7 Days – 6 nights

Day 1: Arrival Thessaloniki –

transfer to hotel – Thessaloniki Arrival at Thessaloniki’s airport pick up, panoramic city tour and transfer to hotel. Check in at the hotel, dinner at a local restaurant and overnight.

Day 2: Visit wineries (2) in Velvento area at the lake – Nymfaio

Breakfast at the hotel, check out and departure to Polyfitos lake for the first two wine visits. There is close to the picturesque town of Velvento in Western Macedonia, the first winery, overlooking the lake. The vineyards of the estate are cultivated with varieties as Assyrtiko, Chardonnay, Malvasia Aromatica, Xinomavro, Moshomavro and Tsapournakos, which coexist with several other local varieties grown experimentally. In a close distance we will transfer to the second winery and tasting. After lunch we shall pass from the village Krokos, where the famous “Krokos Kozanis” cultivated, a plant that grows only there and from which produces the saffron spice. The day ends in Nymfaio for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Visit wineries (2) in Amyntaio – Kastoria

Breakfast at the hotel, check out and visit ‘’Arctouros’’a foundation for the protection of wildlife fauna, a shelter for brown bears. After that departure to Amyntaio and Vegoritida, a natural lake which is the 3^rd biggest in Greece. Around the lake are the wineries, we shall visit two of them. The area is ideal for producing red, rose, and sparkling V.Q.P.R.D. wines. Lunch by the lake and afterwards drive to Kastoria passing from lakes Zazari and Chimaditida. Kastoria is the city of water which sits on lake Orestiada. Dinner and overnight in Kastoria.

Day 4: Visit wineries (2) in Kastoria area – Ioannina

Breakfast and check out, after a tour of the town, make the first visit on the other side of the lake in a bio farming vineyard and winery , a family-owned small company. The varieties that are growing in this vineyard are Xinomavro, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc και Riesling. Move on to the next winery at a village northwest of the town, close to Koromilia village. The varieties of the grapes of the vineyard are the domestic Malagouzia, Agiorgitiko, and Xinomavro, and the international pinot noir, Tannat , Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon , Syrah , Merlot, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc. After the visits we will make a road trip to Ioannina the next destination, a city at the lake Pamvotida. Dinner and overnight in Ioannina.

Day 5: Visit wineries (2) in Ioannina area – Metsovo

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Zitsa to visit 2 wineries. An area which mostly cultivates Debina, and one of the three places in Greece that produces sparkling wine (the other 2 are Rhodes and Amyntaio). In the area indigenous grape varieties grow “Vlahiko”, “Bekari” and of course the white “Debina”, also cultivated many international like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot of Epirus, Traminer and Sauvignon Blanc. Following the winery visits, continue the trip to Ancient Dodoni southwest to the city of Ioannina. In the evening drive to Metsovo a traditional stone-built village where we will have dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Visit winery in Metsovo (1) and in Siatista (1) – Thessaloniki

Breakfast and check out, spend some time to the village in the morning before the visit to the winery where you will enjoy except the wines, an atmospheric audio- visual-enhanced tours of the wine cellars, learning about the history of the winery and the wine-making process. Continue the journey south to Siatista, an area where Xinomavro and Moshomavro are planned. One of the rarest wines of the north is made here from those long- reserved sun-dried grapes. Leave the country behind for the big city of Thessaloniki. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Departure

Breakfast check out and according to the flight time

transfer to the airport of Thessaloniki for the flight back.

Regional Wines of Epirus:

Varietal compositions: Roditis, Malagouzia, Vlahiko, Bekiari and other local varietals

Tasting characteristics: Aromatic fine white and a fruity rose, there are also semi-sparkling versions. A lively colored red

V.Q.P.R.D. Zitsa:

Varietal composition: Debina

Tasting characteristics: White wine with a stylish citrus aroma, wonderful acidity, and fresh taste. Still or semi- sparkling

Regional Wines of Macedonia:

Varietal composition: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Roditis, Malagouzia, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Xinomavro, Limnio, Moshomavro, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah

Tasting characteristics: White rose and red from the wide range cultivated in the region of Macedonia

V.Q.P.R.D. Amyntaio, rose

Varietal composition: Xinomavro

Tasting characteristics: The only V.Q.P.R.D. Greek rose, it stands out for its expressive, wide-ranging aroma.

V.Q.P.R.D. Amyntaio, red

Varietal composition: Xinomavro

Tasting characteristics: Elegant, well-built, complex with delicious acidity and the ability for extended aging.

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*Package descriptions and pricing are subject to change without notice.