2012 |

 

GREECE & ISTANBUL

Tour Code - 6570

10 days Athens to Istanbul Athens, Delphi, Kalambaka, Thessalonika, Alexandroupolis, Istanbul

All inclusive prices starting at: $1464

Ancient temples and preserved ruins provide a striking contrast to the modern architecture and elegant homes in the vibrant city of Athens.   With three nights in this capital city your local guided sightseeing includes a visit to the Parthenon, Erectheum, Theseum, Roman Temple of Zeus, Theatre of Dionysus and Socrates Agora.  Free time to explore on your own, or may be join the optional three-island excursion to Aegina, Poros and Hydra.  Learn of the Marathon on your way to Delphi and a guided sightseeing of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo. View rock-top monasteries on your way to Kalambaka.  Travel North to Veria and overnight in the lively city port of Thessalonika. Onwards through the Macedonian plains with stops in Philippi and Kavala before you arrive in Alexandroupolis close to the Turkish border.  In the morning, cross into Turkey and head for Istanbul, where your guided sightseeing includes the Roman Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque.  Markets, peddlers and a plethora of enticing food stalls wait to be discovered in this irresistible city.

 

Meals

  • Breakfast - 9
  • Lunch - 0
  • Dinner - 3

Standard Features

Individual headsets
SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Kalambaka, Veria, Thessalonika, Kavala, Alexandroupolis
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Macedonian plains, Meteora
GUIDES: Local Guides for city sightseeing in Athens, Delphi, Philippi, Istanbul. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring
TRANSPORTATION: Touring by private first-class airconditioned motorcoach
HOTELS: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
MEALS: Buffet breakfasts (B); 3 dinners (D)

GREECE & ISTANBUL

Day by Day

DayDescription
1

ARRIVE IN ATHENS, GREECE.

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring the Greek capital. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

2

ATHENS.

Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the Parthenon's crowning beauty atop the Acropolis, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman Temple of Zeus, Theatre of Dionysus, and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the government buildings and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to the remains of the glorious past. The rest of the day is at leisure- maybe join one of our optional excursions. (B)

3

AT LEISURE IN ATHENS.

A whole day to relax and do as you please or join the optional three-island cruise, visiting Aegina, Poros, and Hydra. Poros is a lush island with a maze of narrow streets. Aegina is the main producer of pistachio nuts in Greece, while Hydra is home to a large artist community and where beautiful boutiques line the scenic harbour. (B)

4

ATHENS-DELPHI.

On the way to Delphi your Tour Director will tell you about Marathon, where 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders in 490 BC, and Thebes, the setting of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. Enjoy a guided tour of Delphi's ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, hear about the Oracle, and tour the excavations. Also visit the archaeological museum to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century BC bronze statue. (B)

5

DELPHI-METEORA-KALAMBAKA.

Today, drive north by way of Lamia and Trikala to the unreal fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. Visit one of the monasteries and take in the incredible panoramic view. (B,D)

6

KALAMBAKA-VERIA-THESSALONIKA.

North today with a short stop in Veria, known since the 4th century BC.This afternoon, arrive in Thessalonika, capital of Macedonia and the second-largest city and port in Greece. Thessalonika is a lively, modern city bustling with life and movement. Enjoy the included orientation drive and a visit to the archaeological museum. (B,D)

7

THESSALONIKA-PHILIPPI-KAVALA-ALEXANDROUPOLIS.

This morning, travel through the Macedonian plains and stop in Philippi. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to this ancient city. Next, stop in Kavala, which was under Turkish rule between 1380 and 1913 and has retained its Oriental atmosphere. Later, reach Alexandropoulis, situated in the northeastern part of Greece with its beautiful landscapes and antiquities that date from the Paleolithic era to the time of the Roman conquests. (B,D)

8

ALEXANDROUPOLIS-ISTANBUL,TURKEY.

Cross the border into Turkey and head to Istanbul. This afternoon, enjoy the included sightseeing with visits to the Roman Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Tonight, take advantage of the optional dinner outing in Istanbul. (B)

9

ISTANBUL.

Markets, peddlers, and stalls selling almonds, pistachios, iced drinks, and black coffee-you'll find this vigorous city irresistible. The view of the city at dusk with its 600 mosques and the Bosporus is unforgettable. Optional possibilities are an excursion by private boat on the Bosporus, and the "Historical Tour of Istanbul." (B)

10

ISTANBUL.

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

GREECE & ISTANBUL

Dates/Prices

NB: All prices listed are per person

May 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
10 May 201219 May 2012On Request $1487 AUD $2005 AUD Hotel List

Jul 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
19 Jul 201228 Jul 2012Open $1464 AUD $1982 AUD Hotel List

Sep 2012

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin ShareSingle
13 Sep 201222 Sep 2012Open $1497 AUD $2015 AUD Hotel List

Accommodation Prices

Pre & Post TourCityStart DateEnd DateSingle PriceTwin PriceTriple Price
POSTIstanbul01 Jan 201231 Dec 2012 $106 AUD $72 AUD $63 AUD
PREAthens01 Jan 201231 Dec 2012 $140 AUD $87 AUD $68 AUD

Charges

TypeNamePrice
OPTIONALGratuity95 AUD

GREECE & ISTANBUL

Tour Code - 6570

10 days Athens to Istanbul Athens, Delphi, Kalambaka, Thessalonika, Alexandroupolis, Istanbul

See more information about the ships on this cruise:

GREECE & ISTANBUL

Tour Map

GREECE & ISTANBUL

Optional Excursions

To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour. Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.

PriceDetails
30  EUR

Name: ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
Location: ATHENS
Description: A guided tour of the new Acropolis Museum, which was opened in 2009 and has been cited as one of the most important museums in the world. All the finds from the Acropolis have been collected here - more than 4000 art crafts are on display.
88  EUR

Name: AEGEAN CRUISE
Location: ATHENS
Description: Visit three Greek islands and enjoy lunch on board your modern cruise ship. Visit the Saronic islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. On Hydra there are no cars, the only means of transportation is by donkey.
55  EUR

Name: A TASTE OF ATHENS
Location: ATHENS
Description: First by coach into the centre of Athens where you will pick up the "train" which will take you at a leisurely pace for about 20 minutes around the old part of Athens, the "Plaka" - a good way to get a first impression of the layout, shops and points of interest. Re-board your coach to continue to a Taverna for a Greek feast with unlimited local wine. On the way back to the hotel view the illuminated Acropolis.
31  EUR

Name: BOSPORUS CRUISE
Location: ISTANBUL
Description: Drive over the Galata Bridge to board your boat for an excellent view of old Turkish wooden houses and beautiful scenery. See the elegant Dolmabahce Palace and cruise under the Bosporus Bridge.
50  EUR

Name: BY NIGHT WITH DINNER
Location: ISTANBUL
Description: Drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul to a well-known nightclub where dinner, including specialties of Turkish cuisine and wine, is served. Then a show with singers, belly dancers, and folk groups from various regions of Anatolia.
45  EUR

Name: HISTORIC HALF DAY TOUR
Location: ISTANBUL
Description: Drive first to Topkapi Palace, the historical residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the mid 15th to the 19th centuries, and now a museum. Then visit the 6th century St. Sophia, a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque and now a museum. Last stop is to the world-famous covered Grand Bazaar with 4,000 tiny shops.
 
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