Greece Tours: Philippi -Chalcidice - Amphipolis - Kavala - Departs Thessaloniki

This is a sample tour of what we feel best represents the area from a natural and historic perspective. As always, we will go where you indicate but the following are some of the highlights, of which you 'll want to be aware.

From the first we'll be leaving Thessaloniki Prefecture on a historic road the Via Egnatia built in 146 BC and today know as the E 90 and heading East to the Chalcidice Peninsula(s) we shall remain north and drive to the village of Thermi, briefly visit the mountain of Hortiatis for its superb views and then continue to the wonderful lakes of Koronia and Volvi. Some of Greece's protected wetlands and where many migrating birds visit annually. If desired, we may stop for refreshments at Asprovalta and then drive on to visit the famous Lion Statue of Amphipolis.

Amphipolis, was an Athenian colony founded in the 5th c BC on a Thracian site. Here, according to Herodotus, the invading Persian army seized 9 youths and buried them alive as a "sacrifice" on their way to further atrocities South. 'Amphi-polis', named, because like an 'amphi-theater',  is 'surrounded'  by a loop of the Strymon River.

In addition to enjoying these defensive advantages it also commands the strategic flatlands, the mouth of the river and the coveted gold mines of Mt. Pangeon. Upon its table top plateau  was fought the battle of Amphipolis which decided the 1st phase of the Peloponnesian war between Sparta and Athens 433 BC. Finds from the area are kept in the museum at Poliyiros.

Additionally, further to the south on the fist peninsula of Potidea, were discovered a neolithic settlement and a Neanderthal skull within the cave of Petralonia. Near by, at Stayira was born Aristotle  and commemorated by a modern marble representation.  Potidea was forcibly separated from the mainland by the Persians having dug the Xerxes' Canal and now filled in. The canal was constructed to help the Persian navy avoid repeating the earlier destruction of its ships by a storm off Mt. Athos. Xerxes, considered by the Greeks a megalomaniac, also constructed a bridge over the Hellespont to aid his armies of which nothing survives. The Greeks referred to these two acts "as marching over the sea and sailing ships through the land"

Next we'll continue on, to Kavala where we stop for an optional lunch and shopping. Brief sightseeing tour of the city with its famous aqueduct and picturesque port. Kavala Archeological Museum in Erithro Stavro St (fee)

On our return, we shall visit the archaeological area of Philippi: the «Forum Romanum», ruins of two early Christian Basilicas, followed by a visit to St. Lydia’s Baptistery.

Here are a few of the other Greece Taxi or Bus touring destinations you may choose from

Athens, Cape Sounion, Ancient Corinth, Delphi & Ossios Lukas, Drama, Florina, Greneva, Chalkidiki, Imathia, Kastoria, Kavala, Kozani, Meteora, Mt. Athos, Mycenaea, Naufplion, Olympia, Pella and Vergina, Phillipi & Kavala, Dion & Mt Olympus, Sparta & Mystras, The Mani and Monemvasia, Thessaloniki,
READ TESTIMONIALS
E-mail Paul for prices and availibility