Greek Theatrical Play in an Ancient Theater of Dion

Have you ever dreamed watching an Ancient Greek Play in an ancient Greek Theater?

One of the things to do the next week in Thessaloniki is  to join us in our evening trip to Dion

and watch together the Theatrical Play "Seven Against Thebes" by Aeschylus.

 11th of August 2017 - Theatrical Play in Ancient Dion

Aeschylus' "Seven Against Thebes"

“Seven Against Thebes” by Aeschylus staged by the National Theatre of Northern Greece, a production which was greatly appreciated both by the critics and the general public last summer, is repeated again this year.

About The Play:

The conflict between the two sons of Oedipus is the theme of “Seven Against Thebes”. After his appalling actions were revealed to him, Oedipus left the throne to his two sons, Eteocles and Polynices. The two agreed to rule Thebes alternately. However, when the time came for Polynices to take reign, Eteocles did not keep his promise. This provoked the wrath of Polynices, who allied with the king of Argos Adrastus and organized a military campaign against Thebes. Seven leaders of each of the two rival armies lined up on either side of the seven gates of Thebes. Eteocles and Polynices faced one another in front of the seventh gate. Eteocles is the lonely main character of the tragedy. Thebes is under siege and he is trying to organize a counter-attack in a battle doomed to end without a real winner.

About the Theatre of Dion:

The ancient theatre rests to the south of Dion, out of the city limits, having to the west the sanctuary dedicated to Demetra. Its construction dates to the Hellenistic era, probably in the reign of King Philipp V (221-179 BC). Built on the slope of a low natural hill, the theatre is facing north-east: this is the best orientation for maximum ventilation, according to posterior instructions by Vitruvius. The architect who designed this monument exploited the morphology of the ground; through partial removal of accumulated earth and creation of an artificial fill, he shaped a most successful accomplishment bearing his stamp. 

You can find more info regarding Dion in our previous post, or by clicking here.

Our trip to Dion will start in the 11th of August from Thessaloniki Centre. The distance between Dion and Thessaloniki is about 92km, and the trip lasts approximately 1 hour and half. We will head directly to the archaeological site of Dion where we will tour the site and the museum and after a small break of 30 minutes we will meet outside the ancient theatre where at 21:00 (9pm) the play will begin and will last about 2 hours and a half.

So make your dream come true and watch an ancient Greek Drama in an ancient Greek theatre. Participation costs 35€ per person and includes the Play and the transfers. Entrance fees to the archaeological site and the museum is not included (8€ per person).

Thessaloniki offer a genuine travel experience. Away from the mass tourism centres of the Greek islands, here you will find original hospitality, people who are happy to welcome guests and of course the real daily life of Greece. So join us for this one time only trip and watch an Ancient Greek Play just like a local.

 11th of August 2017 - Theatrical Play in Ancient Dion

Aeschyuls' "Seven Against Thebes"

Half Day Trip from Thessaloniki with Ancient Greek Play

Participation 35€ per person 

book now at : tsakiristravel@hotmail.com

Tel: 2310720566 ask Lisa 

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Day Trip to Dion and Olympus from Thessaloniki

It was after a long strong winter that I received a message from my friend Mio, suggesting we go for a day trip from Thessaloniki to the archaeological site of Dion in the shadow of Mount Olympus. It was one of those days of early spring when we reached the area.

The archaeological site of Dion is a short distance journey from Thessaloniki and  a great location for one day trip, especially when you combine it with the a visit to the Archaeological museum of Dion, the Enipeas gorge and the cave of Saint Dionysius and a visit to Olympus Litochoro you know for a swim in the summer and for a lunch in the winter..or spring as we did.

My trip to Dion it was a small catharsis, a passage from the cold winter to the promising spring and summer. Was it because my emotional state, or because of the power that this site has, I felt refreshed and relieved after my visit there. Dion you see  was the most sacred city of the Macedonians, Dion, was at that time only 1.5 kilometers from the sea and the so called Vafyras river was flowing through it. We have the first written reports mentioning Dion in the 5th century BC, but it was King Archelaos I who upgraded the city of Dion to a cultural and religious center of the region. The Macedonian King chose the city because of its connection with the worship of the Muses and Zeus, and thus Dion had in ancient Greece a prestige like this of Delphi in Sterea Hellas and Olympia in the Peloponnese. Temples, stadiums, walls were built and sculptures and statues were placed, while in the ancient Greek theatre of Dion the tragedian Euripides staged his plays, “Bacchae” and “Archelaos”.

Right under the house of Gods, visitors were coming to this city to worship the gods, to relax and maybe have some fun in the Temple of Dionysus. My friend Mio compared the site with the Hayao Miyazaki's  "Spirit Away" animation film. where there also people were living among the Gods, in an area with springs.



Dion is the site of a large temple dedicated to Zeus, as well as a series of temples to Demeter and to Isis (the Egyptian goddess was a favourite of Alexander the Great). Excavation of the magnificent House of Dionysus revealed a mosaic of exceptionally fine quality. Dion House of Dionysus Mosaic A rare and unusual find in the museum is a bronze "hydraulis" or hydraulic musical pipe organ found in a former workshop. Dion hydraulis In 2006, a statue of Hera was found built into the walls of the city. The statue, 2200 years old, had been used by the early Christians of Dion as filling for the city's defencive wall.

Among the ruins you will find excellent works of mosaics. The Macedonians were famous for their Mosaics. Unfortunately if you visit during winter or spring the mosaics are covered in order to be protected. Few steps away there is the centre of  Mediterranean Mosaic Dion right next to the Archaeological museum of Dion. 

To be honest I enjoyed my walk inside the site, because it seems that nature has took over the area. You walk inside the nature, in spring everything is green and I look forward to visit the site in summer as well.

By Evilemperorzorg at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Even now you can see the water gushing out of the earth. During my visit there was a big group of frogs making noises, stating that this was definitely their home and that all visitors need to know that. I visited the area without a guide, but to be honest I think this site is too big to walk without someone explaining you where to go and what do you actually see. So I would recommend to visitors of Thessaloniki to choose the Guided Day trip to Dion. The participation cost is bigger but you don't live the site with unanswered questions in your mind.

By Evilemperorzorg at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

I understand that I am not providing a lot of information regarding the site. I was very impressed by what I saw, that historic value had totally skipped from my mind. While walking between the ruins, the former baths, the former Inns, the former Tavernas, I was trying to picture all those people who visited the site before me. Some of them came to worship the Ancient Gods of Greece, some came to have fun, while others might have came for the healing power of the baths.

I would like to apologise for the not showcasing enough this magnificent site, but I would like not to reveal all the information, I want the visitor to explore the site on his own and maybe with the help of a guide to understand the power that comes out from this site.

We have gathered all of the Day Trips from Thessaloniki and we can suggest you two ways to visit Dion and Olympus.

Day Trip to Dion and Mountain Olympus - Relax on a Budget
Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with English Speaking Escort 
Duration 12 Hours (5 hours on the road)
We visit  - The Museum and archaeological site of Dion - The Enipeas gorge and the cave of Saint Dionysius of Olympus Litochoro Plaka Litochoro (beach) for a swim break 
Participation starting from 20 € per person / rates on the Relax on Budget trips are subject to availability.

Day Trip to Dion - Litochoro with a Guide
Every Friday with bilingual Professional Gudie
aprox 200 km / Duration 09:00 - 18:00 / Full day excursion
Participation: 45 € per person / 23 € per child aged 4 to 12years
children aged 0 - 4 years old travel for free
All rates for the tours with Professional guides are fixed.

Entrance fees
Reduced entry to the Museum of Dion (€ 6) is available to all citizens of EU Member States aged over 65, by showing their ID card or passport, as well as students from countries outside the EU.
Full Fee: 8 €

Please note: The hiking that lead to the cave of Saint Dionysius takes about 20 minutes and requires comfortable shoes. Do not forget the sun block, sunglasses and a hat.

You can ask for more information to our email : tsakiristravel@hotmail.com
Or contact with Lisa (yeah that's me) at 0030 2310 720 566

Have you visited Dion? Was it during Summer or Winter? Would you like to share some of your picture with us? Unfortunately the trees weren't in full blossom when I visited so my pictures looks kind of sad... Did you know we have an instagram account as well??

Feel free to join us to instagram as well!

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Daily Day Trip to Vergina from Thessaloniki

The closest archaeological site to Thessaloniki is that of Vergina. Vergina stands now on what it was Aigai, the first capital of  Ancient Macedonia. It was here in 336BC that King Phillip II was assassinated in the theatre and Alexander the Great was proclaimed King.

During 1976 to 1978 by the excavations led by the Archaeologist Michail Andronikos reveiled the burial site of the Kings of Macedon, including the tomb of  Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great, unlike so many tombs, this one had not been disturbed or looted. Vergina is also the site of an extensive royal palace and of many rich ancient tombs

Daily Day Trip to Vergina from Thessaloniki

Every Day low budget Day Trip to Vergina  with an English Speaking Escort 

Every Thursday Day Trip to Vergina with a professional Guide 

At the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai you’ll have the chance to admire the royal tombs, the wreaths of gold, the shrines bearing engraved the famous sixteen radii star of the ancient Macedonian dynasty, the armours and all the precious discoveries of the tombs of the Macedonian kings that came to light just four decades ago.

The visitor descending into the underground area of the tombs begins his tour with a reconstruction of the Great Mound, the monument that originally marked the site of the Royal Tombs and which no longer exists. Next are grave stelai and finds from tombs of ordinary Macedonian citizens, who after their death became neighbours of the king, and whose presence provides a yardstick of comparison. The ruined 3rd c. BC tomb, the collapsed heroon, cult place of the kings, the fascination and sorrow inspired by Persephone's abduction prepare the visitor as he approaches the dead king.

 Philip now takes the stage.  His splendid weapons vividly convey the feeling of the ruler's power. The pile remains of the funerary pyre, found scattered all-over the tomb, are reminders of the tragic holocaust and at the same time an allusion to his passing into another dimension. Next comes the gold coffin (larnax) that contained the bones of the heroozed King Philip II, and the oak crown worn by the dead man. The Gold rnax Lait is made of 7,820 gr. of hammered pure gold. Its lid is decorated with a 16 - rayed star symbol and two rosettes, the inner of which is filled with blue enamel. On the sides relief palmettes and lotus buds frame five enamelled rosettes. TThe feet are decorated with rosettes and end in lion-paws. The gold oak crown is the heaviest and most impressive wreath surviving from Greek antiquity. It has 313 leaves and 68 acorns and weighs 714 gr.

The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Professor Manolis Andronikos, the archaeologist who brought the treasures to light and had the knowledge and perceptiveness to recognise them for what they were.

Northern Greece was part of the Macedonian Kingdom of the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire. A place with a mixture of civilisations, cultures and history. I do recommend a visit to Vergina where a traveller can get in touch with the Macedonian Kingdom, while enjoying his time in the rural Northern Greece.

We combine the day trip to Vergina with a visit to the Holy Monastery of Saint Prodromos of Veria, where we can enjoy the breathtaking view of the river of Aliakmonas. We then visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai, which is situated at the border of the village of Vergina.

Join us on our day trip to vergina!! Send your requests for more info and details regarding both tours to tsakiristravel@hotmail.com or to info@tsakiristravel.gr

Vergina Day Trip from Thessaloniki 

Low Budget Tour Every day 

Every Monday with a visit to Monastery of Saint Prodromos of Veria

aprox 250  km / Duration 6 hours

Every Tueday to Friday 

aprox 250  km / Duration 5 hours 

Particpation starting from 10 € per person 

(Low budget rates are subject to availability)

Guided Tour of  Pella - Vergina 

Every Thursday with bilingual Professional Guide 

aprox 250  km / Duration 08:30 - 18:00/ Full day excursion

Participation: 45 € per person / 23 € per child aged 4 to 12 years 

children aged 0- 4 years old travel for free

Entrance Fees:

All the citizens of countries – members of the EU over 65 years of age by showing their ID Card or Passport and all students of countries outside the EU by showing their student card are entitled to reduced admission to the Museum of Vergina (6€)

Full fee €12 Reduced fee €6 
Combined ticket: Full fee €14 
Combined ticket: Reduced fee €7

  

Book with us at tsakiristravel@hotmail.com / 0030 2310720566 

www.tsakiristravel.gr

Have you visited Vergina? Let us know your oppinion on the comment section below!

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Meteora day trip from Thessaloniki (Update)

We are happy to introduce a new day trip to Meteora from Thessaloniki.I have introduced Meteora in a previous post.This time we want to introduce a new day trip to Meteora.

Meteora Day Trip from Thessaloniki

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday with English Speaking Escort
Every Monday with Proffesional Guide

The excursion to Meteora stars from the center of Thessaloniki. Then our journey to Meteora starts were we visit two of the six  monasteries that are open: the nunnery Ag. Stefanos with its impressive wooden temple where we have the opportunity to take a close look to the plain of Thessaly and the town of Kalambaka, and the Monastery of Barlaam, to admire the valuable surviving frescoes of the painter Frangos Katelanos and enjoy the view of the other monasteries. We also visit two wonderful places with panoramic view of the huge rocks of Meteora for commemorative photos.

We continue to  Kalambaka, where we can enjoy our lunch and a coffee at one of the numerous taverns and cafes of the central square, while for the more energetic guests there is the brand new Meteora Natural History Museum and Observer, where some of the most tasty mushrooms that exist are offered for tasting

We visit Metora from Thessalonikiwith two different but equally enjoy full excursions.

Meteora and Relax 
Every Monay, Wednesday Friday and Sunday budget Trip with no guide but with an English speaking escort and we combine the Meteor Day trip from Thessaloniki with a Visit to Kalampaka and to Panteleimon Beach for swimming.
Participation starts from 20 € per person, depending availaibility rates are subject to change.
Send us an email at tsakiristravel@hotmail.com / info@tsakirisravel.gr to send you
the exact schedule.

Every Monday Meteora Day Tirp from Thessaloniki with professional guide.
We visit Meteora and Kalampaka
Participation 55 € per person.28 € per child 4 -12 years of age.
Read the schedul online here

In Both Dat Trips ot Meteora from Thessalonikh,  guests need to know that for the visit of the monasteries there is an entrance fees of 3 Euros per person / per monastery. For entering the monasteries of Meteora, appropriate clothing is required. Ladies must not wear short skirts and must have long sleeves. Men are not allowed to wear shorts.

Feel fre to ask for availaibility, rates and information at tsakiristravel@hotmail.com / +30 2310720566

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Thessaloniki City Tour

Thessaloniki/ Salonika/ Selanik as every ancient city come with many names and many faces. When the locals talk about their city, they refer to her as if she is a woman. A mysterious seductive woman, a kind mother and a great sister.

Harbour Promenade Photo by limagiraphe in Flickr

Thessaloniki is a proud city, established 315 BC by Cassander of Macedonia, it has been a home for  different cultures through its long history. Part of the Ancient Macedonian Kingdom, part of the Roman Empire, co- capital of the Byzantium and part of Ottoman Empire. In 1912 Thessaloniki was liberated and became part of the Hellenic Republic. Few years later Thessaloniki became the home of the Macedonian Front of World War I, also known as the Salonica Front (after Thessaloniki), was formed as a result of an attempt by the Allied Powers to aid Serbia, in fall 1915, against the combined attack of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria.

Harbour Photo by limagiraphe in Flickr

In 1922 once more Thessaloniki welcomed refugees, this time  from Asia Minor and the survivors the Greek Pontic Genocide. The end of the World War II found the city open wounded, as the Sephardic Jew community suffered great loses during the war and the atrocities of the Nazi army against the Jewish people. After the war and until 1949 the civil war of Greece divided the people of the city. What we know now as Thessaloniki started from the 50's where the city has continue to grow, to welcome cultures and to embrace new civilizations. The last few years Thessaloniki is getting popular among the travellers, as a weekend destination, as a safe home for hundreds of foreign students and as a centre of the Balkans.

With this long introduction, I would like to point out that, although Thessaloniki is a boutique city that can be explored in one day, has also elaborate historic background that needs a deeper research. Understanding the city's history you can understand why the city today is like that, why the people of this city are so different from the rest of the country and why the flavours of the area are the best in Greece (this is a true, and total unbiased opinion of mine...o.k maybe a little biased) . So join us every Tuesday for a Half Day City tour with a Professional Guide  and let's discover together and with your comfort the history of Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki City Tour  Half Day Trip / Every Tuesday  Duration 09:30 - 14:30 

White Tower from James Dennes in Flickr

Meet us at the pickup point near to your hotel and begin the sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki. You will have the opportunity to comfortable see the White Tower and bhe main landmarks of the city, such as the Galerius Arch, the Rotonda monument, the Old Town (Ano Poli) and the City Walls, where you will be able to admire the marvellous view of Thessaloniki! We will visit the Agios Demetrius Byzantine church and its crypt, and you will also have the opportunity to visit the Archaeological Museum. Return to your hotel’s nearest drop off point.


Thessaloniki City Tour / Half Day Trip with Proffesional Guide
Every Tuesday 
aprox 30 km / Duration 09:30 - 14:30 / Half Day Tour
Book with us at tsakiristravel@hotmail.com / +30 2310720566
Particiption: 20 € per person / 10 € per child aged 4 to 12yrs 
Entrance fees 8  € 
Children aged 0 - 4 years old travel for free

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Mount Athos Day Trip From Thessaloniki

Today is the first day of the Mount Athos Cruise Day trips!!  With Easter coming this weekend  we commence the Summer Holiday Season in Northern Greece!!!

If you find me overexcited is because this day marks the beginning of  our Day trips to Mount Athos!!

I have mentioned that Mount Athos cruise in a previous post regarding the one day excursions from Thessaloniki but this time I would like to give more details. 

Mount Athos Cruise Full Day trip from Thessaloniki 

 April - October 2017

Every Wednesday 

Every Saturday 

So starting from today, every Wendesday we organise day trips and cruise to Mount Athos from the centre of  Thessaloniki. So what you need to know...

Mount Athos is located in Chalkidiki, the three leg peninsula east of  Thessaloniki. Chalkidiki is a summer destination for the people of  Thessaloniki and for a large number of tourists. It's third leg Mount Athos is an Autonomous Monastic State, Mounnt Athos or as we call Ayio Oros (holly mountain) is the oldest surviving monastic community in the world. It is not accessible to women and only men are permitted to travel and "discover the secrets of the monastic life.

Since we can not actually visit Mount Athos, we offer a cruise in the shores of Mount Athos where there a visitor can see the Magestic Monasteries of the area. To start our Day Trip to Mount Athos We meet early in the morning in the centre of  Thessaloniki (07:00) and we travel to Ormos Panagias located in the North Easte side of Sithonia Peninsula in Chalkidiki.   

Source Flickr

From there we will board the boat to Athos Peninsula. we will go on with our journey, sailing towards the south of the Athos Peninsula, until we reach the south limit, where the highest point is 2.033 m. then we shall sail north, along the western coast.  The most impressive it is said to be the  Saint Panteleimon Monastery, It is often referred to as "Russian" and does have historical and liturgical ties to the Russian Orthodox Church; nevertheless, like all the other monastic settlements on Mount Athos, the monastery is under the direct ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The monastery was founded by several monks from Kievan Rus in the 11th century, which is why it is known as "Rossikon". It has been inhabited by mainly Russian monks in certain periods of its history. It was recognized as a separate monastery in 1169. Along the coast guests will be able to see Dionysiou Monastery, Osiou Gregoriou Monastery and Xenophontos Monastery among others. Don't get swayed by the view, pay attention to the guide who will  give information information  about the history of  Mount Athos and 8 of its monasteries. 

Sourc Flickr Michael Clark Stuff

 The traditional Athonian Architecture will impress you and it might remind you stories from medieval times, I could say this day trip will make you want to read Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose". But don't worry, this will not be a "dark" medieval excursion, this one is bright as the Greek sun. After sailing we stop in Ouranoupoli, where there will have enough free time to discover the village, to take a walk, to shop or to have a traditional meal in one of the taverns there. On our way, back from Ouranoupoli, the boat will sail to the west, to Ormos Panagias and for 1 hour and a half  there will be a  wonderful animation program with traditional dances and Greek music for us to participate.

Source Flickr Micheael Clark stuff

Our return to Thessaloniki will be at the evening, right on time to have a dinner and maybe a drink to one of the busy bars of  the city.

Athos Cruise Day trip from Thessaloniki is one of the things and I highly suggest to guests with long stay and have one time to spare. Athos Cruise and the Day trip to Meteora is a must Do while visiting Northern Greece. 

Mount Athos Cruise Day Trip from Thessaloniki 

Every Wendesday & Sunday 

aprox 230  km / Duration 07:00 - 18:30 /Full Day Excursion

Book with us at tsakiristravel@hotmail.com / 0030 2310720566 

www.tsakiristravel.gr

Participation: 55 € per person / 28 € per child aged 4 to 12 years 

children aged 0- 4 years old travel for free  

You can now download our Full list of Day Trips from Thessaloniki
in our site page: http://www.tsakiristravel.gr/about-us ore read it online here.

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Happy New Year Everybody!

Finally 2016 is gone, so let's look forward and be optimistic.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank you for all the good memories and on behalf of the Family of  Tsakiris Travel to wish you a healthy and prosper New Year with more journeys, more travel experiences and hopefully with peace for all of us and for all the countries of this small world.

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