Classic Greece to Turkey Adventure

Classic Greece to Turkey Adventure

• Trip code: 424X022
• Dauer: 20
• Stil: Classic

Journey through the ages on this epic 20-day adventure from Greece to Turkey, where ancient history meets vibrant modern culture. Indulge in mouthwatering Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine, soak in breathtaking scenery, and dive deep into the stories that shaped these lands. Stand in awe at the Acropolis and Parthenon, explore the Royal Tomb of King Phillip, and wander through the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. Hike the legendary slopes of Mt. Olympus, connect with locals, make new travel friends, and snap photos you’ll be daydreaming about for years to come. With endless discoveries around every corner, this is the kind of adventure you’ll never want to end.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels (19 nts)

Checklist

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides

Group Size Notes

Max 16, avg 12

Highlights

Journey through the rich history of Greece and Turkey—from the iconic Acropolis and Parthenon to the ancient cities of Ephesus and Troy, Savor the flavors of the region with a hands-on cooking class in Athens and a meze tasting in Volos, Take in the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia—where fairy chimneys and cave dwellings create an otherworldly backdrop, Venture beneath the surface to uncover the hidden depths of the underground city of Kaymakli

Introduction

Journey through the ages on this epic 20-day adventure from Greece to Turkey, where ancient history meets vibrant modern culture. Indulge in mouthwatering Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine, soak in breathtaking scenery, and dive deep into the stories that shaped these lands. Stand in awe at the Acropolis and Parthenon, explore the Royal Tomb of King Phillip, and wander through the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. Hike the legendary slopes of Mt. Olympus, connect with locals, make new travel friends, and snap photos you’ll be daydreaming about for years to come. With endless discoveries around every corner, this is the kind of adventure you’ll never want to end

Meals Included

19 Frühstück, 1 Mittagessen, 2 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD600-780 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Athens
- Besuch auf dem Syntagma-Platz (Verfassungsplatz) (Gratis)
- Besuch des Archäologischen Nationalmuseums (12EUR pro Person)
- Ancient Agora Visit (20EUR pro Person)
- Morgendliche Radtour durch Athen (35EUR pro Person)
- Besuch im Akropolis-Museum

Meteora
- Ausflug nach Meteora bei Sonnenaufgang (30EUR pro Person)
- Guided Meteora Monasteries Hiking Tour
- Naturkundemuseum Meteora (7EUR pro Person)

Náfplio
- Festung Bourtzi (7EUR pro Person)
- Archäologisches Museum (10EUR pro Person)
- Kriegsmuseum (3EUR pro Person)
- Besichtigung der Festung Acronafplia (Gratis)
- Besuch der Palamidi-Festung (20EUR pro Person)
- Besichtigung von Tiryns (10EUR pro Person)

Epídavros
- Führung durch Epidavros (20EUR pro Person)

Mycenae
- Besuch von Mykene (20EUR pro Person)

Thessaloníki
- Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
- Nea Paralia

Göreme
- Besuch eines Töpferzentrums (Gratis)
- Balloonfahrt in Kappadokien
- Turkish Bath (75EUR pro Person)

Cappadocia
- Teppichvorführung (Gratis)

Istanbul
- Archäologisches Museum (15EUR pro Person)
- Dolmabahçe-Palast (1200TRY pro Person)
- Cisterna Basilica (900TRY pro Person)

Istanbul
- Galataturm (30EUR pro Person)
- Besichtigung der Aya Sofya (25EUR pro Person)
- Besuch im Topkapi-Palast (1500TRY pro Person)

Start / Finish

Athens nach Istanbul

What's Included

Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Besuch bei Shedia Home und ein Getränk, Athens
Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Handwerksprojekt Çöp(m)adam, Ayvalık
Dein Welcome-Moment: Anreise und Begrüßungstreffen
Dein Foodie-Moment: Cooking Class Athens, Athens
Dein Foodie-Moment: Cultural Walk and Tavern Visits with Meze Plates, Vólos
Dein Foodie-Moment: Pide Demonstration and Lunch, Selçuk
Dein Local-Living-Moment: Abendessen bei einer einheimischen Familie, Çavuşin. Athens orientation walk. Guided tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon. Acropolis and Parthenon entrance fees. Visit the site of Thermopylae Information Centre. Guided tour of Ancient Delphi. Visit the Corinth Canal. Visit Thermopylae Battleground Site and Information Centre. Volos Orientation Walk. Full-day village-hopping tour from Vilos. Hike to centaur cave from Milies, Visit a women's coop in Vizitsa. Visit Pinakates, Agios Georgios and beach time at Kato Gatzea. Walk in Mount Olympus National Park. Polycentric Museum of Aigai. Thessaloniki Orientation Walk. Walking exploration of Kavala's old town. Alexandroupoli orientation walk. Istanbul evening orientation walk. Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit. Troy entrance and guided visit. Ephesus entrance and visit. Orientation walk in the old Kemeralti bazaar in Izmir. Tour the Mevlana Museum. Tea at sunset from a viewpoint over Cappadocia. Hike through the "fairy chimneys" of Cappadocia. Kaymakli underground city exploration. Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Transport

Taxi, private vehicle, train, ferry, plane, walking

Internationale Flüge

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Athens

Arrive at any time

Day 2 Athens

Enjoy a free morning to immerse yourself deeper into this historical city; opt to visit the new Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora, or the National Archaeological Museum. In the evening start with a refreshment stop at a local non-profit cafe, Shedia Home and explore the city on a guided walking tour to the Parthenon and Acropolis along the way. Afterwards attend a cooking class with a local chef and enjoy a dinner of your creations

Day 3 Athens/Meteora

Travel north from Athens by bus and train to Kalampaka, the perfect base for visiting the monasteries and the area of Meteora

Day 4 Meteora

Spend a full free day in the area. Head out and visit the mountain top monasteries on your own by bus or pre-book the Meteora Monasteries Hiking Tour to do it on foot with a local guide

Day 5 Meteora/Delphi

After breakfast, transfer to the site of Thermopylae and Information Centre to learn of the famous battle that helped create the Greece we know today. Continue on to Delphi for an orientation walk before touring Ancient Delphi with a local guide. Spend the evening as you wish with free time

Day 6 Delphi/Náfplio

Travel Nafplio with a stop at the Corinth Canal on the way. Take part in a brief orientation walk then spend the evening exploring the cobblestone streets with free time. Opt to climb the Acronafplia to take in the views

Day 7 Náfplio/Athens

Enjoy free time to explore Napflio and the surrounding areas. Choose to visit Epidavros, as well as the nearby site of Mycenae then transfer in the late afternoon to Athens for the night

Day 8 Athens/Vólos

Depart Athens in the morning for the drive to Volos, with a quick stop in Thermopylae on the way for a short visit. Once in Volos, set off on an orientation walk with your CEO, followed by some free time to settle into the hotel and relax. In the evening, meet up with a local guide and head out on a cultural walk to see some of the city's highlights, stopping at 2 different local taverns along the way for small plates of food called 'meze,' truly a local and delicious experience that will serve as a light dinner

Day 9 Vólos

Head out from Volos today on a day of exploration and cultural immersion, hopping village-to-village. Explore Milies and take a short hike to a cave, stop by a women's co-op in Vizitsa then visit the town of Pinakates and have beach time at Kato Gatzea before returning to Volos in the evening. Each stop provides a unique glance into the daily life in this beautiful corner of the world

Day 10 Vólos/Thessaloníki

Drive north from Volos, stopping at Mount Olympus National Park for a short walk near the mountain that was home to the gods in Greek mythology. Continue to the Polycentric Museum of Aigai to tour the tombs and see the archaeological artifacts before carrying to Thessaloniki. Join your CEO for an orientation walk and enjoy a free evening

Day 11 Thessaloníki

Take advantage of a free day to explore Thessaloniki. Discover historic landmarks like the Roman Forum, visit museums or take a walking food tour, sampling dishes like Greek 'meze' and other regional specialties. In the evening, head out for an optional dinner at one of your CEO's favourite local spots

Day 12 Thessaloníki/Kavala

Wave goodbye to Thessaloniki this morning and drive to the city of Kavala. Settle in and orient yourself with a CEO-led orientation walk of the old town with the option to walk up to the castle for great views of the city and of the sea. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to continue exploring or to relax

Day 13 Kavala/Istanbul

Depart Kavala in the morning and drive east to the city of Alexandropoli. Take a short walk with the CEO to explore the area and have some time for lunch before continuing on to the Turkish border and onwards to Istanbul, arriving in the evening

Day 14 Istanbul/Çanakkale

Travel east from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a guided tour of the area including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, continue on to the harbour town of Çanakkale

Day 15 Çanakkale/Selçuk

Set off from Çanakkale and visit the ancient city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik and stop by the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft coop before travelling south to the town of Selçuk for the night

Day 16 Selçuk/İzmir

Explore Ephesus this morning as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. Back in Selçuk, take part in a demonstration of how to prepare pide, a traditional Turkish flatbread, then devour the delicious results for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to the city of Izmir for an orientation walk of the old Kemeralti bazaar then board an overnight train bound for Cappadocia

Day 17 Konya/Cappadocia

Disembark the train in Konya and grab some breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Visit the Mevlana Museum before continuing by private vehicle to the Cappadocia region and check into the hotel. Sip a cup of tea or coffee while taking in the sunset from a nearby viewpoint before heading out for an optional dinner with the group in the evening

Day 18 Cappadocia

Set out on a full day of exploration of the Cappadocia area, starting with a hike through the iconic "fairy chimneys." Stop at various scenic viewpoints for photos on the way to the massive subterranean complex of the Kaymakli underground city before some free time in the afternoon for individual exploration or to relax at the hotel. In the evening, gain insight into the local cultural traditions by sharing a meal with a local family

Day 19 Cappadocia/Istanbul

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to Istanbul. Enjoy the rest of the day free for individual exploration of the historic and vibrant city, grab some street food or relax at a cafe before an optional final dinner with the group

Day 20 Istanbul

Depart at any time

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Athens

We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this world-renowned city.

There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Please note - if you plan to take part in the Athens Bike Tour, an additional day in Athens is recommended

Day 2 Athens

Day 3 Athens/Meteora

Perched on high cliffs there are monasteries built on immense natural pillars and make for a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Day 4 Meteora

Day 5 Meteora/Delphi

Travel through mountain scenery around Mt Parnassos to Delphi.

Enjoy a visit to the ancient city of Delphi, then spend the evening exploring the charming little town or relaxing in a small café enjoying the views of the nearby valley.

Day 6 Delphi/Náfplio

Described as one of Greece's prettiest towns, the narrow pedestrian streets of old town are begging to be strolled upon.

Day 7 Náfplio/Athens

There is a wealth of ancient sites to explore within easy reach of Nafplio on a free day such as Epidavros, which is highly regarded as one of the most renowned of Greek ancient sites. Or choose to visit the famous Mycenae, also close by, with its spectacular treasury and ruins, or for another lesser-known Mycenean site visit Tiryns, just in the suburbs of Nafplio itself.

Day 8 Athens/Vólos

Thermopylae is an ancient battlefield where Greek (mainly Spartan) soldiers held off the Persian army for three days. A battle which acted as inspiration for the movie 300.

Day 9 Vólos

Day 10 Vólos/Thessaloníki

Between November 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, the Polycentric Museum will be closed. If you are travelling during these dates, the visit will be replaced by the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Day 11 Thessaloníki

Day 12 Thessaloníki/Kavala

Day 13 Kavala/Istanbul

Day 14 Istanbul/Çanakkale

Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story.

It is only a little further to Çanakkale, a busy harbour town with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly.

Day 15 Çanakkale/Selçuk

Visit the nearby historic and world-famous city of Troy and then visit the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation, which support the local women who work in the workshop. Continue south to Selçuk for the next couple of nights.

Day 16 Selçuk/İzmir

Tour the nearby ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus for a glimpse into what life was like thousands of years before in this part of what is now Turkey. After driving back to Selçuk, learn all about how to make "Turkish pizza," called pide before transferring north to the city of Izmir for some exploration before hopping on the overnight train.

Day 17 Konya/Cappadocia

Transfer to Cappadocia for 2 days of exploring the surreal and spectacular landscapes of the area.

Day 18 Cappadocia

Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.

Day 19 Cappadocia/Istanbul

Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.

Day 20 Istanbul