Greece & Turkey Adventure: Athens to Istanbul

Kalimera! Welcome to Greece. Your adventure begins in the country’s capital, Athens – an ancient city built to honour the Olympian Goddess of wisdom, Athena. Join your leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm this afternoon. There’s a lot to explore in this city, famous for the Acropolis and Parthenon, so it’s highly recommended you arrive a few days early to explore it all. After your welcome meeting, perhaps head out for some gyros and ouzo with your new travel companions and get to know eachother.

Wake up to a day full of tasty adventures. Start your morning with a leader-led walking tour of the central Athens food market. If you haven’t tried a Greek-style coffee yet, maybe find a place along the walk to do so. You’ll then leave Athens and board a train headed north to Thessaloniki – Greece’s second largest city. When you arrive, take the time to explore the city at your own pace. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant and sample the flavours of Thessaloniki during a meze-style dinner. Keep the party going and ask your leader for their recommendations for local music spots.

Today is a free day. Maybe set off on a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological site of Aigai (Vergina Tombs). Walk through the remains of the monumental palace, beautifully decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, then discover the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date back to the 11th century. This afternoon, maybe walk through the Byzantine Museum, explore the White Tower of Thessaloniki or unwind with a wine tasting at Naousa.

Enjoy a laidback morning before you set off from Thessaloniki towards your next stop in Xanthi – a city found on the crossroads of the Black Sea, Europe and Asia. When you arrive, set off on a guided city tour with your local leader. After your walk-through Xanthi’s old and new town centres, the rest of the evening is free for you to continue exploring the city. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner to taste the unique cuisine of Thrace.

After breakfast, head up the mountain to visit an organisation of women from Xanthi who knit and create homewares and accessories in traditional styles. Next, you’ll be treated to a tasting of coffee and pies made by women from nearby Pomakochoria villages. Learn about the community of people in northern Greece known as the Pomaks, then enjoy a free afternoon to discover more about the places and people of Xanthi. Active travellers may like to head off on a hiking or rafting expedition in Nestos National Park. There are also plenty of things to explore around Xanthi, like the Folklore and Historical Museum, the Holy Monastery or the city’s many art galleries. Ask your local leader about their recommendations for activities or half-day trips in the area.

Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation in Xanthi before beginning your journey to Alexandroupolis. Make a stop at the Church of Agios Nikolaos on an island in the Vistonida Lake. Look inside the nicknamed ‘Floating Monastery.’ Wildlife lovers may want to stay outside and keep an eye out for the lake’s pink flamingos. Make a stop at the Cyclopas olive press to learn all about Greece’s famous export and its many varieties. Arrive at Alexandroupolis – a seaside city known for its trademark lighthouse – for an afternoon boat ride through the Evros Delta National Wetland Park. You then have a free evening to relax or continue exploring.

Begin your journey from Greece to Turkey, stopping at Soufli along the way – a village famous for its silk production. To learn about this ancient industry, you’ll have the option to visit the Art of Silk Museum, located in a restored neoclassical building with an attached shop selling locally made silk items. Cross the border into Turkey, saying goodbye to your Greek leader and meet your Turkish leader. Before arriving in Edirne, stop at the Sultan Bayezid II Complex Health Museum. Built in 1488, this complex played an important part in Turkey's health, education, social and religious life. Arrive at your hotel, settle in, then join your leader for an orientation walk and your first Turkish dinner.

Wake up in Edirne and hop aboard a bus headed to Istanbul. While it’s not the capital city of Turkey, it once was the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Today, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city with popular sites like the Hagia Sofia Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar and Cistern. Discover the Old Town and its fascinating history on a guided orientation tour with your leader. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Tonight, you might like to meet up with your group for an optional farewell dinner.

Today your adventure comes to an end. There are no activities planned and you can depart the accommodation at any time. If you'd like to extend your stay in Turkey, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.