Greece Bulgaria Turkey
Athens - Thessaloniki - Sandanski or Melnik - Sofia - Polvdiv - Istanbul
Greece Bulgaria Turkey
• If you are looking for something special and extraordinary then look no further. • Starting from Greece to Bulgaria, with one of the best holiday destinations of the world, Istanbul. This an exquisite tour for you with all the bells and whistles. • In Athens- visit Syntagma Square, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Piraeus, Athens Riviera, McArthur Designer Outlet shopping village. • In Thessaloniki – visit White Tower, the Galerius Arch, the Rotunda monument, the Old Town (Ano Poli), a short stop at Agios Demetrius Byzantine church. • In Sofia – Explore the Rila Monastery complex, visit Virgin Church,Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, National Reviva2l Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum, Presidency In Plovdiv - Roman Ancient Theatre, Roman Stadium, St. Constantine and Helena Church • In Istanbul - ST. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, TOPKAPI PALACE, SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE, HIPPODROME Ancient, GRAND COVERED BAZAAR , Explore the Bosphorus Cruise en route the cruise visit the GRAND SPICE BAZAAR, see Dolmabahce Palace, and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace, Ortakoy, see RUMELI FORTRESS, BEYLERBEYI PALAS (PALACE)
Greek Islander with Crete
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrive at Athens International Airport and meet our professional driver who will transfer you to your hotel. It is your free day to explore and enjoy Athens on your own. You can join some of the optional excursions.
Overnight : Athens.
After breakfast, we will start the tour of the city of Athens, visiting Syntagma Square - the center of modern Athens and view the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament building. On the way to Acropolis, we will have a stop to the Panathenaic Stadium-made of white marble- where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. The impressive, work of Art, Stadium was the finish line of the Marathon Race of Athens 2004 Olympics. We will also see the Temple of Olympian Zeus - the largest Temple ever built in Greece. We will view the National Gardens, the Academy, the National Library, the University, and finally we will visit the most magnificent monument in the world - the Parthenon on the Acropolis. Then drive to Piraeus, Greece''s main port and continue by the costal road to Kastella, a picturesque hill area overlooking the Mikrolimano yacht harbour, having the opportunity to see numerous restaurants and cafes by the sea. On the way to Mesoghia and the Winery, enjoy the journey through the southern suburbs of the city, along the coastal avenue of Athens Riviera with its magnificent view to the sea. Arrive at the Winery* and enjoy the visit. Drive to Porto Rafti Area by the sea for a lunch. After the lunch, drive to McArthur Designer Outlet shopping village. In continue, we drive at a Pottery workshop to see the craft of making vases and the exhibition of different products. Afterwards, drive back to hotel, passing by the facilities of the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens, where the majority of the athletic events were held during the 2004 Olympic Games.
Overnight : Athens.
After breakfast, drive to Vergina, a small town in northern Greece near Veria, principal of the prefecture of Imathia. Visit the museum which was built to protect the tombs, and was inaugurated in 1993, to exhibit the artefacts and show the tumulus as it was before the excavations. After the lunch, departure for Thessaloniki
Overnight : Thessaloniki
After breakfast, depart for Thessaloniki panoramic tour, the city of great historic importance and a crossed of so many civilizations and cultures. Begin the tour with a panoramic drive around the White Tower, the main landmarks of the city, the Galerius Arch, the Rotunda monument, the Old Town (Ano Poli) and the City Walks, from where you will have a marvellous view of Thessaloniki. Your escort will provide you with all the information about Thessaloniki’s history old and new as you look at these stately buildings. During the tour: There will be a short stop at Agios Demetrius Byzantine church which is the most important church of Thessaloniki for religious, historical and artistic reasons. The most famous and interesting part of the church, is underground ancient “Cryptâ€. After the tour, boarding on coach in Thessaloniki around noon. Departure for Bulgaria. Visit of Melnik – the smallest town in Bulgaria famous for its excellent wines and sandstone rocky pyramids.
Overnight : Sandanski or Melnik.
After breakfast, you will depart for Rila Monastery - the most exquisite example of the monastery art and architecture in Bulgaria. Guided tour of the monastery complex and then head for the visit to Nativity of the Virgin Church with its miracle icon of the Virgin and splendid gilded iconostasis, the old kitchen, the monastery museum where you can learn about the long and heroic history of the monastery, the wood carved cross made for a period of twelve years by a monk called Rafael, Hrelyo’s Tower and many spectacular views from the mountain and the surrounding nature.
After that drive to Sofia in the afternoon. Upon arrival check in at the hotel.
Overnight: Sofia.
After breakfast, your driver will meet you in the hotel and you will head for a guided sightseeing tour of the city centre, including visit to Alexander Nevski Cathedral - one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and a primary tourist attraction; St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, built by the Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, National Theatre, former Royal Palace, today housing the National Reviva2l Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum, Presidency, etc.
And then around noon depart towards Plovdiv. In the afternoon head for a sightseeing tour in the Old Town, including a visit to the Roman Ancient Theatre, which was built in the 2nd century AD under the rule of the Roman Emperor Trajan and is nowadays considered to be the largest surviving Roman construction in Bulgaria, visit to the Ethnographic Museum, Roman Stadium, St. Constantine and Helena Church, etc.
Overnight : Plovdiv.
Early in the morning after the breakfast, transfer to the Bulgarian-Turkish border. Upon arrival to border, we will head to Istanbul.
Upon arrival at Istanbul, transfer to your hotel in Istanbul, check in the hotel and take a good rest for the tour
Overnight : Istanbul.
Early in the morning, your driver will pick you up from your hotel for a day tour of old Istanbul city. En route Visit to ST. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. TOPKAPI PALACE the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Murtis Tour will then take you to the GRAND COVERED BAZAAR In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths'' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.
Evening is kept free to explore the city at your own or you can take rest.
Overnight : Istanbul.
The day will start early, after breakfast your driver will pick you up from the hotel and depart for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour. Visit the SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. BOSPHORUS BY BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will see the magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat. See Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALAS (PALACE) The summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul. BOSPHORUS BRIDGE enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe). CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style. SHOPPING TOUR (after cruise) Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy the experience of shopping whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen, with Murti''s Tour''s local escort full of knowledge about how to haggle the streets of Istanbul. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Istanbul.
Overnight : Istanbul.
After breakfast check out from the hotel and depart for Istanbul airport for your flight back to home.
We wish you a safe flight and hope to assist you for your next vacation soon!!
Tour Departure Dates & Cost
This tour is tailored to your interest and schedule. This is a suggested itinerary. Please inquire for detailed cost & options.
Included
- All transfers form and to the airport.
- Accommodation 09 nights at hotel
- Open buffet breakfasts
- Guided City Tours as per itinerary
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach Professional English-speaking tour guides
Not Included
- International flights
- Personal expenses: Lunches, extras at hotel or additional meals Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers Insurance
- All types OPTIONAL Tour
- 02 nights Athens
01 night Thessaloniki
01 night Sandanski or Melnik
01 night Sofia
01 night Polvdiv
03 nights Istanbul
Daily Breakfast Included.
No other meals included.
USA citizens do not require visa for this tour.
Pre & Post accommodation and transfers available please contact us for the details
Optional tours available please contact us for the details