Kastoria
DEPARTURE
- Chalkidiki, Thessaloniki
EXCURSION THEME
- Entertainment, Historical, Shopping
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 |
| 07:00:00 | Departure from Thessaloniki |
| 09:00:00 | Dispilio |
| 10:30:00 | Mavriotissa Monastery |
| 11:30:00 | folklore museum Mansion |
| 12:45:00 | tour in Kastoria |
| 13:30:00 | Lunch in a traditional tavern and free time |
| 15:45:00 | departure for Thessaloniki |
| 18:00:00 | Return to Thessaloniki |
EXCURTION DESCRIPTION
Dispilio
“Two Caves”, or the Bulgarian name “Dupyak” – this is the name of a village near the town of Kastoria on the shores of Lake Orestiada, which gained great popularity due to a unique area associated with a prehistoric settlement of the early Neolithic period.
In 1932, due to the decrease of the water level in Lake Orestiada, during which part of the unknown ruins, probably houses, were exposed, Professor Adonis Keramopoulos examined the bottom of the lake and the shores near the village. The results of the study were amazing. A more thorough research and excavation became possible only in 1992 due to the very high water level in the last 50 years and the search for technologies for the preservation of objects extracted from the water, where they remained for at least 6-7 millennia. Due to the limited access of oxygen and the abundance of mud, which makes it possible to maintain even wooden objects, the findings were kept in very good condition.
Μονή Μαυριώτισσα
The Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa – one of the sanctuaries of Kastoria, will immerse you in the atmosphere of Byzantium and the prosperity of the time of the Macedonian dynasty.
The monastery is located in the western part of the peninsula, where the coastline bends gracefully along the shallow end of Lake Orestiada. An old mighty plane tree rises on the shore, the tree, according to experts, is over 9 centuries old. Once a thunderbolt struck the plane tree, according to legend, preventing the Ottoman Turks from approaching it and thus keeping the image of the Virgin hidden in the hollow.
From the old buildings of the monastery, a cathedral has been preserved in the form of a small simple one-room basilica dating from the 11th century and a chapel built in the 16th century.
There are two versions for the time of the construction of the temple: either immediately after Byzantium he liberated Kastoria from the Bulgarian influence around 1017΄ or around 1082, by order of the Byzantine emperor Alexios Komnenos during his opposition to the Normans during the attempt to conquer some western parts of Byzantium. The history of the monastery is not very well known, but one thing is clear – for centuries it was a real sanctuary for the inhabitants of the area.
Folklore museum "Archontiko"
The Mansion is a special type of house, common in the late Middle Ages and in the 18-19th centuries in Northern Greece. Many such buildings have been preserved in Kastoria, as the thriving fur trade was the basis of the city’s economic development.
Already at the end of the 20th century, a small but interesting historical and ethnographic museum was founded in one of these mansions, the exhibition of which talks about the life and customs of the inhabitants of Kastoria in the old days.
The ground floor served as an auxiliary space. Here there was: food cellar, wine cellar, kneader, basement and loft. The first floor houses living rooms, bedrooms, and a special room decorated with stained glass Venetian glass, which was an indication of the high level of income and social status of the homeowners. There was also the so-called “reception room”. Where women who were not allowed to go out were sitting there. Also when a girl reached the age of marriage with a consul the groom was brought, in this room the groom and his relatives were sitting, the girl was watching him through a window in the wall while the mother was watching through a hole. If they approved of it, they offered him sweet coffee and if not bitter coffee.
Of particular interest is one of the rooms, where the first technical devices and tools for the production of fur are presented.
In the courtyard, there is also an Oven, a piece of Greek cuisine that is still an integral part of everyday life in the countryside. In this area you will also find a collection, where many old authentic household utensils are presented. Here in the yard is a “Kastorian boat” – a special type of boat with a flat bottom, created by the locals especially for sailing on Lake Orestiada.
Kastoria
At 630 meters above sea level, between the mountains in the northern part of western Macedonia, is Lake Orestiada with an imposing peninsula in the shape of a butterfly. Of course, such a unique place could not be ignored. The first settlements are connected with the tribes of Orestes, Boeotians and later with the Macedonian Kingdom, to which this area was granted in the 7th century BC.
The first mention of a settlement on a peninsula surrounded by a lake in the mountains is found in Tito Libya in the 1st century BC. in the chronicles of the Macedonian opposition to the Roman expansion in 197 BC. , is called “Keletron” from “enchanting”, “magic”. According to the judicial history of Emperor Justinian I – Procopius of Caesarea, a peninsula is also mentioned, which crosses Lake Orestiada, in which is the “city of happiness”, called Diocletian. It is known from the same source that the city was endlessly attacked by barbarians and, finally, was destroyed and abandoned.
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MAP
- Beavers lived on Lake Orestiada until the end of the 18th century, which is confirmed by information about the sale of beaver skins in Venice.
- There is a special type of boat with a flat bottom, which can be found only in Kastoria – the “Kastorian boat”, created by the locals especially for sailing on Lake Orestiada.
- About 70 Byzantine temples have been preserved in Kastoria.
- The number of large and small fur factories in Kastoria is about 2,500, with a population of only 16,000 people.
- The first reference to the fur trade dates back to 1574, but in fact developed from earlier times.
- The first fur storage chambers, produced in Austria, were named “Kastoria” and reproduce the average temperature and humidity level of Kastoria during the winter.
- Η θερμοκρασία του νερού στη λίμνη Ορεστιάδα δεν ανεβαίνει ποτέ πάνω από 22 °, το μπάνιο στα νερά της απαγορεύεται. aThe water temperature in Lake Orestiada never rises above 22 °, bathing in its waters is prohibited.
- The water temperature in Lake Orestiada never rises above 22 °, bathing in its waters is prohibited.
- Total kilometer distance of the excursion (with departure from Thessaloniki) – about 400 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.
330 €
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.
- Entrance 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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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.
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CruiseBLUE LAGOON CRUISE
30 €Dreams of relaxation for most people are associated with azure of the sea, endless white sandy beach or sea cruise. The Blue Lagoon cruise is a great opportunity to spend an unforgettable day at the sea and get a lot of pleasant impressions.
Chalkidiki is called “a kaleidoscope of green and blue” because of the rich vegetation that borders the waters of its coasts. The beaches are long and sandy, scattered over small or large bays. The sea is perfectly clean, safe, transparent and calm. The seabed is teeming with life, and if you take diving goggles you can see fish, small octopuses and other marine life.
The cruise will start from the bay of Ormos Panagias and its itinerary will be lie to the south – towards the openwork coast of Vourvourou, after swimming in open waters you will travel to the only one of the inhabited islands in the region region – Ammouliani, where you can stroll through the atmospheric village and relax on the beach.
