Northern Greece, Albania & Macedonia: Ancient Lands of Alexander the Great Day 5

Day 05 - Saturday, October 14, 2017 - Journey to Meteora; Visit Ancient Capital of the Macedonian Kings; Museum; Dinner with Syrtaki Dance Performance

We left Thessaloniki and the Aegean Sea at 8:15 with a new driver, Tasoss. Everyone was ready and on time, always a good sign for our days on the road.

Anna had us all on the bus and ready to count down our numbers in Greek. After three days we are learning a few more words each day. Speaking was much easier than trying to read the Greek alphabet.

We drove out of the sleeping city to the west and Anna told us many of the attributes of the people of Greece and the Balkans. Close with their families, loud with extravagant gestures, generous to a fault, and they party late and then sleep late - all generalizations that are very close to the truth.

The morning stop was at the village of Vergina, home to ancient Aigai, the royal tombs of the Macedonian kings. We toured the underground cemetery, now the Museum of the Ancient Cemetery of Aegean Royal Tombs.

Our guide, Dimitrius gave us an hour-long presentation as we moved from display to display. He explained that the tombs were recently discovered in 1973.

The Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos, excavated the burial site highlighted by the fourth-century BCE tomb of King Philip II. Unbelievably well preserved crowns of gold, armor, weapons, silver wine services, all from the Macedonian era, are displayed in this unique museum.

The museum itself was constructed where the tombs were actually found and was very dark. No photos were allowed out of respect for those buried there. Of course, nearby vendors sold books of photos and tourists bought post cards to have remembrances of the morning’s discovery.

Back on the road again at 11:15, we traveled through fruit orchards and vineyards to the village of Naoussa for a wine tasting and lunch. We met our host, Kostis who explained the Dalamara Winery.

The staff of the thirty-year-old vineyard grew their own organic grapes and exported 50% of their yield to international locations. Kostis explained the process of their winery.

The harvest had been completed a few weeks ago and fermentation was taking place. The fragrance of the grapes turning themselves into wine was overwhelming.

We were divided into two teams and looked at the color and clarity of the wine, smelled the fruity, earthy, or floral aroma, and finally tasted the light, thin, apple and apricot flavors. We started with a white wine and then had an opportunity to taste a red.

At 1:45, after our lunch, we thanked Kostis and his family and continued on to Meteora. The drive was two and a half hours but we had a short stop about half way in Grevena so that Tasoss could take the required driving break and we could use the restrooms.

This drive took us through relatively flat land with fruit orchards, olive groves, and vineyards. Most of the fruit had been harvested and the leaves were turning shades of red, orange, and gold. Persephone was returning to her husband Hades, the god of the underworld.

As we got closer to Meteora and the town of Kalambaka, the topography was much hillier with winding roads and black rock gorges. It was considerably drier with shorter oak trees; we could have been in Colorado!

We arrived in Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its overwhelming rock formations and unique geology. At 5:00 pm we were able to set up our room, check our mail, take a few photos, and refresh with a quick shower before meeting for dinner.

Our evening meal was at nearby restaurant, The Meteoron Panorama Restaurant. Again, the starters were served family style and after our huge lunch, we chose to stop there. Well, there was dessert, a very happy birthday cake for Gennie!

The evening was highlighted by a performance of Greek Syrtaki folk dancing. Anna got us all involved in the dancing and we all agreed it was a memorable evening and a birthday Gennie will not soon forget.

Upon leaving the Aegean Sea:

“Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean Sea.” Nikos Kazantzaki, Zorba the Greek

Accommodations: DOUPIANI HOUSE - - - Meal: B, L & D