11 Days/10 Nights Istanbul-Alexandroupoli-Kavala-Thessaloniki-Meteora-Delphi-Athens

Itinerary:

Day 1 Istanbul 
Arrival in Istanbul. Meeting and assistance at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

Day 2 Istanbul 
Departure from the hotel for a full day tour. Visit the Hippodrome where chariot races and athletic events took place during the Roman Period. Proceed to the Blue Mosque, This was built in the early 17th century and is famous for its great dome, six minarets and interior covered in blue Iznik tiles. Nearby is Istanbul's most famous sight the St. Sophia Museum, built by the Emperor Justinian in the mid-5th century AD; this vast building with its huge dome still dominates the city. Later visit the Museum of Topkapi Palace, to visit the dazzling displays of the treasures of the Ottoman Sultans. Afternoon visit the Mosque of Rustem Pasha and stop at the Grand Bazaar, where you will have shopping opportunities for carpets, leather goods, jewellery, copper-ware etc. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

Day 3 Istanbul 
Day at leisure. Optional tours are available. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

Day 4 Istanbul-  Alexandroupoli
After breakfast we depart from Instanbul to Alexandroupoli.
We will travel by road near the coast  of the Marmara Sea, and continue to the area of  Redestos - Malgara - and Kessani. We will arrive at the customs station of the borders between Turkey & Greece. After passport control we will continue to Alexandroupoli.
After arrival and check in, we will have free time for rest  or alternatively the option to meet the city. Dinner & overnight.

Day 5 Alexandroupoli-Kavala-Thessalonniki
Early Morning departure traveling via Komotini  and  Xanthi to Thessaloniki. We will stop in Amphipolis for a visit to the Lion Statue.
Later we will proceed to St. Lydias Baptistery where the first Christian Lady of Europe was baptized and continue to the Archaeological Site of Philippi, founded by Philip II King of Macedonia. It was here too where St. Paul set foot on the European Continent during his second missionary journey, establishing a thriving Christian church. The ruins include the Forum Romanum with its Basilica, St. Paul's Prison and the Theater.
Our next stop is Kavala (ancient site of Neapolis) for lunch in a local restaurant and a city tour giving you the opportunity to view the St. Sylas Monastery named after one of St. Paul's companions. Finally, we shall continue our drive to Thessaloniki.
Arrival to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 6   Thessaloniki - City Tour
Today we become familiar with Thessaloniki, built about 315 BC by Cassander, brother-in-law of Alexander, where St. Paul wrote two letters to the ancient Thessalonians. Paul established the first church here (Acts 17:1-10). Ruins of an early Christian church are near the Palace of Galerius. We examine in Paul's letters to this community his unbounded determination to continue the Church. We will also visit the church and crypt of St. Dimiti and the church of St. Sophia. Time permitting, we will stop in the Old Town, before going to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 Thessaloniki, Veria & Vergina, Kalambaka, Meteora
Departure in the morning and arrival in Veria to visit the bema of St. Paul, where Paul stood and preached the gospel to the people of Veria, as well as the beautiful white marble monument built in honor of St. Paul. We will then continue to visit the archeological site of Vergina. After that we departure and arrive in Kalambaka, where we will visit the breathtaking Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. These monasteries, among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless, containing priceless Byzantine art. Then we shall retreat to our accommodation premises in picteresque Kalambaka for dinner. Overnight.

Day 8  Kalambaka, Delphi, Athens
Departure in the morning  to the City of Delphi, home to the Sanctuary of Apollo. In Delphi, we explore the fascinating archeological sites including the Temple of Apollo, the Sacred Corycian Cave, and the Castalian Spring, which are nestled in the forested slopes and rocky crags on the south side of the sacred mountain called Parnassus. Mt. Parnassus is also the legendary home of the muses and it is truly a sight of inspiration for poets. A short distance from these ancient ruins, we will also visit the Tholos Temple, at the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, unusual for its circular shape. Lunch in local restaurantl. We continue and arrive in Athens. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel premises.                               .

Day 9 : Athens - City Tour
After breakfast  we begin our adventure in the land of the ancient treasures and Christian history paralleled by modern day sophistication. We will begin the tour of the city of Athens, seeing the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, the Greek Parliament, the Kalimarmaro Stadium - home of the first modern day Olympic competition and future site of the Olympic Games of 2004. Of course a tour of Athens is not complete without a visit to the Acropolis and Parthenon.After the tour we head back to our hotel, check-in and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 10  Athens - Day Free
Day at leisure. Overnight.

Day 11  Athens - Departure
Morning at leisure and then transfer to the Athens airport in time to catch our homeward bound flight.

*Note: Program schedule/itinerary may change subject to flights details (Arrival & Departure Times)

Inclusive features:

10 nights hotel accommodation including airport transfers (from and to)

Daily Breakfast

Lunches and Dinners depending on season

Tours and excursions as indicated in the program.

Transfers with luxurious air conditioned coaches

English speaking guides

Local Taxes

Not included:

-         Tips and porterage

-         Drinks during meals and any expenses of personal nature

-         Optional tours and anything that is not included in the program

Highlights:

Archaeological sites - museums & places we visit: the Hippodrome,  the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace,  the Lion Statue, St. Lydias Baptistery, ancient site of Neapolis, the Forum Romanum with its Basilica, St. Paul's Prison and the Theater.  St. Sylas Monastery, church and crypt of St. Dimiti and the church of St. Sophia, ,Parthenon & Acropolis, Meteora, Delphi

Additional Information:

Every effort is made to use superior class hotels, as classified by the local Governments. In smaller towns where no first class hotels are available, the best hotels existing is used. All the hotels used on this tour have private facilities.
A dress code is required to enter selected sites. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.