Northern Greece

GREECE

June 14–26, 2021 from £2895 per person | with Andrew Wilson

• Explore the untamed landscape, classical history and fascinating architecture of northern Greece in the company of archaeologist and specialist in the Greco-Roman world,

Andrew Wilson • Learn about the region and its history through visits to Byzantine churches, sanctuaries and monasteries, taking in mosaics and early Christian art • Uncover the ancient treasures of

Vergina, Macedonia’s frst capital, and journey to Alexander the Great’s birthplace of Pella

Between the Ionian and Aegean Seas lie the untamed mountains of northern Greece, where Zeus once roamed. It was here, too, that Philip of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great, held indomitable sway.

Byzantine monasticism once thrived in centres such as Mount Athos – still a semi-autocratic republic inhabited by monks – and Tessaloniki, erstwhile rival to Constantinople. Our varied itinerary will touch both coastlines as we taste the gorges, waterfalls and layered histories of Macedonia and Epirus. Our circuit begins and ends in Tessaloniki, home to an unforgettable array of Byzantine churches, featuring important early Christian mosaics. We will also chart the rise and fall of Roman Tessaloniki with a visit to the ruins of the emperor’s palace. Antiquities galore await discovery in Vergina, the frst capital of the kingdom of Macedonia. We will also visit Pella, capital of Philip’s empire and the birthplace of Alexander the Great, and Nikopolis, founded by Augustus to

46 celebrate his victory at the Battle of Actium. At Nekromanteion, we will track down the legendary gates of Hades. Te frescoed monasteries of Meteora, or ‘columns in the sky’, perched on towering pillars of natural sandstone, were frst settled by hermits in the 11th century and were later endowed with 24 seemingly inaccessible monastic communities.

We stay in comfortable hotels of three to four-star quality, with some dinners taken in local tavernas or restaurants.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour is designed to make the most of our stay in northern Greece with a wide variety of visits. The itinerary therefore contains some long days and a signifcant amount of walking, and participants should have a good overall level of mobility.

Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 0640 on British Airways, arriving Thessaloniki 1200. Transfer to Hotel Royal for three nights. Introductory talk. Day 2 Thessaloniki (major Greek Orthodox centre): Byzantine walls, Heptapyrgion tower, Church of Agios Acheiropoietos, 8th century Agia Sofa (splendid mosaics), White Tower (part of Turkish ramparts) and Archaeological Museum. Evening talk: Byzantine Church. Day 3 Whole day cruise along western shore of Mt Athos peninsula (spiritual home of Orthodox Church since 1054). Evening talk: Pebble Mosaics. Day 4 Along Via Egnatia to Pella (capital of Philip of Macedon’s empire): peristyle houses, huge palace complex, museum (superb mosaics), ancient site of Loggos, then Edessa (picturesque town famous for waterfalls and old bridges). Continue to Veria for two nights at the Hotel Villa Elia. Day 5 Dion at the foot of Mt Olympus, with visits to sanctuaries of Isis and Demeter. Vergina (former capital of Macedonian empire). Day 6 Veria (Byzantine Museum) and Kastoria. Two nights in Kastoria at Hotel Chloe. Evening talk: Neolithic Greece. Day 7 Kastoria: churches, Folk Museum and Mavriotissa Church (13th century frescoes). Evening talk: Oracle at Dodona. Dodona

© ONNO ZWEERS/CC BY-SA 3.0

This tour will be led by Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot, specialist in archaeology and ancient history. Andrew, who has also led many tours for ACE, studied archaeology and theology before working overseas as an archaeologist with a particular interest in Roman frontier systems and Byzantine mosaics.

Day 8 Visits in Dodoni (ancient oracle of Zeus), including sanctuary and theatre, followed by Ioannina (major Ottoman centre). Transfer to Hotel du Lac, Ioannina, for three nights. Evening talk: Byron in Epirus. Day 9 Whole day excursion to Nekromanteion (sanctuary of Persephone and Hades), Kassopi (4th century BC Hippodamian town) and Nikopolis (founded by Augustus after battle of Actium). Day 10 By boat to Nisaki (island monasteries). Visits to Monodendri (Byzantine monastery) and majestic Vikos Gorge. Day 11 Transfer to Kalambaka for Meteora (‘monasteries in the air’, 16th century frescoes) and overnight at Hotel Amalia. Day 12 Return to Thessaloniki: Roman Forum, Agios Dimitrios (6th century pilgrimage centre), Rotunda (Galerius’ mausoleum) and Galerius’s Palace. Overnight at Hotel Royal, Thessaloniki. Day 13 Thessaloniki: Museum of Byzantine Culture. Depart Thessaloniki 1315, arriving Gatwick 1445.

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confrmation nearer the time. Some sites in Greece can close unexpectedly and at short notice; therefore adjustments may be made, including to the order of visits.

Cost of £2895 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, dinner with wine & water, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £475. TOUR CODE: NGRE21