Monday all year long
12 Days / 11 Nights
Welcome to Athens! Upon arrival, you'll be greeted and transferred to your chosen hotel category. Accommodation
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for a panoramic tour of Athens city center: the Parliament, the University, the National Library and Academy of Arts, neoclassical mansions, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Gate, the Pan-Athens Stadium, and many other iconic monuments. After the panoramic tour, visit the spectacular Acropolis. Free afternoon in the city.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the Corinth Canal, where we will make our first stop to appreciate this impressive feat of engineering. We continue our visit to the famous Epidaurus Theater, known worldwide for its exceptional acoustics. After passing through the picturesque city of Nafplio, we arrive at Mycenae, where we will visit the prehistoric Acropolis, highlighting the Lion Gate and the Tomb of Agamemnon, a place steeped in history and mythology. In the afternoon, crossing the central Peloponnese, we arrive at Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Dinner and accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we will explore the ancient Olympic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games were held. Afterward, we will visit the Olympia Museum, which houses valuable collections related to the games and the history of ancient Greece. In the afternoon, we will continue our journey across the suspension bridge. "Rio Antirio," one of the longest in the world, and we'll arrive at Delphi. Dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel. In Delphi, known as the center of the world in ancient times, we'll visit the local museum, home to the famous "Bronze Charioteer" statue, as well as the impressive archaeological site that includes the Temple of Apollo. We'll then depart for Kalambaka. a picturesque town at the foot of the Meteora Mountains. Dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel. We'll begin the day by visiting two of Meteora 's impressive monasteries, perched atop rock formations that seem to defy gravity. These monasteries, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer a unique combination of architecture and spirituality in an unparalleled natural setting. We'll then depart for Athens, passing Thermopylae, home to the statue of the Spartan king Leonidas. Arrival at our hotel and overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for an included domestic flight of approximately 1 hour to the island of Chios, one of the largest in the Aegean archipelago, located just 30 minutes from the Turkish coast. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and free time to discover this captivating island, known for its vibrant history, picturesque landscapes, and deep cultural traditions. Chios is home to numerous attractions, such as the medieval village of Pyrgi , famous for its houses decorated with geometric motifs, and the Nea Moni Monastery, a World Heritage Site.In addition, its crystal-clear beaches, such as Mavra Volia, with its black volcanic sand, offers an ideal setting for relaxing and enjoying the Aegean Sea. Accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, we will depart for the port to board the ferry to Çeşme, one of Turkey's most famous coastal destinations, with an attractive port area, several historical monuments, and a lively city center full of shops and restaurants. After arrival and immigration formalities in Turkey, we will depart for Kusadasi or Izmir. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay. (During the summer months of May-October, accommodation may be in Izmir and its surroundings instead of Kusadasi.)
Breakfast. Departure for Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Ulucamii Mosque, the Kozahan Silk Bazaar, and the Green Mausoleum. Continue your journey to Istanbul, arriving and staying overnight. (On some departures, due to operational reasons, the Izmir-Istanbul leg may be operated with a domestic flight without going through Bursa.)
Breakfast. Departure to visit the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque located on the third hill of Istanbul with one of the most famous panoramic views of the city, by order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent was built by the famous imperial architect Sinan. After the visit Free time to discover the city on your own. or optionally hire a full day visit to the Historical part of Istanbul where you can see Hagia Sophia (exterior) culmination of Byzantine art, and the pearl of Istanbul, the famous Topkapi Palace , residence of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries, Enjoy a typical lunch in a local restaurant in the Sultanahmet area , Contemplate the Blue Mosque , prodigy of harmony, proportion and elegance; and the Hippodrome , which houses the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, the Emperor William Fountain, and the Egyptian Obelisk. In the late afternoon, visit the famous Grand Bazaar, where you'll enjoy free time to wander among its 4,000 shops.
Breakfast. Departure for one of Istanbul's most famous activities: a boat ride along the Bosphorus, the canal that separates Europe and Asia. During this trip, you can see the Sultans' palaces, ancient and typical wooden houses, and experience history in a different way. Next, we will take one of the most popular visits: the Spice Bazaar, established by the Ottomans 5 centuries ago and used ever since. Our included visit ends at the bazaar, where you can enjoy its atmosphere and variety of shops. In the afternoon, you can optionally take a visit with lunch to the Asian side of the city, visiting the " Beylerbey " Palace, located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. The former summer residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, we will also be able to see the famous suspension bridge. From the Bosphorus, which connects the European and Asian sides of the city, after lunch, we'll visit the underrated Üsküdar district on the Asian side and then head to Camlica Hill, one of the seven hills of the city and the highest point in Istanbul. At 268 meters above sea level, Camlica Hill offers panoramic views of both sides of the city. At the end of the day, return to the hotel. Accommodation
Breakfast and at the indicated time transfer to the airport End of services. (Pick-up will be 4 hours before the international flight schedule, exact time will be confirmed through your assistant at destination).
