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With its layered multicultural past, proud coastal metropolis, and dramatic northern landscapes, this region of Greece is celebrated for its remarkable culinary depth. Countless traditions coexist here, shaping a cuisine enriched by influences from Vlachs, Sarakatsani, Bulgarians, Turks, Thracians, Pontians (Black Sea Greeks), and communities from Asia Minor. The result is a tapestry of flavors that reflects centuries of migration, blending, and adaptation, and one of the most distinct gastronomic identities in the country. Explore Northern Greece’s flavors, landscapes, and culture on a journey through Delphi, Meteora, Zagori, Epirus wilderness, and Thessaloniki.
Our journey begins in Athens, and as we travel toward Delphi, the scenery gradually shifts into some of Greece’s most enchanting mountain terrain. The road winds past traditional villages, among the country’s most picturesque, before reaching Delphi, a place that unites history, natural beauty, and spirituality. Perched on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, the sanctuary offers captivating ruins, a world-class museum, and a setting so dramatic that it has inspired visitors for millennia.
From there, we continue to Meteora, a name that translates to “suspended in the air.” Here, colossal rock pillars soar above the Thessalian plain, crowned by centuries-old monasteries constructed by monks seeking isolation and spiritual elevation. The harmony between human devotion and geological wonder makes Meteora one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Europe.
Venturing farther north into the region of Epirus, we encounter the breathtaking Vikos Gorge, stretching 12 kilometers and recognized as one of the deepest in the world. This national park is a wilderness of dense forests, waterfalls, and icy alpine lakes, encircled by the Zagorohoria, a constellation of 46 remarkably preserved stone villages. Their distinct architecture, well-defined boundaries, and shared cultural heritage form one of Greece’s most cohesive and fascinating traditional regions.
Our final destination is Thessaloniki, a city that embraces its past while confidently moving forward. Dynamic, welcoming, and effortlessly atmospheric, it combines the energy of a modern urban center with 23 uninterrupted centuries of history. Layers of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Jewish heritage blend with contemporary creativity, making Thessaloniki a fitting culmination to a journey through northern Greece’s landscapes, flavors, and stories.
Highlights:
Taste Northern Greece’s diverse culinary heritage
Discover Delphi’s legendary sanctuary
Marvel at the soaring pillars of Meteora
Explore the pristine wilderness of Epirus
Wander the stone-built villages of Zagori
Experience vibrant Thessaloniki’s food and culture
This journey is rated as Easy Active, suitable for all levels of fitness.
The trails are well maintained but often a bit rocky and uneven, requiring sturdy footing. Perfect for those seeking an active yet accessible way to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes and cultural treasures of Northern Greece.
Athens is not merely a capital, it is a living palimpsest of Western civilization, continuously inhabited for over 7,000 years. Here, classical ruins, neoclassical elegance, and contemporary life coexist seamlessly, creating a city that invites exploration through all the senses.
In the afternoon, we gather at our carefully chosen hotel for an introduction to the journey ahead. This evening marks the first of many shared experiences around the table. Over a thoughtfully curated welcome dinner, Greek cuisine is introduced in its most expressive form; rooted in tradition, elevated by quality ingredients, and shaped by centuries of regional identity. It is a refined yet relaxed beginning to our culinary and experiential exploration of Greece.
Overnight: Athens, 4★ hotel
Included: Dinner
Leaving Athens behind, we travel north toward the ancient olive grove of Amfissa, the largest in Greece and one of the oldest cultivated landscapes in Europe. Surrounded by more than one million olive trees, you are introduced to the sensory craft of Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Guided tasting reveals how aroma, texture, and flavor reflect terroir, harvest, and tradition, offering insight into an ingredient that has shaped Greek cuisine and culture for over 5,000 years.
In the afternoon, we arrive at Delphi, dramatically set on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Once regarded as the spiritual center of the ancient world, Delphi was home to the Oracle of Apollo and a symbol of unity for ancient Greece. Accompanied by an expert guide, you explore the archaeological site and its outstanding museum in a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere, allowing the sacred landscape to speak for itself.
Overnight: Delphi, boutique hotel
Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Driving: Athens → Delphi | 182 km / approx. 3 hrs
Our journey continues toward Meteora, where the first glimpse of its towering stone pinnacles is nothing short of arresting. Rising dramatically from the plain, these geological formations host monasteries that appear suspended between earth and sky, places of retreat, contemplation, and spiritual resilience.
Before settling in, we visit a local winery that reflects the region’s understated yet distinctive wine culture. A guided tasting of five labels introduces you to Meteora’s microclimate and indigenous grape varieties, revealing another layer of the region’s connection between land and table.
This evening, we arrive in Kastraki, a historic village nestled at the base of Meteora’s monumental cliffs. Here, serenity, authenticity, and extraordinary views define the experience.
Overnight: Kastraki, boutique hotel
Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Driving: Delphi → Meteora | 231 km / approx. 3 hrs
Meteora is best experienced on foot. This morning’s hike begins in Kastraki, following trails that wind upward through a landscape shaped by time, wind, and faith. As we hike toward the monasteries, the scale and silence of the surroundings create a deeply immersive experience, both physical and contemplative.
After our walk, we journey into Zagori, one of Greece’s most unspoiled mountain regions. Along the way, we stop in Ioannina, set beside Lake Pamvotis, where Ottoman influences blend with Greek Enlightenment architecture.
By evening, we reach Dilofo, a beautifully preserved stone village where traditional mansions speak of the region’s mercantile past. With its quiet lanes and mountain air, Dilofo offers an ideal base for exploration over the next three nights.
Overnight: Dilofo, boutique hotel
Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Hike: 2.2 km | approx. 3 hrs
Zagori is renowned for its network of elegant stone bridges, architectural gems that once connected remote communities across rivers and ravines. A scenic drive reveals several of these historic crossings before we reach the village of Vradeto.
From here, we walk to the Beloi viewpoint, where the Vikos Gorge opens in dramatic fashion below, its vast scale and raw beauty offering one of the most striking natural panoramas in Greece.
In the afternoon, the focus turns to the kitchen. During a hands-on cooking experience, you discover Zagorian cuisine, humble yet deeply expressive, shaped by mountain agriculture, seasonal rhythms, and generations of knowledge passed from one table to the next.
Overnight: Dilofo, boutique hotel
Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Hike: 4.6 km | approx. 2 hrs
This morning, we experience the Voidomatis River, celebrated as one of the cleanest in Europe. A gentle rafting journey carries us through a pristine natural corridor of plane trees and crystal-clear water, offering a refreshing and serene perspective of the landscape before ending at the historic Kleidonia stone bridge.
After lunch, we travel to Megalo Papigo, a traditional mountain village preserved in remarkable harmony with its surroundings. From here, we set out on foot along ancient cobbled paths leading to Mikro Papigo. The walk reveals sweeping views of the Vikos Gorge and the wider Zagori region, combining gentle exertion with moments of stillness and reflection.
Overnight: Dilofo, boutique hotel
Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Rafting: approx. 1.5 hrs
Hike: 4.7 km | approx. 2 hrs
Our journey east leads us to Vergina, the ancient Macedonian capital and one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. Here, we explore the royal tombs and monumental palace, where extraordinary mosaics and painted interiors reveal the wealth and power of Macedonia’s ruling dynasty, including Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.
Continuing onward, we arrive in Thessaloniki, a lively seaside city where history, gastronomy, and modern culture intersect. Layers of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and contemporary life create a city that is both deeply historic and effortlessly vibrant.
Overnight: Thessaloniki, 4★ hotel
Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Today is dedicated to Thessaloniki’s celebrated food culture. Often considered Greece’s gastronomic capital, the city’s cuisine reflects centuries of trade, migration, and multicultural influence.
During a guided food experience, you explore lively markets, meet local artisans, and taste a carefully selected range of specialties, both iconic and lesser known. The tour includes a visit to a cooking lab, tastings paired with Greek coffee or mountain herbs, and multiple stops in the historic center, bringing the city’s culinary story vividly to life.
The afternoon is free for independent exploration before we reunite for a farewell dinner, celebrating the shared experiences of the journey.
Overnight: Thessaloniki, 4★ hotel
Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast, the journey formally concludes. Depart with a deeper connection to Greece, its landscapes, flavors, and traditions, or choose to extend your stay and continue exploring Thessaloniki at your own pace.
Included: Breakfast
Price is based on a minimum attendance of 4 people.
For this tour please consider taking along the following items on your trip. This is not a fixed list, but more of a guideline, so feel free to add and remove items as you see fit. Greece has a temperate climate. Base your clothing on the “layering system”, if it is hot you can “peel off” layers quickly, if it is cooler and windy you can quickly “dress up”.
