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
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