Foreign invasions and occupations, movements of peoples and ideas, cultural coexistence and interaction are part of the turbulent past of the places we will visit during this two-country experience that will give our guests the opportunity to fully understand what crossroads of culture mean
*Designates UNESCO World Heritage Site
Price: $5,150.00 per person.
Deposit to confirm your reservation: $1,000.00 per person
Duration: 15 days.
Travel: Arrive into Thessaloniki International Airport. Depart from Venice Marco Polo Airport.
Included Services:
- Meet and greet at the Thessaloniki airport.
- Flight from Aktion National Airport to Marco Polo Airport, or ferry from Igoumenitsa to Venice in first class accommodations (day eight alternative itinerary).
- All water transportation in the Venetian Lagoon.
- All road transportation (private coach/van service, and local bus-ferry service from Lido to Chioggia).
- Tram rides from Mestre to Venice and vice versa.
- Accommodations and breakfast at carefully selected hotels.
- One festive meal (wine & beer included).
- Admission tickets to all museums and archaeological/historical sites.
- Tour leader fees.
- Guide/lecturer fees.
Thessaloniki, Hagia Sophia (7th century)
Day One – Thursday, Sept. 14
After an overnight flight, our guests will arrive from the United States at the airport at Thessaloniki on the northeastern coast of Greece. Our first day will be for checking in at the hotel and a chance to relax after the trip, gain a first impression of the city’s downtown, and enjoy the view of the Thermaic Gulf.
Thessaloniki Street – Old Town
Day Two – Friday, Sept. 15
We start our second day in Thessaloniki at the Jewish Museum. Then, will continue the exploration of the city with a tour of its characteristic landmarks: Modiano Market, Yehudi Hamam, Upper Town, Heptapyrgion Fortress, and the beautiful Ladadika District.
White Tower
Day Three – Saturday, Sept. 16
This day is dedicated to the ancient and medieval past of “the Nymph of the Thermaic Gulf.” We will be visiting and exploring archaeological sites, both Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments*, the incredible Byzantine Museum, awarded the Council of Europe's Museum Prize for the year 2005, and the White Tower (15th century).
Day Four – Sunday, Sept. 17
This morning, our group will admire the collections of the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum. After that visit, we reach Pella (archaeological site & museum) and Mt. Vermion; then transfer to the mountain village of Koumaria where we will stay for the evening.
Day Five – Monday, Sept. 18
Our explorations around Koumaria begin with a tour of the nearby city of Veroia (St. Paul’s Tribune, Old Town, Jewish Quarter and synagogue, Byzantine Museum). Then, we visit to the Archaeological Site of Aigai* and St. John the Forerunner Monastery. From there, we return to Koumaria.
Day Six – Tuesday, Sept. 19
Today, we depart Koumaria and reach the village of Metsovo deep into the Pindus Mountains, where we will visit the Tositsa Baron Museum, famous due to its folk art collection, before heading on to Ioannina for the evening.
Ioannina Architecture
Day Seven – Wednesday, Sept. 20
We remain in Ioannina today to visit the Castle and its Byzantine and Silversmithing museums, the Old Synagogue, Lakefront, and Nisaki Island. Today’s tour also include the Dodona Archaeological Site, or the traditional stone built villages of the Zagori district (in case we will be transferred to Igoumenitsa next day).
Day Eight – Thursday, Sept. 21
This morning our group will depart Ioannina for Aktion Airport. After a short flight, we land at Venice Marco Polo Airport. Upon arrival in Venice, the group will transfer to their hotel. We will be visiting the ancient island of Torcello* and then will return to Venice for further explorations.
Alternative Day Eight
Today our group will depart Ioannina for the port of Igoumenitsa on the northwestern coast of Greece. One our way, we will stop at the Dodona Archaeological Site. In the evening, we will be departing Igoumenitsa by ferry and make the crossing to Venice in first class accommodations.
Day Nine – Friday, Sept. 22
Our group will explore the history of Venice from the time of the Byzantine Empire to the end of the Serenissima with special emphasis on St. Mark’s Basilica* and the Doge’s Palace*. Accommodations in Venice Lido.
St. Mark's Basilica, Interior
Day Ten – Saturday, Sept. 23
The explorations today will take us by transfer to the small village of Chioggia, unaffected by mass tourism, at the south end of the Venetian lagoon. After our time there, we will continue to the charming little town of Comacchio and to the incredible city of Ravenna* where we will be staying for the next evening.
Day Eleven – Sunday, Sept. 24
The Basilica of San Vitale and the other Byzantine treasures of Ravenna will be visited today including the church of St. Apolinare in Classe in the outskirts of the city.
Day Twelve – Monday, Sept. 25
We will complete our visit to Ravenna in the morning and then transfer to Bologna where we will visit the Church of Santo Stefano, known as the Seven Churches, the Two Towers, and Piazza Maggiore. We will spend our evening in Bologna.
Santo Stefano Church, Bologna
Day Thirteen – Monday, Sept. 25
We will continue our explorations in northern Italy with a visit to Ferrara*, where we will admire an outstanding range of medieval and Renaissance monuments. Our next destination is Rovigo, widely known for its peculiar octagonal church, La Rotonda (end of the 16th- beginning of the 17th century). Padua is today’s last stop and we stay there for the evening.
Villa Foscari
Day Fourteen – Tuesday, Sept. 26
We will be visiting the amazing city of Padua (Palazzo del Bo, Scrovegni Chapel, Botanical Gardens*). Our tour in the surrounding area will include the Villa Pisani National Museum, and the Villa Foscari-La Malcontenta* designed by Andrea Palladio. Then, we will return to Venice Mestre for our final evening of the tour. Our hotel will be in the borough of Mestre, which is on the mainland from Venice. We can easily take the tram to and from the city, if you wish to return to Venice, proper, for further explorations—we strongly suggest the island of Ghetto.
Day Fifteen – Wednesday, Sept. 27
Our guests will be transferred to the Venice Marco Polo airport for their return flights to the United States.