Duration
15 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Start city
Istanbul
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
Dear Traveler: thank you for choosing us to perform this Tour! We hope you enjoy your trip.
Here we give you a guidance on their tour with the information that we believe may be of your interest. The information is indicative, may exist variations on designated hours.
TRANSFER from the airport, if you have it included or purchasing. Our transfer will be waiting for you with a poster on behalf of Europamundo or its name to the output of the custom (after collecting your luggage)..
Remember to inform us by phone if you lost your connection flight or expected delay of their arrival, in your VOUCHER figure the phone of the transfer.
IMPORTANT: If you had additional nights upon arrival the hotel will have your reservation, but his travel guide normally will not be until the night before the start of the tour.
IMPORTANT: Please note that hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00 p.m. If you need early room access, consider booking an additional night at the start of your trip.
If you have booked additional nights, your room will be prepared upon arrival, but your trip guide will generally only contact you when the scheduled activities begin. At reception, you’ll find a sign with contact details and assistance hours for our staff. Until the tour begins, your schedule is free, and the hotel staff can assist with any inquiries.
Optional activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. We recommend booking these activities well in advance through the Europamundo app or your "My Trip" link to ensure availability. Last-minute bookings may result in limited availability (e.g., tickets, coach seats).
Note: The timings in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust schedules as needed to make sure you have the best experience.
07:30 p.m. - As the afternoon draws to a close, we´ll arrange a transfer to Taksim, the city´s most vibrant commercial district. Here, you´ll have time to dine at one of the many restaurants. You can also enjoy a ride on the old tram that traverses the area or visit the nearby Galata Tower. We´ll return to the hotel around 10:00 p.m.
Important: Please note that during your stay in Istanbul, services may vary, potentially including a boat ride on the Bosphorus on the first day and a panoramic visit on the second day.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You can go shopping in the Grand Bazaar, visit Hagia Sophia, and discover numerous other attractions in this magnificent city.
07:00 a.m. – Departure from Istanbul in the early morning.
02:00 p.m. - We´ll arrive at Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city of Asia Minor, which had a population of a quarter of a million two thousand years ago. We’ll explore the Basilica of St. John, the House of the Virgin Mary and the archaeological site (tickets included).
06:00 p.m. – Departure from Ephesus. We’ll continue towards the Aegean Coast.
06:30 p.m. – Kusadasi, a popular coastal town known for its vibrant commercial life, bazaars and quaint castle. You’ll have free time in the center and then we’ll head to the hotel, where dinner will be included.
Note: During peak season, from the beginning of June until the end of September, accommodation may be provided in a nearby town instead of Kusadasi.
Scenery: Mountains and seascapes. Some beautiful views over the Aegean Sea.
08:30 a.m. - Departure from Kusadasi.
10:00 a.m. - Lake Bafa. We’ll pause to soak in its breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, mystical charm, and peaceful atmosphere. This is truly one of Turkey’s must-see natural wonders.
10:30 a.m. – Departure from Lake Bafa.
12:00 p.m. - Bodrum. Enjoy free time in this charming, fortified city of Greek origin. You can explore its impressive castle, wander through its bustling streets, or visit the marina. You’ll have some time for lunch.
03:00 p.m. – Departure from Bodrum.
05:30 p.m. - Marmaris. Accommodation will be in this coastal town, known for its castle, pier, and fountains. Dinner will be included.
Note: On some occasions, especially during the summer, our accommodation may be in the nearby town of Mugla instead of Marmaris.
-Remember that we’ll be entering Greece. On the ferry, please ensure you have your luggage and passport readily accessible.
-The ferry schedule between Rhodes and Marmaris is subject to frequent changes and does not operate daily (except during summer months). Therefore, this part of the itinerary may require adjustments.
-For groups of fewer than 10 people, visits to Rhodes may be conducted on a regular service with an alternative schedule, shared with passengers from other companies.
07:30 a.m. – Departure from the hotel to the ferry port. Border procedures.
09:15 a.m. – Departure on the fast ferry. The trip will last approximately one hour. Please note that the schedule may be subject to changes as per the above note.
10:15 a.m. – Rhodes. Border procedures to enter Greece. We’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of the remarkable walled city of Rhodes and its historic quarter, which reflects a rich tapestry of cultural influences—from Greek and Roman to Byzantine, Knights of Malta, Ottoman, and Italian. The guided tour will last approximately two hours with a local guide. Following the tour, we’ll transfer you to the hotel.
Free afternoon. We recommend enjoying the beaches or exploring this beautiful city at your leisure.
Scenery: Mediterranean landscapes and picturesque views over the sea.
Note: Direct flight schedules between Rhodes and Crete are limited and subject to change; sometimes the flight may occur on Friday morning or include a stopover in Athens.
09:00 a.m. – Departure from Rhodes city. Today, we’ll embark on an excursion to explore the rest of the island (included).
09:30 a.m. – Filerimos. We’ll explore its small monastery, set amidst stunning landscapes atop a hill.
10:15 a.m. – Departure from Filerimos.
11:30 a.m. – Lindos. We’ll arrive in this historic city boasting a medieval fortress and a Greek Acropolis overlooking the sea. We´ll take you by coach to St. Paul’s Bay, where tradition holds that the apostle arrived by sea in 51 A.D. to spread Christianity. This picturesque setting was also featured in the film "The Guns of Navarone." You can stroll through its charming, whitewashed streets, relax on one of its beaches, or opt for a traditional donkey ride up to the Acropolis.
03:00 p.m. – Departure from Lindos and return to Rhodes. Transfer to the airport according to flight schedule. Direct flight or flight with a stopover in Athens to the island of Crete. Arrival in Heraklion and transfer to the hotel.
Scenery: Beautiful Mediterranean landscapes with views of mountains and the sea.
09:30 a.m. - Departure from Heraklion. Our route will follow the coastline, offering stunning sea views.
11:00 a.m. - Rethymno. Arrival in this beautiful coastal city of Venetian origin characterized by its medieval castle. You’ll have time to stroll through its historic center and enjoy lunch.
02:30 p.m. - Departure from Rethymno.
03:30 p.m. - Chania. Arrival in this captivating city boasting an impressive fortress and stately mansions. Throughout its history, Chania has been contested among Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians, and Greeks. Our guide will highlight the most beautiful points of interest, and you’ll have free time to explore the city.
07:00 p.m. - Departure from Chania and return to Heraklion.
09:00 a.m. – Departure from Heraklion.
09:30 a.m. - Knossos. Our visit includes a guided tour of the Palace of Knossos, offering insights into the Minoan culture that gave rise to Greek civilization four thousand years ago.
11:45 a.m. - Departure from Knossos. We’ll travel through the island´s tall mountains, heading south towards the Libyan Sea.
01:30 p.m. - Agia Galini, a picturesque town with labyrinthine alleys, a charming fishing port, and bustling taverns. Enjoy free time to explore, have lunch, and perhaps take a swim in the sea.
06:30 p.m. - Departure from Agia Galini. Return journey to the capital of Crete.
08:00 p.m. - Heraklion. We recommend strolling through its lively historic center, brimming with activity and small restaurants.
Note: From November to April, due to the end of the summer season and business closures, we´ll visit the picturesque town of Matala instead of Agia Galini. Matala is renowned for its beautiful beach and unique landscapes of cliffs with carved caves.
09:30 a.m. - Departure from Heraklion. We’ll journey to the east of the island, passing through coastal and mountainous landscapes.
11:00 a.m. - Panagia Kera. Located in a small village amidst a rich agricultural plain, we’ll visit the 13th-century church renowned for some of the best frescoes in Crete (admission included).
12:00 p.m. - Departure from Panagia Kera.
12:15 p.m. - Arrival in Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque town with a natural port. You´ll have time for a walk and lunch.
02:30 p.m. - Departure from Agios Nikolaos.
03:00 p.m. - Arrival in Elounda, once a city-state and now a beautiful tourist enclave. Enjoy some leisure time for a stroll. Here, we’ll include a boat trip (either from Elounda or nearby port of Plaka) and admission to the Fortress of Spinalonga. This ancient Venetian fortress later served as a leprosarium for many years. The boat trip takes about 15 minutes each way, with time to explore the fortress before returning by boat. Afterwards, we´ll visit the picturesque coastal town of Plaka for coffee and a stroll.
06:00 p.m. - Departure from Plaka.
07:30 p.m. - Heraklion.
Note: The schedules and frequencies of the ferries for this day’s program will vary depending on the time of year. Sometimes, the journey from Santorini to Athens may be by plane.
Early in the morning, we´ll transfer to the port. Our ferry usually departs around 07:00 or 08:00 a.m. We travel on modern, high-speed ferries, so we should reach the island of Santorini in less than two hours.
Arrival in Santorini is scheduled for 08:50 a.m. (if the ferry leaves at 07:00) or 09:50 a.m. (if it leaves at 08:00). From there, we´ll travel by bus through breathtaking landscapes to Oia, unquestionably the most spectacular town on the island: lively white streets, breathtaking views of cliffs, remnants of a castle, and windmills. You´ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch.
Next, we´ll visit Fira, the island´s capital. Those interested can descend to the port either by cable car or by donkey and admire the cruise ships.
Later, we´ll proceed to the ferry port to board another high-speed ferry departing around 03:30 p.m. We should arrive in Athens just before midnight.
Important note: From November to mid-April, we won’t visit Santorini due to the suspension of the high-speed ferry service from Heraklion. During this period, we’ll travel from Heraklion to Athens by plane.
Scenery: Sea views and fantastic landscapes of the Meteora and Orthodox monasteries.
Note: Wear appropriate clothing (women will be provided with skirts upon arrival at the monastery). Also, wear comfortable footwear as you will need to climb many steps!
08:00 a.m. Departure from Athens. We’ll head north and travel through pleasant Mediterranean landscapes.
10:15 a.m. Kamena Vourla. This charming seaside tourist center offers magnificent scenery. You´ll have time for a stroll and a coffee.
11:15 a.m. Departure from Kamena Vourla. Continuing through the Greek hinterland, we’ll make a brief stop at the mountain pass where the Battle of Thermopylae took place.
01:45 p.m. Kastraki. We´ll stop for lunch in this picturesque town at the foot of the Meteora, where the views are magnificent! After lunch, we´ll visit the Meteora, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site with monasteries that seem to "hang" from the rocks. We´ll stop to visit one of the monasteries (admission included) and see the remaining ones perched atop immense rock formations.
Accommodation will be in Kalabaka, a small town in the center of the Meteora region. Dinner will be included.
Scenery: Stunning landscapes of the Mediterranean and Delphi.
Note: The order of the day’s program may vary; we may visit the Hosios Loukas Monastery before Delphi.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Kalabaka. We’ll travel through Thessaly towards Central Greece, enjoying spectacular sea views, before reaching Delphi.
11:30 a.m. - Delphi. Admission included to the beautiful archaeological complex overlooking the Gulf of Corinth, a magical place. There will be time for lunch.
02:30 p.m. – Departure from Delphi. We’ll continue our journey amidst mountains with Mount Parnassus dominating the landscape.
03:15 p.m. - Hosios Loukas Monastery. Arrival at one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries in Greece, a World Heritage Site, with breathtaking 11th-century mosaics.
04:30 p.m. – Departure from Hosios Loukas.
07:15 p.m. – Athens.
We´ll embark on a city tour guided by a local expert, covering prominent sites such as the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held, the National Library, and the bustling squares of the city center. We´ll also explore the newer neighborhoods that developed after the 2004 Olympic Games. The tour will conclude at the Acropolis (admission not included).
In the evening, we´ll provide a transfer to the historical neighborhood of Plaka, renowned for its charming Greek tavernas and vibrant atmosphere where you can experience the rich folklore of this country.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.