> Winter Escapes > Athens & Mainland Greece & Turkey : Travel: Year Around (Great Winter Option)


TRAVEL2GREECE has no fixed departure dates. We plan one of a kind Luxury Travel completely designed for you.
 

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Itinerary and Overviews:

Day 1 - 3 (ATHENS)

> Private transfer to Hotel of your choice for 3 nights. (View Hotel Options)

> Private 1 Day Tour with English Speaking Driver  (View Tour Descriptions)

Athens The city of the Olympic Idea and the majestic Acropolis is the crossroads where east meets west and home to many cultural and fashion events. From her proud temples to the music players in the streets, this city displays her extensive history at every turn. Weave your way from Constitution Square to the beautiful national monuments through lush parks surrounded by preserved Corinthian columns. The new transportation system and pedestrian promenades efficiently interlace the antiquities, parks and many areas rich in nightlife like Plaka, Psirri and Thissio. Tradition, history, and modernity fuse harmoniously. Athens has become a modern city model that other European cities wish to emulate, especially after the 2004 Olympics. The streets have become public art museums where one can find a sculpture exhibition along side the ancient outdoor theater of Herodion, where festivals take place every summer, or a contemporary photo exhibit in the metro station. The beauty, music, art and culture and lively nightlife of Athens make Athenians proud and delighted visitors wish they could stay longer to experience more. While the visitor is sure to visit Plaka, there are many other charming areas of Athens. For example: Psirri, with its boutiques, enchanting tavernas, cafes and bars; where tiny alleys hold centuries of stories like the rembetika-filled nights where the women who inspired the likes of Lord Byron were coaxed from their balconies. Visit Kolonaki to shop the designer boutiques at the Acropolis foothills or have a coffee on the square. Places like the pine clad Lycabettus hill with its chapel of St. George offer a panoramic view of the city, are a visitor's must. The nearby Athens suburbs by the waterfront are also easy to get to and a delight to visit. Athens is filled with wondrous sights and surprises.

Day 4 - 7 (private tour: Four days Sparta, Olympia,  Delphi &  Meteora)

Day 1 - This four-day/three night tour starts by travelling along the Saronic Gulf’s coastal road to the Corinth Canal. The Canal is a structure of great importance, as before it was built, ships sailing between the Aegean and Adriatic Seas had to circumnavigate the Peloponnese, adding about 185 nautical miles to their journey.  Visit Ancient Corinth where St. Paul spoke to the Corinthians. We drive across the Peloponnese until we reach Sparta.  Here you will see the huge statue of Leonidas, in his hometown, made popular by the movie "300".  Also see the remains of the palace and the theatre there.  Next, we move on to Mistras, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, with its churches and monasteries.  After our visit to Mistras we take the road for Olympia, where we will spend our first night. (View Hotel Options)

Day 2 - Our second day begins with Ancient Olympia, which gained its fame as a sanctuary of Zeus and Hera. The site also contains a wealth of other small shrines, gymnasiums and sculptors' workshops. According to tradition, here is where the Olympic games were founded in 776 B.C..  It is from here that the Olympic torch is still lit and carried to whatever corner of the world the modern Olympiads are held in.  In the museum see exhibits of unique sculptural masterpieces, such as Praxiteles' Hermes, Paeoneus' Victory, Apollo and many other art treasures.  We leave Olympia and will also leave the Peloponnese by crossing over the newly built bridge near Patra.  We will now be back on mainland Greece and  journey to the quaint village of Arachova where you will have dinner, have the time to wander through the streets and rest for the night.

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Day 3 - The morning will be spent by seeing  Delphi, once considered to be the center of the universe.  Delphi is probably best-known for the oracle at the sanctuary that became dedicated to Apollo during the classical period.  You will visit the archaeological site dedicated to the god Apollo and will also see the impressive museum there.  We make our way to Kalambaka with a stop at Gravia.  This is where Odysseus Androutsos, with about 100 men, stopped 8 thousand Turks.  Over 400 of the Turks died, while Androutsos lost only 2 of his men.  Now, it’s on to Kalambaka, driving through Lamia.  We make a stop in Domokos for coffee and we end the day at your hotel in Kalambaka.

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Day 4 - This day begins with seeing Meteora; a unique and impressive place with ageless monasteries that are perched on top of huge, monolithic granite rocks. Visit 3 of the monasteries that seem to be suspended between earth and sky containing priceless historical and religious treasures. Many pieces of Byzantine art are also found here.  The view from the monasteries is something that you will never forget.  Making our way back to Athens, we will stop again in Domokos for coffee or lunch.  You will also see the giant statue of Leonidas in Thermopiles made popular recently with the movie “300”.  For 3 days the Persians battled against the vastly outnumbered Greeks.  Although it was clear that the Persians were going to win, Leonidas stayed and fought the final battle with only 300 men from Sparta.  Our last stop is in Arkista, on the water, for a little rest before reaching Athens.

> Transfer to airport for flight to Athens to meet your flight to Istanbul

DAY 1: (Arrive Istanbul) 

> Private transfer to Hotel of your choice for 3 nights. (View Hotel Options)

Istanbul is one of the truly great romantic cities. Istanbul is home to a layering of civilization on civilization, of empire built on empire. A stroll through this historic city will reveal ancient Roman hippodromes, peristyles, and aqueducts, the greatest excesses of the Byzantine Empire and the mystique and power of the Ottoman Empire. In this sprawling, continent-spanning city you can tramp the streets where crusaders and janissaries once marched; admire mosques that are the most sublime architectural expressions of Islamic piety; peer into the sultan's harem; and hunt for bargains in the Kapali Çarsi.


DAY 2: (Istanbul,  HALF DAY PRIVATE Tour)

Firstly we visit the magnificent Byzantine church of St Sophia, one of the finest architectural works in the world, this church has been nominated as the 8th wonder of the world by many historians.

Then continue to the Blue Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Istanbul. Dating back to the 17th century, this is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul and is also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets. We will also visit the Hippodrome, the former centre of sporting and political activities in Constantinople.

During the visit you will be able to see the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the fountain of Willhelm II.

Our final visit of the morning is to the Grand Bazaar, which in addition to its historical importance, is a bazaar that will tempt you with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewellery, leather and souvenirs. Please note: The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. St. Sophia is closed on Mondays

DAY 3: (Istanbul, half day bosphorus cruise)

Your tour starts with a visit to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar which is full of the mystical aromas of various spices and colorful shops selling fruit, vegetables, flowers, fish etc. Next we board our boat for a cruise along the Bosphorus, the waterway separating the two continents of Europe and Asia. As we travel, you will have the chance to see the European style palaces of the Ottomans and the palaces of Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi, in striking contrast to some of the modern villas that line the shores.

DAY 4: (Departure)

Breakfast and transfer to Airport for departure. (B)

Travel Insurance:

TRAVEL2GREECE highly recommends the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance.  Insurance cost varies based on trip cost and travelers age.

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