Essential Greece and Istanbul

Essential Greece and Istanbul

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9 Days From

$1627

Essential Greece and Istanbul

9 Days

Visiting: Athens, Delphi, Meteora

Tour operator:

Indus Travels

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 22

Physical rating:

Easy

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $1627

NB: Prices correct on 25-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Learn about ancient history and culture with this 9-day tour of Greece and Istanbul! Begin your journey in Athens, the legendary capital where you will discover world-famous sites such as the Panathenaic Stadium and the Acropolis. Travel to Delphi, situated between the two towering rocks of Mount Parnassus. This fascinating city is a sacred place that Ancient Greeks considered to be the Center of the Earth. Next, you will drive to Kalambaka, as you take in the breathtaking views of the local Greek villages and towns. Discover the dramatic rock formations of Meteora along with the beautiful monasteries and local handicrafts. Make your way back to Athens, where you may go shopping, taste traditional Greek cuisine, or discover legendary monuments such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus or Hadrian's Arch. Travel to Istanbul to explore the heart of Turkiye where you will see some of the most beautiful mosques in the world. Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, initially built over 1,500 years ago as a Christian Basilica. Shop for local products in the Spice Market before you end your tour of Greece and Istanbul!

Highlights

  • Explore Athens and enjoy the magnificent views of the world-famous Acropolis

  • Discover the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena in Athens

  • Visit Delphi and see the ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the God Apollo

  • Enjoy the breathtaking views as you drive from Delphi — Kalambaka — Meteora

  • See the beautiful monasteries situated on the pillars of the mountains in Meteora

  • Take a trip to Istanbul to visit the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Athens Arrival

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Location: Athens

Accommodation Name: hotel

Upon arrival at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, you will be met by our company representative and transferred to your hotel.  If you have free time today, we suggest visiting Syntagma Square and immerse yourself in the city, enjoy shopping in one of the most popular streets in the Kolonaki area or Ermou, take a walk through the beautiful alleys of the Plaka where you can find a large number of small shops selling souvenirs and other local artifacts as well as many outdoor restaurants and cafes.
Overnight in Athens

Day 2: Athens – Delphi – Kalambaka (B/-/D)

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Location: Athens

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning depart for Delphi considered one of Greeces most important archaeological sites, famous for the Ancient Oracle. Situated between the two towering rocks of Mount Parnassus known as the Phaidriades (Shining) Rocks, Delphi was the most important oracle in the ancient Greek world and pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean would come to ask for the prophecy of god Apollo. This is one of the most important sites in Greece, and in ancient times was considered the center of the known world, where heaven and earth met. Afterwards continue on to Kalambaka, passing through picturesque villages and spectacular towns of central Greece. This evening enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
Overnight in Kalambaka

Day 3: Kalambaka – Meteora – Athens (B/-/D)

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Location: Delphi

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel through one of the most picturesque parts of Greece, passing by breathtaking scenery to Meteora. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Meteora is defined by a series of large pillars of rock with beautiful rock formations, some of which are crowned by Monasteries. Admire the ageless Monasteries, standing between earth and sky, atop huge rocks containing priceless historical and religious treasures. You can purchase traditional items that include hand painted religious icons, embroidered fabrics, and leather sandals. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae. We will stop to see the Leonidas Monument, an ancient warrior.
Overnight in Athens

Day 4: Athens (B/-/-)

Location: Meteora

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast in the morning enjoy a half-day city tour of Athens. Visit the Panathenaic Stadium, the unique marble stadium initially built on the site of a simple racecourse by the Athenian statesman Lykourgos to hold the Panathenaic Games in 330 BC. The first Olympic Games of modern times were held here in 1896. Then pass by the Prime Minister's residence (the ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colourful uniforms. See the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch constructed in 131 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as part of a wall separating the old and new cities of Athens, the Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and Constitution Square. You will then visit the Acropolis with the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally \"the harmony between material and spirit\", the monument that \"puts order in the mind\", the Parthenon. Afterwards you will visit the Acropolis Museum.  Enjoy your afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Athens

Day 5: Athens (B/-/-)

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Location: Athens

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Experience your day at leisure. You can go out on your own and enjoy traditional Greek dishes, shop for mementos and take back your memories. You can also opt for one of the optional tours on offer.
Overnight in Athens

Day 6: Athens (B/-/-)

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is a free day to explore or relax! Enjoy the lovely ambiance and peaceful mood brought together in this land. You can go out to explore more of Athens and its surroundings, perhaps you may choose one of the optional tours on offer.
Overnight in Athens

Day 7: Athens – Istanbul (Arrival) (B/-/-)

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start your day with a delicious breakfast followed by in time transfer to Athens airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istanbul airport, you will be transferred to the hotel. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Istanbul

Day 8: Istanbul City Tour (B/-/-)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Explore Istanbul with a city tour visiting Topkapi Palace Museum (excluding the harem), built in 1453. For centuries, this was from where the most powerful Sultans ran the Ottoman Empire stretching from the middle of Europe to the western edges of North Africa. The museum houses a priceless collection of jewelry, porcelain, and costumes of the sultans. Legend claims that the ancient rod on display here is that used by Moses to part the Red Sea! John the Baptists gilded arm and Mohammeds beard, finger nails and foot imprint are some of the main attractions as well as the treasury section which contains jewel-­‐ encrusted thrones, the worlds largest emerald and the famous Topkapi dagger, and the Byzantine Hippodrome with its various monuments including a 3500-year-old red granite obelisk brought from Egypt and erected here in 390 AD.We will also visit the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) built between 1609 and 1616 by Mehmet Aga, a student of the famous Ottoman architect, Sinan the Great. The exquisite Blue Mosque is named after the beautiful Iznik tiles that give the mosque its interior color of striking sea blue. It is one of the architectural marvels of the world with its six slender minarets gracefully greeting the Bosphorus. The original design included a seventh minaret that was later presented to the mosque at Mecca for diplomatic reasons.The Hagia Sophia was built by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodorus of Miletus between 532 and 537 AD under the rule of Emperor Justinian. When the Byzantine Empire collapsed under the attack of Mehmet the 2nd on May 29, 1453, Islam became the state religion. That day at noon Mehmet the 2nd had the muezzins call the Muslims to prayer from the Hagia Sophia, thus converting it into a mosque. It is now a museum where early Christian mosaics and Islamic calligraphy live side by side.  End the tour with explore the Grand Bazaar with over 4000 shops spread out in a giant labyrinth of small streets and passages. There are rugs, antiques, gold, silver, leather, traditional clothes, musical instruments, pottery, and much more to tempt you in the worlds largest covered market built between 1455 and 1461.
Overnight in Istanbul

Day 9: Istanbul (Departure) (B/-/-)

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, complete your check-out formalities and say goodbye to Istanbul — the City of Saga. You will be dropped off at the airport and board your flight back home.

What's Included

  • 08 nights accommodation on a Twin sharing basis at listed hotels or similar

  • Daily buffet breakfast

  • 01 Special Dinner in Kalambaka

  • Arrival and departure airport transfers

  • All Transportation in a deluxe AC vehicle

  • All Sightseeing as per the itinerary

  • Services of English-speaking local Guides during sightseeing

  • Entrance fees as per the itinerary

  • Regional Flights Athens - Istanbul

  • All local and applicable taxes

What's Not Included

  • Items of personal nature, tips, and gratuities

  • Optional Tours

  • Visa fees, if applicable

  • Arrival and departure transfers for the land-only option

  • City Taxes in Greece– EUR 5 per room/per night: collected by hotels directly at reception on arrival

  • Items not mentioned as included

Mode of Transport

All transportation is provided in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle, including arrival and departure airport transfers and regional flights from Athens to Istanbul.

Accommodation

Enjoy 7 nights of comfortable accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed hotels or similar, with daily buffet breakfast and a special dinner in Kalambaka.

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 7 nights of accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed hotels or similar.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Daily buffet breakfast is included, along with one special dinner in Kalambaka.

  • Is transportation provided during the tour?

    Yes, all transportation is provided in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.

  • Are airport transfers included in the tour package?

    Yes, arrival and departure airport transfers are included.

  • Are entrance fees to attractions included?

    Yes, entrance fees as per the itinerary are included.

  • Will there be a guide during the sightseeing tours?

    Yes, the services of English-speaking local guides during sightseeing are included.

  • Are flights between Athens and Istanbul included?

    Yes, regional flights from Athens to Istanbul are included.

  • What can I expect to see in Delphi?

    In Delphi, you will see the ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the God Apollo, which was considered the center of the Earth and Oracle for ancient Greeks.

  • What makes Meteora special?

    Meteora is known for its large pillars of rocks with beautiful rock formations and monasteries constructed on these cliffs. Originally, there were 24 monasteries, but now only 6 remain active.

  • What are the main attractions in Istanbul included in the tour?

    In Istanbul, you will visit the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Spice Market.

  • Are there any additional costs not included in the tour package?

    Yes, items of personal nature, tips, gratuities, optional tours, visa fees (if applicable), arrival and departure transfers for the land-only option, and city taxes in Greece (EUR 5 per room per night) are not included.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, but only in case it was previously agreed by both sides and arranged by us.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Our e-document package includes all local contact details, daily itinerary, airline e-ticket information, service vouchers, and travel tips which should be everything you require to go on your trip.

  • If I need one, who is responsible to obtain my visa?

    You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary, including having a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the Visa section in the Know Before You Go document for the countries you will be visiting.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    No, not as standard. Solo travellers can book and occupy their own room for a supplement.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    We have been organizing unforgettable trips since 2001.

  • Can I arrange flights via Indus Travels, too?

    In some cases, yes. Indus Travels can provide flights from/to selected departure points in the USA. If you would like a quote inclusive of flights, please let us know and we'll be happy to check the details for you!

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    Changes to an existing reservation up to the Final Payment Date, whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person amendment fee, potential loss of any supplier fees (such as non-refundable event tickets, park permits, and sea cruise reservations) plus any costs for replacement services. On/ after the Final Payment Date, the $100 change fee is no longer valid, instead cancellations terms apply.

Reviews of this operator

Terry Kratz (Google Reviewer)  

Thanks to Indus and Nicko...

13-Sep-2024

Thanks to Indus and Nicko Cruise for a great trip down the Danube. I had not been on a river cruise prior to this and found it a very relaxing way to travel and see some European highlights. The ship was superb. The staff served great meals, were friendly and accommodating. As far as the tours and city visits, they all gave us a reasonable amount of time and insight into the location we were visiting to come away with a sense that we had a good glimpse of the city and were able to spend some free time in the city as well. A special thanks to Dhruv our fearless leader from Indus who was a great organizer. Lastly - nice to meet all of you in our group. terry

Joyce Elyse Baumbach  

The tour organized by Indus Travels ...

16-Dec-2022

The tour organized by Indus Travels was flawless. Hotels, tours, and transportation all impressed me. We had a very relaxing time knowing what was happening at each stage. The scenery and activities were fantastic and did not disappoint. The highlight of the trip was definitely Galapagos Islands.

Indus Travel Reviews
Sirjirick Gibson (Google Reviewer)  

This is my fourth Indus...

20-Aug-2024

This is my fourth Indus trip coming up. I love the way the app works. I love the way the trips are organized and small groupings. I love the accommodations. I love the transportation it’s just top-notch service for individual traveler. I just completed my fourth trip with This and I have already signed up for my up-and-coming fifth trip with Indus travel. Once again, I have to say the service of this is absolutely top-notch service. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to travel and style and comfort. The organization of this is top-notch service from start to finish.. I have to say this sales management and associate team is absolutely amazing which basically allows me to continuously book my trips through end this. My travel life is to travel to as many countries as possible, and it will all be done through excellent job. I would like to give a special thanks to Rachel P. And Ravi., I have been involved with Rachel for the past five years and I will continue to travel within due to the fact that she makes this such a pleasant experience. Great job to her..

Neeraj Nauhwaar (Google Reviewer)  

Booked Mystical Egypt tour with...

07-Dec-2023

Booked Mystical Egypt tour with them visiting Cairo and a 03 Nights Cruise from Luxor to Aswan in May. All services were perfect since the time we arrived at the airport, we were met by a hospitable Indus Representative who helped us with the purchase of local SIM and currency exchange. He was always there in time to assist for transfers. The Amwaj Cruise which we took from Luxor to Aswan was a Gem. We had great guides and all sightseeing worked like a clockwork. We enjoyed visiting Karnak Temples, Temples of Edfu, Kom Ombo and the boat ride to see Phillae Temple. Evening entertainment on cruise were great and engaging. In Cairo and Aswan, we had ample leisure time to explore on own, the Pyramids were impressive and visiting Khan e Khalili was fun. Overall and impressive and enjoyable tour, Thanks to Indus Travels!

Dhruv R (Google Reviewer)  

Recently went on a Rhine...

09-Jun-2023

Recently went on a Rhine River Cruise, a first for me. I must say the experience was exceptional, their tagline says. The group I was with were some of the most fun and interesting set of people I've ever traveled with. The ground transportation arrangements were top notch and comfortable. Variety in menu that we were provided with in the cruise was astounding. I was a bit worried if they'd have much options for me as I'm a vegetarian. But they not only had options, the taste was something I'd savor for foreseeable future. There's a reason Rhine cruises are popular owing to it's serene and picturesque route. Guided tours were very informative and gave us a bit of an insight of German culture. We had good amount of time to explore the towns on our own too. Strasbourg and Cochem were my favorite stops. Luckily the weather worked in our favour and it didn't rain the way it was predicted originally. No one from our group wanted the tour to end. If this trip was any indication, I can't wait to book my next trip with Indus Travels.

Dennis V (Google Reviewer)  

My wife and I travelled...

02-Jul-2024

My wife and I travelled with Indus on the essentials Portugal Spain Switzerland and Italy tour last October and had the time of our lives. The tour was very well planned we visited a lot of the highlights the countries had to offer. The tour went very smoothly with knowledgeable guides and courteous drivers. We would highly recommend travelling with Indus.

Gloria Parra (Google Reviewer)  

Indus Travel runs a highly...

04-Mar-2024

Indus Travel runs a highly professional organization. From customer service to brochures, bookings, tour guides, etc. and the consideration for their customers is superb. This was the first time I had travelled with Indus Travels. We took the Taste of Portugal Tour. Group numbers are small, accommodation comfortable and food excellent. The expert guide who accompanied us was outstanding - passionate, informative, engaging, and entertaining. This company is obviously at the heart of the itinerary planning, and attention to detail is second to none. I would highly recommend this company to anyone wanting a fun, relaxed, educational vacation with fine food - they will deliver! We will never forget this trip and we are already planning for another one to Wonders of Italy, Vienna, Budapest, and Prague.

Olivia  

Best of Italy

16-Nov-2022

Indus Travels did an excellent job planning the trip to Italy. We were on Best of Italy in Oct 2022. The tour was 5 stars all the way. The hotel accommodations were comfortable and clean & guides were top-notch.

Indus Travel Reviews
Kim Eisnor (Google Reviewer)  

We had an absolutely amazing...

12-Sep-2024

We had an absolutely amazing experience on our first ever river boat cruise. The itinerary and ports were incredible, the ship was beautiful, the food was great (especially Mario’s Grill), the excursions were excellent and the staff was lovely. We had such a memorable trip with our group and made lots of memories that will last a lifetime.

DJWalter Capote (Google Reviewer)  

We were looking for a...

07-Oct-2023

We were looking for a customized, small group tour. We took a chance on Indus without knowing much about the company. We just returned from our trip to Greece and are more than highly please and satisfied with our experience. They planned an amazing itinerary, booked amazing hotels, hired knowledgeable tour guides and arranged high quality transportation services. Everyone went above and beyond to please us. We are already planning a trip for next year (2024) and will definitely use Indus to do so.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Indus Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of indus travels charges.

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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