Winter, Uncovered.

Snow, wine and thermal waters in Macedonia. A Greece you never imagined.

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Where mountain snow meets thermal springs and ancient vines.

Snow, Springs & Xinomavro…

Snow-covered mountains, natural thermal waters and the wines of northern Greece.

Far from the familiar images of Greece, winter reveals a different landscape. Snow settles across mountain peaks and stone-built villages, natural thermal springs flow through forested valleys, and vineyards produce some of the country’s most distinctive wines.

This journey takes you into the mountain heartland of northern Greece, where winter is experienced through both activity and quiet discovery. From the traditional village of Palaios Agios Athanasios, explore the slopes of Voras-Kaimaktsalan, with its sweeping mountain views and crisp alpine air. Nearby, the naturally heated waters of Loutra Pozar offer a welcome contrast, with open-air pools and waterfalls surrounded by the winter landscape.

Further south, the journey continues to Naoussa, where the slopes of 3-5 Pigadia meet one of Greece’s most celebrated wine regions. Here, discover Xinomavro, a remarkable red grape deeply connected to the land, through private cellar tastings and encounters with the people who shape its wines.

Designed for a small group and guided by the rhythm of the season, this is an unhurried winter escape with time to ski, soak, taste and explore. A different side of Greece, where mountain traditions, warm hospitality and the simple pleasures of winter come together.

Snow. Springs. Soul.

What Awaits You

3½

ski days across two mountains, with instructors available for anyone seeking lessons or extra confidence

37 °C

thermal river pools, waterfalls and private hammams at Loutra Pozar

8 days

of mountain villages, Macedonian flavours and Xinomavro wines

Itinerary

View Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival in Thessaloniki: Welcome to the North

Arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece’s vibrant northern capital, where your private driver and minibus will accompany you for the entire journey. Settle into your city-centre hotel and take a first stroll along the seafront promenade to the White Tower. As evening falls, gather for a relaxed welcome dinner in the lively lanes of Ladadika, a first taste of the generous flavours of Macedonia and a chance to meet your travelling companions.

DAY 2

First Tracks on Voras-Kaimaktsalan

An early breakfast sets the tone for the day as we head west towards the mountains. A short break in Edessa, the city of waters, offers a coffee overlooking the plain before the road climbs to the Voras-Kaimaktsalan ski centre at 2,050 m. Equipment is fitted at the base and, weather permitting, the afternoon is yours for a first half day on the snow, finding your ski legs on the open pistes, with instructors on hand, at own cost, for anyone who would like a lesson or a little extra confidence. Should the weather close the mountain, we linger longer in Edessa instead, walking the path behind the Karanos falls and through the old Varosi quarter over a leisurely lunch. In the late afternoon we check in at Palaios Agios Athanasios, a village of stone and timber high above Lake Vegoritida and your home for the next four nights, followed by a first taste of mountain cooking by the fire.

DAY 3

A Full Day on the Mountain

A short drive brings you back to the slopes for a full day on Voras-Kaimaktsalan. With yesterday’s first turns behind you, explore the mountain’s wide, open pistes at your own pace, while instructors remain available, at own cost, for anyone wishing to refine their technique or build confidence. Pause for lunch at the base chalet, where on clear days the view stretches to Mount Olympus and the Thermaic Gulf. Guests who prefer not to ski can explore the snowfields on snowshoes or simply enjoy the mountain air from the chalet terrace. Return to the village in the late afternoon for a quiet evening among its cobbled lanes.

DAY 4

A Day in the Thermal Waters of Pozar

A full day given to Loutra Pozar, where 37 °C waters spill from the slopes of Kaimaktsalan into river pools and cascading waterfalls. Begin with a 60–90 minute exploratory hike through the Pozar gorge (weather permitting), following the river beneath towering rock walls and small waterfalls; hiking shoes are needed for this walk. Then ease into the warm outdoor pools, steam rising into the cold winter air, and retreat to a private hammam for your group, followed by an optional massage. Lunch is served in a carefully selected taverna in one of the villages of the area, completing a day of deep rest placed between the ski days to restore body and mind.

DAY 5

The Summit Lift and a Mountain Feast

Return to the slopes for a final full day on Voras-Kaimaktsalan, with stronger skiers riding the Kremasi lift to 2,480 m, the highest in Greece, for sweeping views across the Macedonian peaks. Non-skiers can descend to the shores of Lake Vegoritida and continue to Alpha Estate in Amyntaio, where vineyards above 600 m produce some of Greece’s most distinctive high-altitude Xinomavro. In the evening the whole group gathers for a shared dinner celebrating the flavours of the region: local batsos cheese, Florina peppers, handmade trahanas, slow-cooked mountain dishes and the wines of Amyntaio.

DAY 6

3-5 Pigadia and Naoussa

Leave the stone village behind and travel to the eastern side of Mount Vermio for a day of skiing at 3-5 Pigadia, a centre known for its reliable snowmaking and its chairlift over forested slopes. As the lifts close, descend to Naoussa, the historic heart of Xinomavro country, and settle into your hotel before dinner in one of the town’s characterful local kitchens, where wild mushrooms, slow-cooked meats and local wines take centre stage. Non-skiers spend the day exploring Naoussa, the riverside park of Agios Nikolaos and the School of Aristotle in ancient Mieza, where the philosopher taught the young Alexander the Great.

DAY 7

Xinomavro at Kir-Yianni and Return to Thessaloniki

A slow morning in Naoussa before a guided visit to Ktima Kir-Yianni, one of the pioneering estates of modern Greek wine. In the intimate Yiannis Boutaris Cellar Room, taste a curated selection of the estate’s wines, from fresh expressions of Xinomavro to its age-worthy single-vineyard reds, followed by a wine-paired lunch prepared by the estate’s chef. In the afternoon, return to Thessaloniki for a farewell dinner, a final evening to share the stories of the week.

DAY 8

Departure

Depending on your flight time, enjoy a last walk to the Rotunda and the Byzantine walls of the Upper Town, with views over the city and the Thermaic Gulf, before your private transfer to Thessaloniki airport. You leave with the memory of snow-covered peaks, steaming springs and the deep, distinctive taste of Xinomavro.

What's Included

  • 7 nights' accommodation (2 in Thessaloniki, 4 in Palaios Agios Athanasios, 1 in Naoussa), thoughtfully selected for comfort, character and location.
  • Daily breakfast, welcome and farewell dinners in Thessaloniki, and a shared mountain dinner with local wines.
  • Private winter-equipped minibus with driver throughout the journey, including airport transfers and all scheduled excursions.
  • 3½ ski days at Voras-Kaimaktsalan and 3-5 Pigadia, including ski passes and daily transfers to the slopes.
  • A full day at Loutra Pozar, with entrance to the thermal pools, a private hammam session, lunch at a carefully selected local taverna and a 60–90 minute hike in the Pozar gorge (weather permitting).
  • Guided visit, private Cellar Room tasting and wine-paired lunch at Ktima Kir-Yianni in Naoussa.
  • For non-skiers: a wine tasting at Alpha Estate in Amyntaio and a visit to the School of Aristotle in ancient Mieza.
  • Xeniq host support throughout the journey and a donation to one of our supported causes.

What’s Not Included

  • Flights to and from Thessaloniki.
  • Passport, visa and entry requirements, where applicable.
  • Travel and medical insurance, including cover for downhill skiing and winter activities.
  • Ski and snowboard equipment rental, arranged on your behalf at group rates.
  • Ski lessons and instructor support, available on request at own cost.
  • Snowshoe hire and guiding for non-skiers.
  • Other lunches and dinners, and any meals and beverages not listed as included.
  • Massages and additional spa treatments.
  • Climate resilience fee, payable directly at the hotels.
  • Personal expenses, including laundry, shopping and other incidental costs.
  • Gratuities for instructors, drivers and hospitality staff (at discretion).
  • Optional activities, additional excursions and pre- or post-journey arrangements.

Preparing your Journey

View Travel Essentials

The ski centres of northern Greece are friendly and approachable, with wide, open pistes that suit every level, from those returning to the slopes after some years to seasoned skiers. Whatever your experience, certified instructors are available throughout, at own cost, for a lesson or a little extra confidence on the mountain. Below you will find everything to pack and know before you travel.

  • Valid passport or EU identity card, together with any visa required for your nationality.
  • European Health Insurance Card (EU residents).
  • Travel and medical insurance that explicitly covers downhill skiing.
  • A credit card and some cash in euros, as mountain villages and small tavernas do not always accept cards.
  • Ski jacket and trousers, waterproof and breathable.
  • Thermal base layers and a warm mid-layer (fleece or light down).
  • Ski socks, waterproof gloves (a spare pair is useful), a hat or headband and a neck warmer.
  • Goggles and sunglasses, as the light at 2,000 m is strong even on cloudy days.
  • High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm.
  • A small daypack for water, layers and snacks.
  • Your own boots, helmet or skis if you prefer. Ski passes are included, and rental equipment is arranged on your behalf at group rates; simply share your height, weight, shoe size and ski level in advance.
  • Hiking shoes with good grip, needed for the gorge walk (weather permitting).
  • Swimwear and flip-flops or pool sandals.
  • A quick-dry towel or light robe.
  • A warm hat for the outdoor pools, surprisingly welcome in the winter air.
  • A dry change of clothes and a waterproof bag for wet items.
  • Warm, waterproof winter boots with a good sole, as the cobbled lanes of Palaios Agios Athanasios can be icy.
  • Smart-casual clothing for dinners and wine tastings; nothing formal is needed.
  • A warm coat for evenings in Thessaloniki and Naoussa.
  • Personal medication and a small first-aid kit, including blister plasters.
  • Phone charger and power bank (Greece uses European two-pin plugs, 230 V).
  • A reusable water bottle.
  • Space in your luggage for a bottle or two of Xinomavro.
  • Mountain weather shapes the week. Ski days, the Pozar day and the gorge hike may change order or be adapted if snow or wind close the lifts or trails, and an alternative day is always ready.
  • Daytime temperatures on the mountain usually range from −10 °C to +5 °C, so dressing in layers is the key to comfort.
  • When booking, simply share your ski level, so equipment, lessons and the rhythm of each ski day can be arranged to suit you.
  • Please let us know of any dietary requirements, allergies or mobility considerations before departure, so every meal and activity can be prepared accordingly.

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