Our day in Thessaloniki started with a relaxing breakfast at Fil Rouge, the French-inspired restaurant we’ve come to love on this journey. Chris began the day with a workout, while Jen took some quiet time to enjoy a good book. With our original excursion canceled, the destination team quickly stepped in and organized a private tour for us that included a visit to a winery—a highlight of the original plan that we were thrilled to experience.

At 1:00 PM, we set off for our private wine tour. Accompanied by a driver and tour guide, the route to the winery took us along the gorgeous promenade, one of the longest in Europe, through our guide’s neighborhood where he entertained us with stories from days past, before exiting the urban sprawl entering the scenic countryside, setting the tone for what was to come. To say we were surprised by the beauty of the countryside is an understatement. The similarities with Italys’s Tuscany region were striking.

We arrived at the Gerovassiliou Winery, renowned for its stunning vineyards and dedication to sustainable winemaking. The entrance to the winery, draped in vibrant green ivy, welcomed us warmly, hinting at the beauty and history inside.

Our tour began with a walk through the vineyard, offering panoramic views of rows upon rows of vines stretching into the horizon. Our guide quickly synced us up with an ongoing estate lead tour of the facilities including a wine making museum. The clear, sunny day made for a comfortable walk under the oak trees that surrounded the production facility.

After enjoying the tour we then explored the winery’s wine museum, which showcased an impressive collection of ancient tools and artifacts used in winemaking through the centuries. One display that particularly stood out was the vast collection of corkscrews, one for the world’s largest, each telling its own story of the history and art of wine.

After the museum, we sat down for a tasting in the winery’s modern, airy tasting room. With large windows that opened up to the vineyard, the ambiance was perfect for sipping on some of the winery’s finest offerings. The selection of wines was vast. We chose the “Echo” tasting experience which focused on a white and red varietal, offering 4 vintages of each to explore the Gerovassiliou families evolution. As with most tasting experiences in this part of the world, the climate and soils produce excellent whites perfect for drinking on a warm sunny afternoon, but struggle to produce juice that competes with reds from other parts for the world.

As we enjoyed the wines, we couldn’t help but appreciate the service provided by the Explora team in salvaging our day in Thessaloniki and the genuine generosity of our guide and driver. They ensured that we didn’t miss out on this unique cultural experience, turning a potentially disappointing day into one of the highlights of our journey.

Looking Forward

As we sail away from Thessaloniki, we’re preparing for a much-needed day at sea tomorrow, a perfect opportunity to unwind and reflect on the journey so far. On Friday morning, we’ll arrive in Istanbul, where we’ll disembark for a three-night stay. Istanbul promises to be a fascinating conclusion to our trip, filled with rich history, vibrant culture, and incredible sights. We’re looking forward to immersing ourselves in this iconic city and making the most of our time before our journey comes to an end.