Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll arrive in Athens whenever works for you. There won't be any scheduled activities until an evening welcome meeting where you'll meet your CEO and the rest of the group. It's a good idea to get there a day or two early if you can, so you'll have time to walk around the city on your own before things officially start.
Included Activities
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Day 2
Athens
Start the day with a guided walking tour heading to the Parthenon and Acropolis, stopping at Shedia Home, a local non-profit cafe, for refreshments along the way. You'll have a free afternoon to check out more sites on your own, like the Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, or National Archaeological Museum. Later in the day, you'll join a cooking class with a local chef and then sit down to eat what you've made for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner of your creations from cooking class)
Included Activities
- Guided Visit of Acropolis and Parthenon
- Athens Walking Tour
- Tour of Shedia Home and a Beverage
- Cooking Class Athens
Optional Activities
- National Archaeological Museum Visit (12EUR per person)
- Ancient Agora Visit (8EUR per person)
- Acropolis Museum Visit
Landmarks/POIs Parthenon Acropolis - Day 3
Athens to Kalampaka
You'll head north from Athens by local bus and train to reach Kalampaka, which serves as your base for exploring Meteora. The main draw here is seeing the monasteries perched on high cliffs that sit atop these enormous natural rock pillars, creating an unusual landscape you don't see everywhere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Meteora - Day 4
Meteora
This day is completely free in the Meteora area. You can take the bus up to visit the mountaintop monasteries on your own, or if you prefer having a guide, there's an optional Meteora Monasteries hiking tour available with a local guide to lead the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided Meteora Monasteries Hiking Tour
- Meteora Sunset Tour (30EUR per person)
- Natural History Museum of Meteora (5EUR per person)
- Day 5
Kalampaka to Delphi
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Thermopylae and stop at the Information Centre to learn about the historic ancient battle that took place there. From there, the route goes through mountain scenery around Mt Parnassos before arriving in Delphi. You'll take a short orientation walk, then explore Ancient Delphi with a local guide. The evening is yours to wander through the town or sit at a cafe with views overlooking the valley below.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Thermopylae and Information Center Visit
- Delphi Orientation Walk
- Ancient Delphi Tour
Landmarks/POIs Thermopylae Ancient Delphi Mt Parnassos - Day 6
Delphi to Nafplio
You'll travel to Nafplio with a stop at the famous Corinth Canal on the way there. Once you arrive, there's a brief orientation walk, and then the evening is free for you to explore the cobblestone streets of this charming town. If you're interested, you can also climb up to Acronafplia fortress for good views of the city and surrounding sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Corinth Canal Visit
- Orientation Walk Nafplio
Optional Activities
- Acronafplia Fortress Visit (Free)
- Bourtzi Castle (4EUR per person)
- Archaeology Museum (6EUR per person)
- War Museum (6EUR per person)
- Palamidi Fortress Visit (8EUR per person)
Landmarks/POIs Corinth Canal Acronafplia - Day 7
Nafplio
You have a free day to explore Nafplio and the ancient sites nearby. Your choices include visiting Epidavros, one of Greece's most well-known ancient sites, or Mycenae with its impressive treasury and ruins. Tiryns, a less-visited Mycenaean site just outside Nafplio, is also an option. Later in the afternoon, you'll transfer back to Athens for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Epidavros Visit (12EUR per person)
- Mycenae Site Visit (12EUR per person)
- Tiryns Site Visit (8EUR per person)
Landmarks/POIs Epidavros Mycenae Tiryns - Day 8
Athens to Volos
You'll leave Athens in the morning and drive to Volos with a quick stop at Thermopylae, the ancient battlefield where Greek soldiers stood against the Persian army. In Volos, you'll take an orientation walk with your CEO, settle into the hotel, and relax. That evening, a local guide will take you on a cultural walk through the city's highlights, stopping at 2 local taverns along the way to try meze, small plates that serve as a light dinner and give you a real taste of how locals eat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Light dinner with meze plates at local taverns during cultural walk)
Included Activities
- Thermopylae and Information Center Visit
- Orientation Walk Volos
- Cultural Walk and Tavern Visits with Meze Plates
Landmarks/POIs Thermopylae - Day 9
Volos
From Volos, you'll spend the day moving from village to village for exploration and cultural immersion. You'll visit Milies and do a short hike to a cave, stop at a women's co-op in Vizitsa, then go to Pinakates and have beach time at Kato Gatzea before heading back to Volos in the evening. Each stop shows you something different about daily life in this region of Greece.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Milies Visit
- Vizitsa Visit
- Pinakates Visit
- Kato Gatzea Visit
Landmarks/POIs Milies Vizitsa Pinakates Kato Gatzea - Day 10
Volos to Thessaloniki
Driving north from Volos, you'll stop at Mount Olympus National Park for a short walk near the mythical home of the Greek gods. Next, you'll visit the Polycentric Museum of Aigai to see the tombs and archaeological artifacts. After that, you'll continue on to Thessaloniki. Your CEO will lead an orientation walk when you arrive, and the evening will be free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mt Olympus National Park
- Polycentric Museum of Aigai
- Orientation Walk Thessaloniki
Optional Activities
- Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
- Nea Paralia
Landmarks/POIs Mount Olympus National Park - Day 11
Thessaloniki
You'll have a free day to explore Thessaloniki however you like. Check out historic landmarks like the Roman Forum, visit museums, or take a walking food tour where you can sample Greek meze and regional dishes. There's an optional dinner available in the evening at one of your CEO's favorite local restaurants if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
- Nea Paralia
- Optional dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Roman Forum - Day 12
Thessaloniki to Kavala
You'll leave Thessaloniki and drive to Kavala. After settling in, your CEO will lead an orientation walk through the old town. If you want views of the city and sea, you can walk up to the castle. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to either keep exploring or take it easy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk Kavala
Optional Activities
- Kavala Castle Visit
Landmarks/POIs Kavala Castle - Day 13
Kavala to Istanbul
You'll depart Kavala in the morning and drive east to Alexandropoli. Your CEO will take a short walk with the group to explore the area, and you'll have time for lunch. After that, you'll head toward the Turkish border and continue on to Istanbul, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Alexandroupoli Walk
Landmarks/POIs Alexandropoli - Day 14
Istanbul to Çanakkale
Early in the morning, you'll travel east from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a guided tour of ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. You'll learn about the WWI history of this battleground where thousands lost their lives. In the afternoon, you'll continue to the harbor town of Canakkale, where you can join the crowds walking along the waterfront in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Gallipoli Battlefields Guided Tour
Landmarks/POIs Gallipoli Peninsula ANZAC Cove Lone Pine - Day 15
Çanakkale to Selçuk
From Canakkale, you'll head to the ancient city of Troy, a well-known historic site worth seeing. The route continues to Ayvalik where you'll stop by the Copmadan handicraft cooperative, which supports local women working there. You'll then travel south to Selcuk where you'll stay for the next couple of nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Troy Visit
- Çöp(m)adam Visit
Landmarks/POIs Troy - Day 16
Selçuk
This morning you'll explore Ephesus and visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders. Back in Selcuk, you'll watch a pide demonstration and learn how to make this traditional Turkish flatbread, then eat what you've made for lunch. Afterward, you'll transfer to Izmir for an orientation walk through the old Kemeralti bazaar, then board an overnight train headed for Cappadocia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch of pide made during demonstration)
Included Activities
- Ephesus Visit
- Pide Demonstration and Lunch
- Orientation Walk of Kemeralti Old Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Temple of Artemis Kemeralti Bazaar - Day 17
Konya to Cappadocia
You'll get off the train in Konya and grab breakfast at a nearby restaurant. After visiting the Mevlana Museum, you'll transfer by private vehicle to Cappadocia and check in. You can sip tea or coffee while watching the sunset from a nearby viewpoint. An optional group dinner is available in the evening if you'd like to join.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mevlana Museum Visit
Optional Activities
- Optional dinner with group
Landmarks/POIs Mevlana Museum - Day 18
Cappadocia
You'll spend the full day exploring Cappadocia, starting with a hike through the iconic fairy chimneys. Along the way, you'll stop at various scenic viewpoints for photos before reaching the massive underground city of Kaymakli. The afternoon is yours for individual exploration or to rest at the hotel. That evening, you'll share a meal with a local family to learn about local cultural traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with local family)
Included Activities
- Hike Through the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia
- Kaymakli Underground City
- Dinner with Local Family
Optional Activities
- Pottery Center Visit (Free)
- Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Turkish Bath (25EUR per person)
- Carpet Demonstration (Free)
- Bike rental for exploring on two wheels
- Optional trekking tour through valleys
Landmarks/POIs Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys Kaymakli Underground City - Day 19
Cappadocia to Istanbul
You'll have an early breakfast, then transfer to the airport to catch your flight back to Istanbul. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this historic and vibrant city on your own. Grab some street food or relax at a cafe. There's an optional final group dinner available in the evening if you want to join.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Archaeological Museum (15EUR per person)
- Dolamabahçe Palace (1200TRY per person)
- Basilica Cistern (900TRY per person)
- Galata Tower (30EUR per person)
- Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) Visit (25EUR per person)
- Topkapi Palace Visit (1500TRY per person)
- Optional final dinner with group
Landmarks/POIs Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Galata Tower Basilica Cistern - Day 20
Departure
You'll depart Istanbul whenever works for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Departure Day
