Greece Experience Mayever: Nature, Culture & Experiences

This immersive 11-day journey through Greece combines breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unique hands-on experiences. From exploring the historic old town of Ioannina and the awe-inspiring Meteora monasteries to hiking the Vikos Gorge and relaxing in the Loutraki thermal springs, each day offers a perfect balance of adventure and tranquility. You'll delve into Greek culinary traditions with cheese-making and cooking classes, uncover Jewish heritage in Ioannina and Veria, and marvel at ancient wonders like Delphi and the Acropolis. The trip also features scenic boat rides, traditional workshops, and opportunities to connect with local culture through wine tastings, dance lessons, and kayaking at Damouchari Beach. With luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and expert guidance throughout, this journey offers an unforgettable exploration of Greece’s past and present.

Day 1: Athens to Ioannina, Lakeside History

Morning: Your journey begins with a short morning flight from Athens to Ioannina, the graceful capital of Epirus. (Most travelers arrive in Athens the evening before. The group flight departs at 10:40 AM and lands at 12:30 PM.)

Afternoon: Step inside the walls of Ioannina's Old Town, where centuries of history are layered into its lanes, including the Romaniote synagogue, home to one of Europe's oldest Jewish communities. Slow down with a lakeside coffee before crossing by boat to the island in Lake Pamvotis, where the story of Ali Pasha comes to life.

Dinner: A refined evening of contemporary Greek cooking.

Stay: Grand Serai Congress & Spa (5★) or similar, Ioannina.

Day 2: Zagori Villages, Vikos Gorge & Stonemasonry

Morning: Head into Zagori, a mountain region of arched stone bridges and slate-roofed villages. In Kipi and Monodendri, quiet paths lead to hidden corners and architecture that has barely changed in centuries.

Afternoon: Hike with a local guide into Vikos Gorge, which holds the record as the world's deepest canyon relative to its width. For those who want more adrenaline, a canyoning excursion is added to the day. Afterward, a master stonemason shares the craft behind Zagori's famous bridges and houses, and you get to try it yourself.

Dinner: A beloved local spot serving honest, traditional Epirote dishes.

Stay: Grand Serai Congress & Spa (5★) or similar, Ioannina.

Day 3: Metsovo Cheesemaking, Prespa Lakes & Kastoria

Morning: Drive through the Pindus mountains to Metsovo, a village of timber balconies and mountain traditions. At a family dairy, roll up your sleeves to learn how the smoky Metsovone cheese is made, then taste the results.

Afternoon: Continue to the remote Prespa Lakes, where a calm boat ride brings you to a lakeside monastery adorned with centuries-old frescoes. By late afternoon you'll reach Kastoria, a lake town shaped by Byzantine churches and a long history in the fur trade.

Dinner: A traditional taverna tucked into Kastoria's old quarter.

Stay: Esperos Palace Hotel & Spa (4★) or similar, Kastoria.

Day 4: Edessa Waterfalls, Pozar Thermal Baths & Wine Country

Morning: Start with an easy walk along Kastoria's lakefront, then travel to Edessa, where waterfalls plunge dramatically through the heart of the town.

Afternoon: Soak in the naturally warm waters of the Pozar Thermal Baths, known for their restorative properties. Guests can extend the experience with a massage or wellness treatment. Nearby, a local winery welcomes you for a tasting and an introduction to the grapes and growers of Macedonia. Then it's on to Thessaloniki, northern Greece's lively cultural capital.

Dinner: A spread of classic Greek meze.

Stay: Superior One Boutique Hotel (5★) or similar, Thessaloniki.

Day 5: Vergina, Veria & a Greek Dance Lesson

Morning: At Vergina, descend into the Royal Tombs and stand before the treasures of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.

Afternoon: In nearby Veria, visit the restored synagogue and hear personal stories of the city's Jewish community. Back in Thessaloniki, a local instructor leads a lively folk dance workshop, teaching steps like the syrtaki and kalamatianos.

Dinner: A grill-house taverna with live Greek music.

Stay: Superior One Boutique Hotel (5★) or similar, Thessaloniki.

Day 6: Thessaloniki, A City Day

Morning: Climb the White Tower for sweeping views over the waterfront and the Thermaic Gulf, then stroll Aristotelous Square, alive with cafés, buskers and local artists.

Afternoon: Visit the Rotunda, a fourth-century Roman monument that has served as mausoleum, church and mosque. Wander up to Ano Poli, the Upper Town, where Ottoman-era houses and Byzantine walls frame the city below. End at the Monastirioton Synagogue to learn about Thessaloniki's remarkable Jewish heritage.

Dinner: Fresh fish and seafood at a traditional Greek restaurant.

Stay: Superior One Boutique Hotel (5★) or similar, Thessaloniki.

Day 7: Ancient Dion, Mount Olympus & Kalambaka

Morning: Explore Dion, the sacred city of Zeus at the foot of Olympus, walking among the Sanctuary of Demeter and the ancient theater.

Afternoon: Take in the scale of Mount Olympus, home of the gods, from viewpoints over its valleys. Continue to Kalambaka, beneath the towering rocks of Meteora.

Dinner: A taverna pairing hearty Greek cooking with spectacular views.

Stay: Divani Meteora Hotel (5★) or similar, Kalambaka.

Day 8: Meteora Monasteries & the Pelion Peninsula

Morning: Visit the monasteries of Meteora, built on sheer sandstone pillars, and learn how monks have lived and prayed here for centuries.

Afternoon: Travel to the Pelion Peninsula. Meander through Portaria and Makrinitsa, mountain villages of stone mansions and flower-filled lanes, and pause for coffee overlooking the sea.

Dinner: At the Krista Hotel restaurant.

Stay: Archontiko Naoumidi Hotel (5★) or similar, Pelion.

Day 9: Pelion Villages & Kayaking at Damouchari

Morning: Return to Makrinitsa, nicknamed the "Balcony of Pelion," for its views across the Pagasetic Gulf. Visit the Church of Agios Nikolaos and wander the cobbled streets, then continue to Tsagarada to see its ancient plane tree and the Church of Agia Paraskevi.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at Damouchari, a small cove of clear turquoise water. Explore the coastline by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or simply relax on the beach.

Dinner: Seaside seafood at a taverna in Tsagarada.

Stay: Archontiko Naoumidi Hotel (5★) or similar, Pelion.

Day 10: Delphi, Athens & a Cooking Class

Morning: Journey to Delphi, once considered the center of the ancient world. Walk the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo and the theater, with Mount Parnassus rising above.

Afternoon: Arrive in Athens and check in at the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne, with views toward the Acropolis. Spend time in Plaka's winding streets and boutiques. In the evening, join a hands-on cooking class to learn a Greek classic such as moussaka or souvlaki.

Dinner: Enjoy the meal you've prepared together.

Stay: Hotel Grande Bretagne (5★) or similar, Athens.

Day 11: The Acropolis & Farewell

Morning: Climb to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon up close, then continue to the Acropolis Museum.

Afternoon: Walk through the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus, then the Roman Agora and its Tower of the Winds. The rest of the day is free to explore or unwind before your flight home.