Itinerary

Day 1

The airport is just 30 minutes away from the center of the city, and we will be there to welcome you.
After you settle at the centrally located hotel, you will have time to walk around the city before our welcome dinner.

Day 2

Our destinations for today are Domain Porto Carras, at N. Marmaras, Tsantali Winery at Agios Pavlos and Domaine Gerovassiliou at Epanomi.
We have planed a scenic route through the forest of Taxiarhis, the small, traditional town of Arnea, well known for the local Tsipouro and the famous Petralona Cave.
Domain Porto Carras is the largest private owned vineyard in Europe. The red VQPRD �Cotes de Meliton� is created from Limnio-an old Greek variety-, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc while under the same Appellation of Origin a white wine is created from Assyrtiko, Roditis and Athiri.
From Malagouzia and Syrah are produced the Regional wines of Sithonia, a full-bodied white and a purple, dense red.
At the large winery of Tsantali at Agios Pavlos are produced the Regional wines of Chalkidiki, a lively white with fruity aromas from Roditis and Cabernet Blanc, and a supple, fresh red from Xinomavro and Cabernet Sauvignon.
At Domaine Gerovassiliou at Epanomi, voted in the top 100 wineries for 2006, at an ideal ecosystem for wine cultivation, the varieties of Assyrtiko, Malagouzia, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viongier and Syrah, Merlot, Grenach Rouge, Limnio Mavroudi, Mavrotragano give the Regional Wines of Epanomi. Furthermore, there is a very interesting enology museum, with a collection of rare corkscrews dating back to 18th century, 28 rare handmade wine-presses (18th -20th century), amphorae of Mycenaean and Byzantine time and many other old items and tools of the viticulturist

Day 3

The vineyards of Goumenissa produce Xinomavro and Negoska, and the blending of the two gives the VQPRD Goumenissa, which is elegant, supple and complex with emphasis on the Xinomavro fruit.
The wineries of Aidarinis, Boutari and Domaine Tatsis will travel us through the history of local wines and vineyard cultivation.
Nearby is ancient Pella, capital of Macedonia during the period of Philip II, and here the Regional Wines of Pella are produced from Roditis, Xinomavro, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugnie Blanc and Merlot. The red is rich in colour and body, the white light and fruity and rose has a fresh flavour.
A visit at the nearby archaeological site is of course possible

Day 4

On the southeast slopes of Mt. Vertiskos, north of Thessaloniki, amongst clumps of oak, beech and chestnut trees lay the vineyards of Domaine A. Babatzimopoulos. The varieties cultivated here are the reds Xinomavro, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and the whites Athiri, Assyrtiko, Malvasia, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The Regional Wine "Cotes de Vertiskos", a fruity rose with refreshing flavour is created from Xinomavro.
At Lake Kerkini you will have time to relax or participate in activities. Oikoperiigitis is the guesthouse that you will stay and also host of a very special dinner with home made dishes and a surprise!

Day 5

Today you will stay again at Kerkini, and the program is free. The people of Oikoperiigitis however, are real professionals who love their place and will be happy to share its beauty with you.
For lunch we have another surprise. A small old time tavern in the village square, with may stay in your memory for ever!.

Day 6

The area of Naoussa is known for the VQPRD "Naoussa" made exclusively of Xinomavro. The visits at Dalamara Winery, Kir-Yanni Naoussa winery, Doamain Founti and Ktima Chrysohoou are extremely interesting and they will help you to enjoy this unique wine, which is tart when young, but softens and acquires a unique complexity, beautiful bouquet and flavour with ageing.
From Xinomavro and the other red varieties cultivated in the region (mainly Merlot and Syrah) are produced the Regional Wines of Imathia, a white "Blanc de noirs" and a fleshy and opulent red that endures through time.
You must not miss the visit to the magnificent Macedonian tombs at Lefkadia, surrounded by vineyards and tree planes.
The tour returns to Thessaloniki for the night.

Day 7

Today you will visit the vineyards of the Olympian Gods! At the Tsantali Winery at Rapsani the red varieties Xinomavro, Krasato and Stavroto blend to produce the VQPRD �Rapsani�, a full-bodied red with intensity in the spicy bouquet.
Not far away, near the traditional settlement of Krania, Domaine Katsaros winery produces the Regional Wines of Krania, from Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The white is opulent with typical variety aromas. The red is generous, complex, and well structured, capable of long ageing.
The day also includes a visit to the Archaeological Park at Dion, and a visit at Mt. Olympus.
For the evening we have arranged a goodbye dinner.

Day 8

Depending on flight schedules, you may have time to walk around the city or visit some of it�s monuments before leaving

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Accommodation: 5 nights HB 3* city hotel & 2 nights traditional hotel

Exclusions -

Entrance fees at sites

Extras -

The tour is available for individuals / families or pre-formed groups. Please contact us for prices.With Thessaloniki as a base, daily tours run at the areas of Chalkidiki, Mt. Olympus, Goumenissa and Naoussa, to visit more than 10 wineries. Except from the tasting, you will walk through vineyards, visit museums and rare collections of viniculture items or even take part in the procedures!
Thessaloniki is a busy, live city with countless choices for entertainment. Dinners are scheduled at selected establishments, in order to taste quality local cuisine, while a vast number of caf�s and bars are available for later on.
Furthermore, for 2 nights you will visit Lake Kerkini, an amazing ecosystem. There you can relax or blast your adrenalin with activities like bird-watching, hiking, canoe, mountain-bike or 4x4 vehicle tour. At an excellent environment at the guesthouse, you will have a special dinner with home cooked dishes, accompanied by local wine.
This tour is also a great opportunity for family vacations or friends not so interesting in wine, as it combines wine tasting with local cuisine, culture, fun and knowledge.