Ancient to Contemporary Greece &
Turkey!
Tour 32
15 Days/13 Nights
from $2,485
Tour Features
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Itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
Day 1 ATHENS Depart via overnight International flight to Athens with all meals on board.
Day 2 ATHENS You will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 3 ATHENS (B) A morning city tour introduces you to Athens’ and Greece’s antiquities. Sightseeing is highlighted by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier where the Evzones stand guard in their traditional uniforms, the Panathenian Stadium built to accommodate the first modern Olympic Games, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Acropolis with its Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum. The afternoon and evening free for your own activities.
Day 4 ARGOLIS (B,D) Greece through the centuries will unfold before you on this 4 day classical tour. A short stop at the impressive Corinth canal; afterwards, Mycenae, the city of Agamemnon with its remarkable Cyclopean walls, the Lion’s Gate and the Tomb of Agamemnon; the perfect acoustics at the 4th century BC amphitheater of Epidaurus will astonish you. Overnight at the picturesque resort town of Nafplion.
Day 5 OLYMPIA (B,D) Motor-coach through the rugged terrain of central Peloponnese , passing through Tripolis and Megalopolis to Olympia, one of the most venerated sanctuaries of ancient Greece, site of the original Olympic Games. Visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Stadium and superb Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
Day 6 DELPHI (B,D) Drive through the capital of Peloponnese, Patras, across the “little Dardanelles” by car ferry to Antirion and continue along the scenic Gulf of Corinth passing through the picturesque towns of Nafpactos and Itea to Sacred Delphi on the slopes of beautiful Mount Parnassos. Visits include the Delphi Museum with its wealth of ancient Greek sculpture such as the famous “Bronze Charioteer”, the Temple of Apollo, seat of the Oracle whose prophecies influenced many, the Castalia spring used for purification, Temple of Athena and more.
Day 7 DELPHI-ATHENS (B) Additional time this morning in beautiful Delphi. Early afternoon make your way back to Athens driving through the village of Arachova, renowned for its colorful rugs.
Day 8 ATHENS (B) Day at leisure. Reserve the day for shopping for souvenirs or fine jewelry in the Monastiraki flea market, a scenic drive to beautiful Cape Sounion or an evening in one of the lively Plaka tavernas.
Day 9 ATHENS-ISTANBUL (B) You will be escorted to the airport early this morning for your departing flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istanbul’s airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day free to get acquainted with this fascinating city.
Day 10 ISTANBUL (B,L) Start your tour of the city where east meets west with visits to St. Sophia Basilica, the 6th century masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, the Blue Mosque with its six minarets and its exceptional blue tiles, the Byzantine Hippodrome where chariot races were once held. After lunch in a typical restaurant continue to Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans, now a world renowned museum. Then to the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered market.
Day 11 ISTANBUL- IZMIR (B,L) Your sightseeing continues today with a cruise on the Bosporus, the unique winding strait that separates Europe from Asia. It’s shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present. A great taste of the skyline with minarets, domes and landmarks of Istanbul such as Dolmabahce Palace, the Rumeli Hisar Fortress, Ortakoy Mosque. After lunch, cross the Bosporus by driving through the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge to the Asian side of the city. A visit to the White marble Beylerbeyi Palace, summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, the handicraft center and more. Then, transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir, Turkey’s largest city on the Aegean coast, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 12 IZMIR (B,L) This morning you will drive south along the Aegean coast to Ephesus for a tour of the ancient city, once a leading city of culture and religion. Visit the theater, the Library, the Roman baths and the Temple of Artemis. Walk the Marble Street (Arcadian Way) , continue to the Basilica of St. John. After lunch visit the Shrine of Virgin Mary, it is believed she lived in Ephesus her last years. Then to the Selcuk Archaeological Museum. Return to Izmir.
Day 13 IZMIR (PERGAMOS)-ISTANBUL (B,L) Drive north along the Aegean coast this morning to the ancient Hellenic city of Pergamos. One of the greatest cultural and religious centers of the ancient days in the area. Visit the Sunctuary of Asklepios and the Acropolis with the Altar of Zeus, said to be the place where Satan has his throne (John, book of Revelations), the Temples of Athena and Dionysos, the Trojan Temple and the world’s steepest theater. Return to Izmir and transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 14 ISTANBUL (B) A full day at leisure in Istanbul to explore on your own.
Day 15 ISTANBUL-DEPARTURE (B) Farewell Istanbul this morning as you will be transferred to the airport for your departing flight home.
Rates
DEPART: Friday (other departure days available)
LAND Jan $2,485 Feb $2,485 Mar $2,510 Apr $2,709 May $2,789 Jun $2,875 Jul $2,875 Aug $2,875 Sep $2,840 Oct $2,705 Nov $2,575 Dec $2,545 From Apr to Oct departures also available on Wednesdays and Saturdays.Rates are per person, in double occupancy, based on First Class Hotels.
Single Supplement: $940 Triple Reduction: $85
Supplement for Deluxe hotels: Double:$390. Single: $350. Triple Reduction: $50.
EXTEND YOUR STAY.
Rates are per person per night and include breakfast, hotel service charges and taxes.
