Day 1: Athens - Ioannina

After a short wait in Athens, we will board a connecting flight to the capital of the Epirus region, the city of Ioannina. Upon arrival, we will take a short drive to the city of Ioannina and our hotel. After settling in and resting (as needed), we will embark on a walking tour through the streets of the old city: Ioannina - we will visit the synagogue belonging to the Romaniote Jewish community. We will stop for a coffee at one of the cafes on the shore of Lake Pamvotis and take a short boat ride to the island located in the center of the lake, where we will meet Ali Pasha, the local ruler, and hear his unique story. After our tour, we will continue to the picturesque villages of Zagori and spend the night at one of the guesthouses in the area. Accommodation and dinner in Monodendri.

Day 2: Zagori Villages (Zagorohoria) - Aristi

After breakfast, we will set out to explore the Zagori villages of the Zagori-Horia region, located near the Albanian border. We will visit a series of local villages that constitute a real tourist gem in mountainous Greece. We will visit the picturesque stone bridges of the village of Kipi. We will continue to explore the village of Monodendri overlooking the Vikos Gorge, walk along the trail overlooking the gorge, and visit a small picturesque church. We will proceed to a scenic viewpoint above the confluence of the Voidomatis and Vikos rivers. We will meet local friends, taste their special local liqueur, and, time permitting, visit more small villages and murals in the area. We will have lunch in Monodendri.

Day 3: Monodendri - Metsovo - Prespa Lakes - Kastoria

After breakfast amidst the picturesque scenery of Aristi, we will visit the nearby village of Papigo and Micro Papigo. Then we will return to the city of Ioannina and board the "Agnantia Odos" - the military road that will take us to the picturesque Vlach village of Metsovo. We will stroll through the streets of the artisans' village, admire the woodwork, cheeses, and beloved villagers. Later in the day, we will enter the heart of the Greek Macedonian region, near the borders of Albania and North Macedonia. Here we will explore Lake Prespa, where we will row in boats past churches and hermitage cells of remote monks located on the shores of the lake, enjoy the beautiful scenery and the blue lakes. We will then continue to Kastoria, a picturesque town situated on a peninsula on the shore of a lake, which has gained fame in the fur industry originating from the local Jewish community residing there. Accommodation and dinner in Kastoria.

Day 4: Kastoria - Edessa - Loutra Pozar - Thessaloniki

This morning, we will tour the picturesque town of Kastoria: we will start with a leisurely walk along the shore of the lake and ascend to a beautiful viewpoint. After the city tour, we will leave Kastoria (it's very difficult to leave the beauty of Kastoria....) and continue our journey through Greek Macedonia to our next stop, Edessa, the capital of the Pella region located in the western part of Greek Macedonia and considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. We will visit the city and the rushing waterfalls located in the heart of the picturesque city. We will then proceed to the beautiful thermal area of Loutra Pozar, where we will stroll through the special park amidst waterfalls, forests, streams, bridges, hot springs, and natural pools in the heart of the earth. From here, we will continue to the big city of Thessaloniki. We will spend the entire upcoming weekend here, with accommodation and dinner at a kosher restaurant in Thessaloniki.

Day 5: Boat trip to Halkidiki Peninsula

This morning, we will leave Thessaloniki, return to it in the afternoon, and head to the Halkidiki Peninsula, three long fingers of land reaching into the Aegean Sea. Halkidiki Peninsula is the most touristy in Greece and offers a variety of stunning beaches for tourists to choose from. After an hour's drive after crossing the bridge in Nea Potidea, we will once again reach golden beaches, turquoise waters, and luxurious hotels. Halkidiki is surrounded by mountains and hills, oak and olive trees, green valleys, and many interesting remnants of the past. We will visit the first finger, Kassandra, and a small village. After the tour, we will return to our hotel in Thessaloniki. Accommodation and dinner at a kosher restaurant in Thessaloniki.

Day 6: Thessaloniki - Vergina - Veria - Thessaloniki

This morning, on our way to Vergina, famous as the burial site of the Macedonian kings, including Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. From here, the modest and expanding kingdom broke through its borders and its influence to the heart of Asia. We will climb the "Alexander Path" for a walk among the beautiful hills surrounding the site and the ancient city. From the trail, beautiful views of the entire Greek Macedonian area spread out. From here, we will continue to the city of Veria, where we will hear the fascinating story of the small Jewish community that was in the city on the eve of World War I. We will visit the small synagogue in the city, preserved by a local Christian who heard her story. After the tours in the area, we will return to Thessaloniki to welcome the Sabbath. Accommodation and dinner at a kosher restaurant in Thessaloniki.

Day 7 | Thessaloniki

We'll visit the Turkish quarter, stroll along the coast promenade, and wander the charming streets of the coastal city. Of course, during Sabbath prayers, we'll focus on the Jewish narrative of the city and visit the synagogue that remained as a refuge from the magnificent Jewish community of the city. After Shabbat, we'll go out for light drinks and relish in a local Greek celebration at a local urban tavern. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 8 | Thessaloniki - Dion - Mount Olympus - Kalamaki

This morning, we depart from Thessaloniki and head for Mount Olympus, also known as the home of the gods. Mount Olympus is considered the highest point in Greece, towering at 2,911 meters. In mythology, the mountain is considered the dwelling place of the Greek gods. After visiting the mountain, we will continue to explore the ancient site of Dion, where simple people worshiped their gods. We'll take a short walk and marvel at the breathtaking views. After the tour, we embark on one of Greece's most magnificent tour highlights – the stunning natural phenomenon of Meteora Monasteries. After overcoming the initial shock of the breathtaking beauty of the unique conglomerate rock formations in the area, we'll settle into our hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by local Greek music.

Day 9 | Meteora Monasteries - Pelion Peninsula

This morning, we set out to explore one of the most impressive natural phenomena in the world: the suspended monasteries of Meteora. These monasteries, perhaps Greece's number one tourist destination, are active monastic communities, each monastery built separately on a towering conglomerate rock. The uniqueness of the area lies in its location – the unforgettable beauty of the monastery clusters atop the cliffs, overlooking vast open valleys. We'll visit one of the monasteries and be impressed by the special geological phenomenon of the area (visiting the Christian prayer house is not mandatory, but highly recommended to ascend to its courtyard and overlook the landscape). After the tour of the Meteora Monasteries, we'll depart for the Pelion Peninsula. Upon arrival in the area, we'll get to know the picturesque coastal villages: we'll visit Portaria and Makrinitsa, stroll through the picturesque streets of the surrounding towns located near the Aegean Sea shores, and enjoy an overnight stay and dinner in Portaria.

Day 10 | Pelion Peninsula - Athens

This morning, we'll continue to explore the scenic area of the Pelion Peninsula and head to one of the important and fascinating sites on the peninsula. We'll then travel to the important archaeological site dedicated to the honor of the god Apollo: Delphi. Afterwards, we'll also visit the local and magnificent museum, which displays a variety of treasures found in this important archaeological site. After visiting Delphi, we'll proceed to the Greek capital, Athens, where we'll check into our hotel and go on an evening tour of the picturesque Plaka neighborhood. Overnight and dinner in Athens.

Day 11 | Athens 

This morning, we'll delve deeper into the Greek capital, Athens: we'll ascend to the Acropolis, located in the city's center and considered its symbol. We'll visit the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, and enjoy a magnificent view of the city. We'll continue with a walking tour to explore the ancient quarter located at the foot of the Acropolis, Plaka, wander through the picturesque and winding streets filled with shops and restaurants, see the city's main squares, and, of course, allocate time to one of the city's largest shopping malls for some last-minute shopping before transferring to the airport for our return flight.