DAY 2: ATHENS- HALF DAY CITY TOUR

This tour is an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (shortstop).

Continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex-Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colourful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, theNational Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts an order in the mind”, the Parthenon.

Tour will end with visiting the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum, “State of the art” in museum construction and very rich in content.

DAY 3: ATHENS – HYDRA – POROS – AEGINA

This small cruise will take you to Hydra, Poros and Aegina and bring you back in the evening full of fun and with the taste of the Greek islands.

Morning transfer to the pier of Piraeus, to embark on your cruise ship for your full-day cruise to the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Good opportunity to know a little bit about the Greek Islands and visit a small part of Ancient Greece in the optional tour to the temple of Aphea Athina in Aegina.

On the return trip, you enjoy a program with Greek music and songs and join the dancers in Greek folklore dancing. Included is the transfers to and from the port, port taxes and lunch on board.

DAY 4: ATHENS – MYCENAE – EPIDAURUS – OLYMPIA

Leave by the Coastal Road to the Corinth Canal (shortstop). Drive on and visit Epidaurus which was a small city in ancient Greece, at the Saronic Gulf. Reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius, the healer, Epidaurus was known for its sanctuary, the cult of Asclepius at Epidaurus is attested in the 6th century BC.as well as its theatre, which is once again in use today.

The Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The theatre is marvelled for its exceptional acoustics, which permits almost perfect intelligibility of non-amplified spoken word from the proscenium or scene to all 15,000 spectators, regardless of their seating.

Then proceed to the Town of Nauplion ( shortstop) and drive on to Mycenae. and visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Departure for Olympia Through Central Peloponnese and the Towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Dinner and overnight in Olympia, the Cradle of the Olympic Games.

DAY 5: OLYMPIA – DELPHI

Olympia was a sanctuary of ancient Greece, known for having been the site of the Olympic Games in classical times, the most famous games in history.

The sanctuary, known as the Altis, consists of an unordered arrangement of various buildings. Enclosed within the temenos are the Temple of Hera (or Heraion/Heraeum) and the Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion and the area of the altar, where the sacrifices were made. The Hippodrome and later stadium were also to the east.

To the north of the sanctuary can be found the Prytaneion and the Philippeion, as well as the array of treasuries representing the various city-states.

Olympia is also known for the gigantic ivory and gold statue of Zeus that used to stand there, sculpted by Pheidias, which was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by the Antipater of Sidon.

Then drive on through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until the magnificent bridge which is crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque Towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, and arrive in Delphi. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: DELPHI – METEORA

Delphi was the centre of the Ancient World – the “Omphalos” (Navel of Earth) – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World.

On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios.

Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Museum containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, gigantic rocks. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 7: METEORA – ATHENS

Meteora is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. Among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and the Pindus Mountains, in central Greece. The Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae (visit Leonida’s monument). Arrive in Athens early in the evening.

DAY 8: ATHENS – ISTANBUL

According to the departure flight transfer to Athens airport for the flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your selected hotel. The balance of the day at leisure.

DAY 9: ISTANBUL – FULL DAY CITY TOUR

After breakfast full-day visit to Istanbul. We begin our tour from the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul at Agia Sophia. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses (closed on Mondays).

Next, we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial Mosque with six minarets. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100.000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire.

The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4.000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons and leather goods (Closed on Sundays).

Lunch in a local restaurant and continuation of our tour. Our afternoon will begin at Topkapi Palace which, from the 15th to 19th century, was the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans (closed on Tuesdays).

Little Agia Sophia Mosque is known as one of the oldest standing churches in Istanbul dating back to the 6th century. It is an early domed-basilica architectural plan of the famous Agia Sophia which was applied here for the first time in history.

DAY 10: ISTANBUL – FULL-DAY BOSPORUS CRUISE + TWO CONTINENTS TOUR

We will depart to visit City Walls. The first breach of the walls was by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, and the second by the cannons and troops of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453. Then you will go for Golden Horn. As a natural and extremely secure harbour, the Golden Horn has played an important role in the development of Istanbul. The inlet separates the European shore into two. It is approximately 8 km long, and the widest part is the entrance from the Bosphorus. Two streams drain into this inlet at its far end.

The next stop will be Spice Bazaar(Egyptian Bazaar). The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

After that, you will go on a boat trip to the Bosphorus. A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. You will see Rumeli Fortress (from the sea, no interior visit). Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Then we will go to Beylerbeyi Palace. The summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian. Bosphorus Bridge is a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe). After that Camlica Hill which is the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it, you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. Also, there is a possibility of shopping at Bedesten exhibits for the traditional silk weaving girls at the carpet weaving courses authorized by the Ministry of National Education Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts centre and leatherware show. Free time is provided for shopping.

DAY 11: ISTANBUL

A free day to the mythical city of Istanbul. A full day in the ancient city with countless elegant minarets and mosques. The mix of East and West has resulted in some of the most impressive architectural monuments worldwide as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

Another important thing to experience in Istanbul is to be lost in the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest markets in the world of its kind, where the colours and smells of the mountains of spices, colourful clothes and silver jewellery and intoxicate our hours. Haggling is, of course, the standard through the purchase.