17-Day Ottoman Turn Tour from Athens: Kastraki, Kalambaka, Sofia, Rhodes, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Marmaris, Heraklion | Ticket Admission Included |

Welcome to Athens! 

Transfer to the hotel and free time. You will be provided with the information required for the beginning of the trip in the afternoon; otherwise, the information will appear on the information panels at the hotel reception area.

Notes:

- Remember that hotels check-in time is usually at 14:00 hrs. If you require more hours of room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.

- The schedules that you will find in this itinerary are indicative. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the trip, may adjust the schedules.

- All the following hotels are for your reference only, you may check-in other similar hotels.

We will enjoy the city tour with a local guide which includes the Presidential Palace, the Panathinaikos stadium where the first modern Olympic games were held, the national library, the bustling squares of the center; the new neighborhoods that emerged after the 2004 Olympic games. The tour will finish at the Acropolis site (entry not included).

In the evening we include a transfer to the PLAKA area, which is full of small Greek bars and where you will be able to enjoy the rich folklore of this country.

Scenery: Views over the sea. Fantastic landscapes in the region of Meteora, orthodox monasteries.

Notes: Wear appropriate clothing (women will have to wear the skirts that will be given at arrival to the monastery). Also foresee comfortable footwear... you will have to climb many steps in the Meteora area!

08:00 hrs. Athens –departure-. We leave for the north of Greece. Pleasant Mediterranean landscapes.

10.15 hrs. - Kamena Vourla – Arrival.- Charming tourist centre by the sea amidst magnificent scenery. Time for a stroll and a coffee.

11.15 hrs. - Kamena Vourla –departure-. Continuation northbound. We make a brief stop at the gorge where the battle of Thermopylae took place.

13.45 hrs. Kastraki- stop for lunch in this picturesque town located at the foot of the Meteora. The views here are magnificent!. After lunch we will visit Meteora, an impressive place declared UNESCO World Heritage, an area that covers a few square kilometers and where an ancient monastic community and a rare geological phenomenon of huge rock pillars coexist in absolute harmony. We will see the whole valley and have the chance to go into one of the most famous monasteries (entrance included).

Accommodation in Kalambaka, a small town in the center of the Meteora region. Dinner included.

Landscapes: Beautiful landscapes in the north of Greece and on the way to Bulgaria: mountains, isolated areas, forests.

Note: Remember to have your Passport ready, you will need it to enter Bulgaria.

08.00 hrs.- Kalambaka.- Departure. We travel through the North of Greece, amidst pretty mountain scenery, to the Aegean Sea.

11.15 hrs.- THESSALONIKI– Arrival-, time for a walk and lunch in Greece's second city.

14.00hrs.- Thessaloniki- Departure. We travel towards the Pirin mountain, a World Heritage Site, areas heavily influenced by the Greek, Slavic and Turkish cultures. After this we go on our way towards BULGARIA, crossing the border. Schedules of this stage sometimes can suffer important delays because of the border procedures.

16.45hrs.- MELNIK. Arrival. In Bulgarian Macedonia we will make a stop in this picturesque museum-town among beautiful landscapes in the center of a wine-producing area. We will learn about the traditional Balkan ways of life.

17.45hrs.- Melnik. Departure.

18.15 hrs- SANDANSKI, arrival in this beautiful small spa city, the birthplace of Spartacus, dinner and accommodation.

Scenery: beautiful landscapes of the Balkans, with mountains, remote areas and forests.

Note: Wear suitable clothing to visit the monastery of Rila.

08.30 hrs- Sandanski.- Departure.

10.30 hrs - Rila Monastery - We visit this beautiful walled Orthodox monastery that is hidden hidden among forests and mountains within a national park. Time to visit it.

11.45 hrs - Rila -Departure.

15.00 hrs - Sofia -Arrival-. After the lunch time we include a city tour of the capital of Bulgaria, where we will see the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Russian church, the mosque, its squares and avenues of Stalinist architecture. Free time afterwards.

After breakfast a transfer to the airport. We take a regular flight (included, variable times) to Turkey. Arrival in ISTANBUL. Transfer to the hotel and free time. You will receive information on this part of your trip in the afternoon, or it will be placed on the informative panels located in the hotel reception.

09.00 hrs.- A sightseeing tour of the city. We find ourselves in a city built in two continents. On our tour, we will enter the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent (the largest in Istanbul). We will see the walls, the Golden Horn, the fishing district, and we will admire the exterior of Hagia Sofia. After the visit, we will offer tickets and a visit to the Top Kapi Palace, which was the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire, with its magnificent courtyards and its pavilions.

19.30 hrs.- At the end of the afternoon we will provide a transfer to the Taksim neighbourhood, the most commercialised and lively area of the city. There will be time to dine in one of its many restaurants, and you can also take the old tram that crosses the area or go to see the nearby Galata Tower. Return to the hotel around 22.00 hrs.

Note: Services during the stay in Istanbul may change order by taking the boat ride on the Bosphorus on the first day and the panoramic visit on the second day.

Today we include a boat trip on the Bosphorus that will last about two hours. We will undertake the trip on a boat exclusively for Europamundo travellers. The Bosphorus is a strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of ??Marmara, which separates Istanbul into two parts: the European part and the Asian one. We will enjoy seeing the liveliness of the strait with its multitude of boats. We will pass under the two bridges that unite Europe and Asia and we will admire the palaces of the sultans, the typical wooden houses and the Ottoman villas. Return to the center of Istanbul.

Rest of the day at leisure. You can go shopping in the Grand Bazaar; visit Hagia Sophia; ... Multiple options in this great capital.

Scenery: Cold lands inside Anatólia.

07.00 hrs.- We will leave early morning from Istanbul.

14.00hrs.- Ephesus, the best preserved ancient city of Asia Minor; 2000 years ago it had a quarter of a million inhabitants. We will discover the Basilica of Saint John, and then the house of the Virgin Mary and the archaeological site (tickets included).

18.00 hrs- Ephesus departure. We continue on towards the Turquoise Coast.

18.30 hrs- Kusadasi- Arrival to this popular coastal town with a lot of atmosphere, commercial life and a small castle. Free time in the center to enjoy its bazaars and the city. Dinner and accommodation.

Note: during the high season, from June to September (both included), accommodation may be provided in a nearby town.

Scenery: Various beautiful sights over the Aegean sea.

08.30 hrs.- Kusadasi- Departure.

10.00 hrs- Lake Bafa- Stop to see the lake, its magnificent nature, history, mystical beauty and serenity is undoubtedly one of the natural wonders to be seen in Turkey.

10.30 hrs.- Bafa Lake, departure.

12.00 hrs.- Bodrum, free time in this beautiful fortified city of Greek origin. You can visit its castle, walk through its streets which are full of life and tourist activity or its leisure marina. Time for lunch.

15.00 hrs- Bodrum, departure.

17.30 hrs.- Marmaris, arrival to another beautiful coastal tourist enclave, with its castle, its marina and its fountains. Dinner and accommodation.

Note: On some high difficulty dates (especially in summer), some groups can be accommodated in a nearby town.

Note:

- Remember that we are entering to Greece. On the ferry you should carry your luggage and have your passport handy as it is requested for embarkment.

- The ferries that link Marmaris with Rodhes undergo frequent changes in schedules and do not operate every day (except during summer months). The itinerary may be adapted based on the frequencies available during your trip. If the group is less than 10 people, the visits of Rhodes can be made in a regular service at a different schedule (sharing with other people from other companies).



07.30 HRS.- Early in the morning, at first light, we will leave the hotel. After border procedures we will take a boat to Greece.

09.15 hrs. - Fast ferry, a cruise of approximately one hour.

10.15 hrs.- Border procedures to enter Greece. Rhodes, arrival. We will include a sightseeing tour of the city with a local guide. Its impressive walled citadel, its old town that shows the traces of the different cultures (Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Knights of Saint John, Ottomans, Italians, etc.) that inhabited it. The visit lasts about two hours. After the visit we will transfer you to the hotel.

Free afternoon.- We suggest you to enjoy on its beaches or stroll on your own in this beautiful city.-

Scenery: Mediterranean landscapes, picturesque views of the sea.

Note: The flight schedules from Rhodes to Heraklion vary depending on the month, outside the tourist season there are no direct flights and there will be a flight with a stopover in Athens. Sometimes, depending on direct flight schedules, you can take a flight on Friday morning.

09.00 hrs. - Rhodes – departure-. We include an excursion to visit the island of Rhodes.

09.30 hrs. - FILERIMOS, at the top of the hill, among magnificent landscapes, you can visit its small monastery.

10.15 hrs. - Filerimos - departure.

11.30 hrs. - Lindos, its medieval fortress and Greek Acropolis dominate the sea. With the bus we will take you to St. Paul's Bay, it is said that the apostle arrived here by sea in the year 51 AD. to preach Christianity, the movie "The Guns of Navarone" was filmed here. Later you will have free time, you can walk through the white streets of the center, rest on its beaches or climb (on a donkey, if you wish) to the Acropolis.

15:00 hrs. - Lindos – departure. We return to Rhodes. Transfer to the airport (according to flight schedule) and direct flight or flight with a stopover in Athens to the island of Crete.

HERAKLION - Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Scenery: Beautiful Mediterranean landscapes, mountains and sea views.

09.30 hrs. - Heraklion – departure. Our road follows the coast, beautiful views of the sea.

11.00 hrs. - Rethymno – arrival. Beautiful coastal city of Venetian origin dominated by its medieval castle. Time to walk through its historic center and have lunch.

14:30 hrs. - Rethymno – departure.

15.30 hrs. - Chania – arrival. Captivating city with impressive fortress and stately mansions; contested among Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians and Greeks throughout its history. Our guide will inform us about the most beautiful points to visit and we will have free time to get to know the city.

19:00 hrs. - Chania. Departure and return to Heraklion.

09.00 hrs. – Heraklion – Departure.

09.30 hrs. - Knossos. Arrival. We include (admission and guided tour) the PALACE OF KNOSSOS, which allows us to learn about the Minoan culture that gave rise to the Greek culture four thousand years ago.

11.45 hrs. - Knossos – departure. We cross the high mountains in the center of the island traveling south towards the Libyan Sea.

13:30 hrs. - Agia Galini, arrival in this picturesque town with labyrinthine alleys, fishing port and popular taverns. Free time to walk, have lunch and, if you’d like to, swim in the sea.

18.30 hrs. - Agia Galini - departure. Return to the capital of Crete.

20.00 hrs. - Heraklion – Arrival. We recommend walking through its historic center full of life, activity and small restaurants.

Note: From November to April we will make a stop in the picturesque city of Matala instead of Agia Galini due to the end of the summer season and the general closure of businesses in this city. Matala is known for its beautiful beach and unique landscapes of cliffs and carved caves dug into the rocks.

09.30 hrs. - Heraklion – departure. We travel to the east of the island, pleasant coastal and mountainous landscapes.

11.00 hrs. - PANAGIA KERA - arrival. In a small village on a rich agricultural plain we visit the 13th century church with some of the best frescoes in Crete, admission included.

12.00 hrs. - Panagia Kera - departure.

12.15 hrs. - AGIOS NIKOLAOS – arrival to this picturesque town with its natural port. Time for a walk and lunch.

14:30 hrs. - Agios Nikolaos - departure.

15:00 hrs. - ELOUNDA, a place that was a city-state and today a beautiful tourist enclave. Time for a walk. We include here (or from the nearby port of Plaka) a boat trip and admission to the island-citadel of SPINALONGA, an ancient Venetian fortress that later served as a leprosarium for a long time. Boat trip of about 15 minutes, time in the fortress and return by boat. We return to the picturesque coastal town of PLAKA, time for a coffee and a walk.

18.00 hrs. - Plaka - departure.

19:30 hrs. - Heraklion - Arrival.

Note: The schedules and frequencies of the ferries on which we carry out today´s program are variable depending on the period of the year. Sometimes the trip from Satorini to Athens may be made by air.

Early morning we have a transfer to the port. Normally our ferry will leave at 07:00 or 08:00 hrs. We take very fast modern ferries, in less than two hours we arrive at the island of Santorini.

SANTORINI – Arrival - (scheduled 08:50 hrs., if your ferry left at 07:00 / 09:50 hrs., if it left at 08:00 hrs). By bus, among beautiful landscapes we go to OIA, without a doubt the most spectacular town on the island: white streets full of life, immense views over cliffs, castle remains and windmills. Time to walk and have lunch.

After that we will visit FIRA, the capital of the island. Those, who would like to, can go down by cable car or donkey to the port, where the cruise ships arrive.

We continue later to the ferry port to take a fast ferry, departing around 15:30 hrs. Arrival in Athens a little before midnight.

Very important note: From November to mid-April WE WILL NOT VISIT THE ISLAND OF SANTORINI, since the fast ferry from Heraklion to Santorini does not operate. During this period we will travel by plane from Heraklion to Athens.

After breakfast, end of our services.

Note: Remember that hotels check-out time is usually at 10.00 hrs. In most cases, you can leave your luggage at the hotel reception at check-out time, so you can enjoy the city and pick it up at the time you require that same day. If you need more time to use your room, please consider booking an additional night at the end of your tour.