January in Goumenissa: When Four Days Becomes Seven…and Other Beautiful Surprises

Feb 27

If December taught us anything, it's that Goumenissa has a way of making people want to stay longer than planned. January proved this wasn't a fluke, it's just who we are.

Alexandra and Vassiliki: A New Year's Week That Kept Getting Better

When I left off in December's post, Alexandra and Vassiliki had just arrived for our 1st Annual Goumenissa Project Street Party on December 31st. In Greece, we find many reasons to throw parties, and one of my favorite traditions is a daytime celebration - either with Halkina (our beloved brass bands) or a DJ. Usually, winter days here are cold and sunny, perfect party weather. This year, though, the temperatures were extreme. We're talking cold cold.

But that didn't stop us from celebrating, especially when January 1st brought double the reason to toast: not only New Year's Day, but Saint Vassilis (Vassiliki's name day). In Greek culture, name days are often celebrated as much as birthdays, and having someone named Vassiliki with us on Saint Vassilis's feast day felt like perfect timing. From here on out, we cut a special cake or tsoureki with a coin inside called a vasiliopita - whoever gets the slice with the coin gets good luck for the year.

What was supposed to be a quick 3-4 day visit? Seven days. And honestly, we could have kept going.

The Goumenissa Base Camp Strategy: Exploring Northern Greece

The ladies made Goumenissa their home base, and we explored from here like spokes on a wheel. We started, of course, with the essential Goumenissa tour, our town, our wineries, our stories. But then the adventures radiated outward.

On January 1st, we had a wonderful meal at The Lemon in Pella—yes, ancient Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. There's something special about celebrating the new year in a place where history stretches back millennia.

Vergina: The Royal Tombs of Ancient Macedon

We brought in a certified archaeological tour guide to walk them through one of Greece's most significant archaeological sites, the royal tombs of Macedon, where Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, was laid to rest. Standing in those ancient chambers, you feel the weight of history. This isn't just reading about the past; it's standing inside it.

That same day, while I handled some work, Alexandra and Vassiliki drove to Edessa for coffee and to see the famous Edessa waterfalls - one of those spontaneous detours that makes travel magical. We reunited later in Giannitsa for dinner, comparing notes on what we'd each discovered.

Up the Mountain: Paiko Mountain's Winter Playground

The next day, we headed up Paiko Mountain to Stavropotamos, where swings overlook the valley below - the kind of simple joy that makes you feel like a kid again, even when your hands are freezing.

From there, we drove higher to Megala Livadia. Now, here's a pro tip: if you're reading this and planning a spring visit to Northern Greece, this route through the mountain is absolutely spectacular in April and May. Drive past Archangelos (a special village with a monastery worth visiting) when the cherry blossoms are everywhere. As you wind through, Tzena Mountain rises with its steep slopes, and below you'll see the patchwork of farmland, row after row showing how carefully farmers tend their fields across generations.

We stopped in Promahi village for lunch at Kato Milos, one of those traditional Greek restaurants where everything tastes like someone's grandmother made it (in the best possible way). On the drive back through Aridea, we passed Pozar thermal springs and its famous heated thermal pools. Of course, we hadn't brought bathing suits. Next time!

Understanding Goumenissa's Heritage: Museums and Architecture

Another day, we toured the Alevras Historical Museum and the Didaktirio (the old school building), learning about the architectural heritage of Goumenissa. These aren't just old buildings; they're the physical memory of how people lived, learned, and built community in this place.

By the time Alexandra and Vassiliki finally (reluctantly) left after seven days, I think we'd all proven something: Goumenissa isn't just a place you visit. It's a place you experience deeply, and it takes time to do it right.

A Weekend of Wine and Wisdom: Women Who Build

The following weekend brought a group of women who run and own their own businesses in Pelion. They arrived on a wine-buying trip for their properties, but what unfolded was so much more than that.

Maria from Dimosthenis Guesthouse here in Goumenissa has been friends with Elena for years, that's how this connection started. Elena and her husband have Malegkas Bee shop and To Kalivi, producing the kind of honey and propolis that remind you what real, artisanal food tastes like.

Lola and her husband own and run Adama Guesthouse, which they built themselves, every piece of craftsmanship done by their own hands. When someone builds something from the ground up like that, you can feel it in every detail.

Mariana runs 12hotel.gr, a luxury hotel, and talking with her about the hospitality industry, about what guests are really looking for, about how to create experiences rather than just provide rooms, these are the conversations that fuel what we do.

I loved spending time with these women. They understand something fundamental: hospitality isn't just about a bed and breakfast. It's about creating a sense of place, about curating experiences, about knowing your region so well that you can share its best secrets with your guests. I just love how this group of women work together to support each other.

They came to buy wine for their hotels, but what we really did was exchange knowledge, about the wine regions, the land, tourism, and what makes a place unforgettable. By the end of the weekend, they were talking about creating their own version of what we're doing here. I like the sound of it: The Pelion Project!

DJ Alex PM and the Best Pitstop Between Athens and Germany

Later in the month, we had another one of those "small world" moments that keep happening here. DJ Alex PM, his wife, and his sister were driving from Athens to Germany, yes, we're only 20 minutes from the North Macedonian border, which makes Goumenissa the perfect pitstop for anyone traveling to or from Europe.

Alex knows Goumenissa because many people from here go and work summer seasons in Paros, that's how these connections form. He used to have a clothing line and store called Planet Mushroom (the fashion crowd will know). He was heading to Europe for some gigs, and here's where it gets even better: they actually know my neighbor Kyros. (That's a whole other story for another time!)

They stayed the night, visited Titos Winery, and experienced what might be the most important culinary discovery: the absolutely amazing karioka's from Pipsos. If you know, you know. And if you don't know yet, you need to.

The world is so small and filled with love, and I really do love sharing Goumenissa with all of you, whether you're here for seven days like Alexandra and Vassiliki, a weekend wine-buying trip like the Pelion hotel owners, or an overnight pitstop on your way to a DJ gig in Germany.

A Birthday and an Anniversary: One Year Since the Decision

I celebrated my birthday this month, and I have to say, this is exactly a year to the day that I made the decision to start The Goumenissa Project. We opened our doors about 6 months later, but this was when the dream became a commitment. What a year it's been.

We spent the night eating pizza at Via Napoli in Giannitsa, where Chef Georgios Koukis created a special tasting for us to enjoy. We talked about his trips to Chicago, where I used to live, and shared stories about places to visit. This is what I love about building a network of trusted partners - I can send our guests to places like this knowing they'll experience something special, made by people who care deeply about their craft.

One year since making that decision, and the connections keep growing, the visitors keep coming, and Goumenissa keeps proving that it has so much to offer. Here's to the next year.

Why January Matters for Travel to Northern Greece

Looking back at this month, I'm struck by a pattern: people who come to Goumenissa don't just check boxes on an itinerary. They settle in. They extend their stays. They want to understand not just what this place looks like, but how it works, how it feels, what it means.

Alexandra and Vassiliki stretched four days into seven because you can't rush getting to know a place properly. The Pelion hotel owners came for wine but stayed for conversations because shared expertise and passion create their own kind of energy. DJ Alex PM and his family proved that even a quick overnight stop can become a meaningful connection.

January in Goumenissa might be cold, but it's rich - with history, with flavor, with connections that warm you from the inside.

Plan Your Winter or Spring Visit to Goumenissa

Whether you're interested in archaeological wonders like Vergina and ancient Pella, mountain adventures up Paiko, exploring traditional Greek villages, soaking in thermal springs at Pozar, or experiencing the cherry blossoms of spring, Goumenissa makes the perfect base camp for exploring Central Macedonia.

Winter offers intimate gatherings and cozy wine tastings at local wineries. Spring brings cherry blossoms and ideal hiking weather. But any season, what you'll find here is authentic—people who care about their land, their traditions, and sharing them properly.

Ready to plan your visit to Goumenissa? Get in touch, and let's create something memorable together.

The Goumenissa Project offers authentic agro-tourism and cultural experiences in Northern Greece, connecting travelers with Central Macedonia's wine country, Byzantine heritage, and rural Greek traditions while supporting local communities.