DAY 1: ATHENS
Welcome to Athens! Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel for check in. Free at own leisure.
DAY 2: ATHENS (3HRS) - DELPHI (4HRS) - KALAMBAKA (B/D) (Shared Group Tour)
After breakfast our bus will pick you up for a special day tour in Delphi which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece and was regarded as the center of the world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythius. You will be astonished by Treasury of the Athenians, the Theatre, the Stadium and the Museum with the famous statue of Antinoos and the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dated from 475 B.C and the famous athlete Aghias. Gaze out of your window as you cross the Thessalian plains, passing the pretty towns of Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala, and then arrive at your Kalambaka hotel in the early evening. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
DAY 3: METEORA (5.5HRS) - ATHENS (B) (Shared Group Tour)
Savor breakfast in your hotel, and then travel to Meteora. The UNESCO World Heritage site is home to more than 20 rock monasteries, either perched precariously on top of Meteora’s towering sandstone cliffs or built into the cliffs themselves inside naturally formed caves. Impressive scenery, priceless historical and religious treasures suspended between earth and sky. In your way back to Athens you will have the opportunity to stop in the coastal town of Thermopylae, near Lamia and learn about Thermoplylae’s historical battle between the Greek Spartans and Persians. Arrival in Athens early in the evening.
DAY 4: ATHENS CITY TOUR & FLIGHT to ISTANBUL (B)
Check-out the room and leave your luggage at the reception or take them on the bus. This morning, our expert guide will help you to explore the treasures of Athens during your morning sightseeing tour. Pass by the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian´s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial of the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University the National Library and the Constitution Square (Syntagma). Your tour will be followed by a visit to Acropolis, the eternal symbol of democracy, education and inspiration. Your tour will end with the visit to the impressive Acropolis Museum (entrance fees included). At the end of the tour transfer to airport for flight to Istanbul. Meet our staff at the meeting point at the IST airport. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 5: BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN RELICS TOUR & (Public) BOSPHORUS CRUISE (B-L)
08:15 am pick up from the reception and depart for the tour. Visiting, Hagia Sophia (may be busy on Fridays), Blue Mosque (may be busy on Fridays), Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays and Feast days), and Topkapi Palace (closed on Tuesdays). Todays’ program includes an hour public Bosphorus boat ride and a quick visit to the Egyptian (spice) market. The tour ends around 6:00 pm. Return to the hotel and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 6: FLIGHT TO CAPPADOCIA / CAPPADOCIA TOUR #1 (B-L)
04:00 am Pick up from the reception and transfer to the airport. You will fly into either Kayseri or Nevsehir. Arrive at the airport and depart for the tour. Visiting Devrent Valley, Monk`s Valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world-renowned fairy chimneys. After lunch break continue to the Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock-carved churches and monasteries. The tour will end with a visit to Uchisar, a natural rock castle. Transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY - 7 CAPPADOCIA TOUR #2 FLIGHT BACK to ISTANBUL (B-L)
Check-out your room and leave your luggage at the reception (or on the tour bus. ) 09:30 am, depart from your hotel to visit Red Valley, explore the famous rock-cut churches, and walk 4-5 km through the Gulludere valley. Then visit Çavusvillage. This village is famous for the houses and churches of the Christian clergymen. After lunch drive to the Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli underground city where early Christians lived in fear and faith. Transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Transfer to airport for flight to Istanbul. Meet our staff at the meeting point and transfer to hotel. Overnight Istanbul.
OPTIONAL: Hot-air balloon tour.
DAY 8: GOOD BYE!
Pick-up 5 hours before your international flight and transfer to airport. Have a safe flight home!
WHAT`S INCLUDED
Hotel accommodation according to your selection as 3, 4, or 5 stars.
Services of professionally licensed guides on local Group tours. In English. - We offer private tours in various languages.
(You can ask for other language options for groups).
Meals as: B breakfasts, L lunch.
Transportation in fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coaches on local tours and transfers. Regular group.
English-speaking guided tours are mentioned in the itinerary (Regular group).
Inbound and outbound airport transfers to/from your hotel.
All taxes, entrance & museum fees, and baggage handling. (unless otherwise stated)
NOT INCLUDED
International airfares.
Domestic flights (The price is determined on the day the ticket is bought.)
One-way international flight from Istanbul to Greece. (The price is determined on the day the ticket is bought.)
VISA needed for Turkey & Greece.
Tips to guide, driver, hotel staff, etc (Optional).
Items of a personal nature.
Harem and Treasure room entrance fees in Topkapi Palace.
Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast).
Travel Insurance and medical services.
Greece Stayover Tax to be paid directly to hotels per room per night: 3* hotels €1.5 / 4* Hotels €3 / 5* Hotels €4
