Grand tour of Greece & memories of mesomotamia, 17 days 

Arrive ATHENS

Arrival at Athens airport – Reception by our assistant, waiting for you and transfer by luxurious car to the center of Athens – Accommodation at your hotel.

Free afternoon.  

For the night we propose you Optional tour. Athens by night. Your evening begins with a short panoramic drive through the city center and on the slopes of the sacred hill you will be able to see, admire and take photos of the illuminated Acropolis. Then a pleasant walk through the narrow picturesque streets of Plaka, the old city, will bring you at a Typical Greek Tavern where you will enjoy your dinner following a floor show with live music and Greek Folk Dances in traditional costumes.

 ATHENS

Departure to a half-day visit of Athens – Visit of the site of Acropolis and panoramic tour of the area by bus. This tour gives you 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 (short stop).  Continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National 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 order in the mind”, the Parthenon.  Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum.  Enjoy the rest of the day. 

Visit others museums of Athens and you will get familiar with the history of Greek civilization. If you are fans of shopping, you’ll find in the main street of Ermou your best choice for shopping. If you are fan of local food you will find various restaurants and small taverns with special Greek food and wine in Plaka. Don’t forget to discover the Night life of Athens.

 ATHENS – OLYMPIA

After breakfast we depart from the hotel and drive  by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidauros, famous for its remarkable acoustics. 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. 

OLYMPIA – DELPHI

After breakfast we start our tour and 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 Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive in Delphi. 

Overnight. 

DELPHI – METEORA – KALAMBAKA

After breakfast we depart to visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of the Meteora, those gigantic rocks that rise steep from the plain of Thessaly. 

Overnight in Kalambaka.

KALAMBAKA – THESSALONIKI

After breakfast we visit the monasteries in Meteora. 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. Depart from Kalambaka, drive through the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi, and admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods in Greek Mythology. Arrival at Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece.

Ovenight in Thessaloniki.

 THESSALONIKI

In the morning visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the “co-reigning” city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as in the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe’s Museum Prize for the year 2005. Rest of the day free, to enjoy time in the lively center of the city.

Overnight in Thessaloniki.

THESSALONIKI -> ISTANBUL

According to your departure flight for Istanbul, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Istanbul.
Following the arrival at Istanbul Airport  transfer your hotel. 

Overnight in Istanbul.

 ISTANBUL

Breakfast at hotel. Departure for half-day tour “BOSPHORUS”: We will go to the pier and embark the regular boat for Cruise on Bosphorus, a strait that separates two continents and joins the Black Sea with the Sea of ​​Marmara. From the boat we can admire the Dolmabahce Palace, the Mosque, the bohemian neighborhood of Ortakoy, the Rumeli and Anatolian Fortresses, the Beylerbeyi Palace, the typical “yali” wooden houses, etc. Next we will visit the Spice Bazaar, also called the Egyptian Bazaar, it is one of the oldest markets in Istanbul and one of the best places to buy typical products such as spices, sweets or nuts. 

The excursion ends here. 

Free afternoon to explore the city.

OR you can take the optional excursion “Topkapi Palace”. 

In the afternoon, visit the Hagia Irene; it was the first church in Constantinapolis and is located in the first courtyard of the Topkapi Palace. It was built by Constantine V in the 8th century and was used as an armory during the Ottoman Empire period. Next visit the Topkapi Palace, which was the residence of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries. See the pavilions, kitchens, audience chambers and kiosks built around a series of courtyards. Finally visit the Grand Bazaar, with more than 4,500 shops that are grouped in specialized areas in different products: jewelry, clothes

Overnight in Istanbul.

 ISTANBUL

Breakfast at hotel. Departure for half day tour “GOLDEN HORN”: We will start by visiting the famous café Pierre Loti which is on the top of the hill in the Eyup neighborhood and has a wonderful view of the Golden Horn. Free time to enjoy the view with the possibility of having a coffee or tea (at own expense). Then we will go to the Cathedral of St. George, it is the fifth church in Constantinople that houses the ecumenical patriarchate since the 15th century. Formerly a convent for Orthodox nuns, it was converted into patriarchal offices by Bishop Matthew II (1598-1601). On the way, we will see a part of the walls of Constantinople, once an impenetrable fortification, stretching for seven kilometers from the Sea of ​​Marmara to the Golden Horn. Next we will visit the Mosque of Soliman the magnificent, considered to be the most beautiful of the imperial mosques of Istanbul, which was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the famous architect of the Ottoman Golden Age. 

The excursion ends here. 

Free afternoon to explore the city 

OR you can take the optional “Classic” tour.

In the afternoon, visit the Hagia Sophia; it is unquestionably one of the most fantastic buildings of all time. It was built by Constantine the Great and rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground, with a diameter of 31 meters. During the Ottoman Empire it was converted into a mosque and with time the minarets were added. Continue by visiting the old Hippodrome that belongs to the Byzantine era, which was the center of civil activity in the country and where not only horse races and gladiatorial fights were held, but also celebrations in honor of the Emperor. Today it preserves the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Fountain of Emperor William. Next, visit Blue Mosque famous for its blue tiles and finally the Archaeological Museum, of world importance for the exclusivity and quantity of works that it contains in its buildings: the Museum of Antiquities with Greek, Roman, Byzantine pieces and the sarcophagi of the royal necropolis of Sidon; the Cinili Kosk (pavilion), exquisite pavilion of the s. XV that includes a collection of ceramics.

Overnight in Istanbul.

 ISTANBUL – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA “Option by Bus”

Breakfast at hotel.  Departure by bus to Ankara. Arrival in Ankara, the capital of the Republic and a visit to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic. The building is an impressive fusion of ancient and modern architectural styles. Visit to the Museum of Independence that houses a wax statue of Ataturk, his writings, letters and personal objects as well as an exhibition of photographs, recording of important moments in his life and the creation of the new Turkish Republic. Continue to Cappadocia. Arrival in Cappadocia. Dinner at hotel and overnight. 

Day 11 (Tue): ISTANBUL – KAYSERI – CAPPADOCIA “Option by Plane”

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Dinner at hotel and Overnight. 

CAPPADOCIA 

Option to take a spectacular hot air balloon ride at sunrise. 

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to visit this fantastic region, where Saint George was born, with its fascinating and original landscape, formed 3 million years ago by lava thrown from the Erciyes and Hasan Volcanoes. Visit to the underground city of Ozkonak (or another similar one) built by the Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab attacks. We will make a stop at a carpet and kilim workshop. In the afternoon, visit the many monasteries and chapels of Goreme, dug out of the rocks and decorated with frescoes. We will also pass through the Guvercinlik valley (of the dovecotes) and admire a wonderful panoramic view of the Uchisar castle, located on top of a volcanic rock promontory pierced by tunnels and windows. At the end we will make a stop at an artisan workshop of decoration, typical stones and Cappadocian jewelry.

Dinner at hotel and overnight. 

At night you can optionally join a Turkish folk dance show.

CAPPADOCIA – GAZIANTEP

Breakfast at hotel. Early departure to visit the Gumusler monastery, fully excavated and sculpted in the tuff and is one of the most beautiful in Cappadocia. Very spacious and extraordinarily well preserved, it has a church with magnificent frescoes and is located next to a small underground city. In the frescoes, made in the 10th and 11th centuries, various characters are represented (Christ Pantocrator and Virgin with the Child, Three Wise Men, among others) in the form of large compositions of exceptional beauty. Later, departure to Gaziantep, formerly known as Ayintab. Gaziantep is famous for its delicious meals, whoever likes typical baklava will find the best in the world here. Strolling through the old area we will visit the Copper Market. Dinner at hotel and overnight.  

GAZIANTEP – URFA (EDESSA)

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning we will visit the archaeological museum of Zeugma, this is the most important museum of Roman mosaics in the world. A modern facility with all the latest generation technology, transports us to the richness of the Roman Villa in the ancient valley of Mesopotamia. We will leave the city of Gaziantep to continue towards the Euphrates and Halfeti. Upon arrival at Halfeti, we embark on a small and comfortable boat for cruise of the Euphrates river. Continuation to Urfa, ancient city of Mesopotamia known as “the city of the prophets”, where the prophet Abraham was born. Arrival and we will visit the archaeological museum of Sanliurfa. In this fantastic museum we can see from art and sculptures from the Göbekli Tepe site. It should be noted that this museum exhibits the oldest sculpture in the history of mankind, the “Balikligöl statue” which is totally extraordinary and shows us an aura of mystery and exquisite enigma. Then we will visit the sacred and mythical points of interest in the city of Sanliurfa; the Grotto of Abraham and the Sacred Lake. 

Dinner at hotel and overnight.

URFA (EDESSA) – MARDIN

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning departure to visit Gobekli Tepe; an ancient sanctuary that rises at the highest point of an extensive mountain range located about 15 km. The site, which is currently being excavated by Turkish and German archaeologists, was built by hunter-gatherers in the 10th millennium BC. (ca. 11,500 years ago), before sedentarization began. Mysteriously, this entire complex of stones, pillars and sculptures was deliberately buried around 8000 BC, remaining abandoned for 500 years. Together with Nevali Çori, this site has revolutionized the understanding of the Eurasian Neolithic. Than after, departure to Mardin; the city of the Christian-Syriac religion, where the liturgy is still performed in Aramaic. On the route we will visit the traditional town Dara, where you will find Necropolis and Roman cisterns. 

Dinner at hotel and overnight.

MARDIN – DIYARBAKIR – ISTANBUL

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning we will visit the traditional town the Syriac monastery of Deyrul Zafaran, one of the oldest in the world. The monastery was, for 640 years (until 1932), the residence of the Assyrian Orthodox Patriarch. The site was named Deyrul Zafaran (Saffron Church) for the saffron that was grown in its surroundings. Assyrians from all over the world come every year to pray and be blessed here. Next we will visit the center of Mardin. The city stretches along the slopes of a mountain crowned by its fortress. It is a caramel-hued villa with the huge dome of the Ulu Camii Mosque, an Iraqi Seljuk built in the 12th century, located in the small but intricate labyrinth of alleys in the urban center. We will pass through the Zinciriye madrasa, whose minarets rise in the middle of the historic center. The main artery of the old town is Cumhuriyet Street. There the huge and chaotic bazaar is scattered, like delicate works in copper and brass, or the famous Aleppo soaps and where the smell of fresh bread is never lacking. Later, departure to Diyarbakir, one of the most important cities in the area, known in classical times as Amidiya, the city was annexed by Rome in 297 AD and became an essential part of the defense line between the Roman Empires and Partosanida of Persia. On the route we will visit Zerzevan Castle, it was the first temple built by the Eastern Roman Empire in the 4th century as a military base on the old trade route between Diyarbakir and Mardin, which was in use until the 7th century, this houses the last temple of Mithras discovered in the world. Archaeological excavations at the site revealed the existence of underground structures. Arrival in Diyarbakır and we begin the visit of the historic center and its religious- 

monuments on foot, entering its walls, to walk through its narrow, bustling and full of life streets. We make a stop at the Hasan Pasa Hani caravanserrallos, now a mandatory stop for tea before visiting the Great Mosque, the most important of the twenty-two that exist in the city and the oldest in Anatolia, originally built as Christian cathedral called “Santo Tomas”. We continue the tour visiting the Minaret of the four feet, built by Kasim Khan. Transfer to Diyarbakir Airport for domestic flight to Istanbul. 

Upon arrival transfer to hotel and overnight.

 ISTANBUL Departure

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport. End of our services.

15th Day