Northern Greece - Mountains & Monasteries

Breathtaking contrasts & ancient sites

The unspoiled region of Macedonia extends northwards from the Aegean Sea between Epirus in the west and Thrace in the east. Mountainous, and often neglected by tourists, it offers a host of spectacular sights, both man-made and natural. A must for any visitor are the fascinating monasteries of the Meteora region where the geology is spectacular and the architecture simply incredible. Calm and tranquil, the many blue lakes contrast pleasantly with the dramatic rocky mountains.

Nights: 7
Starting point: Thessaloniki (A-class, B&B)
Day 1: 230km drive to Kastoria (A-class, B&B)
Day 2: Explore area around Kastoria (A-class, B&B)
Day 3: 200km drive to Ano Pedina (A-class, B&B)
Day 4: Explore area around Ano Pedina (A-class, B&B)
Day 5: 250km drive to Edessa (B-class, B&B)
Day 6: Explore area around Edessa (B-class, B&B)

Greece's lake district

Your first night is in bustling Thessaloniki, second city of Rome, Byzantium and the Ottomans, where you stay at the central Plaza Art Hotel. Tastefully decorated by the Donopoulos brothers, the décor includes local hand-made carpets and paintings inspired by the Enlightenment. Historic houses and neoclassical buildings make any walk through the city a fascinating journey - don’t miss the ‘ouzeries’ and ‘bouzouki halls’ or the Lefkos Pyrgos, or White Tower, the symbol of the city. You then drive through the heart of Northern Greece to the Vergoulas Mansion in the historic lakeside town of Kastoria. The hotel is furnished in traditional style and makes an ideal base for exploring the blue Prespa Lakes, bordering Albania and Macedonia, where one island is reached via a floating bridge and birdlife abounds.

Hidden monasteries & cascading waterfalls

Southward to the Porfyron Hotel at Ano Pedina and the Zagori National Park noted for its many preserved medieval villages. Your traditional town centre hotel, a restored 19th-century boarding house, is ideally placed for exploring the spectacular nearby scenery of gorges and valleys, alive with wild cats and eagles. At Meteora, truly awesome monasteries cling improbably to the cliff-tops, while on the wild waters of the Arachthos and Kalarites rivers you can go canoeing or rafting, or spend time exploring the walled citadel of Ioannina. You then drive north to the lively town of Edessa, known for its spectacular waterfalls right in the centre of town. Among the traditional stone buildings is the Hotel Varosi, a small, family-run hotel from where you can visit the Boutari wineries at Naoussa; discover the graves of the Kings of Macedonia at Vergina; or walk one of the many waymarked trails in the area.

Prices & travel 2008

All prices in £ per person based on 2 people travelling together and sharing a double/twin room

1 May-30 September 2008	By Air	Single Room
1-23 May	665	230
24 May-30 Jun	682	238
1-31 Jul	711	238
1-31 Aug	734	238
1-30 Sep	682	238
3rd+ person saving	70

Start: any day
Nights: 7
Meals: breakfast every day
By Air price includes: British Airways Gatwick - Thessaloniki (out dep 1020/arr 1545, home dep 1630/arr 1800), 7 days' category C car hire
Upgrades: Vergoulas Mansion, lake view £7pppn, junior suite £13pppn

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