HAPPY IN Greece
DURATION
8 NIGHTS /9 DAYS
DEPOSIT $500
Per Person
SHARED ROOM : FROM $1800
or $2300 Private Room
Featuring Thessaloniki – Meteora Monastery, Delphi, Agios Ioannis, Agios Dionisios Monastery
THE EXPERIENCE
Explore the Pearls of Northern and Central Greece during this incredible 9 day tour. Be amazed by the mountain formations in Kalabaka and its’ mysteries monasteries on the top rocks. Visit the glorious ancient Greek oracle of Apollo at the well preserved ruins in Delphi. You will be captured by the unique experience and lively Mediterranean vibe.
Greece
What’s Included:
- BB (Accommodation and Breakfast) for 8 overnights
- Meet and Greet (wine and appetizers) in Thessaloniki
- Wine tasting experience and shared food at Ktima Gerovassiliou vineyards (shared meet and cheese plates)
- Olive Oil Tasting near Delphi
- Professional tour leader
- Transport provided by the company
- Hotel pick up in Thessaloniki
- Hotel drop off in Athens
- Entry tickets for the ”will be visited” sites
- Tourist taxes
- International car insurance
- Road taxes
- Petrol
What’s Not Included:
- Lunches, Dinners, Drinks & Snacks
- Souvenirs
- Personal spending
- Everything that is not mentioned in the included
* Tips are not a must in the Balkans, however, our recommendation is to tip the tour guide/driver as an international practice to tip good service.
Travelers are responsible for international airfare to and from Greece.
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary are not included. Personal Drinks, any additional activities or transfers, gratuities, medical expenses or additional entrance fees to theatres, parks, museums/visitor centres not outlined in this itinerary, additional travel expenses or waiting time. Travel insurance and personal spending are travelers responsibility.
Places we will visit:
- Old city of Thessaloniki
- Promenade by the seaside in Thessaloniki
- White Tower of Thessaloniki
- Arch of Galerius and Rotunda in Thessaloniki
- Yahudi hamam in Thessaloniki
- Mount Olympus
- Prionia hiking trail
- Agios Dionisios Monastery
- Meteora in Kalabaka
- Monasteries of Meteora
- Agios Ioannis Beach
- Stylida promenade
- Archaeological site of Delphi
- Olive Oil Farm
- Plaka area in Athens
Travel Insurance:
Trips booked after January 1, 2023 will be required to have medical travel insurance for all You Can’t Steal My Happy trips.
You Can’t Steal My Happy recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer travel protection through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 43-0656 “Travel Insurance is underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, NAIC #22276. 55Y”
Click on the link below to get a free quote.
Trip Overview
Day 1 :
Meet and Greet in Thessaloniki
Welcome to Charming Thessaloniki and get ready to explore the Undiscovered Pearls of North and Central Greece.
After arriving in Thessaloniki, you will have some free time so you can relax from your long flights. This day is planned as a relaxed day giving you free time to accommodate, explore the surrounding area by your selves and get to know each other.
At about 17:00 we have organized a meet and greet activity. We will have the possibility to get know each other, meet with your tour leader and enjoy the evening at a Greek traditional restaurant accompanied by a glass of Greek wine. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Hotel: Elisabeth Boutique Hotel or The Maroon Bottle Suites
Day 2 :
Day Tour of Thessaloniki and Winery experience
Our tour guide will come and pick you up at your hotel in Thessaloniki. We will begin this amazing journey with a city tour of Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece and located at the coast. Thessaloniki is an open-air museum of Byzantine history as it has many monuments from that time. We will go to the old city, walk through the traditional markets as well as visit the White Tower, symbol of Thessaloniki. Next to the White Tower is the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda, dating back to the Roman times. We will also visit the most famous hammam in the city, Yahudi hammam, meaning ”Bath of the Jews”, resembling all the different cultures that lived here through time.
After sightseeing you will have some free time for lunch by the seaside. Right after lunch time we will drive towards one of the best vineyards, winery and wine museums near Thessaloniki, Ktima Gerovassiliou. You will be able to visit the unique museum dedicated to wines and a huge legacy of wine production and overall culture.
We will taste some unique fine wines with an amazing view of the sunset on the endless vineyards. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Hotel: Elisabeth Boutique Hotel or The Maroon Bottle Suites
Approximately driving time: 40 minutes, one way
Day 3 :
Thessaloniki – Hike from Priònia to Agios Dionisios Monastery – Sea Side
After breakfast we drive towards the mythical Mount Olympus (also said to be the home of the 12 Greek gods according to Greek mythology) with a variety of microclimates which are considered responsible for the reversion of the vegetation zones.
After arriving at Prionia we start our hiking adventure towards Mount Olympus, first National Park in Greece. Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece 2,917m or 9,570 feet. During the hike we will pass by breath-taking waterfall, wooden bridge a small hut in the mountains and the monastery dating back to the year 1542. We will visit Agios Dionysios Monastery, a Greek Orthodox monastery on the slopes of Mount Olympus. To return we will follow the same path to Prionia. Overnight near the coast line.
Approximately driving time from Thessaloniki to Priònia: 2 hours
Approximately driving time from Priònia to Platamon: 1 hour & 20 min
Hotel: Kronos Hotel
Day 4 :
Platamon – Meteora (Kalabaka)
After breakfast we will drive towards Meteora, also part of UNESCO world heritage and constructed in the 14th – 15th century. The monasteries are built on top of the spectacular rock formations, creating a beautiful and impressive sight. You will have the opportunity to see all six magnificent monasteries and admire the interior of one of them. The surrounding rocks are oddly shaped, which makes it a landscape that cannot be found anywhere else. The town also has lots to offer. Walking through the cobblestone lanes, surrounded by two of Meteora’s rock formations, is an experience in itself. Some marble stones in the church used to be part of an Ancient Greek temple. At the end of the monastery tour buy some beers, wine or snacks and get ready to enjoy one of the best sunsets in Greece. A truly one in a lifetime experience. Overnight in Kalabak.
Hotel: Hotel Kosta Famissi
Approximately driving time from Platamon to Meteora: 2 hours & 10 minutes
Day 5 :
Kalabak – Portaria – Agio Ioannis
After breakfast we will depart towards Agio Ionnnis , but not before not before making a stop at the beautiful village of Portaria. The village is covered in greenery, flowers, and fruit trees overlooking the town of Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf and offering stunning views. Walk through Portaria main square “Melina Merkuri” covered by numerous flowers. Have some free time to taste here some delicious and traditional Greek meals. After having some free time get ready to depart toward the next destination, Agio Ionnis area, by the seaside, where we will spend two overnights.
Hotel: Kenta Beachside Hotel
Approximately driving time from Kalabak to Portaria: 2 hours & 45 minutes
Approximately driving time from Portaria to Agio Ioannis: 1 hour & 20 minutes
Day 6 :
Free beach day in Agios Ioannis
Agios Ioannis, a beautiful village by the sea with a very large and beautiful beach with white pebbles. The beach strip it is over 500 meters long as it is narrowed along the promenade. The beach of Agios Ioannis is the perfect place for swimming. You will have free beach day to dive in the mesmerizing blue water, to absorb and store all the sunshine. Overnight near the coast line.
Day 7 :
Agios Ioannis – Delphi
After having enjoyed the beach day in Agio Ioannis, get ready to depart towards our next destination for this tour. We will drive through the Pelion Mountain until we reach the small port town of Stylida. Have some free time to relaxed from the driving and enjoy the lunch by the bay to one of the tavernas. We recommend this local restaurant by the seaside: ΠΑΡΑΓΚΑ κρέατα & μεζέδες
Right after lunch time we will hop on the bus and depart towards Delphi. Reach Delphi and accommodate yourself at the hotel. Around afternoon get ready to enjoy the olive oil tasting experience and admire the wonderful view of the immense Amfissa olive grove. We will discover together the olive oil aromas and also taste local olives of Delphi. The Kanatas family that we will visit has cultivated olive trees and produced olive oil for hundreds of years and we will get to learn more on this family tradition. Overnight in Delphi.
Hotel: Pan Hotel
Approximately driving time from Agio Ioannis to Stylida: 2 hours & 45 minutes
Approximately driving time from Stylida to Delphi: 2 hours
Day 8 :
Delphi – Athens
Delphi is a unique UNESCO world heritage site. This ancient Greek archaeological site is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, including multiple monuments such as the Temple of Apollo, the Castallian Fountain and the Large Sphynx of Naxos. You will be astonished by Treasury of the Athenians, the Theatre, the Stadium and the Museum with the famous statue of Antinoos and the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dated from 475 B.C. Enjoy some free time to explore the UNESCO heritage site. After exploring Delphi, you will have some free time for lunch.
After lunch, we will depart towards the capital of Greece and cultural capital of Europe, Athens. In the afternoon we have a good bye dinner in Athens. We say a fond farewell to our newfound friends, our tour leader and the treasures of Greece after an unforgettable journey. Overnight in Athens.
Hotel: @Syngrou Fix
Approximately driving time from Delphi to Athens: 3 hours
Day 9 :
Free time in Athens
Today you will have some free time to explore the city by your selves, buy some gifts and souvenirs as a memory of this amazing trip. You can enjoy the one last frape coffee or a traditional Mediterranean lunch. This remarks the end of this unforgettable tour through the highlights of Northern and Central Greece.
Terms and Conditions
Group Trip Cancellations.
If YCSMH has to cancel a group trip because a country has closed its borders, everyone will have a choice of receiving a refund or being rolled over to another group trip. The decision to cancel a group trip will be determined by myself and our local guides.
DEPOSITS PAID- CANCEL WITH NO REPLACEMENT
If you cancel a booking and cannot find a replacement the FULL deposit amount will be lost from the original person making the reservation.
DEPOSITS PAID- CANCEL WITH A REPLACEMENT – $100 Penalty
If YOU cancel and find your own replacement that “helps” but it doesn’t alleviate the time and effort I must spend to get your replacement up to speed (answer questions and send previous emails). A $100 fee will be charged if you cancel and find your own replacement.
FULL PAYMENTS PAID- CANCEL WITH NO REPLACEMENT- 90 DAYS BEFORE TRIP DEPARTURE
Full payments for all Happy trips are due 90 days before departure. If you cancel the trip you will not be eligible to receive a refund. You will need to file a claim with your insurance provider. As a rule most tour vendors, charter companies and hotels require full payment 90 days before arrival. Once we have made reservations MOST resorts, Charter companies, rental shops, etc hold YCSMH financially responsible (i.e. we have to pay them, hence we expect YOU to pay us).
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FULL PAYMENTS PAID- CANCEL WITH A REPLACEMENT- 90 DAYS BEFORE TRIP DEPARTURE
In the event of a cancellation, YCSMH will gladly help find a replacement but the responsibility to find the replacement is that of the person canceling. If you find a replacement to fill your spot you will be eligible for a full refund minus a $100 fee.
If YCSMH finds you a replacement you will receive a refund minus the trip deposit. As I mentioned there is a considerable amount of time and effort spent to send out emails to your replacement to get them up to speed.
I hope this helps clarify our terms as we all navigate through this post pandemic world. For those of us who are passionate travelers the small inconveniences of testing, insurance and entry requirements are well worth it.
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