Program

Day 1: Larnaca – Athens – Kamena Vourla – Volos
Assembly at Larnaca airport and departure for Athens. Arrival, boarding the bus and we begin our journey to central mainland Greece. Stop at the famous Kamena Vourla resort for its thermal springs, which were created by geological changes in the Maliakos Gulf and the Kallidromos-Knimidos mountain range and became known due to their rare composition of natural minerals, salts and radon. They spring up at the foot of the mountain, have different temperatures and radioactivity and supply the two hydrotherapy centers, “Ippokrates” and “Asklipios”, which have baths and a modern outdoor swimming pool. The city is proud of its beach, which is flooded by locals and visitors. Free time to taste fresh fish from the area in the numerous taverns as well as traditional sweets and beautiful loukoumades. Traveling along the lacy coasts of the Maliakos Gulf, we arrive in the geographical department of Thessaly and at our final destination, the capital of the prefecture of Magnesia, the beautiful city of Volos, a modern city with a rich history, neoclassical buildings and parks, bathed by the Pagasitikos and shaded by Pelion with its myriad villages. Check-in to our hotel rooms and free time for a first acquaintance with the city. Overnight stay.

Day 2: Volos (tour) – Makrinitsa – Portaria – Anavros Beach
After breakfast, tour of the city of Volos. We will admire the neoclassical buildings and parks, the old industrial buildings, the monument to the Fallen for National Independence, the beautiful harbor, while we will walk along the coastal pedestrian street. Immediately afterwards we will ascend to the lush green legendary mountain of Pelion, which stubbornly resists time and the sirens of the modern lifestyle. We arrive at the “balcony of the Pagasitikos”, the famous Makrinitsa, which, perched on the steep slope of the mountain, stands like a sleepless watchman above the city of Volos. Walk to the central square with the centuries-old plane trees, pilgrimage to the church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, photos at the marble fountain “Immortal Water” with the lion-shaped taps and time for a coffee at the famous “Theophilos”. Then we head to the traditional Portaria, with its running waters and picturesque cobblestone streets. Free time for a walk, herb shopping, mountain tea and royal jelly. Pilgrimage to the Holy Monastery of Panagia Hodigitria, founded in 1961 by the late elder Ephraim of Arizona America, who came from Volos and was a great figure of Orthodox spirituality. The hospitable monastery follows the Athonite ritual and is a spiritual oasis in today's world. Return to the hotel and free time. Then, for those who wish, transfer by bus to the nearby beach of Anavros (awarded with a blue flag) of the city to enjoy swimming, food or drinks. Overnight stay.

Day 3: Kalambaka – Meteora – Trikala
Breakfast and we depart for the beautiful Kalambaka, which is built under the rocks of Meteora. It is the largest city in the region and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We will pass through the old picturesque district of the city, with its narrow cobblestone streets and traditional houses, some of them built right next to the rocks! From there we will climb to the enormous rocks of Meteora that dominate between the mountains of Koziaka and Antichasion. This masterpiece of nature has been revealing all its grandeur for centuries, as it is a unique geological phenomenon in beauty and an important monument of Orthodoxy. Meteora, which has been described as the second Mount Athos, has continued the monastic tradition for about six centuries. We will visit the monastery of Agios Stefanos, which is built on the top of the rock that has an area of ​​7,500 sq. meters and another monastery, if time permits. Then we will visit a workshop of Byzantine icons. We continue our journey to Trikala, homeland of the famous physician of antiquity Asklepios, a fairly "tidy" city with excellent street layout, squares, beautiful places for a walk, such as the pedestrian center. The Litheos River is its jewel, the banks of which are decorated with towering trees that create a unique green lung. The Central Bridge is a jewel of 19th century architecture and unites the old (northern) city with its newer (southern) side. The metal bridge connects the central square with the pedestrian street of Asklipio. Return in the afternoon to Volos. Free time to walk along the beach with the famous tsipouro bars. Overnight stay.

Day 4: Full-day cruise to Skiathos
Breakfast and departure to the port of Achilleion, located south of the city of Volos. Arrival and boarding the ship for the full-day cruise to the largest island of the Sporades, Skiathos. During the trip you will experience unique moments of relaxation and entertainment, singing, dancing and lots of fun!. The greenest island of Greece welcomes you with its clear turquoise waters and lush greenery due to the evergreen trees. There are more than 60 awe-inspiring beaches, all with golden sand and crystal clear waters. This beautiful landscape truly stands out as one of the jewels of the Aegean. The highlights of our trip start from the old port to visit the town of Skiathos. We will follow the picturesque alleys to explore Skiathos Town and the unique style of whitewashed houses surrounded by colorful Bougainvillea, the house of the famous writer Alexandros Papadiamantis, Bourtzi and the church of Agios Nikolaos with a view of the island. Then we will depart from the port of Skiathos to sail and enjoy one of the famous beaches of Skiathos - Koukounaries. Free time for swimming in the clear blue waters. Late in the afternoon we return to Achilleion and transfer to Volos. Overnight.

Day 5: Chania – Kissos – Tsagarada – Milies – Vyzitsa
Breakfast and we begin our excursion to villages of unique architecture and beauty of the magical Pelion, the mythical mountain of the homeland of the Centaurs and summer residence of the Olympian gods. Our first stop is in Chania where the Agriolefkes ski resort is located with a spectacular view of the Pagasitikos on one side and the Aegean on the other and is the most mountainous settlement of Pelion at an altitude of 1190m. Then we arrive at the village of Kissos, hidden in a dense forest, which is composed of plane trees, beeches, chestnut trees, lime trees, apple trees, walnut trees, fir trees, bearberry trees, cherry trees, vines, hydrangeas and of course countless ivies. Pilgrimage to Agia Marina, a three-aisled basilica from 1650, renovated in 1745. According to a local tradition, Rigas Feraios taught in Kissos for two years at the so-called school of “common letters” that was located at the edge of Kissos square, before emigrating to Moldavia. Next, we arrive at Tsagarada with its cobblestone square, the enormous (with a trunk circumference reaching 14 meters) and perhaps the oldest plane tree in Europe, 1000 years old, the stone Bridge that has withstood the test of time and the ancient churches with their great frescoes, in a blessed place, sculpted by the wind, light and stone with a magnificent view of the Aegean. Our next stop is in beautiful Milies where in 1821 Anthimos Gazis raised the flag of the Revolution in the village and took part in all the battles fought in the wider area. The church of Taxiarches built before 1741, the folklore museum and the library, one of the oldest in Greece, are the sights of the village. Finally, we will board our bus to depart for Vizitsa, the first awarded traditional settlement of Pelion, the village that won the “Golden Apple”. The whole is a living monument of Pelion architecture, with its impressive, stone-built mansions standing imposingly on the slopes of the mountain, highlighting the unique culture and tradition of this place. In the afternoon, return to Volos and free time. Overnight.

Day 6: Volos – Kala Nera Beach
Breakfast and free time for shopping in the city. The lacy coast of Pelion, washed by the Pagasetic Gulf, is full of successive beaches that are worth discovering. At noon we will go to one of them, the popular resort of Kala Nera. The area owes its name to the abundant and high-quality running waters. The plane trees and eucalyptus trees that reach the sea create an exotic setting. Free time for swimming on the beautiful organized beach with its thick sand, crystal clear and crystal clear waters. There are several restaurants, cafes and bars here for food and drinks. In the afternoon return to Volos and rest. For your evening out, we recommend dinner at one of the tsipouro restaurants with fish snacks on the city beach and drinks at the bars located near the hotel. Overnight.

Day 7: Volos – Gorgopotamos – Livadia – Athens Airport – Larnaca
Breakfast and we leave Volos. Our first stop is at Gorgopotamos, whose river and bridge are a point of great historical importance for the epic of 1940. It was there that the bridge was blown up by resistance fighters, who collaborated under the coordination of British agents. Gorgopotamos is not only its heavy historical heritage, but also its beauty, its picturesque village and its river. We continue our journey to the city of Livadia. At the springs of Krya, time stops and you are automatically transported to another era. Where everything looks as if it were taken from a painting or a fairy tale. Watermills, small waterfalls, ancient plane trees, running waters and stone bridges. Those who know the existence of this magical place will know that the waterfalls, watermills and running waters that supply the city with water are the legendary river with the feminine name, Erkyna. Livadia is famous for its food. You can try authentic flavors, such as traditionally grilled meats, kontosouvli, kokoretsi and the famous Livadia souvlaki, as well as the various pies with aromatic herbs of the Roumeli land. Then boarding the bus to Athens' "Eleftherios Venizelos" airport and the return trip to Cyprus with our suitcases full of beautiful memories from our seven-day stay in Greece.