Half Day Thessaloniki Byzantine Tour

My name is Eleni, and Ι was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece. After completing my undergraduate degree in History and Archeology in the University of Thessaly, I spent two wonderful years in London, on my Master's degrees (MA in Cultural Studies; MA in History of Film and Visual Media). Soon after completing my UK adventure, I decided to return to my hometown, Thessaloniki, which, however, not only was I now missing dearly, but whose history, culture, and beauty I had begun to re-appreciate. My new founded love for this city and its treasures is what really turned me into a Tour Guide. Although I was not fully aware of it in the beginning, I have always loved meeting new people with whom I can explore and discuss sites, edifices, special places and artefacts, travelling both in space and also in time. Through the eyes of my guests, I discover something new about all of them; and, most significantly, each time, I discover something new about the human condition. For the last ten years, I have also been the founder of my own art website, where I mostly work as a literary editor, - literature is my other passion- so, I am always building my tours around literary texts and period primary sources. What I love the most about my city, except from its wonderful waterfront, is its multicultural and turbulent past and present, reflected in the writings of many different authors, historians, politicians, poets, and first-hand witnesses of history. Although not well-known, the locality of Thessaloniki has a very long and convoluted history spanning more than 2. 500 years of continuous habitation. The city was founded around 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedon, on or near the site of the ancient town of Therma and 26 other local villages. He named it after his wife Thessalonike, a half-sister of Alexander the Great and princess of Macedonia as daughter of Philip II. Since then it flourished and grew powerful but also suffered many disasters and traumas, only to keep rising again and again from its own ashes. One of the most important cities of the macedonian kingdom, during the roman years, it became a crucial administrative and cultural urban centre for Rome; in the Byzantine era, the city was known as the Symvasilevousa, (coreighning city) along with Constantinople, the glorious capital in the East. Even under the ottoman rule, which almost lasted 500 years, Thessaloniki never ceased to amaze visitors with its beauty, multicultural character, sophistication and thriving commercial life. What is most important for me as a host, is to help visitors discover and embrace both Thessaloniki's mysterious past and its friendly vibrant present: to admire its magnificent monuments and works of art through learning about them, and to experience its multicultural and creative atmosphere through a lively adventure. Please, feel free to select any of my set tours, or, if you prefer, I can tailor a tour to your particular interests: History, Art, Food, Culture, Nature, and everything in between. What is certain is that I will do my best to provide you with an unforgettable and enriching travelling experience in Greece. Licensed Tour Guide, certified by the Greek Ministry of Tourism History and Archaeology Degree (University of Thessaly) Master degree in Cultural Studies (University of East London) Master degree in Film Studies (BIRKBECK College, University of London) I am not a driver. I can accompany you in your vehicle or I can arrange for a separate car and driver.