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Greece
Northern Greece: Off the Beaten Path From Macedonia to Epirus
Program No. 24848RJ
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Participant Reviews
Based on 13 Reviews
SHOWING
This program in northern Greece was an incredible experience - the leader/guide was exceptional - as a group we were strangers but one day only - integrating historical events, landscape, culture, politics, wars, religion and more through the guide’s approach in helping us grasp Greece’s place in the world over millennia of time was a true educational experience not soon forgotten.
— Review left October 13, 2025
What a great tour this was! The field trips were amazing and the guide phenomenal. So happy I took this tour. Learned so much about the history and culture of Northern Greece.
— Review left June 4, 2025
Northern Greece- Off the beaten track. An inspiring educational experience from start to finish. Whether it was starting a day with a shot glass of olive oil followed by a shot of Raki ( 40 proof pure alcohol) we enjoyed every minute. The rocks of Meteora and villages of Zagora are well placed towards the end of the program leaving us with a warm all over feeling and a certainty that amid all this natural beauty there is surely rhyme and reason to our existence. Thank you Elena for opening these doors for us.
— Review left June 3, 2025
This program provides so much value-breathtaking scenery, history, culture and and aspects of Greece that no other tour could include. If you wish to round out your knowledge of this amazing country, take the "Off the Beaten Path" Northern Greece tour-you won't be disappointed!
— Review left June 2, 2025
Our tour leader and guide Tassos made this an exceptional experience. His in-depth knowledge of archeology, history, geography and Northern Greece brought everything alive each day of the trip. While I have traveled previously to southern Greece and several islands, Northern Greece was an undiscovered treasure trove of experiences, especially for lovers of ancient history. Our group of 15 travelers bonded well. Restaurants, museums, important sites were all chosen with exceptional care. All in all, a wonderful trip to a beautiful part of the world.
— Review left May 10, 2025
This trip was all I hoped for and more. Thessaloniki has a beautiful, walkable harbor front (from which you can see Mt. Olympos!) and, like all of Greece, wonderful museums, such as the Byzantine Museum and the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum (the latter of which my sister and I visited during a free afternoon—and is not to be missed!). The main reason I chose this tour was the trip to the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina), which did not disappoint. The Polycentric Museum of Aigai was quite a contrast but just as worthwhile (Greece knows how to do museums!). If, unlike me, you don’t want to spend your life in a museum, this trip offers lots of beautiful scenery: Zagoria and its stone bridges stand out for me and the walk to the tiny nunnery with its amazing outlook over Vikos Gorge, not to mention world-famous Meteora later in the trip. The extensive ruins of Philippi were a revelation and great fun to explore. Great silversmithing demonstration and beautiful scenery at Ioannina. Wonderful wine tasting and walk through the fascinating mountain town of Metsovo (although a steep stairway there was a little scary to descend).
I would return to all the places we visited in a heartbeat (except for Hotel Epirus, a little slice of Las Vegas in Epirus with mirrors everywhere and bad coffee, although, except for the bad coffee, I grin when I recall it).
Our guide, Anastasios (Tassos) Loakeimidis, is extremely personable and took good care of us. The depth and extent of his knowledge of ancient, medieval, and modern Greece and his ability to convey that information clearly are phenomenal. Thanks, Tassos.
— Review left May 5, 2025
Northern Greece is a fascinating region with significant historic and cultural sites, majestic landscapes, and where tourism takes a back seat to the buzz of everyday life that has been shaped by centuries of conquest and geopolitical tides.
— Review left April 23, 2025
Great program in every way! Fascinating part of Greece about which few of us know very much. The program provides detailed insight into the complicated history, culture, and geography of Macedonia. Very well-planned and orchestrated.
— Review left April 21, 2025
This program is for anyone serious about learning the roots of culture, history, and archaeology. The views and photographic opportunities are extensive. It's fun, and it's a location that is not often visited and not easy to visit without a tour guide. I haven't found any other tours of this kind on other websites. This is a truly unique experience and is a must-do for all travellers.
— Review left April 19, 2025
This was the inaugural running of this program. While, as expected, there were a few hiccups, these in no way negatively impacted this program. This is a part of Greece few tourists come to and it was well worth taking this tour, especially the tomb of King Phillip and the silver museum among others The monasteries at Meteoria were awe-inspiring. We had some of the best Greek food at all/most meals. Well worth it!
— Review left April 9, 2025
This is a beautiful place with a fascinating history and present. There are wonderful places to see, and it really does feel "off the beaten path."
— Review left April 7, 2025
This was the initial Road Scholar trip for Northern Greece - mostly of Macedonia. I've been fascinated for years with the complex history of this area - and the trip was exactly what I was hoping for. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and eager to share this knowledge. I loved the trip.
— Review left April 1, 2025
I just got back from this trip and thoroughly enjoyed it! Loved being off the beaten path. I learned so much about Greece, both modern and ancient. The archeological sites, churches and monastaries were impressive. I, now, have a deeper understanding of Byzantine art. Enjoyed viewing the "real" Greece from the bus and discovering how agricultural it is. The museums were very artistically done.
Highlights included the unraided Tomb of Philip of Macedonia and Silversmithing Museum.
Tassos, the tour leader was delightful. He had the tour very well managed and he was extremely well informed about Greece. Tassos has a good sense of humor, too.
The food was great, I'll never forget the well-lighted dinner view of the rocks Meteora.
Road Scholar, thanks for the experience!
— Review left April 1, 2025











