 euros /Archaeological Museum fees included

28/8/2011

2. Pella and Pozar hot springs (Full Day tour)
Travel a short distance west of Thessaloniki and visit Pella. Pella was the first Macedonian capital as well as the birthplace of Alexander the Great. We will view the extensive Macedonian excavations and visit the New Pella Museum containing an excellent collection of marbles, mosaics and terracotta statuettes unearthed here.

We will continue our tour and soon we will be in Loutraki to the road of Aridaia to Bath Pozar, at the root of Voras Mountain. It is a fabulous holiday resort with a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants and coffee bars. The area receives plenty of tourists throughout the year. 
The region however has much to offer to nature lovers, unparalleled natural beauty, the canyon trails, caves and unique landscapes. Loutraki and the surrounding attractions are undoubtedly some of the best locations in Greece must see. 
Bath Pozar have spa, hot water with constant temperature of the 37th C that spring for thousands of years from the mountain. Visitors arriving at the Spa from all over Greece to accept the beneficial properties of the hot water (treatment - relaxing). You can choose the large outdoor pool, a waterfall and small natural pools that are along the river. We encourage you to enjoy other area attractions such as the gorge and cave park of the Baths.
Program:
8.00 Departure
9.30 Arrival to Pella - visit to the archaeological site and the Museum
11.00 Coffee
12.00 Arrival to Loutraki...
Free time to the thermal Springs and the village
16.00 Departure from Loutraki
17.30 Arrival in Thessaloniki
Price:75 euros /Fees for the archaeological site and Museum not included
(for booking send mail to: reservations@aethratravel.gr)
(for early bookings till 30/6  discount of 5% will be applied)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (USUALLY 30)IS REQUIRED FOR THE REALIZATION OF THE EXCURSION.

29/8/2011

3. MOUNT ATHOS CRUISE (7-8hours)
Mount Athos is situated in the entire third, eastern and most beautiful peninsula of Halkidiki, called the peninsula of Athos. It is dedicated to prayer and worship of God, and thus named the Holy Mount, "Aghion Oros".
The natural beauty of the peninsula is extraordinary. The highest point of Mount Athos is like a huge cone, reaching 2033 metres in height. All these help to create an area of incomparable natural beauty.
The cruise starts at Ormos Panagias and will take you along the western coast of Mount Athos. While sailing, you will have the opportunity to view and photograph Europe's most unique Monks' Republic with it's impressive Byzantine Monasteries. To this day, 1700 monks still live under strict rule on the Holy Mountain. Upon returning to Ouranoupolis, there will be some time at leisure for a swim or to shop, before we depart for our return trip to Thessaloniki
Price: 85 euros (for booking send mail to: reservations@aethratravel.gr)
(for early bookings till 30/6 a discount of 10% will be applied)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (USUALLY 30)IS REQUIRED FOR THE REALIZATION OF THE EXCURSION.

28/8/2011

4. ALEXANDER THE GREAT DION / VERGINA
We will visit Dion where our guests can visit the archaeological site.
Last stop Vergina, where you can admire the excavations of the Royal Tombs, one of which is believed to belong to Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.
PROGRAM
08:45 - 09.30 Pick up from the hotels.
09.30 Departure from Thessaloniki
10.15 Coffee Break
10.40 Departure for Dion.
11.10 Arrival at Dion. Visit to the archeological site.
Dion, the sacred city of the Macedonians, lies at the foothills of M. Olympus in an area of inexhaustible natural charm.
Extensive archeological excavations have been conducted by the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki and have brought to light excellent monuments inside and outside of the city: a vaulted Macedonian tomb, sanctuaries, theaters, a stadium where Olympic games were organized, the Great Baths complex, shops and workshops, the odeion, an early Christian Basilica, residences, the so called ‘’villa of Dionysus’’ with a superb mosaic and a large number of statues, inscriptions, offerings, vessels and other findings that grace the museum. The Macedonians used to gather at Dion to honor the Olympian Gods with sacrifices and offerings. There Philip II celebrated his glorious victories and Alexander the Great, starting out his expedition, sacrificed to Olympian Zeus.
12.30 Departure to Vergina
13.30 Arrival at Vergina
13.45 – 14.45 Visit to the Tombs – Museum of Vergina
Vergina, in ancient times called Aigai, was the ancient capital of Macedonia where in 1977 Royal tombs came to light full of exceptional treasures. The most impressive is the one that belonged to Philip II, king of Macedon in the 4th c. B.C. and father of Alexander the Great. Gold wreathes, silver vessels, weapons, ivory – gold and glass decorated couches as well as the gold larnax (chest) containing the relics of the king himself are some of the many treasures of the tomb that are displayed in a unique museum for its atmosphere, philosophy and lay out, a perfect combination of archeological site and museum at the same time. Next to Philip’s, the tomb of the prince equal to richness was found, the son of Alexander the Great. Apart from the tombs a palace also came to light, workshops, part of the ancient city, a theater, a temple and several other tombs even from the prehistoric period.
15.00 - 16.00 Lunch at local restaurant
16.00 Departure from Vergina
17.00 Thessaloniki (17.30 latest)end of the tour

Price:105 euros p.p.Fees for the Vergina Museum are included

30/8/2011

28/8/2011

6. CLASSICAL TOUR OF GREECE (6DAYS)
Day 1: Meteora
Departure from Thessaloniki early in the morning. Your travel to the Greek history begins. A highlight of your stay in Greece will be a visit to the Meteora monasteries. Meteora is the geological miracle, which must be seen to be believed! Experts believe it all started in the Paleocene age, lasting 30 million years. There are many theories that forward regarding its formation, but most agreed upon one: that the terrain moved and the towers also moved apart leaving one of the most amazing feats of nature seen anywhere on this Earth. Even more amazing is man himself. For on top of the towers and that is the only way to describe these wonders, man built Monasteries. Amazingly it only took 2 years to build one of the Monasteries, as there are old records that testify these facts, but it took 20 years to get all the supplies to the top before this could happen. Six monasteries are preserved; four of them are still inhabited. We shall visit two of the fabulous monasteries, perched high upon the steep rocks. Each monastery possesses a vast richness of frescoes and icons. “If there was one wonder of the world, this is it. No where on this planet will you see the equal of Meteora.” Important notice: for entering the monasteries, appropriate clothing is required. Ladies must not wear short skirts and must have long sleeves. Men are not allowed to wear shorts. We will visit two monasteries. Overnight in Kalambaka.
Day 2: Delphi
Driving through the main highway arriving in Delphi “the Navel of the Earth” you will visit the Museum with the famous bronze Charioteer.You will feel the mystery in the Temple of Apollo where Pythia was seated giving out her predictions of the future.
See the “Castalia spring” with the two monumental fountains receiving water from the spring for the last 3000 years. After lunch we will visit the traditional Greek village of “Arachova” known for its famous handmade carpets and quilts. Then we will continue passing through the cities of Levadia, Thieves and arriving in Athens.
Day 3 : Athens
This tour offers to you guided tour around Athens while you are seating in a luxury air-conditioned high deck and a guided tour at the Acropolis just outside the Parthenon. Our professional guides will take you to the Holy Rock of Acropolis to visit Propylea, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechteion and Parthenon, which was built 2.500 years ago. Furthermore, you will have free time to visit the Acropolis Museum on your own or admire the magnificent view of Athens, lying at your own feet.
Listed below are all the major sites of Athens that you will see with us (optional sightseeing):
• The Panathenian Stadium
• National Picture Gallery
• The glass Runner
• Megaron Concert Hall
• National Archaeological Museum
• National Theatre
• Omonia Square
• Open Market
• Athens City Museum
• National Historical Museum (Old Parliament)
• Syntagma Square
• Post Office
• Plaka Area
• Downtown shopping center
• Flea market
• St. Nikodimos Russian Orthodox
• St. Pauls Anglican
• National Park (ex Royal Gardens)
• House of Parliament (ex Royal Palace)
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Evzones)
• Iliou Melathron
• Numismatic Museum (H. Schliemanns Home)
• St. Denis Roman Catholic Cathedral
• Central Bank of Greece
• Academy of Arts & Letters University
• National Library
• Byzantine, War Museums
• Lyceum
• Presidential Residents (ex Royal Palace)
• Change of the Honor Guards
• Zappio Congress
• Temple of Olympic Zeus
• Hadrians Gate
• Dionysos Theatre
• Asclepieum Medical Center
• Herod Atticus Odeon
• Areopagous (St. Paul Acts XVII on Mars Hill)
• Filoppapou Hill
• Pnyx the Hill of Democracy
• Observatory
• Agora.
Overnight in Athens.
Day 4 : Sounion - Loutraki
Arriving at the Temple of Poseidon where you will see the most breathtaking view of a Cape with a vertical drop of 70 meters where the rocks meet the crystal clear waters of the Gulf. Afterwards, you will have a chance to enjoy the breath taken view of the Aegean Sea on your own, having free time for a drink outside the Temple, by the cliff.
What a sight it must have been when the ancient Greek sailors laid their eyes on the majestic Temple of Poseidon at the very tip of cape Sounio. There must have been no better reward for sailors who braved the waves of the Aegean Archipelago than the view of the orderly marble columns atop the rugged rocks that form the cape of Sounio.A sign of approaching safe harbor for sailors who navigated towards Athens and a sign of farewell for departing ones, the temple of Poseidon has stood silently for thousands of years as a reminder of respect for mighty Poseidon and his capricious ocean.
The temple's proportions are humble and serene, and yet the structure is elevated in a showmanship manner through the massive foundation that raises it so it can be easily spotted by sailors from afar. While most of the ornaments have been removed, the Doric columns impose a statement of strength, durability and serenity on the entire landscape. The aesthetics of the temple communicate a message most appropriate and welcome for those who braved the ocean in small vessels at the mercy of Poseidon's desires.
Cape Sounio has been recognized since prehistoric times as a special place of worship, and was an important sanctuary during the Greek Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods. There are two sanctuaries present on the cape: the sanctuary of Poseidon and the sanctuary of Athena; two gods that were held in high esteem by the ancient Athenians. The ruins as we see them today are the result of the renovations that took place during the 5th century B.C., and replaced a succession of buildings that date back to the archaic period.
The location of cape Sounio at the tip of Attica rendered it as a location of strategic military importance, and thus it was fortified with a mighty wall and guarded constantly by a garrison which ensured that the shipping lanes to Athens remained open. It is also most likely the place that Aegeus plunged to his death after he glimpsed the dark sails of Theseus' ship approaching, thus naming the Aegean Sea after his legend. Standing atop the cape the horizon is full of sea three quarters of the way and as the rock breaks the stepping plane abruptly towards the smashing waves below, I could not help but feel as if the whole rock was just a floating platform; A massive raft which detached itself from land and history and floated softly along the waves towards the expanse of the Aegean Sea and the depths of History. In the afternoon we will drive in Loutraki famous seaside destination. Overnight in Loutraki.
Day 5 : Argolis, Mykines, Corinth, Nafplio, Epidavros
Driving through Daphne, Eleusis, we will arrive at the Corinth Canal where you will have the chance to visit the CANAL (50-meter high, 24-meter narrow, 6.343-meter long and 21 meters deep) or enjoy a traditional Greek coffee. Then we continue our tour arriving at Mycenae the legendary home of the Atreides that gave its name to Civilization, spread throughout the Greek world. We will visit the famous Tomb of King Agamemnon and the Lion’s Gate part of the cyclopean walls. After lunch we continue for a visit to Nauplion, a beautiful well-known town by the seaside, which was once the capital of Greece will visit the Sanctuary of Asklepios or else known as the Theatre of Epidaurus, world famous for its acoustics. Finally, we return to Athens with a short stop at the Corinth Canal.
Overnight in Athens.
Day 6 : Thermopylae - Thessaloniki
In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC, an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous last stands. A small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I of Persia (Xerxes the Great) could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a mountain path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespian volunteers. The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a decisive naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war. The subsequent Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis left much of the Persian Empire's navy destroyed and Xerxes was forced to retreat back to Asia, leaving his army in Greece under Mardonius, who was to meet the Greeks in battle one last time. The Spartans assembled at full strength and led a pan-Greek army that defeated the Persians decisively at the Battle of Plataea, ending the Greco-Persian War and with it the expansion of the Persian Empire into Europe. In the evening arrival in Thessaloniki.
Price: Euros 1680 per person
Price includes
5 overnights in 5* hotels in twin/double room
American buffet breakfast
dinners
Transportations with deluxe air conditioned bus
Professional English speaking guide during the trip..
All entrance fees in museums and archaeological sites

IMPORTANT NOTICE: A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (USUALLY 30)IS REQUIRED FOR THE REALIZATION OF THE EXCURSION.

We are at your disposal for the arrangement of any kind tailor made holiday and trip package….