Greek Odyssey

Explore the blend of ancient history and exciting modern life in Thessaloníki. Drive by motor coach to the iconic White Tower and head on foot to the Archaeological Museum, where you will learn about the city’s past through exhibitions that explore the prehistoric, Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods. After, continue by coach to the International Trade Fair and Aristotle University of Thessaloníki, the largest in Greece, and onward to the ancient Acropolis for sweeping views of the city and the Thermaic Gulf. Next, head to the Church of St. Demetrios—this imposing 5th-century Byzantine structure was built to honor the Christian martyr and patron saint of Thessaloníki. Gaze upon its beautifully restored frescoes and visit the crypt where, according to legend, Demetrios was imprisoned, then return to your ship along the bustling Egnatia Road.

Delve into the history of ancient Macedonia and visit the tomb of King Philip II. Monarch of the northern Greek kingdom from 359 to 336 BC, Philip unified the Greek city-states under his rule, thus setting the stage for his famous son Alexander the Great. Upon arrival at the town of Vergina, you will visit the royal tombs, the most important of which is that of Philip II. During a guided tour of the Museum of the Royal Tombs, you will see an informative exhibition of the artifacts that have been excavated nearby. Listen to your guide explain the funeral rituals of Macedonian kings, which included washing the body with wine and wrapping it in purple cloth. Admire the painting of Philip II and Alexander the Great on a hunting trip and see Philip’s most important possessions, including ivory-plated and gold-covered armor.

Learn about the ancient gods of Greek mythology during a visit to the Archaeological Park of Dion. This village became a religious center during the Hellenistic period due to its proximity to the home of the ancient Greek gods—Mt. Olympus, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2026. Drive by motor coach to the Archaeological Park of Dion, where you will see temples dedicated to Zeus, Demeter and Isis—an Egyptian goddess and favorite of Alexander the Great. View the two amphitheaters built during the Hellenistic and Roman periods and discover the Villa Dionysus, named after a mosaic depicting the Greek god of wine and fertility. Continue your drive to Litochoro, where you will take a short walk before enjoying a three-course lunch at a local restaurant against the scenic backdrop of Mt. Olympus. After, return to your awaiting ship.

Glimpse the wealth of the former kingdom of Macedonia at the site of its ancient capital, Pella. The heart of Macedonia during the time of Alexander the Great, Pella became the de facto capital of Greece during the Hellenistic period. Begin with a drive by motor coach through the scenic Greek plains to the Archaeological Museum of Pella. Gaze upon the remains of the ancient agora and step inside the museum to explore its informative collection of pottery, jewelry and mosaics. You will also see an example of early urban planning in the grid-like layout of this ancient city. View colonnades and artworks depicting scenes from Greek mythology and the military glories of Macedonian kings. Next, drive to the clifftop town of Edessa. See where the Edessaios River forms an impressive waterfall and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your ship.

See the highlights of Thessaloníki and visit the mysterious royal tombs of Vergina. Take a panoramic tour of Thessaloníki’s vibrant waterfront and arrive at the Archaeological Museum. Learn about Macedonia’s fascinating history via an interesting collection of artifacts from prehistoric times as well as the Archaic, Classic and Hellenistic periods of ancient Greece. Marvel at the wealth of ancient Macedonians while perusing the “Gold of Macedon” exhibit, dedicated to artifacts made of precious metals. After, board your motor coach for a scenic drive to Vergina. Explore the royal tombs of Macedonian kings, the greatest of which is that of Philip II, hegemon of Greece and father of Alexander the Great. Visit the informative museum, admire the painting depicting Philip II, Alexander the Great and their friends on a hunting excursion and learn about ancient Macedonian burial rituals. Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your ship.

Learn about the history of one of the most important and prosperous Jewish communities in Europe. After the 1492 issuance of the Alhambra Decree, a large community of Sephardic Jews immigrated to Thessaloníki and built one of the largest Jewish communities on Earth, which remained so until World War II. Travel by motor coach and pass by Liberty Square, where Nazi occupiers ordered the registration and deportation of all adult Jewish men. Continue past monumental villas built by Jewish merchant families, including the neobaroque Villa Allatini and the neoclassical Villa Mordoch. Stop at the Hippocrates Hospital, built by the Jewish community in 1907 and featuring a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Drive back to the city center to visit the Jewish Quarter and the Monastir Synagogue. After a visit to the Jewish Museum, return on foot to your awaiting ship.

Discover the authentic flavors of Thessaloníki during a series of tastings and a guided walk through the city. Designated as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Thessaloníki has long been celebrated for its vibrant food culture, which features Balkan, Ottoman and Mediterranean influences. Set out on foot with your guide for a local store, where you will sample olive oil, cheese and honey, before visiting a nearby food market to learn about the significance of herbs in Greek cooking. Continue to Aristotelous Square for a taste of bougatsa, a flaky pastry that may be sweet or savory, accompanied by coffee. Indulge in a family-style selection of classic appetizers paired with local wines at a taverna, then cap your day at a pastry shop. Here, you may try karioka, a traditional chocolate pastry, or trigona panoramatos, a phyllo-based treat soaked in fragrant syrup. After, return to your ship.

Experience the natural beauty of the Dio-Olympos region during visits to Palaios Panteleimonas and Litochoro. Board your motor coach and begin with a scenic drive to Palaios Panteleimonas, or Old Panteleimon, a quiet mountaintop village in northern Greece. Upon arrival, you will set out on foot to explore its historic streets with your guide. Founded during the 14th century, the village was abandoned during the 1950s and carefully restored thirty years later—today, it is a heritage site known for its traditional architecture, scenic views and hiking trails. After time for refreshments, return to your coach and drive to the village of Litochoro, where you will visit Enipeas Gorge, a deep river gorge framed by dense forest. Take time to explore its shaded paths and soak up the beauty of your surroundings, then cap your day with lunch at a local taverna before returning to your ship.

Gain insight into Thessaloníki’s Roman and Byzantine past during a panoramic journey through the city. Board your motor coach and set out through Thessaloníki to see some of its most iconic landmarks. Pass by the White Tower, once part of the city’s defensive walls, and see the nearby statue of Alexander the Great. Continue to the Basilica of St. Demetrios, built on the site where its namesake saint was martyred. Step inside to view the centuries-old mosaics that adorn its interior, then walk to the Roman Agora, the heart of ancient Thessaloníki. For hundreds of years, it served as a marketplace and administrative center. Next, head to Venizelos Metro Station—during its construction in 2012, workers uncovered a perfectly preserved layer of the ancient city. Here, you can view artifacts and antiquities from the Byzantine and Roman eras. After, return to your ship.

Explore the historic streets of Veria and call at Edessa to see its impressive array of waterfalls. Depart your ship for the scenic drive to Veria, nestled at the foot of the Vermio Mountains. Upon arrival, set out for a guided walk through the town. As you pass by churches and traditional houses, learn about Veria’s fascinating history as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Greece, as well as its significance to Christian history. Stroll through the Jewish Quarter, home to one of the oldest surviving synagogues in the country, and view the colorful buildings that frame Veria's labyrinthine streets. After a break for refreshments, return to your coach and continue to clifftop Edessa, famed for the cluster of natural waterfalls within the town. View these impressive falls and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then return to your awaiting ship.