Salonika

Tour Introduction

This fabulous tour to the quiet and untouched area of northern Greece and North Macedonia takes us to the battlefields of one of the least visited and much overlooked campaigns of the First World War. The scenic backdrop will never be forgotten: spectacular hills and mountains, the picturesque Lake Doiran, wonderful springtime flowers, verdant vegetation and rustic villages. The battlefields on the Salonika front are some of the best preserved from the First World War and offer a great insight into the conditions which the men on both sides withstood. This necessarily means considerable walking (of up to 9 miles on one day) on occasionally awkward terrain, although at times local farmers with tractors will be at hand to provide all terrain transport. We will be staying in comfortable hotels in Thessaloniki, Serres and Star Dojran, almost on the battlefields themselves, offering the chance to sit on the terrace with a cold drink in the evening reflecting on the day’s explorations.

Background

The Salonika (or Macedonian) front was established in 1915 by the allies as an attempt to protect Serbia against a combined German, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian attack. Due to the late arrival of the mixed allied army and the sudden political upheaval in Greece, which resulted in them remaining neutral, they failed to stop the fall of Serbia. A stable frontline was established near what is now the Greek/North Macedonian border, which saw various actions until a big, allied advance in the September of 1918 led to the collapse of Bulgaria and Serbia’s liberation. The Salonika front is characterised by the huge mix of nationalities and armies that took part in the actions and also the terrible conditions endured by the soldiers. Weather extremes and disease were rife on the front line, the biggest problem being malaria which inflicted many more casualties than the fighting itself. There were around 160,000 admissions to British hospitals due to malaria over three years, which is almost equal to the fighting force.

What's Included

• 3 & 4 Star Hotels
• Return flights from London (optional)
• Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
• Dedicated Tour Manager
• The company of like-minded travelers
• Dinner parties hosted by your expert historians and tour manager
• Buffet breakfast each morning
• Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
• Helpful and friendly travel advice
• Access to the Cultural Experience app
• Tour information booklet
• Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach

Itinerary