Turkey, GreeceHighlights of Northern Greece & Turkey
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.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Thermopylae and Information Center Visit
Explore the Thermopylae site and Information Center, dedicated to commemorating the historic Battle of Thermopylae, a pivotal event in ancient Greek history. Learn about how Spartan warriors defended against a Persian invasion at this site in 480 BC through exhibits featuring multimedia presentations and artifacts.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk Volos
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, and ATMs, as well as point out some local sites.
Your Foodie Moment: Cultural Walk and Tavern Visits with Meze Plates
Set out on a walk with a local guide, learning of archaeology, mythology, and gastronomy as you sample local drinks and delicious plates of 'meze'. Witness the city's highlights and immerse yourself in Volos' unique culture.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Magnes Hotel Volos
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Milies Visit
Explore Milies, a well preserved village known for its stone mansions, cobblestones, and railway. Head out on foot for a short 1-hour hike to visit the Centaur Cave where Chiron lived. Visit the church and take some time to shop for local wares.
Vizitsa Visit
Visit Vizitsa, known for the agricultural co-op owned and run by local women. Opt to sample local goods and enjoy coffee and snacks.
Pinakates Visit
Explore the village square; take in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Kato Gatzea Visit
Sit back and relax with free time at the beach. Enjoy the golden sand and clear water, or explore the quaint village, home of local tavernas serving truly authentic Greek cuisine.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Magnes Hotel Volos
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Mt Olympus National Park
Arrive at the Prioni Refuge and visitor centre for free time over lunch, then take part in a short walk with your CEO through the forest around Mt Olympus, the summit is said to house the mythical Gods. Explore the vast wilderness and several different ecosystems.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Polycentric Museum of Aigai
Visit one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the Vergina Royal Tombs. Vergina was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia and houses the Royal Tomb of King Phillip, father of Alexander the Great. Tour the tombs and museum and witness the stunning treasure found here.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk Thessaloniki
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets and ATMs.and show you some of the main sites.
Accommodation
Queen Olga Hotel
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.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore.
Optional Activities - Day 4Show
Accommodation
Queen Olga Hotel
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk Kavala
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore.
Accommodation
Nefeli Hotel Kavala
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Alexandroupoli Walk
Wander the old town area with your CEO and learn about the two communities intermingling in their daily lives.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Travel east from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a guided tour of the area including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, continue on to the harbour town of Çanakkale. Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story. It is only a little further to Çanakkale, a busy harbour town with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Gallipoli Battlefields Guided Tour
Visit this moving and beautiful site, a great complement to any trip to Turkey, even for those not familiar with the Battle of Gallipoli. Tour the grounds to see ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. Learn how the Turks fought off the numerically superior, but badly commanded, Allied forces who were forced to withdraw nine months later; this battle holds special significance for Australians and New Zealanders, as both nations lost many soldiers.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Accommodation
Grand Anzac Hotel Canakkale
Set off from Çanakkale and visit the ancient city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik and stop by the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft coop before travelling south to the town of Selçuk for the night. Visit the nearby historic and world-famous city of Troy and then visit the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation, which support the local women who work in the workshop. Continue south to Selçuk for the next couple of nights.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Troy Visit
See historic Troy, made famous by Homer’s “Iliad,” (and more recently by Orlando Bloom and Brad Pitt). Tour the city that, for centuries, was regarded as just a myth, until its ruins were found in in the mid-19th century. Imagine what a great city this must have been, while taking a tour of the remains. Don't miss the chance to have a photo taken with the Trojan horse.
Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit
Visit the G-supported çöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation. All products are made out of recycled goods and by making a purchase it will directly support the local women who work in the workshop and over time has contributed to over 500 women who have been part of the project.
Accommodation
Vinifera Ephesus Hotel
Explore Ephesus this morning as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. Back in Selçuk, take part in a demonstration of how to prepare pide, a traditional Turkish flatbread, then devour the delicious results for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to the city of Izmir for an orientation walk of the old Kemeralti bazaar then board an overnight train bound for Cappadocia. Tour the nearby ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus for a glimpse into what life was like thousands of years before in this part of what is now Turkey. After driving back to Selçuk, learn all about how to make "Turkish pizza," called pide before transferring north to the city of Izmir for some exploration before hopping on the overnight train.
Ephesus Visit
Tour the ruins of ancient Ephesus to get a feeling of what life must have been like during Roman times. Take in its massive, well-preserved theatre, which dominates the view down Harbour Street. See the two-story library, whose façade has been carefully reconstructed from all original pieces. Built in AD 125, it once held nearly 12,000 scrolls.
Your Foodie Moment: Pide Demonstration and Lunch
Lean all about the preparation of pide, a savoury flatbread often affectionately referred to as "Turkish pizza." See how they are traditionally prepared by flattening wheat dough then topping with cheese, tomatoes and other ingredients before cooking in a hot oven. Enjoy the finished results for lunch.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk of Kemeralti Old Bazaar
Set out on foot with your CEO on an orientation walk of the Kemeralti Old Bazaar, in Izmir. Wander amongst the traditional food stores before taking some free time in Izmir to explore.
Overnight Train (beds)
Curl up in shared, private sleeper cabins and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.
Disembark the train in Konya and grab some breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Visit the Mevlana Museum before continuing by private vehicle to the Cappadocia region and check into the hotel. Sip a cup of tea or coffee while taking in the sunset from a nearby viewpoint before heading out for an optional dinner with the group in the evening. Transfer to Cappadocia for 2 days of exploring the surreal and spectacular landscapes of the area.
Mevlana Museum Visit
Visit the Mevlana Museum and mausoleum of Mevlana Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic. Learn more about the mystic Islamic sect known as the Whirling Dervishes.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Goreme Inn Hotel
Set out on a full day of exploration of the Cappadocia area, starting with a hike through the iconic "fairy chimneys." Stop at various scenic viewpoints for photos on the way to the massive subterranean complex of the Kaymakli underground city before some free time in the afternoon for individual exploration or to relax at the hotel. In the evening, gain insight into the local cultural traditions by sharing a meal with a local family. Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.
Hike Through the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia
Immerser yourself into the surreal and spectacular landscapes of Cappadocia on a hike through the iconic and aptly-named "fairy chimney" formations.
Kaymakli Underground City
Visit the ancient and expansive subterranean complex of the Kaymakli Underground City. Thought to have been built between the 8th and 7th Century BC, Kaymakli was carved out of the rock and consists of nearly a hundred tunnels with vast amounts of storerooms, ventilation shafts and a church.
Free Time
Take advantage of free time in the Cappadocia area to choose from a number of optional activities or relax at the hotel.
Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family
Enjoy seasonal homemade dishes, and talk with friendly hosts about life in rural Cappadocia.
Optional Activities - Day 11Show
Accommodation
Goreme Inn Hotel
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to Istanbul. Enjoy the rest of the day free for individual exploration of the historic and vibrant city, grab some street food or relax at a cafe before an optional final dinner with the group. Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Optional Activities - Day 12Show
Accommodation
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
