Greece & Turkey: Athens to Istanbul Adventure
Experience Overview
History, mythology, cobblestone streets, golden beaches, and the legendary Mt. Olympus — what more could you ask for? Journey from west to east on this epic seven-day adventure from Athens to Istanbul. Walk in the footsteps of warriors at the Thermopylae battlefield, the inspiration for the movie 300, and dive into the myths and legends that make Greece so captivating over a spread of delicious local meze. Wander through the rugged beauty of Mt. Olympus National Park, standing in the shadow of the gods, before crossing into Turkey and arriving in Istanbul — a city where East meets West in a vibrant swirl of culture, history, and incredible food. One unforgettable week, two incredible countries, and memories to last a lifetime.
Highlights
- Walk the legendary battlefield of Thermopylae—the origin of the movie 300. Stand in the shadow of mighty Mt. Olympus—the mythical home of the gods
- Indulge in traditional 'meze' while uncovering ancient myths on a cultural tour of Volos
Trip Details
Product Code: 32700
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Private vehicle, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: EGGI
Starts: Athens, Greece
Finishes: Istanbul, Turkey
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Cultural Walk and Tavern Visits with Meze Plates, Vólos
- Visit Thermopylae Battleground Site and Information Centre
- Volos Orientation Walk
- Full-day village-hopping tour from Vilos
- Hike to centaur cave from Milies, Visit a women's coop in Vizitsa
- Visit Pinakates, Agios Georgios and beach time at Kato Gatzea
- Walk in Mount Olympus National Park
- Polycentric Museum of Aigai
- Thessaloniki Orientation Walk
- Walking exploration of Kavala's old town
- Alexandroupoli orientation walk
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (6 nts).
- 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Transport
- Private vehicle, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guide.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,449 ($350 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Athens/Vólos
Depart Athens in the morning for the drive to Volos, with a quick stop in Thermopylae on the way for a short visit. Once in Volos, set off on an orientation walk with your CEO, followed by some free time to settle into the hotel and relax. In the evening, meet up with a local guide and head out on a cultural walk to see some of the city's highlights, stopping at 2 different local taverns along the way for small plates of food called 'meze,' truly a local and delicious experience that will serve as a light dinner.
Thermopylae is an ancient battlefield where Greek (mainly Spartan) soldiers held off the Persian army for three days. A battle which acted as inspiration for the movie 300.
Day 2: Vólos
Head out from Volos today on a day of exploration and cultural immersion, hopping village-to-village. Explore Milies and take a short hike to a cave, stop by a women's co-op in Vizitsa then visit the town of Pinakates and have beach time at Kato Gatzea before returning to Volos in the evening. Each stop provides a unique glance into the daily life in this beautiful corner of the world.
Day 3: Vólos/Thessaloníki
Drive north from Volos, stopping at Mount Olympus National Park for a short walk near the mountain that was home to the gods in Greek mythology. Continue to the Polycentric Museum of Aigai to tour the tombs and see the archaeological artifacts before carrying to Thessaloniki. Join your CEO for an orientation walk and enjoy a free evening.
Day 4: Thessaloníki
Take advantage of a free day to explore Thessaloniki. Discover historic landmarks like the Roman Forum, visit museums or take a walking food tour, sampling dishes like Greek 'meze' and other regional specialties. In the evening, head out for an optional dinner at one of your CEO's favourite local spots.
Day 5: Thessaloníki/Kavala
Wave goodbye to Thessaloniki this morning and drive to the city of Kavala. Settle in and orient yourself with a CEO-led orientation walk of the old town with the option to walk up to the castle for great views of the city and of the sea. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to continue exploring or to relax.
Day 6: Kavala/Istanbul
Depart Kavala in the morning and drive east to the city of Alexandropoli. Take a short walk with the CEO to explore the area and have some time for lunch before continuing on to the Turkish border and onwards to Istanbul, arriving in the evening.
Day 7: Istanbul
Depart at any time.
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Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
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