Off the Beaten Track in Greece: Macedonia and Halkidiki

One of the best ways to discover a city is through its food scene. This morning you’ll be met by a friendly (and foodie-obsessive) local guide to embark on a walking tour of the city, stopping off at several gourmet haunts along the way. The many traditional shops, taverns and delis are full of culinary gems from the coast to the hinterland. You’ll also have the opportunity to sample ouzo, a traditional anise-flavoured lacquer that is the go-to aperitif for Thessalonians.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning, you’ll be privately transferred to a nearby rental agency to collect your hire car. Your next destination is Kastoria, a beautiful city on the shores of Lake Orestiada, a two-hour drive away. Settle in for the night in a traditional guesthouse in the heart of town. The rest of today is yours to spend relaxing on the shores of the lake. There are plenty of charming waterfront cafes and restaurants within easy walking distance, perfect for kicking back and enjoying the views across the peaceful lake.

Your journey across Macedonia continues today. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel an hour-and-a-half to Veria, an ancient city in the foothills of Mount Vermion. Settle in for two nights in a charming hotel in the heart of the old Jewish quarter, or ‘Little Jerusalem’. The rest of today is yours to spend discovering your new surroundings. Until the Second World War, this neighbourhood was home to the Romaniote community – Greek-speaking Jews native to the Eastern Mediterranean. We recommend admiring the many Byzantine churches and Ottoman buildings in your neighbourhood before finding an ouzeria (tavern serving ouzo and snacks) for an aperitif.

Today you’ll be diving even further back in time with a visit to the town of Vergina, which houses the UNESCO-listed site of the first capital of the Macedonians: Aigai. This ancient kingdom rose to incredible importance between the ninth and fourth centuries BC and was the site of many historic events, such as the assassination of Philip of Macedonia and the crowning of Alexander the Great in 336 BC. Spend today touring this fascinating archaeological wonder in the company of knowledgeable guide. You’ll visit the royal palace, necropolis and the tomb of Philip II. The facades of the tomb are decorated with lively hunting scenes while the interior houses opulent funerary furnishings, including a gold chest containing the remains of the king.

It’s time to hit the road again. After a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning, begin the journey to your next destination: the mountainous town of Litochoro at the foot of Mount Olympus, a one-hour drive away. Check in for the night in a traditional property oozing with character and charm. The rest of today is yours to spend as you wish. Litochoro is nestled between the mountains and the beach, so we recommend spending today either hiking or sunbathing (or some combination of the two). The foothills of Mount Olympus offer plenty of well-marked hiking trails that vary in difficulty, while the long-sandy beach of Plaka, on the Thermaic Gulf, is conducive to a leisurely afternoon of coastal relaxation.

Your great Greek odyssey continues today. This morning you’ll be travelling two-and-a-half hours to Kavala, a colourful city set around a beautiful bay. On arrival, settle in for two nights in an elegant hotel in the heart of town. Spend the rest of today soaking in your new surroundings. After a long drive there’s nothing better than a refreshing dip in the ocean. There are plenty of picturesque beaches nearby, including Toska, Batis, Kalamitsa, Periyiali, Rapsani, Navagos and Ammolofoi. Dinner this evening can be enjoyed at one of the many inviting terraced restaurants in town. Make sure to sample some of the delicious local specialities, such as grilled fish, anchovies in vine leaves and stuffed artichokes. Our clued-up local Concierge can recommend their top picks or you can turn to our coveted destination-specific Dossier of tried-and-tested spots.

Today is dedicated to soaking in Kavala’s countless cultural offerings. There’s the old Byzantine aqueduct, which reflects the architectural genius of ancient hydraulic engineers; the Via Egnatia, a masterfully-designed road constructed in the second century BC that crossed Illyricum, Macedonia and Thracia; and a beautiful 15th-century fortress that, through history, belonged to Byzantium, to Venice and to the Porte. There is also a tobacco museum that delights those with a certain nostalgia for classic Turkish cigarettes. We could also arrange for you to spend the day discovering Kavala and the ancient city of Philippi with a private guide.

Today you’ll be heading off to your last destination in northern Greece. After a delicious breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel two-and-a-half hours to Vourvourou, a charming fishing village on one of the three ‘legs’ of the Halkidiki peninsula. Settle in for four nights in a contemporary hotel overlooking the ocean. The rest of today is yours to play with. We recommend heading down to the local beach for an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing before heading into town for a delicious evening meal.

What better way to end your Greek odyssey than with three days of relaxation on the beautiful coastline that hugs the Halkidiki peninsula. The peninsulas of Cassandra, Sithonia and Akte frame the Toronean and Singitic gulfs and are home to incredible coastal landscapes. There are more beaches than you can count, idyllic Mediterranean forests and a collection of fascinating archaeological sites. There is also the monastic community of Mount Athos, a beautiful oceanside monastery built into the limestone cliff. To enter this small autonomous republic (which brings together twenty Orthodox monasteries) you must be male and have been granted a pass. Our team can instead arrange for you to view this fascinating site from the ocean aboard a cruise ship.