1. SOUFLI.. ON THE SILK ROAD
We will be dedicated to silk, a thread and textile material, which consists of very fine fibres and is produced by the silkworm. Soufli is not only the place where the whole sericulture industry was developed, but also a station for the Silk Road. we will have the opportunity to visit the Silk Factory Tzivre, walk in the picturesque narrow streets, taste very local and traditional Thracian products and visit one of the most award-winning and lively silk museums.
2. ANCIENT THRACE: MESIMVRIA & MUSEUMS OF ALEXANDROUPOLIS
Visit to the archeological site of Mesimvria – Zone, where we will see the ruins of the ancient Thracian city Zone. In the wider area Ancient Greek settlers from Samothrace, between the mountain Ismarus and the river Evros, began at the end of the 7th century BC. to build colonies. In ancient times the cities that developed were Mesimvria, Dris, or Zone and Sali. Formerly the archeological site was called Mesimvria. At the archeological site we will see the Sanctuary of Demeter, Apollo and a building complex with three sites. Stop at the picturesque port of Makri. Then we will visit the Museum of Natural History located in Platanotopos of Maistros. A remarkable museum where we can get to know the Thracian ecosystems better. Afterwards we head to the Ethnological Museum of Alexandroupolis, and the Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupolis.
3. BOATING IN THE DELTA OF THE RIVER EVROS & VISIT TO FERES
Departure in the morning to get to know one of the most important wetlands nationally, European and internationally. Visit to the information center of the Evros Delta which is one of the strongest magnets of winged migratory birds in the Mediterranean region. It attracts so many different species that it has been declared a Special Protection Area by the European Union.
4. TWO NATIONAL PARKS - ONE PREFECTURE
Visit to the information center of the Evros Delta which is one of the strongest magnets of winged migratory birds in the Mediterranean region. During our excursion, we pass by Traianoupoli, a city which during the Byzantine era was a crossing point on the route Rome – Constantinople. and we will visit the Managing Body of the National Park Delta Evros – Loutra and the historical site ΄΄Vira΄΄, now called Feres. Then uphill in Northern Evros and after a beautiful route we reach the Forest of Dadia and Soufli, where the silkworm house is located.
Your tour in Thrace
From the capital of Evros, Alexandroupoli
5. DIDIMOTICHO...THE IMPERIAL CAPITAL OF BYZANTIUM
We depart for the northern Evros, we pass through Soufli and following a comfortable route parallel to the Evros river, we will head to the city of Castles, the Byzantine Didymoteicho. A city located on the border with Turkey and as archeological findings reveal, its history begins in the Neolithic period. In fact, Didymoteicho during the Byzantine Empire was one of the most important cities and many times had become the administrative and military base of the Empire.
6. ANCIENT MESIMVRIA & MARONIA
The first stop for today is the Ancient Greek city of Mesimvria of the 7th c. e.g. built according to the “Hippodameio” system, on the shores of the Thracian Sea (Temple of Apollo, Sanctuary of Demeter, Ancient Walls, House with Amphoras). We go ahead to the birthplace of the Philosopher Democritus, Abdera, where one of the Labours of Hercules took place. There we will be guided to the new Archaeological Museum, We continue to the Archaeological Site of Ancient Maronia, where we will be guided to the Ancient Theatre of the city,to the House with the Mosaic, to the Roman Propylon, and to the Ancient Port. Lunch & afternoon coffee in Maronia.
7. PORTO LAGOS - XANTHI – POMAKOHORIA
We will visit the post-Byzantine Church of Agios Nikolaos and PanagiaPantanassa. Free time for a walk and photos overlooking Porto Lagos and Lake Vistonida, Departure for the beautiful city of Xanthi, City-tour on foot in the “old town”, with its picturesque alleys and beautiful manor houses. Visit to the Folklore Museum of Xanthi, the most representative specimen of a manor house from the beginning of the 19th century. Then we will go to the mountainous part of the Prefecture of Xanthi, where the famous Pomakochoria of Xanthi are located, “climbed” in the mountain range of Rodopi.During the tour we will have the opportunity to make a reference to the Muslim minority that lives here, as well as to the ancient customs and traditions that are revived to this day and do not be surprised if you see some women, wearing even today the traditional Thracian costume, with the colorful scarf on the head. We, along with the Kosynthos river, will visit Sminthi. There in the cafes of the village, we can enjoy our coffee or an aromatic mountain tea!