1st DAY: Discovering Veria
Arrival and arrangement at the hotel. The acquaintance with the historic city of Veria and its cultural treasures is the first pleasant surprise of the journey. The tour starts with visiting at the museums of the town (archaeological, byzantine, folklore museum of Vlach, Vlahogianneio museum ). After that we ΊΙ walk at the old quarters of Veria, Kiriotissa where we will admire byzantine and after byzantine churches and Barbouta where there is one of the most well maintaining Hebrew settlement with the synagogue. Then will visit the well-known Apostle Paul's altar, the unique ascertaining place from all the others that he passed. Next to it there is an old turkish mosque. At the noon will eat in a tavern of your choice where we will meet the kitchen of Veria. We should not forget to taste beans in the oven and sausages. For dessert we'll go at Saint Antonio's square to buy revani that is made since 1886 (it is the most well-know desert of Veria). The afternoon is dedicated at Veria's market that has got a lot and unique products. More specifically, we'll visit dairy product shops and we will taste different kinds of cheese like smoked cheese, batzos, feta and we will shop traditional products. Free time for food and entertainment. Staying over night. If we are there during Christmas we can participate in different cultural events.
2nd DAY: The vineyards of Naoussa
The present day is dedicated to visits to the wineries and becoming familiar with local products. Once we take our breakfast we'll leave for Veria with our destination Naoussa, the second largest city of Imathia, known for the production of the deep red “brousko” wine a variety of Xinomavro. Our first stop before the entrance of the city will be a workshop where they many facture fruit sweets, marmalades, canned fruit, liqueur, pickled vegetables, pasta, etc. Afterwards will head for the Museum of Winery and Vineyard in order to be informed about vineyards and winery traditions of Naoussa from the 17th century to today, and also about the history of the Naousaiko tsipouro. Next, and in order to be introduced to local products we will walk the city and make a stop at the shops with local products of fruit sweets, marmalades, canned fruit, liqueur, wines, dairy products, cooked meats, etc., and buy some things. Followed by a visit to a local winery with a guided tour and wine tasting. An unforgettable experience in Naoussa are the presentations for wine and culture, as well as the period of the Carnival, the carnival with the tradition of Giannitsari and Boules. The next gastronomic destination is Strantza where we will continue visiting the winery of village. If it is time for tsipouro, don't hesitate to visit the tavern in the area and try the local mezedes. From here we will head on Giannakohori where we'll admire the fantastic vineyards of the area and we'll visit the Moni Prodromou in the forest with beech trees. If we are in Giannakohori spring or/and summer a tour of the gorge of Krastas will compensate us, walking amongst the rocks, the rich vegetation and the water. In the beginning of May, it is worth to visit the vast valley with paionies!!! Next, we'll make a stop at two more winery's to have a tour of their wine cellars, to be introduced to the secrets of wine production, to taste special varieties of wines and to make some buys. We'll stay on at the village for lunch at the traditional tavern where we'll try local specialties. The period between October- December is a chance to visit one of the many rakokazana which function throughout the whole winery zones that cultivate the Xinomavro (a variety of vine). From Giannakohori we'll proceed towards the village of Kopanos where, if we make it on time (open till 3:00 p.m.) we'll make a stop at the ancient city of Mieza with eminent Macedonian grave, the Ancient Theater and the school of Aristotelis, otherwise we'll continue on for the village of Stenimahos where we'll tour more wineries. The winery route to Trilofo, one of the ancient villages of Imathia. Here we will visit the Temple of Saint Trifona- protector of the wine producers and we'll be guided to one more winery. We will stop at an equestrian center in the area to rest and for those who wish, can take a ride on a horse. From here we'll take a road back to Veria. There will be free time. Staying over night.
3rd DAY: Skiing resort of Seli
After we have our breakfast we'll leave in order to arrive, through a magnificent trail, to the National Skiing resort of Seli. Another choice is to first visit Panagia Soumela. On our way to Seli, we'll make a stop to a cheese dairy workshop and if we want we can buy something from there.
If it is time for tsipouro, don't hesitate to visit the tavern in the village named Koumaria and taste the local cousine-mezedes. Crossing through Koumaria, we will take the road to Seli, where we will meet the first organized skiing resort of Greece. There we will have a unique experience with the snow. The advanced skiers can practice, while the beginners can have ski lessons at the teaching slopes. For those who don't prefer to test their abilities at skiing, they may just relax by drinking coffee, hot chocolate or tsipouro with a view of the great white scenery. Then we'll go to Arkohori, an original mountain destination which is known for its fruit orchards and their high quality meat. We'll stay for lunch and try the local traditional tastes. We suggest trying kinigi and of course the traditional sweet-biscotoloukoumo. After that, passing through Naousa, we'll return to Veria. There will be free time for eating entertainment. Staying over night.
4th DAY: Saint Barbara, Vergina, Neokastro, Rizomata
After we have our breakfast we'll leave for Vergina. Before that, we will make a brief stop to Saint Barbara to visit the museum of education which is operating there. Then we arrive to Vergina, (ancient Aiges), a unique archaeological place of international brilliance and fame, point of destination of each visitor to North Greece. The city was built during the 7th century and it developed into a political and religious capital of Macedonia people. Here we will admire the royal tombs, one of them belongs to King Filippos II (father of Alexander the Great). Next stop is the village of Neokastro, there we'll visit the monastery of Ilia the Prophet where large numbers of visitors gather. After that, we'll drive to Rizomata one of the most beautiful villages not only of the area of the whole Macedonia. Before we enter the village we stop at Paliokastro, which is characterized as a monument of natural beauty, for some hours of relaxation. While we are there we will have our lunch in a traditional tavern, relishing on local tastes. Specialties of the area are meatballs, cutlets, kokoretsi ,pork with aubergines and boiled goat stew. After lunch we'll return to Veria. There will be free time. Staying over night.
5th DAY: Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. There will be free time for a last walk and for shops. Departure.
