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
Note: All mentioned hotels below are for your reference only, you might also check-in other same-level hotels.

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.

Scenery: Pleasant Mediterranean. Very beautiful landscapes in the Delphi region.

Note: the order of the program of the day may vary, with the Osios Loukas Monastery taking place first and then Delphi.

08.00 hrs.- Kalambaka –departure. We travel through Thessaly towards Central Greece. Spectacular landscapes over the sea, arriving in Delphi.

11.30 hrs.- Delphi - Arrival -. We include admission to the beautiful archaeological complex that overlooks the Gulf of Corinth, a place full of magic. Time for lunch.

14:30 hrs.- Delphi –departure-. We travel amidst mountains; Mount Parnassus dominates the landscape.

15:15 hrs.- Osios Loukas Monastery. Arrival at one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries in Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its magnificent 11th century mosaics are incredible.

16.30 hrs.- Osios Loukas – departure.

19:15 hrs. – Athens - Arrival.



 

Scenery: Most of today's traveling will be by boat. Welcome to the Aegean.

Note: Please, bring some warm clothes with you if you want to enjoy the ride on the ferry's deck.

Note: the bus will not travel with us on the ferry (we will reencounter it at our arrival at Galatas). Please, do not forget to carry your documents with you, as well as everything you may need during the day.Note: Although the departure of the scheduled ferries that are taken during this day is usually as planned, the definitive information on the schedules of these is only confirmed by the ferry company less than a week in advance. In case of variation, the program of this stage, schedules and services must be adapted to the existing ferries. Sometimes, it is even possible to change one of the planned islands for another with very similar characteristics.

Our journey is very special today. Greece has almost 6.000 islands, of which more than 100 are inhabited. Several ships connect the islands with the continent.

07:00 hrs. - Athens. We leave early in the morning to take the ferry, whose expected departure time is at 8:00 h from the Port of Piraeus and which will take us to one of the Saronic islands.

08:40 hrs. - Aegyna. We will arrive in less than an hour to this island which has been inhabited for more than 4.000 years, being one of the first maritime cities of ancient Greece and a notable rival to Athens. You will be able to walk around its picturesque port, its typical quarters of little houses and old churches, or go to the Temple of Apollo.

10:15 hrs. - Aegyna, departure. We board another ferry to sail to a second island.

11:30 hrs. - Arrival at the mountainous island of Poros. Free time in this charming place, full of life; its old houses climb to the clock tower. Free time for walking around and lunch.

14:30 hrs. - Poros, departure. After lunch time, we will make a 15-minutes way to Galatas, a small harbor in the Peloponnese. We then continue by road across beautiful landscapes of hills.

15:15 hrs. - Epidaurus; free time to discover its old theater (admission included), which was built 2.400 years ago and has been perfectly preserved. It still holds performances nowadays and has capacity for 14.000 people.

16:45 hrs. - Epidaurus, departure.

17:30 hrs. - Nauplia. Arrival at this charming coastal city dominated by the citadel and the Venetian fortress. Free time to walk around. Dinner included.

Note: the schedules of the ferries are subject to change. During the low season, the ferries between Aegyna and Poros may not operate. In this case, Aegyna island will be replaced by the island of Hydra.











 

Scenery: Strong presence of the sea and the Mediterranean landscapes. Mountains and hills in the hinterland of the Peloponnese.

Note: We recommend that you use sunscreen and take a small bottle of water during the hottest months of the summer.

08.30h- Nafplio, departure. We travel through the mountains across the Peloponnese hinterland.

09.45h- Tripoli. Stop in the lively capital of the Arcadia region. There will be free time to walk around the Areos Square, its cafes and restaurants.

10.45h- Tripoli, departure.

12.45h- Olympia. Free time for lunch and exploring the archeological site (admission and visit with a local guide included). This is the place where the first Olympic Games were held in the year 776 BC. Athletes from all over Greece and its colonies participated. The Temple of Zeus, the stadium, the gymnasium, and the arena are outstanding landmarks. There will be free time during the visit; if you wish, you will be able to visit the museum on your own.

16.00h.- Olympia –departure-. Mountainous landscapes, some picturesque villages in our way.

18.00h- Patras. Arrival at the third city of Greece in terms of population. It is a port city with an active city life, a medieval fortress which overlooks the city, and the biggest cathedral in Greece. Both the cathedral and the small Saint Andrew’s church are pilgrimage destinations. Dinner included.



 

08.30h- Patras- After breakfast, we will cross the Rio-Antirrio bridge, a spectacular cable-stayed bridge which connects the Peloponnese with the Greek continent.

09.15h- Nafpaktos- Free time to walk around Nafpaktos, a town in the Gulf of Corinth. Its Venetian fortress dominates the city and reminds us that we are in Lepanto, the city which saw the battle between the Christian and Turkish fleets in which Cervantes lost his arm.

10.30h- Nafpaktos, departure. We resume our journey along the Gulf of Corinth.

13.00h- Mycenae. Arrival and free time to explore the colossal citadel from the 18th century BC, cradle of the European civilization (admission included).

15.30h- Mycenae, departure after lunch.

16.15 r- Acrocorinth. Admission to the immense fortress of Acrocorinth included. The foundations of an old temple of Aphrodite rest on the highest part of the settlement.

18.00h- Acrocorinth. Departure. We resume our journey towards Athens. We will make a short stop in the Corinth Canal, an amazing work from the 19th century. It connects the Isthmus of Corinth to the Aegean Sea, thereby facilitating naval transportation.

19.30h- Athens, arrival.



 

Free day. You can enjoy the charm of this city. Free time to explore and discover memorable places.

Notes: Tonight we will have a night cruise; Carry your documentation (will be required when boarding) and prepare hand luggage (the rest of the luggage will remain in the bus).

In the morning we will have a sightseeing tour of ATHENS. We will discover the modern part of the city, the Panathinaikos Stadium, and the Royal Palace. Free time afterwards.

In the afternoon we will travel to the port of Piraeus to board the overnight ferry, which has similar facilities to those available on cruise ships. Accommodation in a double cabin with private bathroom, breakfast not included.

Ferry schedules is a matter of change. The expected departure time is 18:00 hrs. We recommend to enjoy on the deck of the boat, but do not forget warm clothing to enjoy it. Night on board.

Note:

- The ferries that link Rhodes with Marmaris 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.

- Remember that we are passing to Turkey. Bring your passport wih you. On the ferry you will need to carry your luggage.

Arrival in Rhodes is the first thing in the morning. We start with a city tour of this incredible walled city and the old quarter, which bears the imprints of the different cultures that shaped it (Greek,

Roman, Byzantine, Knights of Saint John, Ottoman, Italian).

In the afternoon, around 16:00h, we will embark on the express ferry to Turkey, the journey will last about an hour.

17.00 h- Marmaris, beautiful coastal touristic enclave with a castle, marina and fountains. Accommodation in the region of Marmaris. Dinner included.

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

Scenery: Coastal sections and sections between high mountains. Contrasts.

08.00 hrs.- Marmaris - Departure .

09.30 hrs.- DALYAN - Arrival. An incredible place beside a beautiful navigable river. Free time for a coffee in one on its many restaurants by the river, and we include a boat trip of around two and a half hours to see the LYCIAN ROYAL TOMBS.

11.30 hrs.- Dalyan - Departure . We continue our route. Mountain scenery. Stop en route to have lunch.

16.15 hrs.- ANTALYA - Arrival . We will make a brief visit of this great coastal city of more than a million inhabitants, the Adrian door, the Ottoman district and its large waterfall falling straight into the sea. Dinner included.

Scenery: Spectacular contrasts; countryside overlooking the sea. High mountains often with snowy peaks; arid lands of Anatolia.

08.00 hrs.-Antalya - Departure -.

09.00 hrs.- ASPENDOS - Arrival - we visit the Roman theatre that many believe to be the best preserved in the world.

09.45 hrs.-Aspendos - Departure -.

10.30 hrs.- SIDE - Arrival -. A small, very tourist city, full of commercial life. You will have free time. Its Greek temple of Apollo by the sea stands out. Time for a stroll around its port and through its streets full of life.

12.30 hrs.- Side - Departure -. Amidst impressive scenery, we cross the Taurus mountains. The peaks, of more than 3500 metres, are covered with snow for a large part of the year. We stop for a meal along the way in a pretty service area in the mountains.

17.00 hrs.- KARAMAN - Arrival -. A city with an oriental atmosphere. Brief stop to view the exterior of the fortress.

17.45 hrs.- Karaman - Departure -. Great arid plains along the route in the south of Anatolia.

20.00 hrs.- NIGDE - Arrival -. We suggest a stroll around its bazaar, its ancient mosque and its fortress. Dinner and accommodation.

Scenery: We continue amid the beautiful landscapes of Cappadocia. Spectacular scenary. Picturesque towns.

Notes: Today it is again necessary to wear comfortable shoes as we continue to explore Cappadocia.

09.00hrs. Nigde. Departure. We enjoy a full day in the fantastic region of CAPPADOCIA, with its lunar landscapes, its churches and troglodyte villages.

We start by visiting GUMUSLER, an incredible underground monastery of the 7th century with perhaps the best Byzantine frescoes in Turkey. In KAIMACLI we will visit the underground city that could house 30,000 people. Then, we will visit UCHISAR, a natural fortress where we will know its 60 meter rock filled with houses in excavated caves. Time for lunch.

We will discover after lunch the GOREME Valley with its open-air museum and its churches carved out of the rocks, admission included.

Hotel in Avanos. pleasant town in the center of the region of Capadocia known for its pottery, its attractive old town with cobbled streets and its views over the river. Time to enjoy the hotel facilities or walk through the streets. Dinner is included.

At night, after dinner, we suggest attending the "Turkish night" show (optional).

Scenery: We begin with arid and flat landscapes of the interior of Turkey, as we approach the Black Sea mountains and forests are emerging.

08.00 hrs. Avanos. Departure towards to the Black Sea. Stop en route to have lunch.

16.30 hrs. SAFRANBOLU; arrival in this wonderful little city which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was an important stopping point on the caravan routes. Our guide will show some of the most picturesque points of the city and we will include a traditional Turkish tea in an ancient caravanserai! Dinner included.

Note: Some times, due to operational reasons, there will be a brief stop in Ankara.

Scenery: Forests, valleys, mountains, landscapes on the Black Sea; A rainy and green region different from what you probably have in your mind when you think of Turkey.

08.00 hrs.- Safranbolu. Departure. Today, the leg of our trip follows the Black Sea and its verdant landscapes.

10.00 hrs.- In GOKGOL MAGARASI we provide entry tickets to this magnificent cave with its underground river and its multiple colours.

11.00hrs.- Gokgol. Departure. Our road goes towards the sea.

12.00 hrs.- EREGLI, Arrival. Next to the Black Sea, we set aside time to have lunch. We also include a visit to its impressive Cehennemagzi Magarasi caves and tombs that are overflowing with mythology.

15.00 hrs.- Eregli. Departure. We cross once more the mountains towards central Anatolia. We travel on the highway towards Istanbul. Passing the suspension bridge that separates Asia from Europe.

20.00 hrs.- Arrival in ISTANBUL at the end of the day.

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.

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.