Greece Jewish Routes

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY – (Optional) Athens by Night Tour

• Arrival at Athens Airport, where you will be met and assisted.
• Transfer to your hotel.
• Optional: Athens by Night Tour, including dinner at a traditional Greek tavern with live Greek music.
• Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Athens.

DAY 2: Athens Jewish Tour & Sightseeing

• Visit various Jewish sites in Athens:
  • Synagogue in the Agora of Athens (267-396 CE).
  • Beth Shalom Synagogue.
  • Etz Haim Synagogue (built in 1904).
  • New Holocaust Memorial of Greek Jews.
  • Jewish Museum of Greece, showcasing 2,300 years of Jewish life.
• Duration: Approximately 5 hours.
• Overnight stay in Athens.

DAY 3: Athens – Mycenae – Epidaurus – Nafplio

• Depart from Athens and head to Mycenae.
• Explore the archaeological site:
  • Lion Gate, Cyclopean Walls, the Palace, Tomb of Agamemnon.
• Continue to Epidaurus:
  • Ancient theater (seating for 15,000 spectators).
  • Archaeological Museum of Asklepeion Epidaurus.
• Arrive in Nafplio:
  • Visit the Castle of the Town, Palamidi.
• Overnight stay in Nafplio.

DAY 4: Nafplio – Mystras – Ancient Olympia

• Travel to Mystras:
  • Explore the Upper and Lower Town.
  • Visit the Palace of the Despots, Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios, Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa and Our Lady Perivleptos.
• Continue to Ancient Olympia:
  • Visit the archaeological site: Temple of Zeus, Temple of Hera, Council House, Treasury Houses, Gymnasium, and Stadium.
• Overnight stay in Olympia.

DAY 5: Ancient Olympia – Chelmoutsi Castle – Kalavryta

• Explore the ruins of Ancient Olympia.
• Visit Chlemoutsi Castle (Kastro-Kyllini), a well-preserved Frankish fortress.
• Continue to Kalavryta:
  • Explore the city.
  • Visit the Municipal Museum of the Holocaust.
  • Visit the Monastery of Mega Spilaio.
• Overnight stay in Kalavryta.

DAY 6: Kalavryta – Cog Railway Journey – Messolonghi – Ioannina

• Visit the Cave of the Lakes (13 natural lakes with unique formations).
• Take the Cog Railway (Odontotos) journey from Kalavryta to Diakopto.
• Visit Messolonghi:
  • Explore the Garden of Heroes, dedicated to the Greek War of Independence.
• Continue to Ioannina:
  • Enjoy a panoramic city tour.
• Overnight stay in Ioannina.

DAY 7: Synagogue Tour at Ioannina – Perama Cave – Metsovo

• Visit Ioannina Castle and the Inner Synagogue (1826).
• Explore Lake Pamvotis and take a boat to Ioannina Island.
• Visit Perama Cave (one of Greece’s largest caves with stalactite formations).
• Travel to Metsovo for an overnight stay.

DAY 8: Metsovo – Lake Aoos – Vergina – Synagogue Tour at Veria – Thessaloniki

• Visit Metsovo, a vibrant Vlach village.
• Stop at Lake Aoos.
• Explore Veria:
  • Visit the synagogue and learn about its historical significance.
• Visit Vergina:
  • Explore the King’s tombs, including that of Alexander the Great’s father.
• Arrive in Thessaloniki for an overnight stay.

DAY 9: Cruise at Mount Athos

• Drive to Ouranoupolis.
• Take a ferry to Mount Athos (Virgin Mary’s Garden).
• Learn about the seven monasteries with an English-speaking guide.
• Return to Thessaloniki for an overnight stay.

DAY 10: Tour of Jewish Thessaloniki – Meteora

• Explore Jewish Thessaloniki:
  • Jewish Synagogue, Jewish Museum, Jewish Cemetery.
  • Holocaust Memorial and Memorial at the former Jewish cemetery.
• Visit major city landmarks:
  • White Tower, Triumphal Arch of Galerius, Rotunda, Aristotelous Square, Modiano Market.
• Travel to Kalambaka – Meteora for an overnight stay.

DAY 11: Meteora – Synagogue Tour in Larissa – Pilion – Volos

• Visit Meteora monasteries:
  • Monastery of Varlaam and Monastery of St. Stephen.
• Travel to Larissa:
  • Visit the only remaining synagogue from Larissa’s once-thriving Jewish community.
• Continue to Pilion & Volos.
• Overnight stay in Volos.

DAY 12: Pilion Peninsula – Delphi

• Enjoy leisure time exploring Pilion’s picturesque villages.
• Experience traditional Pelian architecture and local cuisine.
• Overnight stay in Delphi.

DAY 13: Delphi – Holocaust of Distomo – Osios Loukas Monastery – Athens

• Tour Delphi:
  • Castalia Spring, archaeological site, Temple of Apollo, Delphi Museum.
• Stop at the village of Arachova.
• Visit Distomo Holocaust Memorial.
• Explore Osios Loukas Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• Return to Athens for an overnight stay.

DAY 14: Departure Day

• Transfer from the hotel to Athens Airport according to flight details.
• End of the tour.