Social Programme

Thessaloniki City Tour

Thessaloniki is undoubtedly the centre not only of northern Greece but of the entire Balkans and one of the oldest cities in Europe and it is also the second- largest city in Greece, after Athens, which is why Greeks often refer it as the country's "co-capital".

In this tour you will visit the following Archaeological sites.

• The Palace of Galerius (300 A.D.) at Navarino Square
• Roman Market and Theatre Ruins standing at the Law Court Square (Dikastiria).
• Roman Baths. North of the church of Agios Dimitrios.
• New Museum of Byzantine Culture.
• Archaeology Museum: Displaying sculpture of the archaic, classical and Roman periods.
• White Tower Museum An exhibition of the history and art of Byzantine Thessaloniki covering the period between 300 and 1430 AD.

Vergina

Vergina, is a village in Imathia, and it has enjoyed worldwide renown in the past few decades, owing to the discovery there of the ancient city of Aigai, the ancient capital of the Macedonian kings, and its cemetery. Of particular note are the tombs of the royal dynasty, most notably King Philip II and a young prince who is identified as Alexander IV, and a cist grave. The royal tombs were discovered in 1977-8 by the archaeologist Manolis Andronikos.

The first thing visitors see is a number of grave stelai that were found in the fill of the tumulus, and three display cases containing artefacts used by ordinary people of Philip’s time, to point up the difference between their life and that of the Macedonian kings.

Kerkini Lake

Lake Kerkini is now one of, if not the, premier birding site in Greece, and, as it is situated along the migratory flyway for migratory birds en route to the Aegean Sea, the Balkan region, the Black Sea, the Hungarian Steppes and beyond it experiences an interesting migration.

In the flat and semi-mountainous area, important hydrobiospheres are developing which are of great international significance and acceptance. The most essential hydrobiosphere is the one in Kerkini Lake. It is a miracle of nature which came about by man's technical intervention on the natural characteristics of Strymon River. The water extent, which varies from time to time from 54 Km2 to 72 Km2, works out to be useful in two ways: as a technical work of great agricultural utility and as a hydrobiosphere for thousands of water fowls.

Mount Athos Cruise

Duration: 10 hours (guided in English)

Khalkidhiki is a peninsula of distinctive shape located roughly in the center of Macedonia, close to Thessaloniki and terminates in three smaller ones.The third one terminates into Mount Athos, while the oldest surviving monastic community in the world, which is known among the Greeks as Holy Mount, occupies the entire peninsula. In the Holy Mount there are 20 monasteries from the Byzantine period, built on a rocky and imposing landscape of inimitable beauty that you can enjoy during the cruise. Even today, approximately 1.200 monks still live there under strict rule, with no women ever allowed to set foot.

Being on board you will have the opportunity to admire from a slight distance the unique Mount Athos with its impressive Byzantine monasteries and be informed by the guide.

On the way back you will have free time at Ouranoupolis. Try the delicious fresh fish in one of the fish taverns of the quaint fishing village or a typical Greek snack.

During the cruise, enjoy the facilities on board. This cruise is the only possibility for women to see Mount Athos!