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In Xanthi, the food is not just good, it's special. With influences from Asia Minor, taste and ancestral processes that hold years, the food will surely delight you. There it is worth to try - and buy - soutzouk loukoum and Carioca. The saragli, kantaifi and other traditional oriental sweets of the region, such as ntilmper ntountai (meaning "The lips of the beauty"), kantaifi folia, chanoum burek ("the pie lady"), and the soutzouk and rachat loukoum, as well as ntontourmas – the ice cream with fresh sheep's milk, are of excellent quality and taste. Moreover, dishes like Tiat Kebab there is not to be found easily elsewhere. In Cooperatives of the region you will find local handmade products, such as pasta, desserts and jams, all made with local ingredients.

From Alexandroupoli go to Traianoupoli, where the Evros DeltaInformation Centre can be found. Visitors are informed about thefeatures and importance of wetlands, and in particular, the EvrosDelta. Then, they can board buses operated by the ManagementAuthority and tour the wetland area. The tour includes bird watchingwith binoculars and telescope, as well as a boat ride (weatherpermitting).The Evros DeltaThe River Evros Delta is one of themost important wetlands, not only inGreece but in Europe, which is whyits total area of 23,750 acres (80,000hectares and 3,750 acres surface areaof water) was included in the list ofprotected areas under the InternationalRamsar Treaty (1971), due tothe important species found there. Apart of the Delta has been characterized as a Special ProtectionArea and is proposed as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) inthe Natura 2000 Network.In the Delta natural habitat with its riverside forests, wet meadows,sea lagoons, lakes and rich biodiversity, 317 waterfowl have beenrecorded, using the Delta as a stop in their migratory journey forover-wintering or as a place of permanent residence. More than350 species of fauna have also been recorded.The Evros Delta is 23km or 40 minutes from the Evros Delta InformationCentre and can be reached via the Alexandroupoli – KipiNational Highway.Panagia Kosmosotira Feres ChurchOn a hill of the once Byzantine town of Vira, known as Feres today,we find the 12th Century Byzantine Church, dedicated to PanagiaKosmosotira. Today, the church is a Parish Church of the townand centre of the Worldwide Foundation of Thracians. The churchis the nave of the Old Sacred Monastery of Panagia KosmosotiraVira which was founded by the revered emperor Isaac Komninosin 1151/52. Of all the Monastery buildings, only the Church of Kosmosotirasurvives today, a part of the walls and towers. The Churchholds a celebratory festival on 15th of August every year and hasbeen established as the World Thracian Pilgrimage. After Feres,take the Alexandroupoli – Kipi National Highway for 4.6km, thentake the Ardanio-Orestiada National Highway for 12.1km, turnright for Lefkimi-Tychio in the direction of Tychero and you reachyour destination after 3km.Tichero-Tichero Lake:The old Municipality of Tichero (now part of themunicipality of Soufli) was awarded as a ModelMunicipality for Development Policy by the Academyof Athens in 1995. The peaceful water of theartificial lake, created by the Lyra Dam, is hometo ducks and geese who seem to enjoy this wonderful place. AtTichero Eco-tourism Centre you can admire rare fossils from thearea and try a variety of local products.After Tichero, return to the Ardani-Orestiada National Highway,continue for 12.8km towards Orestiada and then turn left towardsDadia, which is just another 6.4 km further.Dadia ForestThe Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli forest area is a part of the southerneasterntip of the R odopi M ountain R ange, d esignated a s aNational Park by a joint ministerial decision in 2006 with thename ‘National Park of Dadia - Lefkimi -Soufli’. It is high on theGreek list of sites protected under the Natura 2000 framework,and a management body has been founded to serve this purpose.More than 48 species of mammals, such as wolves, deer, squirrels,bats, as well as 42 species of reptiles and amphibians takerefuge here. However, it is its bird life that makes the Forest ofDadia special and unique in Europe, with 212 different species intotal. Within the protected area, a total of 36 out of the 38 Europeanbirds of prey have been spotted. In addition, approximately 20pairs of black vultures nest here every year. They are the onlypopulation left in south-eastern Europe. The Eco-tourism Centre,which headquarters the Management Body of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli and is just 500m from the settlement of Dadia, providesinformation (videos, photographs etc.), recreational facilities andaccommodation.After Dadia, visit Soufli. Returning to the Ardanio-Orestiada NationalHighway and after 5.7km, turn left onto V. Georgiou Street forSoufli. Soufli was a renowned centre for silk-worm rearing in thelast decades of the 19th century and early 20th century. It is knownfor its picturesque settlement, silk and the Silk Museum.Piraeus Bank GroupSilk MuseumThe Silk Museum operates under thejurisdiction of the Piraeus Bank GroupCultural Foundation. It is housed atthe Kourtidis Mansion, built in 1883 bylocal craftsmen and is an example ofThracian urban architecture. Discoverthe secrets of silk worm rearing andthe silk industry in an enchanting andhospitable environment.From 1 March till 15 October:Daily: 10:00-18:00From 16 October till 28 February:Daily: 10:00-17:00Tuesday: ClosedDidimoticho is a 25-minute drive from Soufli (28km).Didimoticho MosqueBayezid minaret stands at the bottom of the hill in Didimotichomain square where remains of Byzantine Didimoticho are also evident.It is one of the most magnificent Ottoman mosques in Greece.It was erected on the road that led to the main gate of the castleand was the central point of reference for the Ottoman town whichdeveloped outside the castle. According to an inscription above themain entrance of the building, the mosque was commissioned bySultan Mehmet, son of Bayezid. The mosque was inaugurated inMarch 1420. A second inscription above the side entrance informsus that reconstruction was undertaken by Kadi Didymoticho SeyyidAli, building was done by Dogan bin Abdullah and the engineerwas Ivaz bin Bayezid. The building, therefore, belongs to Mehmet I(1413-1421).The CastleThe castle town of Didimoticho, or “Kales”as it is called by the locals,stands on a rocky mount at a height of 107m, on the left bankof Erythropotamos. The most well-known and impressive featureof the castle is the Princess Tower on the south-eastern corner ofthe fortified hill, which took its name from the legend about thetown administrator’s daughter who fell from its ramparts. At thebottom of the hill, there are hewn hollows in the natural rock whichwere used as storage spaces and and water tanks in house cellars.It is possible that these caves were also used as places of worshipin some cases.

Make sure you start off early NaturalHistory Museum. Before setting off,contact the Museum to make anappointment.Tania Danaki: +30 697464625or Ioannis Naitidis: +30 6945554251.Natural History MuseumThe Natural History Museum is located approximately 2km westof the Alexandroupoli centre, amongst Plane trees on the Maistroriverbank. It is a fully equipped modern building, spanning an areaof 538 m2 and built in complete harmony with the natural environment.The main aim of Alexandroupoli Natural History Museum isto demonstrate the biodiversity at play on various levels in in theEvros region (genetic, species, eco-systems, landscapes) and itsspecial geophysical and ecological characteristics.TraianoupoliThe Emperor Marcus Oulpios Traianos (98-117 AD) built a newurban centre to be named Traianoupoli on this spot at the beginningof the 2nd century AD. The thermal springs and the proximityof Egnatia obviously played an important role in the choice of location.Remains of Egnatia can be seen on the road which connectsthe springs to the small monastery. From this epoch’s Byzantinewealth, ruins of the church and two marble images in relief havesurvived.During Ottoman Rule, Gazi Pasha Evrenos erected a vaultedrectangular building here (1375-1385) known as Hana, whichoperated as a guest house for passers-by. Next to it is a complexof vaulted baths with pools dating to 16th century. On Agios Giorgioshill, ruins of the famous teke of Isiklar or Nephes Baba, builtin 1361 and consisting of the heart of the active monastery of theBektashi Order of Dervishes, have survived. Numerous visitors andpoor people were housed at the teke. Next to the ruins there is aspring with water that is considered holy by Muslims.Traianoupoli BathsThe Thermal Springs of Traianoupoli are thermo-mineral, containinghydrogen, sulphide/chloride and radium. Drinking therapy isappropriate for: diabetes, kidney disease, liver and bile cystitis,chronic gastroenteritis and constipation, digestive disorders etc.Spa therapy is suitable for chronic rheumatic diseases, rheumaticallergies, joint disorders, neuritis, neuralgia, gynecological ailmentsetc. The visitor wishing to combine a thermal spa with luxury tourismcan choose from numerous 5 star hotels in the surroundingarea.

Orestiada is 114km from Alexandroupoli (duration: 1.30 mins)The town, whose full name is Nea Orestiada, was founded in 1923by Greek refugees who, due to historical circumstances, wereforced to abandon their birthplace of Adrianoupoli and initiallysettle in Karagats in 1920, which they named Orestiada. After that,they were forced to move again, taking whatever they could withthem, and reached this place where they built a town in the middleof nowhere.The town is organized around a large square with cafés and bars.There are small taverns and cafes on the pavements next to thesquare. The central arteries, Vas. Konstantinou Street and KonstantinopoleosStreet, are full of shops and traffic. Visit the FolkMuseum in Agion Theothoron Street, which comes out in the mainsquare.Orestiada Folk MuseumThe museum has historical and folk exhibitsof Eastern Thrace, Eastern Romiliaand Western Thraki from 1800-1950.The main exhibits are authentic items oftraditional farming and urban Thraciandress, ecclesiastical items, farm andprofessional tools, musical instrumentsand household utensils.Operating hours: 10.00-13.00Telephone: +30 25520 28080From Orestiada, take the Orestiada-Zoni provincial road, and after5.8km, turn left towards Patagi. You will reach your destinationafter 5km.Church of Agios NikolaosPatagisThe church is a singular low building,with a double-aisled woodenbasilica, a porch and slightly raisedground floor female loft, which isseparated from the main church bytrellises. The floor consists of in tombstones,the oldest of which dates backto 1655.Return to the Orestiada-Zoni provincial road and continue towardsZoni, go through Neochori and Valtos Village, turn left towardsHandra, Megali Doxipara, Mikri Doxipara. When you reach MikriDoxipara, follow the sign for Helidona. After 1,7 km you will findthe chapel of Kosmas of Aetolia and the signpost leading you tothe archaeological excavations area.The Tomb of Zoni DoxiparaAt the beginning of the 2nd century AC, members of a wealthy familyof landowners who had died in succession, were cremated and buriedin the same place, near the road which led from Adrianoupolito Philippoupoli. Excavations brought to light 4 pits containingthe cremated remains of three men and one woman, along withnumerous grave goods. The five carriages that brought the deadto the tomb were buried there also, along with the pack animals.Next to them, five more horses were buried. All the metallic,mechanical and decorative items havebeen preserved, while ontwo of themsome wooden parts and their imprtintshave been saved as well.Working hours: 07:00-14:30 in winterand 07:00-17:00 in summer.For bus excursions, prior arrangementsshould be made. Telephone: +30 2552096033.The tour of the archaeological area is aunique experience. It is free and lastsapproximatively 1 hour.After the burial mound, return to Agios Kosmas’ chapel and keepon for 800m until Helidona. 2.5km after Helidona, turn right ontothe Mikro Derio-Ormenio Provincial Road towards Therapio. Youwill reach your destination in 23km.Church of Panagia in Therapio,OrestiadaThe church is a triple-aisle basilica with a woodenroof, built in 1895. The artwork on the roof isremarkable.After Therapio, return to Komara on the Mikro-Derio-OrmenioNational Highway and on reaching Pentalofos, after 12.2km, followthe road to Kastanies (37km).Ardas-KastaniesArdas river originates in the Rodopi Mountain Range and is290km long. Stretching on a total of 241km through Bulgarianterritory, it then enters Greek territory, crosses the northern partof the Regional Unit of Evros and flows into the Evros rivernear Kastanies. The river dam, built in 1969, is 350m-long andconstitutes a landmark of the village of Therapio. The Ardas riverand the riverside forest that stretches across the whole lengthof the river constitute the most important ecosystem in NorthEvros. Due to its fauna, this unique habitat has received specialprotection status under the Natura Network 2000.The Meeting of Youth of Ardas takes place in an idyllic setting onthe banks of the river, 500m from the Village of Kastanies. Over5 days, the public enjoys concerts by popular artists and youngbands as well as a variety of other events such as moto cross,beach volley, horse riding, 4x4 racing, theatre plays, 5x5 footballgames.

Choristi Village with 2500 residents, famous since Roman times, is 5km further on via the Kavala National Highway. Visit the Eiso- dion Theotokou Church (1906), featuring 6 icons by the eminent painter Konstantinos Parthenis in the chancel, a lectern of the same period and neoclassical buildings from the 1920s. It is on the main village road at the point where the stream divides the vil- lage (hence the name Choristi). Do not miss the carnival on Clean Monday with fl and carnival goers in disguise.Return to the national highway to visit the martyrical town of Doxato, 10km from Drama, which was a hamlet in Roman times. A town of 3500, mainly local inhabitants, it had its heyday during the tobacco period. See the renovated schools from 1908-1910, the three-arched basilica at Agios Athanasios Church (1867) with its 19th century icons and the Bogiatzi and Zigkili Mansions. Horse races are held in Doxato on 2 with thoroughbred horses taking part. Thousands of visitors gather for the event as well as for the evening celebration, enjoying the traditional music and dancing.Go through Agios Athanasios Vil- lage, with its 3500 residents of Pontian and Thracian origin and 5km further to the north you will fi Kyrgia, seat of the Municipal- ity of Doxato. Once a tobacco pro- ducing town, it is today inhabited by refugees from Asia Minor who who keep their traditions alive. Apart from their unique art and dirges, the residents of Kyrgia hold a special celebration in the square on the night of the last Sunday in Carnival with traditional musical instruments and satirical songs.In Kefalari, 2km east of Agios Athanasios, enjoy peaceful scenery amongst the plane trees next to the running water of the Voirani springs, where the ancient wine press was discovered. Buy wine and tsipouro from local producers and traditional halvas in Kyrgia. Tavernas and Grills from Doxato to Pigadia provide a wide range of delicacies. Try local trout in Kefalari. Then set off for the Holy Monastery of Eikosifi in Kavala Prefecture.

The E6 is the European path with the large routes that crosses and connects the countries of Europe. In the prefecture of Drama it enters from the area of Kato Vrontou and exits from Paranesti, after crossing the Falakro Mountain. The lowest altitude of the route is located in Paranesti, at 120 meters, while the highest is in the Falakro, at 1800 meters. The route exceeds 90 kilometers, and the total walking time is estimated at 35-40 hours.

From Xanthi set off for Pomakohoria and Thermes. You cross a unique landscape, verdant, with traditional settlements and tobacco crops. You encounter Sminthi, Miki, Ehino in succession and arrive at Thermes in just over an hour, having driven 44.15km. The Relief of Mithras Tauroctonos The Relief of Mithras Tauroctonos (Mithras the Bull-slayer), dating to 2nd - early 3rd century AD, was chiseled out of a large rock, near Thermes Village in Xanthi and depicts Mithras (God of the Sun, of Persian origin) sacrificing a bull in the centre within a relief frame, which symbolizes a cave. To the right and left are the God’s disciples, Kautis and kautopatis. The archaeological site is open to visitors. For more information, contact LA’ EPKA Telephone: +30 25410 51003, +30 25410 51783 Xanthi Xanthi is a Byzantine city and believed to be guarded by the angels as testified by the “place’s marks”, according to historian Dimitris Mavridis. The monasteries of Pammegiston Taxiarxon, Panagia Arhongeliotissa, Panagia Kalamus and Agios Giorgios Monastery (according to recent research, there is a church of the same name there today) are situated at the four corners of the horizon, as if by analogy to the four tips of a cross, “crossing” the area and perpetuating the town’s existence. Xanthi is one of the few towns in Greece which has developed harmoniously , with respect and consideration for its history and past. A multicultural town, it has managed to gain a place in the heart of all its inhabitants, regardless of religion or ethnic origin. The Old Town of Xanthi “At that time, a copy of the belle epoch co-existed with authentic Turkish Minarets, and this gave colour and content to a very diverse population consisting of people from from all corners of Greece, who had accidentally ended up in the border area and could be seen dancing the Charleston in public squares” Manos Hadjidakis The Old Town of Xanthi is located in the northern part of the town and constitutes its historic nucleus. It covers an area of 380,000m2. The town was built after 1829, the year great earthquakes completely destroyed the previous settlement. The town was built on the ruins and around churches which had probably been there since Byzantine ‘Xantheia’. During the 19th century, Xanthi was a small town of 8,000 residents, financially prosperous, thanks to wealth from the cultivation, processing and transportation of tobacco and its products, but also because of its privileged position on significant trade routes. The town was built by Epirote and Macedonian craftsmen. It is characterized by its winding cobbled streets and filled with simple Balkan houses, inns, shops, churches, characteristic of the last Ottoman period, but also western neoclassical mansions whose owners were mainly tobacco merchants. In the old town there are 1,200 listed buildings. Of these, 140 are considered highly remarkable, 130 remarkable 260 of special interest. Mansions such as the one belonging to the tobacco merchant Kougioumtzoglou, which is home to the town’s Folk Museum, or Orfanidis’ mansion, today the Municipal Building. The old garrison headquarters where the great musical composer, Manos Hadjidakis, spent the first years of his life, has been preserved and is home to the “Manos Hadjidakis” multiplex of Art and Thought. The Municipal Picture Gallery of Xanthi “Chr. Pavlidis” is an excellent example of traditional West- Macedonian-Epirote architecture with its wooden ceilings being the chief feature, unique in the region and Tobacco Warehouse P at 9, Kapnergates Street, which belongs to the Foundation of Thracian Art and Tradition.