It is all about the journey! 

A road trip for those who want to see all of the sites of Greece, but don't want to be trapped on a bus for days.  

This 10 night trip will take you through the eons. Across beautiful mainland Greece. From Athens to the Arcadian mountains. From the fertile Olympian plains to the mysterious monasteries of Meteora.

 

You'll begin with 2 nights in Athens. Here so many concepts that we still hold dear were born. Theater, music, democracy. You'll walk in the ancient Agora where Socrates and his students debated. You will witness the Doric columns of the Parthenon from up close. A visit to the Museum of Cycladic art will give you unique insight into thousands of years recorded history in the Aegean. Remarkable stone and clay artifacts from a time predating all the known civilizations of the Aegean.

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The following morning, a rented car will be delivered to your hotel.

You'll load up and set off on the adventure of a life time.

Well planned, with only pleasant surprises. You begin your 8 night tour of the Greek mainland. 

A custom made road book in hand. You’ll have all everything you need to navigate from A to B.  

GPS coordinates. Phone numbers. Information on the important sites, and the towns where you will be spending the nights. Recommendations for dining, shopping and interesting little detours that you would never find on your own.  

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The first destination on your road trip is the mountain citadel of King Agamemnon. Mycenae is the remarkable fortress with the famous Lion’s gate. From this gate, long haired Achaeans launched their 10 year war on Troy. 
 

The coming evenings will be pleasantly spent in the sea side town of Nafplion. The first capital of Greece after the war of independence against the Ottoman Turks in the 1820’s. The history of this period, still very visible in the elegant buildings. Colorful squares and stone walkways adorned with potted flowers and lemon trees. Imposing Palamidi fortresses guards the city from the mountain above.

  
While in Nafplion, one must visit the ancient theater of Epidaurus. The best preserved of its kind in the world. To this day, thousands watch ancient tragedies that play out on the stone stage in the summer months and marvel at the acoustic engineering of the structure. 

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From Nafplion you venture west.

Over the Arcadian Mountains covered in pine and plane trees. One of the oldest cradles of the Hellenic peoples, the mythical domain of the goat legged Pan. He terrorized these hills with his shrill flute, chasing the river nymphs deep into the forest.

The mountains are studded with remote villages, winding mountain trails, and mystic caves. You can stop along the way to enjoy the pristine countryside and enjoy a delicious lamb lunch at one of the roadside tavernas. 

You’ll reach the plains of Olympia, near the Ionian shores. You can rest from the journey before you explore the sacred site. Here, the concept of noble athletic competition was first conceived and so many eons ago. Since 776 BC and for almost 1000 years, the finest athletes of the Greek speaking world would gather here. From Marseilles to Miletus. From the far shores of the Black sea to the Libyan gulf, they would converge on this site every 4 years to honor Olympian Zeus. Competing in running, fighting, chariot races and more “civilized” sports like the discus and the javelin. The victors were welcomed as heroes in the cities.

 

From Olympia you’ll continue north. Across the modern day miracle of engineering which is the bridge at Rion-Antirion. It spans the narrow entrance to the Corinthian gulf, connecting the Peloponnese to central Greece.

The day’s driving will take you along winding coastal roads. You can stop at any one of the quaint little fishing villages to stretch your legs and enjoy a Greek coffee at a sea side kafeneio. A well-deserved break for lunch in yet another historical sea side port, Nafpactos.

Once known as the naval stronghold of Lepanto, off this coast, the Spanish and Venetian fleets laid waste to the Ottoman navy. The spectacular naval battle took place in 1571 and littered the sea with wreckage and fire.  So great was the call to war, that it was answered by none other than Miguel De Cervantes. A bronze statue of him guards the gate of the fortified port.

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The afternoon will find you checking in to the sleepy village of Galaxidi. Here you can wind down with a dip in the sea and an evening stroll in the colorful port. Each night, it comes alive with the laughter of children and the chatter of friendly locals who step out to enjoy the sea breeze.

 

There are many ways that you can spend the next day immersing in the local lifestyle. You can go out to sea on a traditional kayiki with one of the local fishermen. Hopeful of a bountiful catch. You can linger in the town and partake in a hands on cooking class. An introduction to the wealth of local tastes and scents. One more-well deserved afternoon of soaking in the sun at one of the beach bars on the outskirts of the town.   

 

After taking some time to live among the locals, you will leave Galaxidi behind and continue your historical quest. Stopping first at the spectacular Oracle of Apollo at Delphi. Just like pilgrims of old, you will walk the stone steps that lead to his sanctuary. Passing the stoas and treasuries where the Greek cities offered gifts to the sun god. The ruins of Apollo’s temple appear proudly against the rocky cliffs as you ascend.  The theater, and further up, the stadium carved into the side of the rock is an unforgettable sight. From here, you can marvel at the vast olive grove below, extending from the root of the mountain to the shimmering sea beyond. The silver olive leaves shining against the setting sun.

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After consulting with the Oracle, you continue north across the alpine landscape of the Giona mountains. You will reach Thermopylae.

On this site, mighty king Leonidas and his heroic 300 Spartans stood against the hordes of invading Persians in 480 BC. Fighting to the last man, they held off the invaders for 3 days and nights. Giving valuable time to other Greek cities to prepare their defenses. His sacrifice to freedom is commemorated in a commanding monument near the battleground.

You can stop to reflect on the significance of this battle to world history. Without Thermopylae, there may never have been a Parthenon. There may never have been democracy.  Inspired and rested, you continue north. Deep into the Thessalian mainland.

 

By afternoon you will reach most unique rock formations in the world. Meteora. After some time to rest at your traditional lodging, you can select an elevated position across from the monasteries and prepare your lens.  This will be one of your most memorable sunset photographs.

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The coming morning, you can drive up once more. This time to enter the 1000 year old monasteries and marvel at the fascinating feat of architecture. Like many a modern pilgrim, you can’t help but feel the serenity that emanates from this holy sanctuary.

 

From Meteora you will continue further north, into the Macedonian provinces of Greece. The ancient kingdoms of Phillip and Alexander the Great. Bordered to the south by Mount Olympus. To the east by the Thermaic Gulf. To the west by the sprawling Pindos Mountain range. In this land, Alexander amassed his vast army and set forth to liberate the Greek cities of the Ionian shores in. He brought the vast Persian Empire to its’ knees. Spreading with his passing, the Greek language and culture as far away as distant India.

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In the village of Vergina, near the foot of Mount Olympus, lies the ancient burial ground of the Royal Macedonian bloodline. Here you can stop to see the exquisite bronze armor of King Phillip and his ivory tipped sword. The entrance to his monumental tomb has been preserved for thousands of years under the ceremonial burial mound.  

 

Thessaloniki, your ultimate destination on this epic road trip.

​Greeks refer to this romantic city with affection as “the Bride of the North”. You’ll arrive in the early afternoon. Just as all the shops open after the mid-day rest. The walkways come to life. The cafés on the coastal promenade fill with friends and couples who sip on their “freddo cappuccino” in the cool sea breeze. You’ll drop the car off and check into your hotel. You won’t need it anymore. All the exciting landmarks will be at your footstep.

 

The next two days should be spent blissfully taking in the wealth of Thessaloniki. The White Tower which stands at the edge of the sea, a testament to Greek suffering endured during 400 years of Ottoman reign. The Roman walls that encircle the city to the north, and the magnificent arch of Galerius.

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Thessaloniki will not only reward your historical curiosity. The city will captivate your palette! A myriad of markets, authentic eateries, and pastry shops. 100 years ago, the Greek speaking people of Asia Minor and the Pontus were driven from their ancestral lands. They brought their culinary traditions here to Thessaloniki. And here they are kept alive and adored. A flaky breakfast pie with a sweet custard filling, Bougatsa is the only way to begin the day. Chopped into bite sized pieces. Sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar powder, served crisp and hot from the oven.

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With these tastes and scents, your road trip in Greece has come to an end.

No need to return to Athens. Thessaloniki has an international airport from where you can catch an international flight to any destination.

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Having seen the mainland like few have, the next visit to Greece will be devoted to the wonderful Aegean islands!

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