Departure from the USA with an overnight flight to Thessaloniki. Airfare is not included in the price. Celestial Voyagers is here to help choose the routing and the schedule.
You may choose to leave earlier, let us know if you need additional nights at the hotel.
ARRIVAL IN THESSALONIKI
Meet Alex, our Greek English speaking guide who will be with us throughout the tour.
Individual transfer on arrival to reach the hotel is not included.
Check-in at the hotel for 3 nights.
Transfers and dinner at the excellent seafood restaurant facing the sea: MAVRI THALASSA.
Beverages are included.
GOURMET MARKETS & COOKING CLASS
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
Foodies Tour of Thessaloniki: Departure with our chef/culinary expert SMARAGDA MAKRI. Smaragda is a passionate cook who studied at École Ritz Escoffier; she’ll take us towards the master of BOUGATSA, the traditional desert of Thessaloniki. She will show us a demonstration on how the air Filo is opened in the traditional way. Afterwards we’ll go to the city center, walk through Modiano market and 2 other food markets, then stop at OUZERI for lunch.
Tasting spots during the tour:
Return walking to the hotel escorted by Alex Randan
In the evening, walk from the hotel towards the cooking-lab where we will have our private cooking class and dinner.
Overnight in THESSALONIKI
Breakfast at your hotel
Full day guided city tour to learn about the interesting Jewish Heritage history and an important history of the Holocaust of the Jews of Thessaloniki
We’ll visit the major Jewish sites: Jewish Museum, the main synagogue (Monastirioton), the Yad Lezikaron synagogue in the heart of the former Jewish quarter, the Yahudi Hamam, the Bank Allatini In the area of Frangon which was the heart of commercial life in the past
We’ll walk through the historical city center and see the Shoah monument.
Free time for lunch at a local tavern
In the afternoon we’ll go to the old train station where deportation to Auschwitz and Birkenau took place; then we’ll drive to the wealthy area where rich Jewish families built magnificent villas in the pre-war period. We’ll pass The “Yeni Cami” which used to be a mosque built for the converted Jews, the Old City Walls, the University campus and the recently inaugurated monument to the destroyed ancient Jewish cemetery which had over 350,000 tombs.
Dinner at a local tavern and overnight in THESSALONIKI
TRUFFLE HUNT ACTIVITY, COOKING IN THE FOREST & METEORA MONASTERIES
Breakfast at the hotel and morning drive of approximately 3 hours to reach Kalambaka where in the surrounding forest we will start our truffle hunt with the help of an awarded trained dog then enjoy a pasta lunch cooked with truffles and mushrooms.
In the afternoon, visit two of the most famous monasteries of Meteora; a UNESCO listed World Site where monks have built their monasteries on eroded rocks. Twenty-four of these monasteries were built during the 15th century despite incredible difficulties to access.
Check-in for one night and buffet dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in KALAMBAKA
Breakfast at your hotel and check-out.
Departure towards Delphi with a stop at the village of Livadi (approximately 3h30 drive)
Arriving in this village we’ll visit a local farm and experience the local bucolic life of the shepherds. We’ll have a “Shepherd’s Picnic ” tasting the traditional fillo local herb pie, local cheese, salad. We’ll also try Tsipouro; it’s believed that this liqueur originated in the 14th century in Mount Athos before spreading to the rest of Greece.
In the afternoon, our local guide will show us the archeological site and museum of Delphi.
Check-in at our hotel for one night
Transfer and dinner in a local tavern of the picturesque village of Arakova. (Drinks are included)
Overnight in Delphi
VISIT ATHENS, THE ACROPOLIS & PLAKA
Morning drive after breakfast to Athens (approximately 2 ½ hours)
Check-in for 4 nights at the FRESH HOTEL upon arrival.
Free time for lunch before having a guided panoramic tour of Athens: to see the highlights of the capital and making a photo stop at the Panathenaic Stadium.
We continue our guided tour in the afternoon
Return to the hotel walking along the historical center of Plaka.
After a little rest, we’ll walk towards Monastiraki and the area of Psiri to have dinner at a local tavern in the city center. (Drinks are included)
Return to the hotel on foot.
VARVAKEION MARKET & ATHENS FOODIES TOUR
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel before leaving for a taste Athens Food Walking Tour
During this alternative food tour we will experience and visit the following locations:
Lunch will follow at an amazing place next to the market.
Free time in the afternoon for shopping or visiting local museums such as the National Archeological Museum of the Museum of Cycladic Art.
Evening and dinner at leisure.
Full day excursion by coach to Peloponnese with Alex.
We’ll visit the olive oil domain of MARKELL0S in Corinth and enjoy an advanced Olive oil tour and tasting including a virtual reality presentation of the harvest. Four generations of family tradition allows to produce one of the best extra virgin olive oils in the country, as it has received various awards. Walk around the old olive groves where the great grandfather of Dimity, the present owner, planted the first olive tree on the ancient Solygeia soils where a sacred olive tree has survived through centuries.
Proceed to SKOURAS WINERY in Nemea region. Tour the winery on arrival, then enjoy a cooking class in the domain with CHEF COSTAS PAPASTAMATIS.
Here are some of the dishes you will prepare and share for your lunch:
Lunch will be accompanied with wine pairing:
Salto for the salad
Pepio for the appetizer
Megas Oenos for the main course
Titanas as a dessert wine
Return to Athens, free evening, dinner on your own.
AEGINA ISLAND – PISTACHIO FACTORY – FAREWELL DINNER
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel and transfer by coach to Piraeus Port escorted by your host Alex Randan
Crossing by normal ferry towards the island of Aegina
Arrival in Aegina and transfer toward the temple of Aphaia: visit the site.
Visit to a pistachio factory to taste the local products of the island and return to the city center of the island after the visits
Free time for lunch on your own, swimming or shopping before our return towards Piraeus and Athens.
Return with flying dolphin towards Piraeus and transfer on arrival towards the hotel
Back on the bus in the evening to go to our farewell Gala Dinner at the awarded restaurant ALERIA. Aleria opened its doors in 2006 in the Metaxourgeio neighborhood, located in the heart of Athens. Owner, Nikiforos Kechagiadakis, discovered this neoclassical gem of the 19th century and immediately felt that this was the ideal place to house Aleria, a place where the comforting feeling of home would meet a sophisticated fine dining atmosphere, where guests would relax and enjoy a unique gourmet experience.
Return to the hotel by coach and overnight in Athens.
Breakfast at your hotel and check-out.
According to the departure time, we can arrange your transfer to the airport in accordance to your flight schedule.
End of our services
All passports must expire at least six months after the trip’s end date.
CITY HOTEL 4* (3 nights) or similar
City Hotel is located in the center of Thessaloniki, 164 feet from Aristotelous Square and offers a restaurant-bar. The soundproofed rooms are classically furnished and feature wooden floors. Each is equipped with air conditioning and heating, and includes a comfortable arm chair. Guests benefit from free Wi-Fi access in all hotel areas.
KALAMBAKA
GRAND METEORA 5* (1 night) or similar
Hotel is located at the foot of Meteora, in the heart of the Thessaly plain. It is the most imposing and impressing accommodation in the area, next to the picturesque village of Kastraki, and only 3 kilometers away from the historic center of Kalambaka.
DELPHI
HOTEL PARNASSOS 3* (1 night) or similar
Hotel is a family-run hotel situated in the heart of the city of Delphi. Built in modern style, it is within easy walking distance of the Archaeological Museum and sights, 300 meters from Delphi intercity bus station and 100 meters from the taxi station. Free wi-fi throughout. Each room or suite is equipped with satellite Led-TV, individually controlled heating, air conditioning, refrigerator etc. The intimacy of the decor and its warmth will invade you as soon as you arrive in this authentic building. The well known Epikouros Restaurant serves a variety of fine Greek and Mediterranean dishes. The hotel also features stylish lounges and an elegant bar.
ATHENS (3 nights)
HOTEL FRESH 4* or similar
Staying Fresh is more than a tagline, it’s our hospitality ethos which is why we’re constantly thinking of ways, both big and small, to refresh the guest experience, and 2023 marks a big one!
Underpinned by the unveiling of our new extension, a Neoclassical mansion imaginatively renovated by acclaimed designer Paola Navone’s OTTO STUDIO, our refreshed hospitality offering includes revamped interiors, brand-new suites, a cool new graphic identity, and a range of fresh amenities and services.
This itinerary is subject to possible changes or adjustments due to weather and traffic conditions or other unpredictable events. We will make every effort to ensure that any substitutions are of equal value and interest.
This trip is offered by Aliza Green Culinary & Cultural Tours
www.alizagreen.com, spice@alizagreen.com
Reservations are made through Celestial Voyagers
Aliza Green is a renowned chef, an award-winning author of 15 cookbooks, and a certified tour director who is experienced in planning and leading international culinary tours. She loves to share her deep culinary knowledge, her fascinating stories, and kitchen tips and tricks gained from her extensive experience in the kitchen.
Package Price $6,795 per person, sharing a double room
Single supplement: $930
Final payment due: Friday, June 21, 2024
| This trip is a land only program. Your airline ticket is to be issued to travel from the USA to Thessaloniki, returning from Athens. Celestial Voyagers is an IATA licensed tour operator. We will be able to advise the best schedule, the most convenient routing and best value for your ticket to Greece. Please contact us before booking your flights. Should you choose to purchase your airline ticket on your own, provide us with a copy of your schedule. Celestial Voyagers can also assist you with providing a private car or taxi on arrival and departure |
Celestial Voyager’s Terms and Conditions relate to specific contracts with various suppliers. The policies and regulations below must be strictly enforced.
Aliza Cultural & Culinary Tours, Celestial Voyagers, and all their partners in Greece will surpass your expectations and deliver a trip of superior quality.
We may adjust the program, but we will commit to creating the best possible program for guests with safety, comfort, and ease our top priorities.
DEPOSIT & PAYMENTS
A deposit of $750 is paid on line at time of registration and will guarantee your space and the type of room you wish to reserve. We do recommend registering as soon as possible.
Final payment is due by Friday, June 21, 2024.
Should you register after Friday, June 21, 2024, full payment is due; deposit can be paid on line and the balance due should follow as soon as you receive your invoice.
CANCELLATION BY THE PARTICIPANT:
Your deposit is refundable up to Friday, June 7, 2024 minus $350 processing fee.
For cancellation received in writing between Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 23, 2024, the deposit is non refundable.
For cancellation received in writing between Monday, June 4, 2024 and Sunday, July 7, 2024, the penalty is 50 % of the trip value.
For cancellation received in writing after Sunday, July 7, 2024 and in case of no show the penalty is 100% of the trip value.
Should you be able to provide a new participant to take your place the name change fee will be waived and no penalty will apply.
We highly recommend taking travel insurance to protect yourself from these penalties.
CANCELLATION BY TOUR OPERATOR:
All trips will operate with a minimum of 6 participants. We do recommend whenever you can to register early.
If by Friday, June 21, 2024, the minimum number of participants has not been reached the trip will be postponed and you will receive a full refund
We advise all travelers to purchase travel insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances and if you are no longer able to travel. We offer the following insurance policies through Allianz Travel Insurance: Basic, Classic, and Classic with “Cancel anytime” Prices vary with age and amount insured.
Click on the link below for more details or call Marriam at 646-525-8777 for assistance and more information.
https://celestialvoyagers.com/leisure/leisure-insurance-passports-visas/
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Most countries require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires before March 16, 2025, you must apply to renew your passport. If you are not a US citizen please check with the consulate of Greece or a visa agency for the latest requirements. You will also need a re-entry permit to return to the USA.
Aliza Green is a renowned chef, an award-winning author of 15 cookbooks, and a certified tour director who is experienced in planning and leading international culinary tours. She loves to share her deep culinary knowledge, her fascinating stories, and kitchen tips and tricks gained from her extensive experience in the kitchen.