A family holiday in northern Greece: From Zeus to Zagori

• Published date: 30 September 2021
• Author: BRIAN JABLON
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Unlike Athens or the islands, northern Greece is an area that is not well known to travelers outside of Europe. For families with kids of any age, it offers an abundance of activities appealing to all – hiking, extreme sports, Instagram-worthy destinations, excellent food, quaint towns, friendly locals, and great shopping in Thessaloniki. All at reasonable prices! With travel now open between Israel and Greece, no mandatory quarantine upon arrival, and minimal PCR testing requirements, fall is the perfect time to visit this wonderful region.

A car rental in this part of Greece is imperative due to the lack of public transportation between towns but driving is a breeze with GPS to guide your way. Accommodations are best booked in advance due to the scarcity of lodging, especially in smaller towns. Outside of the large cities, there are few chain hotels and lodging is found in family-run hotels that are affordable and usually include a delicious breakfast. Food is reasonably priced, quantities are generous, and it was easy to satisfy the desires of our family – which included my wife who maintains a gluten-free diet.

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ARRIVING IN Thessaloniki in the late evening, we picked up our car and drove to Litochoro, a charming town near Mount Olympus and an excellent base from which to explore the region. According to Greek mythology, Mount Olympus was the home to Zeus and the Greek gods. The Mount Olympus visitor's center provides an excellent introduction to the national park, its history and connection to Greek mythology, as well as information on trekking in the region.

After breakfast at the hotel, we picked up supplies for a picnic lunch from a local supermarket and took a half-hour taxi ride to Prioniaon Mount Olympus, the start of a beautiful 10-km. hiking trail through the Enipeas Gorge. Better to hike down the gorge from the top, this trek is part of the international "E4" trail and is spectacular. Cascading waterfalls, picturesque bridges, the Holy Cave of Saint Dionysios, the old Monastery of Saint Dionysios (destroyed by the Ottoman Turks, rebuilt, and destroyed again in by the Germans during World War II), and countless picturesque swimming spots if the weather agrees, make this walk a must for visiting trekkers. In fact, the 4 to 5-hour hike turned into seven due to the number of stops we made, although it is worth...