Greece Tour by Bus 4 Nights 6 Days
Day 1 | Istanbul – Thessaloniki
We depart at 22:00 from Kadıköy Marriage Office, at 22:30 from in front of Mecidiyeköy Square/Bambi Cafe, at 23:00 from in front of İncirli Ömür Plaza, at 23:30 from in front of Beylikdüzü Marmara Park Shopping Mall, and at 23:59 from in front of Silivri Vega Shopping Mall. (You must be present at the designated locations no later than 15 minutes before the departure times.) After approximately a 3-hour journey, upon arriving at the Ipsala border gate, we complete customs and passport procedures, then enter Greece and travel to Thessaloniki via Alexandroupolis (Dedeağaç), Komotini (Gümülcine), Xanthi (İskeçe), and Kavala.
Day 2 | Thessaloniki
Following our arrival in Thessaloniki in the morning, during our panoramic city tour of Thessaloniki, we visit the Church of Saint Dimitrios, the largest church in Greece, and the house where the great leader Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye, was born and lived. We see the Church of Hagia Sophia, the Ottoman Bath, the Ottoman Mosque, the Bedesten, the White Tower, the Rotunda, and the International Fairgrounds. We take a walk along the famous waterfront promenade of Thessaloniki, known for its cafes and shops, and have free time until 14:30. After settling into our hotel, we have free time. Guests who wish may join the lively Taverna & Sirtaki program with live music in the evening. (70.-€ / Fixed Menu – Limited Drinks) Overnight at our hotel in Thessaloniki.
Day 3 | Thessaloniki – Athens (Meteora)
After breakfast, we depart for Athens. On the way, if more than half of the tour participants request it, we visit Kalambaka – Meteora as an optional excursion. (65.€) Meteora means “suspended in the air.” When you see these incredibly tall and steep rocks, you will not believe your eyes. It has not only magnificent geology, but also expands your imagination. These breathtaking rocks in Central Greece rise vertically from the flat valley located north of Kalambaka and south of the Pindus Mountains. Monastic life began in the 11th century with the first monks who came to these heavenly columns to retreat in a suitable place. Here, we see the monasteries built on steep rocks and visit the Varlaam Monastery together, receiving information about the formation of the monasteries and monastic life. (The monastery entrance ticket is included in the optional tour fee!) (Guests who do not participate in the optional tour must wait approximately 1.5 hours at the rest facility below!) After a short lunch break, we depart for Athens. Upon our arrival in Athens, during our panoramic city tour, the following places will be seen panoramically from the bus: Piraeus Port, the Acropolis, the Agora, the Temple of Zeus, the Parliament Building, Syntagma and Omonia Squares, the Presidential Palace, the Prime Minister’s Residence, the Historic Olympic Stadium, Panepistimiou Avenues, the National Library, and the Academy. Following our panoramic tour, we check into our hotel. Overnight at our hotel in Athens.
Day 4 | Athens (Acropolis & Monastiraki Square Tour) / (Corinth Canal & Nafplion)
After breakfast, free time. Guests who wish may join the optional Athens Acropolis & Monastiraki Square Tour. (75.-€ / Entrance Tickets Included!) This tour begins with departure from the hotel at 08:00. Athens = Acropolis. The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a high rocky outcrop overlooking Athens and containing the remains of many ancient structures of great architectural and historical importance. Since the Acropolis of Athens is the best known of all acropolises, it is generally the first place that comes to mind around the world when the Acropolis is mentioned. After touring the Acropolis and its slopes, the Ancient Agora, and Hadrian’s Library with our local guide, we proceed to Monastiraki Square, the liveliest area of Athens. During our free time here, we have the opportunity to have lunch and shop in this area, which is home to beautiful fish restaurants, tavernas, kebab restaurants, pastry shops, cafes, and stores. We return to our hotel at 13:00 and conclude our tour. Afterwards, guests who wish may join the Corinth Canal & Nafplion tour. (75.€) This tour begins with departure from the hotel at 13:30. We travel along the Saronic Gulf and arrive at the Corinth Canal, which connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas, construction of which began in 1887 and which was opened to maritime traffic in 1893. Here, we see the bridges over the Corinth Canal and take a photo break to watch ships pass through from the bridge. Afterwards, upon our arrival in Nafplio, founded in 1829 as the first capital of Greece and one of the most beautiful and elegant cities of the Peloponnese, which has also hosted Spartans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, and Ottomans, we begin our panoramic tour from the vehicle by seeing Palamidi Fortress, built by the Venetians in 1714 at the tip of the hill overlooking the city. Next, we see Bourtzi Fortress, built by the Venetians in 1471 for defensive purposes just offshore from the city. During our subsequent walking tour, the Vouleftiko Mosque, built in 1730 as the city’s old mosque and later serving as the first parliament building of the Greek state and known as the New Mosque; the Ağapaşa Mosque (Trianon), built at the end of the 1500s in the city’s most important square and now home to the local theater; the cathedral; and the Venetian Palace are among the places we will see panoramically. We have free time to enjoy the narrow streets, well-maintained colorful buildings, tavernas and cafes lined up one after another, and small and large boutiques and jewelry-design shops nestled among them in old and elegant Nafplion, one of the most beautiful cities on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, as well as to have dinner. We depart from Nafplion at 19:00 and return to our hotel. Our tour ends at 21:30. Overnight at our hotel in Athens.
Day 5 | Athens – Kavala – Alexandroupolis
After breakfast, we depart for Kavala. Arrival in Kavala. During our panoramic city tour of Kavala, the Imaret, aqueducts, Kavala Castle, City Hall, Kavala bazaar, and waterfront promenade will be seen panoramically from the bus. After dinner and free time to get to know the city more closely, we proceed to Alexandroupolis (Dedeağaç) and settle into our hotel. Overnight at our hotel in Alexandroupolis.
Day 6 | Alexandroupolis – Istanbul (Porto Lagos – Xanthi – Komotini)
We begin the day with a pleasant breakfast that continues until 10:30. Guests who wish may join the optional WESTERN THRACE tour. (35.-€) With the guests participating in the tour, we vacate the rooms at 08:00 after breakfast and begin the tour with a journey of approximately 1 hour to enchanting Porto Lagos, consisting of the sea on one side and a lake and forest on the other. Here, after seeing the Church of Agios Nikolaos and taking a photo break, we depart for Xanthi (İskeçe). In Xanthi, an important settlement where Western Thrace Turks live, we take a short panoramic walking tour in the old bazaar, consisting of traditional old Turkish houses reminiscent of Safranbolu, and have one hour of free time to enjoy the beautiful cafes. Afterwards, we take a walk through the old bazaar in Komotini (Gümülcine), another city with a large Turkish population. After tasting the famous Komotini coffees, we also take the guests staying at the hotel to the center of Alexandroupolis (Dedeağaç). We have free time in the center until 17:00 to enjoy Dedeağaç. During this free time, guests who wish may join the optional Lidl Market & Jumbo Store Shopping Tour. (20.-€) We then depart toward the Ipsala border gate. There is an opportunity to shop at the Greek duty-free shop during customs and passport procedures. We arrive in Istanbul via Ipsala, Keşan, and Tekirdağ, marking the end of our tour. We hope to see you on our next tour…