Logo
Specialist Journeys brings together
Andante Travels and Brightwater Holidays
British Travel Awards 2023 - Best Company for UK Coach/Touring Holidays
United States
United Kingdom United States
Order a brochure Contact us FAQs
Menu

Contact us on 1-800-759-7715

Contact us on 1-800-759-7715

Macedonia

Macedonia

8 days from $5,580

Departing: April 2027 - September 2027

The glories of northern Greece.

This tour of Northern Greece is full of fantastic archaeological sites, marked over the centuries by a cornucopia of peoples and cultures, from the Macedonians and Thracians to the Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and Ottomans. We follow in the footsteps of conquerors and travel through landscapes dotted with canyons, lakes, waterfalls and rivers in an area thick with history. We discover famous sanctuaries and monuments to victory, palaces, painted tombs and exquisite pebble mosaics which survive at the Macedonian cities of Verghina and Pella. We journey from the beautiful lakeside town of Kastoria, a town largely undiscovered by tourists, to Thessaloniki, a city whose historical importance and legacy rivals that of Constantinople.

Included

  • Explore the Tomb of Philip II & Aigos Orestiko Archaeological Museum, with entrance fees included
  • All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
  • Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager
  • 2 nights at the Orologopoulos Mansion, Kastoria, 1 night at the Varosi 4 Seasons, Edessa & 4 nights at the Vanoro Hotel, Thessaloniki 
  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners 
  • Wine & tea or coffee with dinner
  • Private air-conditioned coach travel
  • Field notes, taxes & gratuities for local staff

Highlights

  • Admire the remarkable frescoes which decorate the Byzantine churches of Kastoria
  • Discover the waterfalls at Edessa, a city defined by water
  • Enjoy the richest ancient burial ever found in Europe – the tomb of Philip II – and its extraordinary museum
  • Explore ancient Pella, the capital of Macedonia and the birthplace of Alexander the Great

Oliver Gilkes

Oliver is a consulting archaeologist and specialist in Albanian archaeology. With over 10 years’ fieldwork in Italy, he has excavated at sites including Pompeii and San Vincenzo al Volturno, and directed excavations at Albania’s World Heritage Sites of Butrint and Gjirokastra.

Tour Itinerary

Arrive into Kastoria, a beautiful lakeside town, and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Orologopoulou Mansion, Kastoria

Day 1 Macedonia
view fullscreen

Aside from its picturesque charms, extraordinarily Kastoria boasts more than 70 Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches dating from the 9th to the 16th centuries scattered around the town. Many are sadly in poor state of repair but distinguished by the frescoes which decorate them. The quality of the artwork is astonishing, and we visit a small selection at Agios Stephanos, Taxiarchis Oikonomou and Archangel Michael, each concealing something unique behind their intricate brickwork. Later, we explore Dispilio, the site of a large neolithic settlement that once stood on stilts in the lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Orologopoulou Mansion, Kastoria

Day 2 Macedonia
view fullscreen

Before we leave the region, we visit Aigos Orestiko Archaeological Museum, which displays important finds from excavations in the region. Afterwards, we continue to Edessa, a city defined by the water which flows into it from the Pindus Mountains to the west. The waterfalls of Edessa are a striking natural wonder, noted from the Roman Empire to the travel writing of Edward Lear. We admire their thundering beauty before following the road over the Ottoman bridge that carried the Via Egnatia across the river and explore the remnants of the ancient city. Later, we continue to Mezia and visit the Nymphaeum where Aristotle instructed the pupils of the Macedonian elite, Alexander the Great among them, in political discourse and philosophy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Varosi 4 Seasons, Edessa

Day 3 Macedonia
view fullscreen

Today is dedicated to Verghina (ancient Aigai), the capital of the Macedonian kingdom before its move to Pella in the 4th century BCE. We see the remarkable painted tombs, displayed in the excellent site Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai under the recreated mound which originally covered the burials. We also visit the newly opened Palace of Aigai, once one of the largest buildings in Classical Greece, as well as the new Polycentric Museum of Aigai. After our site visit, we continue to Thessaloniki for our first night in this fascinating city.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Vanoro Hotel, Thessaloniki

Day 4 Macedonia
view fullscreen

Our first visit today is to Pella, where we explore Macedonia’s administrative capital and the birthplace of both Philip II and Alexander the Great. We see the monumental agora and the exceptional mosaics now on display in the museum. These extraordinary mosaics were made mostly of carefully selected natural pebbles with occasional use of artificial tesserae, terracotta and of strips of lead; the eyes were inlaid with precious stones that have not survived. In the afternoon, we return to Thessalolinki visit the Archaeological Museum with extraordinary finds from the city and its region, including the stunning Derveni bronze crater.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Vanoro Hotel, Thessaloniki

Day 5 Pella
view fullscreen

We travel south, following the curve of the coastline to Dion at the foot of Mount Olympus, the religious capital of Macedonia. An evocative site with a magical setting, it is surrounded by trees in which nightingales sing and is crisscrossed with a labyrinth of springs and streams. It is here that both Philip II and Alexander used to celebrate their victories at by holding Olympic Games and magnificent receptions, and where Alexander conducted sacrifices before his campaign into Asia in 334 BCE. We also visit the small Archaeological Museum nearby.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Vanoro Hotel, Thessaloniki

Day 6 Macedonia
view fullscreen

Today is devoted to Thessaloniki, founded by King Cassander as a new capital city. We explore the city on foot, taking in the Agora and Roman forum before heading to the Late Roman palace complex of Galerius to view the Rotunda and the Triumphal Arch of the emperor. We take a short walk along the promenade to see the White Tower, before stopping for lunch nearby. In the afternoon, we pay a visit to two of the city’s oldest churches, Aghios Dimitrios and Aghia Sophia, before we head to the Byzantine, UNESCO World Heritage Walls of Thessaloniki, or Kastra as they are known to those that live in the city. Over half of these fortifications, which once protected the city, are still standing today. Afterwards, a visit to the adjacent and equally superb Byzantine Museum completes our survey of the archaeology of the region.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Vanoro Hotel, Thessaloniki

Day 7 Macedonia
view fullscreen

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Macedonia
view fullscreen

Accommodation

Orologopoulou Mansion, located in the picturesque city of Kastoria, is a historic gem that reflects the region's rich cultural heritage. As one of the oldest buildings in the district, this mansion stands as a testament to the grandeur of traditional Macedonian architecture, with its intricate woodwork, stone foundations and elegantly designed interiors. You can also expect an outdoor café, free Wi-Fi throughout and comfortable guestrooms with a safe, air-conditioning, hairdryer, mini-bar and complimentary toiletries.

Founded in 316 and named after the half-sister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki was a port city of importance to several great Empires. It was a vital commercial and military station on the Via Egnatia; the second city of the Byzantine Empire; a sanctuary for a large number of Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in the 15th century and the birthplace of Attaturk. It is no wonder that it has been a melting pot of different cultures and has an off-beat charm unlike any other city in Greece. We are based at the Hotel Vanoro, a contemporary hotel created following the renovation of a 1930s building (formerly the HQ for a tobacco company) typical of the Art Deco architectural style. This 45 room establishment offers accommodation equipped with air conditioning, hair dryers, mini bar and flatscreen TV. There is free WiFi throughout.

In prehistory, the city of Edessa was located on a low flat plain between Mounts Voras and Vermion, with the acropolis situated on the rocky bluff which dominates the site. The bluff is also the cause of the wonderful series of waterfalls which cascade over the edge providing a very visible backdrop to the ruins below. The modern town of Edessa itself is pleasant, with streets and boulevards lined with plane trees and, towards the edge of the bluff, bisected by streams of water that run through the shady parks. These streams were all canalised from the later middle ages to power water mills and also an extensive hemp mill which has been partly restored on the terraces of the bluff. Accommodation in town is mostly divided amongst a selection of small guesthouses created from traditional stone and timber buildings typical of this mountainous region. The Varosi Four Seasons and the Varosi Guesthouse next door are two such properties owned by the same family in the old part of town. Décor and furnishing is homely combined with modern comforts. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, flatscreen TV, free WiFi and hairdryer.

Close close

Availability & Booking

2027

13th April from $5,580

Call to Book

16th September from $5,580

Call to Book

from $5,580

[
  {
    "ItineraryId": 0,
    "ItemOrder": 0,
    "Title": "Macedonia",
    "StrapLine1": "",
    "StrapLine2": "",
    "BodyText": "
The glories of northern Greece.
\n
This tour of Northern Greece is full of fantastic archaeological sites, marked over the centuries by a cornucopia of peoples and cultures, from the Macedonians and Thracians to the Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and Ottomans. We follow in the footsteps of conquerors and travel through landscapes dotted with canyons, lakes, waterfalls and rivers in an area thick with history. We discover famous sanctuaries and monuments to victory, palaces, painted tombs and exquisite pebble mosaics which survive at the Macedonian cities of Verghina and Pella. We journey from the beautiful lakeside town of Kastoria, a town largely undiscovered by tourists, to Thessaloniki, a city whose historical importance and legacy rivals that of Constantinople.
",
    "BigImage1": "",
    "SmallImage1": "",
    "ItemTypeId": 1,
    "ItinItemTemplateId": 6721,
    "Images": [],
    "Version": "",
    "Year": "2027",
    "CreatedById": 75,
    "CreatedByName": "RebeccaA",
    "CreatedDate": "2026-09-03T16:08:55.683",
    "ModifiedById": 0,
    "ModifiedByName": null,
    "ModifiedDate": "2026-09-17T14:59:56.587",
    "Id": 68776
  }
]
{
  "TourId": 195652,
  "TourRef": "TMCD270413",
  "ItineraryId": 11036,
  "DepartureNo": 1,
  "Title": "Macedonia",
  "TourType": "I",
  "StartDate": "2027-04-13T00:00:00",
  "EndDate": "0001-01-01T00:00:00",
  "Duration": 8,
  "MaxPax": 80,
  "Available": 18,
  "AdultFare": 5580.00,
  "OAPFare": 5580.00,
  "ChildFare": 5580.00,
  "SingleSupplement": 760.00,
  "Hotel": "Orologopoulos/Kastoria",
  "Area": "_SIGN_AR_ACW_GRE_EUR_LI_",
  "Guaranteed": false,
  "Status": "",
  "CatalogueId": 1,
  "RouteNumber": 0,
  "RoutePointsList": "",
  "RoutePointsListExtended": "",
  "RoutePointsListExtendedT3": "",
  "CompanyId": 0,
  "OutwardHubId": 0,
  "OutwardHubId2": 0,
  "ReturnHubId": 0,
  "ReturnHubId2": 0,
  "T3PickupPoints": null,
  "Hotels": [
    {
      "Id": "30808165",
      "Name": "Orologopoulos/Kastoria",
      "BoardBasisCode": null,
      "BoardBasisDescription": null,
      "Rooms": [
        {
          "Type": "DOUBLE S/O",
          "Available": 6,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 1,
          "Supplement": 760.0,
          "AdultPrice": 5580.0,
          "ChildPrice": 5580.0,
          "OAPPrice": 5580.0,
          "Description": "Double for Sole Occupancy",
          "Id": 127314148
        },
        {
          "Type": "DOUBLE SWS",
          "Available": 0,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 1,
          "Supplement": 0.0,
          "AdultPrice": 5580.0,
          "ChildPrice": 5580.0,
          "OAPPrice": 5580.0,
          "Description": "Double for Sole Occupancy without Supplement",
          "Id": 127314149
        },
        {
          "Type": "DOUBLE",
          "Available": 3,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 2,
          "Supplement": 0.0,
          "AdultPrice": 5580.0,
          "ChildPrice": 5580.0,
          "OAPPrice": 5580.0,
          "Description": "Double Room",
          "Id": 127314150
        },
        {
          "Type": "TWIN",
          "Available": 3,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 2,
          "Supplement": 0.0,
          "AdultPrice": 5580.0,
          "ChildPrice": 5580.0,
          "OAPPrice": 5580.0,
          "Description": "Twin Room",
          "Id": 127314151
        }
      ],
      "Facilities": null
    }
  ],
  "Routes": [],
  "Discounts": [],
  "DiscountPercentage": 0.0,
  "DiscountType": 0,
  "DiscountValue": 0.00,
  "WebDisplayPrice": "$5,580.00",
  "SavingAmount": "-",
  "CanAgentHaveDiscount": false,
  "AgentRequiresAddress": false,
  "SelfDrive": false,
  "PromoCode": "",
  "T3PickupPointList": [],
  "DepositAmount": 1200.00,
  "DepositExpiry": "2027-01-05T00:00:00",
  "WebAreas": [
    {
      "FilterId": 50,
      "Name": "Signature",
      "Value": "SIGN",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 3,
      "Name": "Archaeology",
      "Value": "AR",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "#000000",
      "ParentCategory": "COLLECT",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 2,
      "Name": "Ancient & Classic World",
      "Value": "ACW",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "#000000",
      "ParentCategory": "COLLECT",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 24,
      "Name": "Greece",
      "Value": "GRE",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "DEST",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 15,
      "Name": "Europe",
      "Value": "EUR",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 32,
      "Name": "Light",
      "Value": "LI",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "",
      "ChildCategories": []
    }
  ]
}
{
  "TourId": 195653,
  "TourRef": "TMCD270916",
  "ItineraryId": 11036,
  "DepartureNo": 1,
  "Title": "Macedonia",
  "TourType": "I",
  "StartDate": "2027-09-16T00:00:00",
  "EndDate": "0001-01-01T00:00:00",
  "Duration": 8,
  "MaxPax": 80,
  "Available": 18,
  "AdultFare": 5580.00,
  "OAPFare": 5580.00,
  "ChildFare": 5580.00,
  "SingleSupplement": 760.00,
  "Hotel": "Orologopoulos/Kastoria",
  "Area": "_SIGN_AR_ACW_GRE_EUR_LI_",
  "Guaranteed": false,
  "Status": "",
  "CatalogueId": 1,
  "RouteNumber": 0,
  "RoutePointsList": "",
  "RoutePointsListExtended": "",
  "RoutePointsListExtendedT3": "",
  "CompanyId": 0,
  "OutwardHubId": 0,
  "OutwardHubId2": 0,
  "ReturnHubId": 0,
  "ReturnHubId2": 0,
  "T3PickupPoints": null,
  "Hotels": [
    {
      "Id": "30808166",
      "Name": "Orologopoulos/Kastoria",
      "BoardBasisCode": null,
      "BoardBasisDescription": null,
      "Rooms": [
        {
          "Type": "DOUBLE S/O",
          "Available": 6,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 1,
          "Supplement": 760.0,
          "AdultPrice": 5580.0,
          "ChildPrice": 5580.0,
          "OAPPrice": 5580.0,
          "Description": "Double for Sole Occupancy",
          "Id": 127314152
        },
        {
          "Type": "DOUBLE SWS",
          "Available": 0,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 1,
          "Supplement": 0.0,
          "AdultPrice": 5580.0,
          "ChildPrice": 5580.0,
          "OAPPrice": 5580.0,
          "Description": "Double for Sole Occupancy without Supplement",
          "Id": 127314153
        },
        {
          "Type": "DOUBLE",
          "Available": 3,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 2,
          "Supplement": 0.0,
          "AdultPrice": 5580.0,
          "ChildPrice": 5580.0,
          "OAPPrice": 5580.0,
          "Description": "Double Room",
          "Id": 127314154
        },
        {
          "Type": "TWIN",
          "Available": 3,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 2,
          "Supplement": 0.0,
          "AdultPrice": 5580.0,
          "ChildPrice": 5580.0,
          "OAPPrice": 5580.0,
          "Description": "Twin Room",
          "Id": 127314155
        }
      ],
      "Facilities": null
    }
  ],
  "Routes": [],
  "Discounts": [],
  "DiscountPercentage": 0.0,
  "DiscountType": 0,
  "DiscountValue": 0.00,
  "WebDisplayPrice": "$5,580.00",
  "SavingAmount": "-",
  "CanAgentHaveDiscount": false,
  "AgentRequiresAddress": false,
  "SelfDrive": false,
  "PromoCode": "",
  "T3PickupPointList": [],
  "DepositAmount": 1200.00,
  "DepositExpiry": "2027-06-10T00:00:00",
  "WebAreas": [
    {
      "FilterId": 50,
      "Name": "Signature",
      "Value": "SIGN",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 3,
      "Name": "Archaeology",
      "Value": "AR",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "#000000",
      "ParentCategory": "COLLECT",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 2,
      "Name": "Ancient & Classic World",
      "Value": "ACW",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "#000000",
      "ParentCategory": "COLLECT",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 24,
      "Name": "Greece",
      "Value": "GRE",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "DEST",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 15,
      "Name": "Europe",
      "Value": "EUR",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 32,
      "Name": "Light",
      "Value": "LI",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "",
      "ChildCategories": []
    }
  ]
}

Cookies

This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to the use of all cookies. You can withdraw consent at any time. Learn more.

Accept Only Essential Cookies Reject All Non-Essential Cookies Accept All