Essential Greece and Istanbul
Essential Greece and Istanbul
Essential Greece and Istanbul
9 Days
Visiting: Athens, Delphi, Meteora
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 22
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Learn about ancient history and culture with this 9-day tour of Greece and Istanbul! Begin your journey in Athens, the legendary capital where you will discover world-famous sites such as the Panathenaic Stadium and the Acropolis. Travel to Delphi, situated between the two towering rocks of Mount Parnassus. This fascinating city is a sacred place that Ancient Greeks considered to be the Center of the Earth. Next, you will drive to Kalambaka, as you take in the breathtaking views of the local Greek villages and towns. Discover the dramatic rock formations of Meteora along with the beautiful monasteries and local handicrafts. Make your way back to Athens, where you may go shopping, taste traditional Greek cuisine, or discover legendary monuments such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus or Hadrian's Arch. Travel to Istanbul to explore the heart of Turkiye where you will see some of the most beautiful mosques in the world. Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, initially built over 1,500 years ago as a Christian Basilica. Shop for local products in the Spice Market before you end your tour of Greece and Istanbul!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Athens Arrival
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: hotel
Upon arrival at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, you will be met by our company representative and transferred to your hotel. If you have free time today, we suggest visiting Syntagma Square and immerse yourself in the city, enjoy shopping in one of the most popular streets in the Kolonaki area or Ermou, take a walk through the beautiful alleys of the Plaka where you can find a large number of small shops selling souvenirs and other local artifacts as well as many outdoor restaurants and cafes.
Overnight in Athens
Day 2: Athens – Delphi – Kalambaka (B/-/D)
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning depart for Delphi considered one of Greeces most important archaeological sites, famous for the Ancient Oracle. Situated between the two towering rocks of Mount Parnassus known as the Phaidriades (Shining) Rocks, Delphi was the most important oracle in the ancient Greek world and pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean would come to ask for the prophecy of god Apollo. This is one of the most important sites in Greece, and in ancient times was considered the center of the known world, where heaven and earth met. Afterwards continue on to Kalambaka, passing through picturesque villages and spectacular towns of central Greece. This evening enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
Overnight in Kalambaka
Day 3: Kalambaka – Meteora – Athens (B/-/D)
Location: Delphi
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel through one of the most picturesque parts of Greece, passing by breathtaking scenery to Meteora. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Meteora is defined by a series of large pillars of rock with beautiful rock formations, some of which are crowned by Monasteries. Admire the ageless Monasteries, standing between earth and sky, atop huge rocks containing priceless historical and religious treasures. You can purchase traditional items that include hand painted religious icons, embroidered fabrics, and leather sandals. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae. We will stop to see the Leonidas Monument, an ancient warrior.
Overnight in Athens
Day 4: Athens (B/-/-)
Location: Meteora
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast in the morning enjoy a half-day city tour of Athens. Visit the Panathenaic Stadium, the unique marble stadium initially built on the site of a simple racecourse by the Athenian statesman Lykourgos to hold the Panathenaic Games in 330 BC. The first Olympic Games of modern times were held here in 1896. Then pass by the Prime Minister's residence (the ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colourful uniforms. See the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch constructed in 131 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as part of a wall separating the old and new cities of Athens, the Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and Constitution Square. You will then visit the Acropolis with the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, 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. Afterwards you will visit the Acropolis Museum. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Athens
Day 5: Athens (B/-/-)
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Experience your day at leisure. You can go out on your own and enjoy traditional Greek dishes, shop for mementos and take back your memories. You can also opt for one of the optional tours on offer.
Overnight in Athens
Day 6: Athens (B/-/-)
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is a free day to explore or relax! Enjoy the lovely ambiance and peaceful mood brought together in this land. You can go out to explore more of Athens and its surroundings, perhaps you may choose one of the optional tours on offer.
Overnight in Athens
Day 7: Athens – Istanbul (Arrival) (B/-/-)
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start your day with a delicious breakfast followed by in time transfer to Athens airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istanbul airport, you will be transferred to the hotel. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 8: Istanbul City Tour (B/-/-)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Istanbul with a city tour visiting Topkapi Palace Museum (excluding the harem), built in 1453. For centuries, this was from where the most powerful Sultans ran the Ottoman Empire stretching from the middle of Europe to the western edges of North Africa. The museum houses a priceless collection of jewelry, porcelain, and costumes of the sultans. Legend claims that the ancient rod on display here is that used by Moses to part the Red Sea! John the Baptists gilded arm and Mohammeds beard, finger nails and foot imprint are some of the main attractions as well as the treasury section which contains jewel-‐ encrusted thrones, the worlds largest emerald and the famous Topkapi dagger, and the Byzantine Hippodrome with its various monuments including a 3500-year-old red granite obelisk brought from Egypt and erected here in 390 AD.We will also visit the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) built between 1609 and 1616 by Mehmet Aga, a student of the famous Ottoman architect, Sinan the Great. The exquisite Blue Mosque is named after the beautiful Iznik tiles that give the mosque its interior color of striking sea blue. It is one of the architectural marvels of the world with its six slender minarets gracefully greeting the Bosphorus. The original design included a seventh minaret that was later presented to the mosque at Mecca for diplomatic reasons.The Hagia Sophia was built by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodorus of Miletus between 532 and 537 AD under the rule of Emperor Justinian. When the Byzantine Empire collapsed under the attack of Mehmet the 2nd on May 29, 1453, Islam became the state religion. That day at noon Mehmet the 2nd had the muezzins call the Muslims to prayer from the Hagia Sophia, thus converting it into a mosque. It is now a museum where early Christian mosaics and Islamic calligraphy live side by side. End the tour with explore the Grand Bazaar with over 4000 shops spread out in a giant labyrinth of small streets and passages. There are rugs, antiques, gold, silver, leather, traditional clothes, musical instruments, pottery, and much more to tempt you in the worlds largest covered market built between 1455 and 1461.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 9: Istanbul (Departure) (B/-/-)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, complete your check-out formalities and say goodbye to Istanbul — the City of Saga. You will be dropped off at the airport and board your flight back home.
What's Included
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08 nights accommodation on a Twin sharing basis at listed hotels or similar
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Daily buffet breakfast
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01 Special Dinner in Kalambaka
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Arrival and departure airport transfers
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All Transportation in a deluxe AC vehicle
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All Sightseeing as per the itinerary
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Services of English-speaking local Guides during sightseeing
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Entrance fees as per the itinerary
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Regional Flights Athens - Istanbul
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All local and applicable taxes
What's Not Included
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Items of personal nature, tips, and gratuities
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Optional Tours
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Visa fees, if applicable
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Arrival and departure transfers for the land-only option
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City Taxes in Greece– EUR 5 per room/per night: collected by hotels directly at reception on arrival
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Items not mentioned as included
Mode of Transport
All transportation is provided in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle, including arrival and departure airport transfers and regional flights from Athens to Istanbul.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights of comfortable accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed hotels or similar, with daily buffet breakfast and a special dinner in Kalambaka.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 7 nights of accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed hotels or similar.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Daily buffet breakfast is included, along with one special dinner in Kalambaka.
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Is transportation provided during the tour?
Yes, all transportation is provided in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, arrival and departure airport transfers are included.
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Are entrance fees to attractions included?
Yes, entrance fees as per the itinerary are included.
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Will there be a guide during the sightseeing tours?
Yes, the services of English-speaking local guides during sightseeing are included.
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Are flights between Athens and Istanbul included?
Yes, regional flights from Athens to Istanbul are included.
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What can I expect to see in Delphi?
In Delphi, you will see the ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the God Apollo, which was considered the center of the Earth and Oracle for ancient Greeks.
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What makes Meteora special?
Meteora is known for its large pillars of rocks with beautiful rock formations and monasteries constructed on these cliffs. Originally, there were 24 monasteries, but now only 6 remain active.
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What are the main attractions in Istanbul included in the tour?
In Istanbul, you will visit the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Spice Market.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour package?
Yes, items of personal nature, tips, gratuities, optional tours, visa fees (if applicable), arrival and departure transfers for the land-only option, and city taxes in Greece (EUR 5 per room per night) are not included.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but only in case it was previously agreed by both sides and arranged by us.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our e-document package includes all local contact details, daily itinerary, airline e-ticket information, service vouchers, and travel tips which should be everything you require to go on your trip.
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If I need one, who is responsible to obtain my visa?
You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary, including having a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the Visa section in the Know Before You Go document for the countries you will be visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, not as standard. Solo travellers can book and occupy their own room for a supplement.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been organizing unforgettable trips since 2001.
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Can I arrange flights via Indus Travels, too?
In some cases, yes. Indus Travels can provide flights from/to selected departure points in the USA. If you would like a quote inclusive of flights, please let us know and we'll be happy to check the details for you!
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
Changes to an existing reservation up to the Final Payment Date, whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person amendment fee, potential loss of any supplier fees (such as non-refundable event tickets, park permits, and sea cruise reservations) plus any costs for replacement services. On/ after the Final Payment Date, the $100 change fee is no longer valid, instead cancellations terms apply.
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Low Deposit
Indus Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of indus travels charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.