ALISTRATI CAVE – PHILIPPOI – KAVALA
DEPARTURE
- Chalkidiki, Thessaloniki
EXCURSION THEME
- Entertainment, Historical
EXCURTION TYPE
- 1-16 (persons) Sprinter, 1-2 (persons) Car, 1-6 (persons) Mini Van, Individual
GUIDE SERVICE
- With Guide, Without Guide
DURATION
- Full Day
SHORT DESCRIPTION
GALLERY
ROUTE
| Time | Description |
| 08:00:00 | Departure from Thessaloniki |
| 10:00:00 | Alistrati cave |
| 12:30:00 | Philippi |
| 14:00:00 | stop for lunch in a traditional tavern |
| 15:00:00 | Kavala (tour and free time) |
| 17:45:00 | departure for Thessaloniki |
| 19:45:00 | Return to Thessaloniki |
EXCURTION DESCRIPTION
Alistrati Cave
Alistrati cave is located six kilometers southeast of the settlement of the same name, in “Petroto”. The cave was accidentally discovered in 1959 by locals and opened to the public in 1998.
According to Greek mythology, the Sphinx lived in the gorge of Aggitis (to which the cave belongs). Another legend about the God Hades and the abduction of Persephone, the daughter of the goddess Demeter, tells about how the king of the Underworld brought the girl right here, to the gorge in which the gates of Hades were located.
The cave covers a total area of more than 25,000 square meters and has a length of about 3 km (studied passages), of which 1 km. it is accessible to visitors. The visit to the cave takes about 1 hour.
Philippi
The ancient city of Philippi was founded on the edge of the swamps that covered the southeastern part of The Plain of drama. Its first inhabitants were immigrants from the island of Thassos. They knew that the area was rich in ores, precious metals, timber and was suitable for agricultural activities. Thus the 360 P.Allah. the Krinides colony was founded. Very fast (356 P.Allah.) the colony threatened by neighboring Thrace turns to Philip II, King of Macedonia, for help. Realizing the economic and strategic importance of the city, he takes it under his protectorate, strengthens it and names it Philippi.
During the Hellenistic period, the city flourished, then the fortress walls, theater, public buildings and mansions were erected. The construction of the Egnatia Odos (2nd century BC).Allah.) made the city even more important, turning it into an important “crossroads” of trade routes.
Kavala
The history of the city and the region goes back, judging by the findings, to the prehistoric era. Thus the area of Panagia (Old Town) was inhabited almost continuously from the 7th century BC.Allah. For 2500 years the city did not go beyond the boundaries of a small fortified peninsula. At the beginning of the 16th century, it expanded beyond its borders, and in 1928 it began to take its present form.
In the second half of the 7th century BC.Allah. the inhabitants of Thassos founded Neapolis (today Kavala) on the peninsula of Panagia. Thus, they tried to gain a foothold on the shores of Thrace after years of wars with powerful neighbors. Around the end of the 6th century BCE.Allah. Naples becomes an independent city and mints its own currency. In the late 6th century BC.Allah. probably it was conquered by the Persians.
Naples was a member of the Athenian League, and during the Peloponnesian War, allied with Athens and remained its ally until the conquest by King Philip II of Macedon around 350 BC.Allah. Neapolis, now part of the Macedonian state, became the port city of Philippi and seems to have declined.
MAP
- In the Alistrati cave there are stalactites up to 35 meters high.
- Alistrati Cave is the second largest in Greece and one of the largest in Europe.
- In the Alistrati cave, fossils of microorganisms were found, whose age is 2 million years.
- In 50 AC the first Christian church in Europe was founded in Philippi. Here the Apostle Paul baptized Lydia – the first European Christian.
- Since 2016, Philippi has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Until the beginning of the 20th century, Kavala was the largest European manufacturer and supplier of tobacco products.
- The arches of Kavala were built in 1520-1530 under Ibrahim Pasha. Its length was 270 meters and height – up to 25 meters.
- Total kilometer distance of the excursion (with departure from Thessaloniki) – about 370 km.
- Wear comfortable shoes for your safety.
- The program of the excursion can be changed for reasons beyond the control of the company (force majeure); weather conditions and at the discretion of the tour guide, if necessary.
- In Alistrati cave the humidity is high (95 -105%) and the temperature ranges at 15-17 degrees Celsius, regardless of the season, we advise you to take the appropriate clothes with you.
360 €
Φόρμα Ενδιαφέροντος
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THE PRICE INCLUDES
- All transfers made with comfortable transport (depending on the selected category).
- Guide services (unless you have selected the “no guide” service).
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Lunch.
- Tickets to museums and archeological parks.
SUGGESTED EXCURSIONS
TOUR IN ATHENS AND THE MUSEUM OF THE ACROPOLIS
CORFU – ISLAND OF THE ARISTOCRATS (TWO-DAY EXCURSION)
Cruise to Albania: Saints Saranda and Vouthroto
PILGRIMAGE TO THE MONASTERIES OF CORFU
DISCOVERING NORTH CORFU
FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH GREECE (PREMIUM, THESSALONIKI)
METEORAS – DELPHI (TWO DAYS)
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EntertainmentMETEORA – ATHENS (TWO-DAY EXCURSION)
1,350 €A two-day trip to Meteora – Athens gives you the opportunity to get to know the Orthodox, cultural and natural sights of mainland Greece and the capital of the country, a city that is the trademark of the achievements of classical Greece. From on the one hand, Meteora is the place where God’s providence meets unique natural landscape. Where is the strength of the human spirit and the desire for knowledge led to the triumph of creation and harmony. And on the other – the uniqueness and originality of Athens, which combines a history of five thousand years with the life of a large city of the 21st century.
Day one: Kalambaka and Meteora monasteries
Medieval Orthodox monasteries of Meteora, located on steep cliffs of the Thessalian plain, are considered to be one of the most significant historical, Orthodox and cultural sites in Greece. This is the second most important monastic complex in Greece (after the monastic Republic of Saint Athos) annually attracts a large number of travelers from all over the world. And this is not surprising – Meteora monasteries are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Moving to Delphi and check-in at the hotel.
Day Two – Athens / Acropolis Museum / Thermopylae
During a sightseeing tour of Athens, you will get acquainted with the main sights of the center of the capital of Greece. Your path will run along the Kifissos River, which, according to one version, is the legendary Eridanus, where the son of the solar god Helios Phaethon fell into, strucked by lightning of Zeus for the inability to cope with the chariot of his father. You will see Cape Piraeus, where the main port once appeared, Athens, which retains such significance today. And marvel at the size columns of the temple of Olympian Zeus, which can surprise even now. Follow the steps of the Evzones – soldiers of the national guard, carrying guard at the parliament building in the very center of the city. take a selfie in the background of Olympic Stadium Kallimarmaro, where the first Olympic modern games were held. You will follow the paths of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle along the agora of ancient Athens and the path “Peripatos” around the hill of the Acropolis, in the honour of which the Peripatetic school of philosophers was named. Dive into the hustle and bustle of the Plaka – one of the old districts of Athens, conveying the mood of the second half of the 19th century. On the way back, a stop in the Thermopylae Gorge is provided, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans accomplished a feat that even today is not forgotten not only by the Greeks, but by the whole world.
After your visit to the Acropolis, the excursion continues to the new Acropolis Museum, which in 2009 moved from the premises next to the Parthenon to a new building.
On the way back, a stop is waiting for you in Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans gained eternal glory.
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Entertainment
TOUR IN ATHENS AND THE MUSEUM OF THE ACROPOLIS
610 €The trip to Athens is one of those trips that will not leave any traveler indifferent. And it’s not just about the the spirit of a modern European metropolis, the atmosphere of the capital or the sequence of objects you visit. The bottom line is that you touch the pages of school textbooks and books about ancient Greek history and mythology on and on again, and, at the same time, discover a lot of new things&facts for yourself.
Not only history and gods with heroes will fill with special content your acquaintance with the city of democracy, but also a number of pleasant surprises and surprises will open Athens for you . And first of all it will be an acquaintance with the uniqueness and originality of the city, which combines a history of five thousand years with the life of a 21st century metropolis. This amazing symbiosis in Athens does not just mean the neighborhood of the majestic ruins of the 5th century BC. e. with modern trading centers and buildings of the 19th century, built in neoclassical style, but also a special atmosphere in which antiquity meets the era of technological progress.
During a sightseeing tour of Athens, you will get acquainted with the main sights of the center of the capital of Greece. Your path will run along the Kifissos River, which, according to one version, is the legendary Eridanus, where the son of the solar god Helios Phaethon fell into, strucked by lightning of Zeus for the inability to cope with the chariot of his father. You will see Cape Piraeus, where the main port once appeared, Athens, which retains such significance today. And marvel at the size columns of the temple of Olympian Zeus, which can surprise even now. Follow the steps of the Evzones – soldiers of the national guard, carrying guard at the parliament building in the very center of the city. take a selfie in the background of Olympic Stadium Kallimarmaro, where the first Olympic modern games were held. You will follow the paths of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle along the agora of ancient Athens and the path “Peripatos” around the hill of the Acropolis, in the honour of which the Peripatetic school of philosophers was named. Dive into the hustle and bustle of the Plaka – one of the old districts of Athens, conveying the mood of the second half of the 19th century. On the way back, a stop in the Thermopylae Gorge is provided, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans accomplished a feat that even today is not forgotten not only by the Greeks, but by the whole world.
After your visit to the Acropolis, the tour continues to the new Acropolis Museum, which in 2009 moved from the premises next to the Parthenon to a new building.The layout of the museum building provides transparent floors, so the basement of the exhibition is the excavation of the districts of ancient Athens. On the ground floor there are finds of Athenian pottery, in the first – finds, found mainly during the excavation of the “Persian ravine” – a pit in which were buried details of buildings and sculptural decorations of the Acropolis of the Archaic period of the 6th century BC. after the destruction of the buildings by the Persians in 480 and 479 BC. Also, in the same area, a large number of so-called kouros and koras are presented (statues of young men and women of the archaic period).
The top floor houses the original sculptures of the Parthenon, which are on display in the museum to protect them from the harmful effects of smog, rain and pollution: metopes, fragments of surviving pediments and details of the Parthenon frieze. The Acropolis Museum contains 40 plaques, the British Museum – 56, stolen in 1801-1805 by Elgin.
On the way back, a stop is waiting for you in Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans gained eternal glory.
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Entertainment
CORFU – ISLAND OF THE ARISTOCRATS (TWO-DAY EXCURSION)
1,150 €The two-day trip to Corfu gives you the opportunity to get to know one of the most amazing islands of Greece. An aristocratic Island, unique architecture and huge historical and cultural heritage. The classic Greek beauty of Corfu has fascinated sailors, travelers, aristocrats and artists for centuries. The Venetians, the French and the British left behind a legacy in the architecture, culture, daily life and gastronomy of the island. Today Corfu is a mix of eras and cultures, blending traditional Orthodox Greece with the Cosmopolitan influences of Western Europe.
Day one – the city of Corfu.
Once you step into the atmospheric old town of Corfu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will find yourself in a fairytale world. You will hear the footsteps of kings, nobles and Knights who once walked on the cobbled sidewalks and quacks. And the labyrinth of narrow streets will lead you to the Church of St. Spyridon, protector of the city and one of the most revered saints. The port of Corfu, one of the most well-fortified ports in the Mediterranean, is characterized by two fortresses – Old and New. An ideal place to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the magnificent Ionian Sea.
Pontikonisi and the Monastery of Vlacherna off the coast of Kanoni are some of the most famous and photographed sights of Corfu. Here you will not only enjoy the picturesque landscapes, but you will have the opportunity to take truly unique photos (with planes flying just a few meters above the Monastery of Vlacherna).
The evening awaits you a walk in the north of the island, where, on the edge of a cliff in Peroulades, the most romantic sunset awaits you.
Day two – the island of Corfu.
The day will start with an acquaintance with the traditional production of liqueurs and sweets from kumquat, which have long been the trademark of the island and are widely exported to European countries. Then to Paleokastritsa, which is a favorite destination for all visitors and locals of Corfu.Picturesque bays and sandy beaches, olive groves, green hills, steep cliffs and caves that are hidden inside, create a unique atmosphere that attracts visitors to the island and residents of the area. Here, on a cliff, dominates the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi, whose history will be interesting not only for pilgrims.
At the end of the route – visit to Achillion, the summer house of the Austrian Empress Elizabeth (Sissi). This is undoubtedly one of the most famous royal mansions in Europe. It was built in 1890 and designed by the Italian architects Rafaele Carrito and Antonio Landi.
It is named after Achilles, Elizabeth’s favorite hero. The palace is surrounded by lush gardens dominated by vigorous bougainvillea and tall palm trees. The gardens contain a large number of sculptures, the most remarkable of which are dedicated to Achilles himself.
A two-day trip to Corfu will give you the opportunity to get acquainted with the most European, cosmopolitan and aristocratic island of the Ionian Sea and the whole of Greece.
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Cruise
Cruise to Albania: Saints Saranda and Vouthroto
50 €Albania is located just 2 nautical miles from the island of Corfu and the history of its southern coastline is the history of Greek settlements.
A one-day cruise in Albania will acquaint you with the monuments of ancient times, the natural beauty and the customs of this country.
As part of this route, you will visit the town of Agioi Saranda, called the Southern Gate of Albania due to its key position throughout its centuries of history. The main purpose of the trip is the Butrhoto Archaeological Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
And at the end of the program, you will have a short tour of the medieval castle Le Cures, located on a hill above the port.
