| |
|
 |
| Day 1: Monday - Depart the USA |
|
|
Depart the USA to Greece. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.
|
|
|
| Day 2: Tuesday - Arrive in Athens |
|
|
Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the afternoon at leisure. This evening join a orientation meeting with your local host and fellow travelers.
|
|
|
| Day 3: Wednesday - Athens Sightseeing |
|
|
Your morning tour of Athens includes panoramic views of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Panathenian Stadium, the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and a guided visit of the Acropolis. Depart in the afternoon for Delphi. Upon arrival enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Or choose our optional tour (Acropolis Museum Tour). Join a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum which houses thousands of artifacts found at the archeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. Recently opened in June 2009, the museum is more than ten times the size of the previous museum and provides interesting views of the excavation sites through the gallery`s glass floor.
(
B )
|
|
|
| Day 4: Thursday - Drive to Kalambaka |
|
|
Free morning at leisure or choose our optional tour (Delphi Tour). Enjoy an optional tour of Delphi. Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythias and the Museum. The Museum contains masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture such as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias.
This afternoon, drive via Karditsa and Trikala to Kalambaka, a small town situated amid smooth sandstone cliffs in the foothills of Meteora. Meteora`s name, meaning "suspended in air" is exceptionally apt, with towering rock pillars soaring over a thousand feet above the plain.
(
B )
|
|
|
| Day 5: Friday - Meteora and Kalambaka, Drive to Athens |
|
|
Free morning at leisure Spend the morning at leisure in the town of Kalambaka located at the base of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts some of Greece`s most significant and distinctive monasteries Or choose our optional tour (Meteora Tour). Enjoy an optional tour to the unique formations of Meteora. Visit the age-less monasteries, which appear to be suspended in mid-air perched on top of the huge rocks. View exquisite specimens of Byzantine Art. Continue for Athens past Thermopylae, arriving in Athens in the early evening.
(
B )
|
|
|
| Day 6: Saturday - Athens |
|
|
Free day at leisure or choose our optional tour (Full Day Argolis Tour). Depart for a drive along the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea, and enjoy a short stop. Continue to Mycenae, the ancient Homeric city of Atreides, to visit the Lion`s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal Tombs. Afterwards, depart for Nauplion, the picturesque town situated at the foot of a cliff, crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. Enjoy lunch in Mycenae or Nauplion, and afterwards, continue to Epidaurus to visit the world-famous Epidaurus Theater, considered one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Greece. Return to Athens).
Free evening at leisure or choose our optional tour (Athens by Night with Dinner). Begin the evening with a walking tour of the Plaka, including its hidden features and antiquities. Afterward, enjoy dinner in a local Greek restaurant where you will toast the evening with a drink of Ouzo. Additional drinks at the restaurant are not included.
(
B )
|
|
|
| Day 7: Sunday - Fly to Istanbul |
|
|
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
(
B )
|
|
|
| Day 8: Monday - Istanbul (Optional Full Day Classical Istanbul Tour) |
|
|
Free day at leisure or choose our optional tour (Full Day Classical Istanbul Tour). Today, enjoy a full day classical tour into the heart of Istanbul City, including visits to St. Chora, the magnificent Byzantine church adorned with superb mosaics and frescos, and the world-famous Blue Mosque. Continue to the Roman Hippodrome, the ancient site of chariot races and competitive athletic events. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at Konyali Restaurant, located on the Topkapi Palace grounds. In the afternoon, visit Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Visit the Treasury Rooms which house 700 years worth of priceless Endurun Treasure, making for the largest national trove in the world. Your final stop will be a visit to the renowned Grand Bazaar, the world`s largest covered market, featuring over 58 streets and more than 4000 shops.
(
B )
|
|
|
| Day 9: Tuesday - Istanbul (Optional Full Day Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise) |
|
|
Free day at leisure or choose our optional tour (Full Day Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with lunch). Today`s tour of Istanbul includes a cruise on the Bosphorus, with lunch. The tour begins with a visit to the famous Istanbul Spice Market before boarding a ferry, crossing the Bosphorus into Europe and Asia. While visiting both Europe and Asia, enjoy stops along the way to photograph the 15th century Rumelihisari Fortress, as well as various summer palaces and old wooden homes. The cruise terminates at the fishing village of Sariyer, close to the Black Sea. After lunch, enjoy a pleasant drive to Camlica Hill on the Asian side, via the Bosphorus Bridge, to see Istanbul in beautiful panorama. For your final stop, visit the Beylerbeyi Palace, the former summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, to see its original furnishings and formal gardens.
The Beylerbeyi Palace is closed on Monday and Thursday. Likewise, the Spice Market is closed on Sunday, as well as the following holiday dates: Sept 8 - 11, 2010 & Nov 15 - 19, 2010. Departs at 9:00 a.m. Pick-up from the hotel approximately 45-minutes prior to departure time. Drop-off at the hotel
(
B )
|
|
|
| Day 10: Wednesday - Depart for the USA |
|
|
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Return to the USA
(
B )
|
|
|
| |
|
Note:
- Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers, but does include flight Athens-Istanbul and transfers on Day 7.
- Visas are required for Turkey.
|
| |
|
|
|
| Greece Athens Acropolis |
|
|
| 10 Day Affordable Greece with Istanbul |
|
|
| Greece Athens Acropolis Front |
|
|
| Greece Delphi Temple of Apollo |
|
|
| Greece Delphi Temple of Athena |
|
|
| Greece Metora Image |
|
|
| Greece Athens By nights |
|
|
| Greece Athens Temple of Zeus |
|
|
| Greece Athens Tomb of the Unknown Soldier |
|
|
| Turkey Istanbul Aya Sophia |
|
|
