Northern Greece: Along The Via Egnatia
Group Tour
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Overview
Following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, the Apostle Paul, Caesar, Brutus, poets, traders and crusader knights we'll take an epic journey through Northern Greece: along the "Via Egnatia".
The Via Egnatia was a Roman road that ran from Rome to Istanbul, thus connecting the Eastern and the Western part of the holy Roman Empire. It crossed Illyricum, Macedonia, and Thrace, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and European ...
Following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, the Apostle Paul, Caesar, Brutus, poets, traders and crusader knights we'll take an epic journey through Northern Greece: along the "Via Egnatia".
The Via Egnatia was a Roman road that ran from Rome to Istanbul, thus connecting the Eastern and the Western part of the holy Roman Empire. It crossed Illyricum, Macedonia, and Thrace, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey. You could say that it was both the continuation of the Silk Road, to the west and the Via Appia, to the east.
As such this offbeat region of northern Greece offers not only spectacular scenery, it is also home to an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage, spectacular gastronomy – boasting flavours from Asia Minor, and Constantinople as well as Arab and Armenian influences – and a charming independent people. Away from the busy islands in the south, in the hidden north you’ll find a Greece full of charm, history and few other travellers.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a minibus/bus (depending on the final group size) and a couple of boats.
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On this particular trip we will be in good quality hotels and guesthouses. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Thessaloniki
Day 1 Tour starts in Thessaloniki
Having met at our city centre hotel and had a light lunch and an introductory briefing from our tour leader, we will start our walking tour of Thessaloniki, a city with over 2,500 years of history. On the course of the tour we will visit such highlights as Aristotelous Square, the White Tower – probably the most iconic building in the city – the 4th century AD Rotonda and the Arch of Galerius. After returning to our hotel for a rest and change we’ll head out to a restaurant for both dinner and live music.
Day 2 Thessaloniki - Meteora
Day 2 Thessaloniki - Meteora
Today we take a tour back in history as we take in two of the most important archaeological sites of northern Greece - Pella, the glorious kingdom of ancient Macedonia, and Vergina, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia. We depart first for the village of Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great, and visit the archaeological site and the museum. The excavations have brought to light the interesting findings of the ancient city, exhibited at the local museum. Here we'll marvel at the mosaic floors that used to decorate the city's grand mansions – the most famous are the ones depicting the Abduction of Helen, Rapture, the Amazonomachy (the battle of Amazons), and the Deer Hunt. From here we head to Vergina, the ancient capital of the Macedonian Kingdom, which is now home to one of the most impressive museums of Greece. We'll visit the museum, which contains the royal tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander the Great’s father, along with other artefacts of an incredible beauty and value. From here we will head on to one of the highlights of the tour, the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Meteora.
Day 3 Hike to visit the UNESCO Byzantine Monasteries of Meteora
Day 3 Hike to visit the UNESCO Byzantine Monasteries of Meteora
This morning after breakfast we will hike the trails with our local guide, see several monasteries and experience the most captivating views from the summit of this famous landmark. Following in the footsteps of the first monks who arrived here more than 15 centuries ago, the walk offers a grand way of seeing the unique rock formations and to learn the history of the region. Having visited various monasteries, we’ll walk down the old footpath back into town and take lunch in a small tavern. The afternoon will be free to enjoy the region on your own, Dinner, although not included, will be at a local restaurant with spectacular views of Meteora.
Total distance 5kms, 320m ascent / 380m descent. Approx 4hrs
Day 4 Meteora - Metsovo
Day 4 Meteora - Metsovo
This morning we will leave Meteora and drive into the Pindos Mountains to the village of Metsovo, a town famous for its agriculture and artisan products such as wine and cheese. From here we will do a beautiful circular walk along the Ursa Trail through stunning natural landscapes. After our walk we will head to the Katogi winery for a wine tasting tour paired with cheese and pie platters and will then have the rest of the afternoon at leisure, where you can explore the cobblestone alleys of Metsovo.
Total distance 8km, 430m ascent / 430 descend. Approx 3hrs
Day 5 Metsovo - Kastoria
Day 5 Metsovo - Kastoria
After breakfast today, we will begin our journey to the pretty lakeside town of Kastoria, a place famous for both its wildlife and it Byzantine churches and one that has been inhabited for nearly 2,000 years. Here we will take a wander through the village to visit some of the 11th, 12th and 13th century churches and well as along the lakeshore to spot some of the region's many birds, which include pygmy cormorants, pelicans and herons. The walk will finish with a tasting of many local delicacies and liqueurs. After lunch we will walk via the Dragon's cave and on to the monastery of Virgin Mary Mauriotissa (3km walk). Dinner will be at a small local restaurant.
Day 6 Kastoria – Prespa Lakes - Kastoria
Day 6 Kastoria – Prespa Lakes - Kastoria
Today we will discover Prespa Lakes, which are situated right on the Via Egnatia! We will start the day with a hike around the traditional town of Agios Germanos enjoying the narrow cobbled alleyways, 1000 year old church and fully restored watermill (3.5km trail). We will then move on to our next trail the Agios Achillios, this hike loops around the island of Agios Achillios which is famed for its basilica built in 10th century AD (5km trail). This afternoon we will then head to Psarades to enjoy a boat trip on the Megali Prespa lake. Here you can expect to encounter giant pelicans and post-Byzantine frescos on the rocks. We will then head back to Kastoria for dinner with live traditional music.
Day 7 Kastoria – Edessa
Day 7 Kastoria – Edessa
This morning we head off on another adventure, driving around 2 hours from Kastoria to Edessa. Along the way we stop at Nimfeo Bear Sanctuary, a shelter for orphaned and rescued bears where we support the conservation efforts for the brown bear, and here we can spend an hour being shown around. Next, we move on to Edessa, which holds a special place in the history of the Greek world as it was founded during the Hellenistic period and continued as capital of the Roman province of Osroene. Under the Byzantine Empire, Edessa benefited from its strategic location, controlling the Via Egnatia as it enters the Pindus mountains, and the town became a centre of medieval Greek culture, famed for its strong walls and fortifications. On the outskirts of Edessa we visit the Archaeological site of Longos before exploring the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the town by taking a stroll through the traditional quarter of Varosi with its Macedonian architecture and the remains of its acropolis. After lunch there's a chance to visit Greece's highest waterfalls at Edessa before we check in to our hotel for some free time before dinner.
Day 8 Edessa - Lake Kerkini National Park – Kavala
Day 8 Edessa - Lake Kerkini National Park – Kavala
This morning we drive to Lake Kerkini - home to more than 300 bird species including the Dalmatian Pelican, Great White Pelican and Pygmy Cormorant. We take a boat tour out on the calm waters to view some of the birdlife and enjoy the dramatic landscape of the surrounding mountains. To make most of our time we eat our picnic lunch on the water before continuing our drive to visit one of the most impressive caves in Europe. According to Greek mythology, the Sphinx made her appearance at the Gorge of Aggites that traverses the Alistratis Cave area. Myth also mentions Pluto, the god of the Underworld, bringing the kidnapped Persephone, the daughter of goddess Demeter, to this natural ravine where a Gate to the Underworld existed. Our final journey of the day is on to the sea at Kavala to check-in to our hotel for the final two nights. Approx. 5.5 hours driving
Day 9 Kavala - Philippi - Kavala
Day 9 Kavala - Philippi - Kavala
This morning we visit the famous archaeological UNESCO World Heritage site of Philippi. Founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II, the city developed as a “small Rome” following the Battle of Philippi, in 42 BC and the succession of Rome. The vibrant Hellenistic city of Philip II, of which the walls and their gates, the theatre and the funerary temple are still to be seen, was supplemented with Roman public buildings such as the Forum and a monumental terrace with temples to its north. Following the visit of the Apostle Paul in 49-50 AD, the city became a centre of the Christian faith and the remains of its basilicas constitute an exceptional testimony to the early establishment of Christianity. We return to Kavala so you can enjoy some free time for personal exploration and lunch. You may, depending on the season, choose to visit the nearby beach for a swim in the azure blue waters or enjoy a Hammam or massage treatment at Imaret. Alternatively, you may want to wander through the old town and soak up the traditional atmosphere whilst enjoying the city’s highlights such as the Castle, Acropolis and the Old Lighthouse. This evening we will have our farewell dinner in a Greek tavern overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
Day 10 Kavala - Thessaloniki Airport
Day 10 Kavala - Thessaloniki Airport
This morning we will transfer to Thessaloniki Airport to arrive in time for the suggested group flights.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Doupiani House Hotel, Kastraki
Located in Kastraki, right next to the imposing rocks of Meteora, this recently renovated hotel uses original materials of wood and stone to fuse modernity with traditional style. It has an incredible panoramic views and all rooms are ensuite, spacious and offer magnificent views to the mountains and the Meteora rocks.
Katogi Averoff Hotel, Metsovo
Situated a 10 minute walk from the centre of the village, this stylish hotel forms part of the Katogi Averoff winery and is a great place to stay. Lying in the heart of the Pindos Range, with some of the highest vineyards in Europe, the Katogi Averoff Hotel has more of an Alpine chalet feel to it with striped wooden floors, wood panelled reception and views out over the surrounding pine forests. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the bar and dining area light and airy, and the winery is a great place to learn about local viniculture and taste some very agreeable wine.
Guesthouse Vissinokipos, Kastoria
As so often is the case with small family-run guesthouses, it's not so much the property that makes this such a lovely place to stay, but the family who run it. Situated on a hill above the town with stunning views over the lake and hills beyond, the 10-room Guesthouse Vissinokipos is home to Cristophe and Kristina, two charming hosts for which nothing is too much trouble. Each of the spacious rooms is en suite and comes with a balcony where you can make the most of the surrounding views. Stylishly decorated with a cosy living room and dining area, where Cristophe serves excellent local cuisine, this is so much more than a simple guesthouse, it is a true home from home.
Egnatia City Hotel & Spa, Kavala
Occupying a scenic spot up at the entrance into town, views over Kavala below and the azure sea to the horizon in front can be enjoyed from the large roof garden (seasonal) and terrace. It’s a ten-minute drive into town but, as well as the views, the quieter location affords guests spacious rooms and all the facilities of a larger hotel including an indoor pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving Greek and French dishes. All standard four-star amenities can be found in your room, as well as a few extra luxuries such as under floor heating, a hydro massage shower cabin and bathtub, and a choice of 6 pillow types.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Bear Conservation
On this tour we'll support the conservation efforts of the brown bear by visiting the bear shelter of nature organization Arcturos.
The bear tracking tours adhere to the concept of "Tourism as a Tool for Nature Conservation", a concept we and our local partners believe in wholeheartedly
The following principles and practices are applied:
• Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilization is sustainable, and in compliance with local to international laws.
• No captive wildlife is held, except for properly regulated activities, in compliance with local to international law. Living specimens of protected and wildlife species are only kept by those authorized and suitably equipped to house and care for them humanely.
• The trip supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation, including natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value.
• Interactions with wildlife, taking into account cumulative impacts, do not produce adverse effects on the viability and behaviour of populations in the wild. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimized, rehabilitated, and there is a compensatory contribution to conservation management!
• Information about and interpretation of the natural surroundings is provided to travellers, as well as explaining appropriate behaviour while visiting natural areas.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| BA 2740 | London Gatwick (LGW) 07:15 | Thessaloniki (SKG) 12:35 |
| BA 2741 | Thessaloniki (SKG) 22:25 | London Gatwick (LGW) 00:01 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Greece. From November 2024, the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will start for all non-EU nationals, including British nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen area. As Greece is part of the Schengen area, you may experience longer queues at border control when the system starts. Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Greece.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
Malaria risk is very limited from May to October and confined to some agricultural areas. There is no risk in tourist areas, however precautions are essential.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
The climate in the more mountainous north part of Greece is cooler than on the islands to the south. That said in mid-summer the temp can still reach 40C. The best time to visit is therefore spring and autumn, between April and June and September and October.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. There are a few walks on day 3 and 4 which require a good level of fitness, but alternative activities can be arranged on these days for anyone who prefers to sit them out.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 2658 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.