KALOS IRTHATE….Welcome!

Day 1: Athens– (2 nights)

Arrival in Athens – One private group airport transfer will be provided to the hotelAfter we settle in, let's enjoy a welcome drink and informal briefing at the hotel followed by dinner, including delicious Greek Mezze's and sampling a tasty variety of Greece's colourful and diverse cuisine. At a traditional restaurant in the shadows of the Parthenon, in what was the ancient city of Athens surrounding the Acropolis slopes. Dinner includes Ouzo, local beer or a glass of wine, with an an after-dinner liqueur.  D

Day 2:  Athens

Enjoy your first Greek breakfast this morning with a view of the Parthenon! Following breakfast, we head out for our orientation walking tour, including a ride on the Athens metro to view some of the surprises it has to show. Let’s watch the changing of the guard in front of the Greek Parliament and learn about the elite “Evzon soldiers in their distinct uniforms and parading in their unusual goose step march. From here, we walk through the pedestrianised shopping high street, Ermou Street, in the heart of Athens, as we make our way to the largest market in Greece, with its meat, fish and seafood stalls, herbs and spices, dried fruit, olive oil, Greek sea salt and so much more! At the market, you’ll experience drinking a real Greek Coffee, traditionally boiled in the hot sand, before giving you some time to explore the market on your own.  We then have a group lunch at the market in a tucked away taverna amongst the locals. After lunch we meet our local guide for a tour at the Acropolis, followed by time at leisure for the rest of the afternoon and evening.  B L

Day 3:   Athens - Delphi (1 night)

Say farewell to Athens as we make our way this morning to Delphi, an ancient sanctuary in the region of central Greece, dedicated to the God Apollo and where prophecies were made to kings and warriors of the ancient world. Watch the landscape change to towering mountains and alpine forests with the quaint village of Arahova hanging off the cliffs of Mt. Parnassos, the backdrop to Delphi. Spend some free time here for lunch and a browse in the shops before heading for our visit to the impressive archaeological site and the Delphi Museum, where you will have an opportunity to see the priceless Bronze Charioteer of Delphi and the Sphynx of Naxos amongst many more treasures.  After our visit we will check in at our hotel for the night and enjoy the remainder of your afternoon and the evening at leisure.  B 

Day 4:  Delphi – Kalambaka/Meteora – Metsovo (1 night)

Today’s road trip is diverse and full of contrasts, taking us over the breath-taking alpine woodlands of Mt.Parnassos and down  to the plains of Thessaly, from which the towering monoliths of Meteora soar between heaven and earth. Let’s discover this heavenly world of Byzantine architecture, art and iconography at the monasteries of Varlam and St. Stephanos. From Meteora we drive on to our beautiful hotel and winery in Metsovo for our overnight stay. Tucked away in the mountains of Epirus, this memorable location will delight. B D

 Day 5:  Metsovo – Aegae - Thessaloniki (3 nights)

What an eclectic day of scenery and history we have in store for you today.  This morning we begin with a visit to the winery on the grounds of our hotel for a wine tasting, paired with Metsovo’s finest cheeses for which they are famous, the Metsovone and Metsovela. Our visit in the area would not be complete without a stroll and some free time in the sweet town of Metsovo, famous not only for its cheeses, but its embroidered linens and woodcraft.  We then continue today’s journey for a visit to the Royal Macedonian Tombs of Aegea in Vergina begore our final destination this evening in Thessaloniki. The balance of the afternoon and evening are at leisure. B

Day 6:  Thessaloniki

This morning we combine a walking tour of Thessaloniki with tasty local treats, enjoying the authentic flavours of Macedonian cuisine, including the “Koulori” a circular bread, the “Bougatsa” a custard filled phyllo pastry pie for starters at an authentic hidden gem old bakery near the harbour, and then wind our way through little streets and alleys full of history and tales to tell, until we reach the Kapani Market for our street food tastings. This afternoon enjoy some free time to further explore treasures like the Museum of Byzantine Civilisation, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, The Jewish Museum and the White Tower. Evening at leisure. B L (light street food lunch)

Day 7:  Thessaloniki 

Roll up your sleeves.  put that apron on and let’s get ready to cook!  We’re off to the countryside to visit a family on their farm. Enjoy a homemade Greek coffee of mountain tea upon arrival before we begin. Our hosts will then familiarise you with the animals and the vegetable garden where you get to you get to collect vegetables and then the eggs from the coop! You will learn lots of really great hands-on tips for your farm to table experience and the best thing is you get to try the fruits of your labour with a delicious lunch.  Return to Thessaloniki and balance of afternoon and evening is at leisure. B L

Day 8: Thessaloniki – Kavala -  Istanbul (3 nights)

The last leg of our journey begins!  The road from Thessaloniki takes us to the city of Kavala, a medieval walled city with a fascinating blend of architecture, tumultuous history and cultural mosaic.  Our local guide will walk us through the city and its ramparts with some obligatory free time for one more bite to eat and souvenir in Greece.  Next stop Turkiye and the spectacular city of Istanbul. After the formalities at the border, we say goodbye to our Greek driver and say hello to our new Turkish one! Our first encounters of Turkish hospitality, scenery and way of life kicks off! After our check in at the hotel, we go for dinner and savour our first amazing Turkish Mezze platters! B D

Day 9:   Istanbul

Prepare for an outstanding day of sightseeing in magnificent Istanbul. Visit iconic sites like the Roman Hippodrome and it’s more than 3,500 year old Egyptian Obelisque, the Blue mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, the Egyptian Spice Market, including some street food tastings and the Grand Bazaar. Dinner tonight is a wonderful surprise and delicious journey into the heart of the city’s incredible history.  B L D (light street food lunch)

Day 10: Istanbul

A trip to Turkiye would not be complete without a belly dancing lesson, so let’s have some fun and a little workout to counter all the calories we’ve consumed and dance them off! The rest of the day is yours to explore more of the many treasures the city offers. Consider the Dolmabahce Palace with its spiralling Swarovski Crystal staircase. Perhaps luxuriate in a centuries old Ottoman Hamam (Turkish Bath). You could also have tea at the iconic Pera Palace hotel, the selected hotel for the Orient Express journey, favourite haunt of the spy Mata Hari and where Agatha Christie wrote her famous book, Murder on the orient Express. Tonight we celebrate a wonderful trip and memories made in grand style, in one of the most spectacular venues in the city.  This will be a surprise too!! B D

Day 11: Istanbul back home 

And just like that, our trip is over. Our tour officially ends today after breakfast, with one included transfer to the airport for your journey back home. B

GÜLE GÜLE….Go Smiling

Disclaimer:  This itinerary and availability of all of its components were available at the time of writing.  Any included component can be replaced without any notice if required, due to adverse weather conditions, strikes, public holidays, or any other unexpected events beyond our control.