- Length & Dates: 7 Nights | Final dates pending
- Description: We will spend 4 days touring the historical-epoch sites in Thessaloniki, Greece’s cultural capital, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe (and a far broader repository of significant historical sites than Athens.) After enjoying the great food and culture of the city, we’ll travel south for a guided tour of ancient Dion, swim the Aegean, rest in the mountain village of Litochoro, and wake the next morning to ascend Mount Olympus, where we’ll spend our final 2 days in the luxurious mountain refuge of Agapitos Spilos and explore the mythic, cloud-laced home of the Gods.
- Who Should Come: This is a perfect primer of Greece’s amazing history & topography for anyone on a first visit or returning to explore the country more deeply. For active retirees wanting to deepen their understanding of history, for parents of young children who will appreciate the experiential, active nature of this program, and for anyone who loves great food, great cities, and the natural vistas of dramatic mountains, this will prove to be a personally ‘historic’ experience.
- Limitations: The itinerary includes several walking tours and a hike, but if generally healthy, participants should not worry, especially about the Olympus portion of the trip. This final piece includes dramatic vistas but offers several moving parts that we historically & easily adjust to meet the wishes of both hearty and hesitant hikers, creating fantastic experiences for both. So, let the dramatic photos excite but not worry you: our own children climbed to the peak when they were 7 and 10, and we most recently led folks over 60 years old (including us! 😊) to the mountain’s highest slopes on a trail accessible even to fit parents with a baby carrier.
Having said that, there will be at minimum a need to hike with a light pack (the refuge provides all food and bed linens—you only need your toiletries and a change of clothes) on a short, well-trod 6k trail of less than 3 hours from the parking area to the refuge where we stay.
But if you have any concerns, just run them by us before you choose to miss this experience. For your safety & comfort, we’ll be honest with you; but you may be pleasantly surprised!
- Highlights:
- Three-night stay at a luxurious Thessaloniki hotel in the historic waterfront “Ladadika” (Olive Oil) District.
- Preserved Macedonian Tombs; Emperor Galerius’ Roman Palace Complex; guided tour of Byzantine & Ottoman sites.
- The historic, bustling Modiano Market.
- Ottoman breakfast pastries and great dinners at fine Thessaloniki restaurants and historic Upper Town tavernas.
- Guided tour of the Ancient City of Deon, followed by an Aegean swim and seaside meal at the foot of Mount Olympus.
- Free night in the mountain village of Litochoro.
- Ascent up Mt Olympus to the luxurious Agapitos Spilios refuge.
- Two days of great mountain food & the camaraderie of other hikers traversing this popular route.
- Easy hike from the refuge to peaks of Skala, Skoleio, with an optional challenge of Mytikas Peak.
- The program ends in a perfect location to grab a car & continue your holiday at a host of other Greek sites.
- Cost: €1,950 | Group Size: 6 (min) to 12 (max) | Min Enrollment Deadline: 31 Jan ‘26
- Pricing Discounts & Options:
- Children under 2 years at time of arrival are free.
- 5% discount for groups of 3 or more signing up together.
- 5% discount for sign-ups received before 31 December 2025.
- €150/€250 prorated discounts for triple- or quad-occupancy accommodations when available.
- €€400 supplement available for private room accommodations (in Thessaloniki & Litochoro only.)
- Note: Spilos Agapitos refuge accommodations are albergue style with up to 4/room (same gender).
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👋 Welcome to Villa Koukouvayia!
Hi! We're Heidi and Richard. After 23 years on Crete and in Greece, we're excited to share our corner of the world with you.
We've crafted four unique, hassle-free retreats for 2026, combining adventure, history, culture, and, of course, amazing food and friendship.
The retreat dates start with the March Photographer's Collaborative and run through the November Olive Harvest.
Ready to explore? Get in touch and let the planning begin!
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