HELLENIC HERITAGE TOUR
Day 1: Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, upon arrival your driver will be ready to meet and transfer you to your hotel. Time at leisure, stay overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: No meals.
Day 2: Istanbul Old City Tour
Begin the day with visits to the most important sites of once imperial Constantinople; Hagia Sophia, famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. Hippodrome was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople. Sultanahmet Mosque, also named "Blue Mosque" by foreign travelers based on the tiles in dominant tones of blue, turquoise and green that cover most of its interior. Have free time in the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world. After lunch, discover the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans. You will be amazed by 10,700 pieces of Chinese, Japanese and Turkish porcelain displayed in the palace kitchens once served to 4,000 people in a day. Imperial Treasury, a large collection exhibited in five different halls, consisting gifts of ambassadors, enthronement gifts, and belongings of the Ottoman dynasty as well as holy relics. End the day with a slow paced, relaxing walking tour inside the palace. Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 3: Bosphorus Tour, Istanbul - Cappadocia
Enjoy the magnificent shores of the Bosphorus, is a narrow strait seperates Europe from Asia. Cruise along the Bosphorus by seeing Istanbul Modern Art Museum, Ottoman Summer palaces, Rumeli & Anadolu fortresses, forested hills, Bridges and shore villages with Ottoman architecture. Finally, stroll through the Spice Market also called Egyptian Bazaar, is filled with the atmosphere of the exotic East. After visits you will be transferred to the airport to take a flight to Kayseri. Arrive in Kayseri and transfer to your authentic hotel in Cappadocia. Stay overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Cappadocia Highlights Tour
You will be amazed by how Christian hermits lived in cells and churches carved to the rocks. Then, proceed to Avanos, settled on the banks of the Red River and the pottery centre of Cappadocia. You can watch the potters at work using kick wheels, the technique which has remained unchanged for generations before break for lunch. Continue to Goreme Open Air Museum, for the world's most important Byzantine cave churches and the best preserved cave wall paintings and frescos from the Iconoclastic period through to the end of Seljuk rule. Drive to Esentepe for a spectacular view over Goreme from Esentepe see the complete view of Goreme valley and Goreme village: fairy chimneys, rock formations and cave houses. Finally, end the day in Uchisar Castle, the highest point of the region, is a 25-floor beehive of cave rooms forming an underground-type city reaching into the sky.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 5: Cappadocia - Ephesus - Kusadasi
Early transfer to the airport to take a flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon your arrival meet your guide and drive to visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. We then proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus, no today any comparison could be made between Ephesus other ancient cities in the world. After spending hours with bottomless information, stories and wows we take a break under the shadows of fig trees to eat lunch. Finally, visit to the House of Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations. After tour transfer to your hotel for dinner and stay overnight.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 6: Aphrodisias & Pamukkale - Kusadasi
After breakfast we drive to Aphrodisias to explore the remains of Ancient Aphrodisias; where there was a school of sculpture in ancient times. We will also visit the stadium and the Temple of Aphrodite. Continuing on to Pamukkale, a spa that was well known throughout the ancient world. Upon our arrival you will see the white Cotton Cliffs, one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. We will also visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its Basilica, theatre and Roman Baths. After the visits, drive back to Kusadasi and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 7: Cruise, Kusadasi - Patmos
You will be transferred from your hotel in Kusadasi to the port for embarkation to the cruise ship. At 12:00 the ship sails for Patmos. Between 16:00 & 21:00 enjoy the sacred island of Patmos, an island with an austere physiognomy. This is where St John the Evangelist wrote the Apocalypse.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Rhodes
From 7:00 to 18:00 we enjoy our day in Rhodes, the legendary home of the sun god Apollo. Visit Lindos famous for its Acropolis and the old town of Rhodes, the Grand Master s Palace and the Street of the Knights (optional excursion).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Crete - Santorini
From 7:00 to 11:30 we arrive in the main city of Heraklion on the island of Crete. Here you will be able to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos (optional excursion). At 16:30 we alight in Santorini. Go ashore and take a donkey ride or the cable car up to the town of Fira. Santorini is an exceptionally beautiful island of white washed houses set into the steep cliffs shaped by the volcano. Be sure not to miss the dazzling sunset from one of Santorini s many charming villages. We set sail for Athens at 21:00.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Disembarkation,Athens
Return to Piraeus port around 07.00, disembarkation after breakfast. Meet at the port and transfer to your hotel. Time at leisure. Today, you can discover Acropolis on your own. Overnight in Athens.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Athens - Olympia
Prehistory, the Classical period, Roman domination, the Byzantine Empire, the Crusades and Modern times. Greece through the centuries will unfold before you on this four day tour. Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidauros, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the town of Nauplion (short photo stop), drive on to Mycenae and visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 12: Olympia & Delphi
In the morning visit the Archaeological Site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. 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 Nafpaktos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive in Delphi. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 13: Delphi & Kalambaka (Meteora)
In the morning visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town stated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, gigantic rocks. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 14: Kalambaka (Meteora) - Athens
Visit Meteora, 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. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road the Leonida's Monument). Arrive in Athens early in the evening. For the visit of Monastery ladies need to wear a skirt and the gentlemen need to wear long trousers. Overnight in Athens.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Departure
Today we will transfer you to Athens Airport for your departure flight. End of the tour program.
Meals: Breakfast
Can I book my trip online, or must I do it over the phone?
What do you need from me to begin a proposal for a customized Greece tour?
Can TSC design a customized trip for our group’s interests?
Is airfare included in programs? Can I book my international flight through you?
What type of accommodation do we use?
What type of transportation is used on tours?
Do you cooperate with travel agents?
Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We require a deposit payment at time of booking to secure your reservation. The deposit payment is payable by credit card or bank transfer.
Credit Card: For your protection, we need you to sign the credit card payment form upon receipt and return it with verification of legal identification (e.g. copy of your passport or driver’s license) after your credit card has been charged. We will inform you in advance of purchase of any credit card fees that may apply.
Bank transfer: Payment can be sent to our company bank accounts. Our representative will send you detailed information for the booking process including bank transfer details. Please note our rates do not include the transfer costs of your bank or their agents. Please be sure that all costs paid additionally!
What is your cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be made in writing directly to TSC Travel. No responsibility is taken for cancellations of airfare, hotel bookings, or any other extra services which have been made directly by the client.The following scale of charges will apply when cancellation is notified for all land packages, tours and programs;
Prior to arrival:
Charge 60 days or more: 10% of selling price (Administrative Fee)
59-46 days: non-refundable deposit 35% of selling price
45-21 days: 50% of selling price
20-0 days: 100% of selling price
* Special conditions apply for canceling of tailor-made tour programs.
The following scale of charges will apply when cancellation is notified for tours that include a Cruise program:
Prior to arrival:
Charge 60 days or more: 10% of selling price (Administrative Fee)
59-46 days: 35% of selling price
45-21 days: 50% of selling price
20-8 days: 75% of selling price.
7-0 days: 100% of selling price.
* Special conditions apply for cancellation.
If you have to withdraw from a tour after it has begun for reasons such as illness, be sure to obtain a medical certificate in support of any insurance claim. We are unable to make refunds for absences from a tour, including but not limited to missed meals or entrance tickets.
Flight/ferry/train/bus tickets are not included in the above cancellation policy. Once your program is confirmed and the tickets are purchased, any changes to the dates of the program will incur a change fee or in case of cancellation, (this is additional to the service fee), 100% cancellation fee for the tickets will be incurred regardless of the above cancellation policy. For further information, please read our Terms and Conditions page.
When and How I will receive my tour documents?
Travel documents and electronic flight tickets are usually sent 21 days prior to departure. However, you will receive tour vouchers, maps, ferry, bus or train tickets and other required information upon arrival in Greece. This will be included in a welcome package waiting for you upon arrival at your hotel.