Grecia, Bulgaria y Estambul

Duration

16 Days

Physical rate

Moderate

Starting city

Athens

Available

April 2023 / March 2024

Cities to visit: Athens; Ferry Athens Rhodes; Rhodes; Marmaris; Heraklion; Santorini; Kamena Vourla; Kalambaca; Thessaloniki; Melnik; Sandansky; Rila, Kyustendil; Sofia; Istanbul

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.

Day
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.
Reception. Transfer to hotel and free time. You will receive information about the start of the circuit during the afternoon, or you can check the informative panels in the hotel reception area.
IMPORTANT - IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS on arrival at the hotel you will have your booking made but the guide of your trip will normally not arrive until the start of the included activities. YOUR TIME BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS THEREFORE FREE. At your hotel they can help you with all the information you need.
NB: The schedules you will find in this itinerary are approximate. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the circuit, may adjust the schedules.
Notes: Tonight we embark on a night cruise; Carry your documentation (will be required when boarding) and prepare hand luggage (luggage will remain in the coach).
In the morning, a sightseeing tour of ATHENS . We will discover the modern part of the city, the Panathinaikos Stadium, and the Royal Palace. Free time.
In the afternoon, we will travel to the port of Piraeus to board the overnight ferry , which has similar facilities to those available on cruise ships. Accommodation in a double cabin with private bathroom, breakfast not included.
The ferry used leaves from the port of Piraeus at 21.00hrs to Heraklion. We recommend to enjoy on the deck of the boat but d o not forget warm clothing to enjoy it. Night on board.
N.B.- The ferries
that link Rhodes with Marmaris undergo frequent changes in schedules and do not
operate every day (except during summer months). The itinerary may be adapted
based on the frequencies available during your trip.
N.B.: Remember that we are passing to Turkey. Bring your passport wih you. On
the ferry you will need to carry your luggage.
Arrival in Rhodes first thing in
the morning. We start with a city tour of this incredible walled city and the old quarter,
which bears the imprints of the different cultures that shaped it (Greek,
Roman, Byzantine, Knights of Saint John, Ottoman, Italian..).

In the afternoon, around
16:00h, we will embark on the express ferry to Turkey , the journey will last about an
hour.

17.00 h- Marmaris, beautiful coastal touristic enclave with a castle, marina and
fountains. Accommodation in the region of Marmaris. Dinner included.
NOTE: On some high difficulty dates
(especially in summer ), some groups can be accommodated in a nearby town.
Notas: Recuerde que pasamos a Grecia. En el ferry deberá usted llevar el equipaje, lleve a mano su pasaporte.
- Los ferris que unen Mármaris con Rodas tienen muchas modificaciones de horarios según periodos del año y notifican sus fechas y horarios de travesía con solo unos meses de antelación. En ocasiones el ferry podrá salir por la tarde . Se informará en “Mi viaje”, aproximadamente un mes antes de la fecha de su viaje el horario e itinerario a seguir. Dependiendo del número de pasajeros, puede que su guía no les acompañe en el trayecto de ferry. En ese caso, su nuevo guía le estará esperando a su llegada a la isla.
07.30 hrs.- Saldremos del hotel hacia el puerto. Tramites fronterizos. Tomamos ferry rápido con salida prevista (cambios posibles según nota) a las 09.15 hrs.-Travesía de una hora. -

10.15 hrs- RODAS –Llegada-. Tramites fronterizos de entrada en Grecia. Tiempo libre.
Distancia efectuada: 115 Km Paisajes: Paisajes mediterráneos, vistas pintorescas sobre el mar.
Nota: Los horarios del vuelo de Rodas a Heraclion varían según los meses, fuera de la temporada turística no existen vuelos directos y se volara con escala en Atenas. En ocasiones, según horarios de vuelo directo, se podrá tomar el vuelo el viernes por la mañana.
09.00 hrs.- Rodas –salida-. Incluimos excursión para conocer la isla de Rodas.
09.30 hrs.- FILERIMOS, en lo alto de la colina, entre magnificos paisajes podrá usted conocer su pequeño monasterio.
10.15 hrs.- Filerimos –salida-.
11.30 hrs.- LINDOS, su fortaleza medieval y Acrópolis Griega dominan el mar. Con el autocar le llevaremos a la bahía de San Pablo, se dice que aquí llego el apóstol por mar en el año 51 d.c. para predicar el cristianismo, acá fue filmada la película “los cañones de Navarone”, posteriormente tendrá tiempo libre, podrá pasear por las blancas y comerciales calles del centro, descansar en sus playas o subir (en burro si lo desea) a la Acrópolis.
15.00 hrs.- Lindos –salida-. Regresamos a Rodas. Traslado al aeropuerto (según horario de vuelo) y vuelo directo o con escala en Atenas hacia la isla de Creta.
HERACLION- Llegada y traslado al hotel.
Total distance: 160 km
Note: The schedules of direct flights between Rhodes and Crete are limited and are subject to modifications. Sometimes the flight can be undertaken on the Thursday afternoon or it can be done with a stopover in Athens.
Note: On some occasions, the accommodation will be in Heraklion.
Early in the morning, we will travel to the airport. We will take a flight towards the island of CRETE.-
Arriving in Heraklion, we will travel for about 1hr20 (90km) along the coast towards the west of the island.
RETHYMNO , arrival to this beautiful coastal city of Venetian origin dominated by a medieval castle. We will have about two hours of free time to walk and have lunch.
We continue our route. After about 60 km (one hour of time approximately) we will get to Chania.
CHANIA, Arrival to this captivating city with an impressive fortress and stately mansions; fought over by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians and Greeks throughout its history. Time to stroll in this beautiful city.
Full day in Heraklion . We include an excursion (entry tickets and guided tour) to the PALACE OF KNOSSOS, which enables us to discover the Minoan culture that gave rise to the Greek culture four thousand years ago. Afternoon free in Heraklion, the lively and pleasant capital of Crete.
Total distance: 310 km.

08.30 hrs.- Chania. We will depart, following along the coast towards the east of the island.
12.15 hres- We will visit in the village of Kritsa, PANAGIA KERA, a church dating back to the 13th Century with some of the best frescoes in Crete, entry tickets included .
13.00hrs.- Panagia Kera departure.
13.15hrs. AGIOS NIKOLAOS , arrival in this picturesque town with its natural harbour. There will be time to walk and have lunch. An outing round ELOUNDA , a place that was a city-state and today is a beautiful tourist enclave. At this point, our trip includes a boat trip and tickets to the island citadel of SPINALUNGA, an old Venetian fortress that later on was a leprosy colony for a long time (boat trip of about 15 minutes, time in the fortress and return by boat).
18.00 hrs.- Plaka (port)- Departure.
19.15hrs- HERAKLION, arrival and free time. The city has numerous places with tourist entertainment, restaurants and nightlife.
Total distance: 50 km
Early transfer to the port. We embark on a fast ferry to the island of SANTORINI, scheduled arrival at 09.20hrs if your ferry left at 07.30hrs / 10.25 hrs if it left at 08.40hrs)
We travel by bus through beautiful landscapes to OIA , which is without a doubt the most spectacular settlement on the island: white streets full of life, immense views from the cliffs, the remains of a castle and windmills. There’ll be time to walk and have lunch. After that we get to know THIRA, the capital of the island. Those who wish can go down by cable car or donkey to the port where the cruise ships arrive.
Later, we continue on to the ferry port to board a fast ferry that departs around 15.30hrs. Arrival in Athens at midnight.
Total distance: 410 km.
Scenery: Views over the sea. Fantastic landscapes in the region of Meteoras, orthodox monasteries.
Notes: Wear appropriate clothing (women will have to wear the skirts that will be given at arrival to the monastery). Also foresee comfortable footwear... you will have to climb many steps in Meteoras!
08:00 hrs. Athens –departure-. We leave for the north of Greece. Pleasant Mediterranean landscapes.
10.15 hrs. - Kamena Vourla – Arrival.- Charming tourist centre by the sea amidst magnificent scenery. Time for a stroll and a coffee.
11.15 hrs. - Kamena Vourla –departure-. Continuation northbound. We make a brief stop at the gorge where the battle of Thermopylae took place.
13.45 hrs. Kastraki- stop for lunch in this picturesque town located at the foot of the Meteora. The views here are magnificent!. After lunch we will visit Meteoras an impressive place declared UNESCO World Heritage, an area that covers a few square kilometers and where an ancient monastic community and a rare geological phenomenon of huge rock pillars coexist in absolute harmony. We will see the whole valley and have the chance to go into one of the most famous monasteries (entrance included).
Accommodation in Kalambaka, a small town in the center of the Meteoras´ region. Dinner included.
Total distance: 395km
Landscapes: Beautiful landscapes in the north of Greece and on the way to Bulgaria: mountains, isolated areas, forests.
Note: Remember to have your Passport ready, you will need it to enter in Bulgaria.
08.00 hrs.- Kalabaka.- Departure. We travel through the North of Greece, amidst pretty mountain scenery, to the Aegean Sea.
11.15 hrs.- THESSALONICA – Arrival-, time for a stroll and lunch in Greece’s second city.
14.00hrs.- Thesalonica- Departure. We travel towards the Pirin mountain, a World Heritage Site, areas heavily influenced by the Greek, Slavic and Turkish cultures. After this we go on our way towards BULGARIA, and the border pass. Schedules of this stage sometimes, can suffer important delays because of the border procedures.
16.45hrs.- MELNIK. Arrival. In Bulgarian Macedonia we stop in this picturesque museum village in beautiful scenery amidst a wine producing area. We will learn about the traditional Balkan ways of life.
17.45hrs.- Melnik. Departure.
18.15 hrs- SANDANSKI , arrival at this beautiful small spa city, the birthplace of Spartacus, dinner a nd accommodation.
Total distance covered: 225 km.

Scenery: beautiful landscapes of the Balkans, with mountains, remote areas and forests.
Note: Wear suitable clothing to visit the monastery of Rila.-
08.30 hrs - Sandanski.- Departure.-
10.30 hrs - Rila Monastery - We visit this beautiful walled Orthodox monastery that is hidden hidden among forests and mountains within a national park. Time to look around.
11.45 hrs - Rila -Departure-.
14.00 hrs - Sofia - Arrival-. After time for lunch, we include a tour of the capital of Bulgaria , where we will see the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Russian church, the mosque, its squares and avenues of Stalinist architecture. Free time.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. We take a regular flight (included, variable times) to Turkey. Arrival in ISTANBUL. T ransfer to the hotel and free time. You will receive information on this part of your trip in the afternoon, or it will be placed on the informative signs located in the hotel reception.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Sighseeing tour. Topkapi Palace .Night transfer to Taksim.
09.00 hrs.- A sightseeing tour of the city. We find ourselves in a city built in two continents. On our tour, we will enter the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent (the largest in Istanbul). We will see the walls, the Golden Horn, the fishing district, and we will admire the exterior of Hagia Sofia. After the visit, we will offer tickets and a visit to the Top Kapi Palace , which was the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire, with its magnificent courtyards and its pavilions.
19.30 hrs.- At the end of the afternoon we will provide a transfer to the Taksim neighbourhood, the most commercialised and lively area of the city. There will be time to dine in one of its many restaurants, and you can also take the old tram that crosses the area or go to see the nearby Galata Tower. Return to the hotel around 22.00 hrs.
Important: Services during the stay in Istanbul may change order by taking the boat ride on the Bosphorus on the first day and the panoramic visit on the second day.
Today we include a boat trip on the Bosphorus that will last about two hours. We will undertake the trip on a boat exclusively for Europamundo travellers. The Bosphorus is a strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of ??Marmara, which separates Istanbul into two parts: the European part and the Asian one. We will enjoy seeing the liveliness of the strait with its multitude of boats. We will pass under the two bridges that unite Europe and Asia and we will admire the palaces of the sultans, the typical wooden houses and the Ottoman villas. Return to the center of Istanbul.
Rest of the day at leisure. You can go shopping in the Grand Bazaar; visit Hagia Sophia; ... Multiple options in this great capital.
After breakfast, end of our services.
Note: Remember that check-out time is usually at 10.00 hrs. In most cases, you can leave your luggage at the hotel reception at check-out time so you can enjoy the city and pick it up at the time you require that same day. If you need more time to use your room, please consider booking an additional night at the end of your tour.

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From USD 4.027,62 EUR 3.533,00