Northern Greece

Northern Greece is the ‘other’ Greece – the unexplored, wild, Balkan side of Greece that the tourists don’t know. Yet it contains some of the country’s most impressive sites, from all periods of Greek history, as well as the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country.

The tour begins in Thessaloniki, Greece's second city and food capital, home to some of the finest mosaic-filled churches in the world. From Thessaloniki we make a day trip to the tomb of Philip II of Macedon at Vergina, one of Greece's stand-out ancient sites, comparable to entering the tombs of the Egyptian kings. We then drive past Mount Olympus, home of the ancient gods, as we make for the gravity-defying Byzantine monasteries of Meteora, where we spend a day exploring the frescoed churches and extraordinary rock formations. After Meteora we drive into the mountains of Epirus, staying first in the historic, lakeside town of Ioannina before heading into the region of Zagori, in the North Pindus national park, for the last two nights of our stay. Here we are accomodated in a nineteenth-century mansion in one of the region's charming stone-built villages. We eat delicious local produce and meet local craftspeople. If you choose to come in spring, you will be treated to one of the finest displays of spring flowers that you are ever likely to see. We visit painted churches and mansions from the Ottoman era, as well as the breathtaking Vikos Gorge - the deepest in the world, relative to its width. Finally, we are treated to a special performance by local musicians in a secret, enchanting location.

This trip can be combined with hiking in the spectacular high mountains above Zagori.

Recommended time to visit: April-October. The spring flowers are at their best from mid-May to mid-June.