MACEDONIA Art, archaeology and the age of Alexander

7  days | Coming soon! | 2 - 8 October 2027

Art, archaeology and the age of Alexander

Perhaps the deepest way to understand a man is to look to the land he came from. To this end, the area that surrounds Thessaloniki, Greece’s vibrant second city, has much to teach us about the life of Alexander the Great, the 4^th-century king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and one of history’s greatest military commanders. Ascending to the throne in 336 BCE after the assassination of his father, Philip II, the 20-year-old Alexander inherited a mighty yet volatile kingdom. He was able to swiftly quell this dissonance, reasserting Macedonian power within Greece before striking out to conquer, against all odds, the mighty Persian Empire. In the thirteen years he reigned he was able to establish the world’s first multicultural empire, which stretched across three continents and covered an area of some two million square miles. He died at the tender age of 32 but was a legend before his end, which ushered in the Hellenistic age. Thessaloniki was founded shortly after his death but remained an important metropolis for subsequent rulers, from the Roman emperor Galerius to later Ottoman powers. Several fabulous and significant 20^th-century archaeological discoveries around Thessaloniki have brought us much closer to Alexander the Great. At Pella, his birthplace, we will experience the splendour and refinement of 4^th-century Macedonian society, whilst an ambitious new museum complex at Aigai, site of Philip II’s assassination and Alexander’s subsequent crowning, brings this ancient city back to life. Set against the mystical backdrop of Mount Olympus, this new tour is a wonderful opportunity to trace the life of one of history’s greatest rulers and to experience, with all senses, the land that formed him.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London to Thessaloniki. Transfer by private coach to our hotel in the heart of the city for some time to relax and refresh before enjoying welcome drinks and an evening meal together.

Day 2

Visit Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great and capital of the Macedonian kingdom during his reign. The Archaeological site here is one of the most important in Greece, and the excavations, which began in 1957, have revealed fine houses with colonnaded courts and fabulous mosaics of meticulously graded natural pebbles, masterpieces of their kind. In the afternoon, a visit to the excellent Archaeological Museum of Pella will highlight the sophistication of Macedonian society during Alexander’s lifetime.

Day 3

By coach to Philippi. Founded by Alexander’s father, Phillip II, it is also the place where Mark Antony and Octavian (later Rome’s first Emperor Augustus) defeated Brutus and Cassius, and the site of the first Christian church, founded by the Apostle Paul around AD 49-50. Its strategic location, on a principal trade route between Europe and Asia, saw it flourish in the Hellenic period following Alexander’s death, maintaining wealth and prominence through subsequent Roman, Byzantine and post-Byzantine Christian periods. A fine ancient theatre, forum, and the remains of several basilicas, demonstrate these illustrious eras. We will explore the archaeological site and museum before enjoying lunch in nearby Kavala, with its lovely old town area. In the afternoon, visit Amphipolis, where Alexander mustered his army before his campaigns against Persia. We will explore the important museum and site here, as well as the recently excavated Kasta Tumulus, possibly a royal tomb from the era of Alexander, and now for the first time open to the public.

Day 4

Spend the day in Thessaloniki with its superb array of Roman and Byzantine monuments – the Archaeological Museum, the city walls, the Arch and Palace of the Roman Emperor Galerius, and the recently renovated Rotunda, believed to have been built as a temple to Zeus or the Cabeiri. Treasures of the fabulous archaeological museum include the Derveni Krater, an ornate Hellenistic vase decorated with elaborate relief carvings of Dionysos and other mythical figures and animals, and the Derveni Papyrus (320-250 BC), recognised by UNESCO as Europe’s oldest ‘book’. In the afternoon, return to the hotel for some free time before reconvening for a special group dinner, a gastronomic seafood experience at the 100-year-old seaside restaurant 'Mavri Thalassa', well-known in the city, especially for its fish dishes.

Day 5

All-day excursion to the fascinating archaeological park and museum of Dion, the ‘City of Zeus’, beneath Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods. With its fortifications, houses, public buildings, baths, theatres, and stadium, Dion was an important religious sanctuary. Set within a verdant landscape of tall trees and springs, it is easy to imagine the ancient gods resident in the surrounding peaks. Inhabited between the 5^th century BC and the 5^th century AD, this once thriving city was eventually abandoned due to invasions, floods and earthquakes, not to be rediscovered until the 19^th century. The Archaeological Museum of Dion displays finds from the excavations, including statues of gods and heroes, alongside fascinating everyday items from the prehistoric period onwards. 

Day 6

Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vergina, ancient Aigai, where Philip II was assassinated and Alexander was proclaimed king. Here we will view the astonishing royal tombs, including that of Philip II. This remarkable 336-BC marble tomb was discovered, fully intact, in 1977 and the fabulous treasures on display include a full suit of gilded armour, a gold-plated quiver, silver chalices and an ivory and gold shield. We will also visit the newly opened polycentric Museum of Aigai featuring the Central Museum Building, the Ancient Theatre, and the Palace of Aigai. Amongst the artefacts on display, particular attention is given to ordinary, everyday items, conjuring a wonderfully tangible sense of daily life in Alexander’s kingdom. Return to Thessaloniki for our farewell dinner. 

Mediterranean Palace

Located in downtown Thessaloniki is the beautiful Mediterranean Palace hotel. Here, guests can enjoy traditional Greek hospitality with views over the Thermaikos Gulf. Classically furnished rooms, elegant dining options and the hotels' prime location, standing at the crossroads of the city's historical sites, makes it the perfect base for our tour.

With Flights: TBC

No Flights: TBC

Single Supp: TBC

Deposit: TBC

Departure Dates:

2 - 8 October 2027

Duration:

6 nights / 7 days

Your Holiday Includes:

• Scheduled return flights from London to Thessaloniki
• Six nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hotel Electra Palace in Thessaloniki
• Private coach transfers and excursions
• Three evening meals and one lunch
• Guided visits to sites listed in the programme.
• Services of the tour lecturer and tour manager. 
• Detailed programme and study notes.
• All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff
  

Tour Lecturers

Dr Steve Kershaw

As a Classics Tutor for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, and as a lecturer for the V&A and The Arts Society, Dr. Steve Kershaw has spent much of the last 40 years travelling extensively in the world of the Ancient Greeks both physically and intellectually. His media appearances include featuring as an expert contributor to the History Channel’s Barbarians Rising series and as a guest on BBC Radio 3’s You’re Dead to Me, and his publications on Greek history include A Brief Guide to the Greek Myths, A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization, Three Epic Battles that Saved Democracy: Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis, and a children’s book on Greek Mythology entitled Mythologica that was Amazon.com’s Best Children’s Non-Fiction Book of 2019.



Travel Information

The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Art Pursuits use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.

Stamina

Please note that most of our tours involve a large amount of walking across uneven ground and often without the opportunity to sit down for at least half an hour. We ask that clients inform us if they have difficulties before booking to prevent any issues whilst on tour.

Hotels
Please note that the listed hotels are subject to change based on the availability provided by our local agent. For further information, please contact the office or email us at abroad@artpursuits.com.