3.5 h. tour (Private tour)
(private transportation + local guidance + visit of the archeological site of Philippi + visit of the Lydia's baptistery + free time)
Your will be met by your driver right next to where you will come off the ship and your private tour will start.
On your way you will be able to admire the unique landscape of the valley and the mountain of Pangaion, from which most of the Macedonian gold was mined, as well as traces of the ancient Via Egnatia, which the Romans had built to connect the east with the west, Rome with Byzantium and upgrade their commerce.
After an approximately 20 minute drive, you will arrive in Philippi, one of the region's most important archaeological sites which was originally colonized in 360 B.C. by the people of Thasos and later renamed Philippi by Philip II, the king of Macedonia. In 49 AD, Apostle Paul through the Via Egnatia got from the port of Neapolis to Philippi, where he founded the first Christian church on European soil and baptized the first Christian, a woman named Lydia, right by the Gagitis river, where a famous baptistery and a modern church exist today and you will be able to visit on this tour.
In the site of Philippi you will be able to see the collection of artifacts and buildings which have been unearthed and restored, including the Roman forum, the commercial agora, the part of the Egnatia highway that was passing next to the agora of Philippi, the prison of St. Paul, tombstones, mosaic pavements, and an impressive Greek theater with remainings of architecture showing that in the Roman times it was used as an arena. After your guided tour, you will be able to enjoy some free time in order to take pictures or have a drink at the small cafe there is.
Returning to Kavala you will be able to enjoy a short scenic drive around the city, catching a view of the very impressive two stories high ancient aqueduct and Byzantine castle, the walls of the old town, Imaret which is a monument of Islamic architecture built by Mehmet Ali, the founder of the Egyptian empire, the aqueduct (Kamares) and the house where Mehmet Ali was born, as well as the old port with the several wooden fishing boats and famous fish taverns. If you have time at your disposal and you would be interested in a unique dining experience, please let us know and we would love to either arrange a special menu of local specialties for you or give you suggestions on places to go to and enjoy ouzo and a snack, before you embark your ship again.
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