Athens, Peloponnese and Turkish Tour

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.

We’ll travel to the Peloponnese, making a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, an impressive engineering marvel from the late nineteenth century. Continuing through the mountains, we’ll reach Tripoli, the capital of the Arcadia region. Here, we’ll take a break to explore the bustling Aeros Square, known for its cafes and restaurants. Our journey will then take us to Olympia, where we’ll visit the Archaeological Site with a local guide (tickets included). The first Olympic Games were held here in 776 B. C. , attracting athletes from all over Greece and its colonies. Highlights of the site include the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium, the Gymnasium, and the Arena. Next, we’ll proceed to Patras, the third largest city in Greece, with a remarkable medieval fortress and the largest cathedral in the country. Adjacent to the cathedral is the small church of St. Andrew, a significant place of pilgrimage. Dinner will be included.

After breakfast, we’ll cross the RioAntirrio bridge, a spectacular cablestayed bridge that connects the Peloponnese with the Greek mainland. Our first stop is Nafpaktos, located on the Gulf of Corinth. Its Venetian fortress overlooking the city is a reminder of its historical significance as Lepanto, where the Christian and Turkish fleets clashed in battle—a conflict during which the famous Cervantes lost his arm. You’ll have free time to stroll around its picturesque harbor and explore the beautiful old town. Continuing along the Gulf of Corinth, we’ll reach Mycenae, a colossal citadel dating back to the 18th century BC, considered the cradle of European civilization (admission included). Enjoy free time for lunch and to explore the site. Next, we’ll visit the imposing Fortress of Acrocorinth (tickets included), where the remains of an ancient temple of Aphrodite stand on the highest point of the settlement. We’ll then continue our journey, making a brief stop at the Corinth Canal. We’ll arrive in Athens in the evening.

Free day to explore. A day to enjoy the moment, discover new landscapes, and let every corner reveal its own story and beauty in peace.

We´ll include a panoramic tour of Athens during which we´ll visit the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium—site of the first modern Olympic Games—the National Library, the bustling downtown squares and the new infrastructure developments introduced by the 2004 Olympics. The tour will end near the Acropolis (admission not included). In the afternoon, we’ll transfer you to the Port of Piraeus to board an overnight ferry, equipped with amenities similar to those found on cruise ships. Accommodation will be in a double cabin. Night on board.

Arriving in Rhodes early in the morning, we’ll start with a city tour that includes its impressive walled citadel and Old Town, showcasing the influences of various cultures such as Greek, Roman, Byzantine, the Knights of St. John, Ottoman, and Italian. In the afternoon, around 4:00 p. m. , we’ll take an express ferry to Turkey, a journey that will last about an hour. Upon arrival in Marmaris, a beautiful coastal tourist destination known for its castle, marina, and fountains, we’ll settle into our accommodations in the region. Dinner will be included. IMPORTANT: The ferry schedule between Rhodes and Marmaris is frequently subject to change and may not operate daily (except during the summer months). As a result, this part of the itinerary may need to be adjusted accordingly.

We’ll set off for Dalyan, a picturesque spot along a beautiful navigable river. A onehour boat ride is included, where we’ll visit the Lycian Rock Tombs. From there, we’ll continue by boat to a large lake, where we’ll stop at the hot springs. You’ll have the option to swim in the warm waters or indulge in a mud bath. There will also be time to enjoy a meal at one of the many riverside restaurants. Next, we’ll head to Antalya to get to know this vibrant coastal city of over a million residents. Highlights include Hadrian’s Gate, the Ottoman district, and its breathtaking waterfall that cascades directly into the sea. Dinner will be included.

We’ll leave Antalya and head to Aspendos to visit its Roman theater, often regarded as the bestpreserved in the world. Afterward, we’ll continue to Side, where you’ll have the chance to admire the Temple of Apollo by the sea. There will be time to stroll through its bustling port and lively streets. As we travel through stunning landscapes, we’ll cross the Taurus Mountains, with peaks that rise over 3,500 meters and remain snowcovered for most of the year. We’ll stop in Karaman to see its fortress from the outside before continuing to the Cappadocia region. Dinner will be included in Nigde.

We’ll spend the entire day exploring the incredible region of Cappadocia, famous for its lunarlike landscapes, ancient churches, and troglodyte villages. We’ll begin with a visit to Gumusler, a fascinating 7thcentury underground monastery featuring some of the finest Byzantine frescoes in Turkey. In Kaymacli, we’ll explore the underground city that could once house up to 30,000 people. Then, we’ll visit Uchisar, a natural fortress offering breathtaking views. After lunch, we’ll discover the Göreme Valley, home to an openair museum where we can marvel at the rockcut churches (tickets included). Our accommodation will be in Avanos and dinner will be included.

At the far edge of Cappadocia, we’ll visit the Ihlara Valley, famous for its cool waters and its rockcut churches and villages. Our itinerary includes visits to a 13thcentury caravanserai and the Mevlana Mausoleum (Rumi) in Konya, where we’ll learn about the Dervish order. Dinner will be included. In the evening, we recommend attending a dervish dance performance at the cultural center.

We’ll journey along a scenic route between the lakes, arriving at Egridir, a charming town by a large lake, known for its historic walls and mosques. You’ll have time to enjoy lunch here. Next, we’ll continue to HierapolisPamukkale, where the mineralrich waters have formed the stunning Cotton Palace (tickets included). Dinner will be included.

We’ll depart for Ephesus, the bestpreserved ancient city in Asia Minor. Two thousand years ago, it was home to a quarter of a million inhabitants. We’ll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and the impressive ruins of Ephesus (tickets included). We’ll then continue to Kusadasi, a popular coastal city known for its lively atmosphere, vibrant commerce, and a small castle. Dinner will be included. Note: During high season, from May to October (inclusive), accommodation will be in Izmir. In this case, after visiting Ephesus, we’ll head directly to Izmir without stopping in Kusadasi. We’ll enjoy a brief panoramic tour of the city, located on the Aegean Sea coast. The following day, on our way to Istanbul, we’ll make an additional stop for lunch in the traditional town of Balikesir.

We’ll set off for Izmir, the third most populous city in Turkey, where our guide will lead a brief tour of this vibrant metropolis, known for being the most westernized and modern in the country. We’ll then head inland, pausing for lunch along the way before arriving in Bursa. This historic city, the fourth largest in Turkey, boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its center. Highlights include the traditional commercial districts, mosques, religious schools, public baths, and the renowned Green Mosque. We’ll reach Istanbul by the end of the day.

A sightseeing tour of the city awaits us. On our tour, we´ll enter the Süleymaniye Mosque, the largest in Istanbul, we´ll explore the ancient walls, the Golden Horn, the bustling fishing district and we´ll marvel at the exterior of Hagia Sophia. Our tour also includes tickets to visit the Topkapi Palace, once the administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire, with its magnificent courtyards and pavilions. In the afternoon, you´ll have free time to explore this city spanning two continents. As the afternoon draws to a close, we´ll arrange a transfer to Taksim, the city´s most vibrant commercial district. There, you´ll have time to dine at one of its many restaurants and see the charming old tram that runs through the area. Alternatively, you can visit the nearby Galata Tower.

Today, we’ll embark on a boat trip on the Bosphorus (tickets included), lasting about two hours on a private boat exclusively for Europamundo travelers. This journey will take us through the strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, dividing Istanbul between its European and Asian sides. We’ll enjoy the lively activity of the strait with its many boats. We’ll pass under the two bridges that link Europe and Asia and admire the Sultan’s palaces, traditional wooden houses, and Ottoman architecture. Afterward, we’ll return to central Istanbul and have some free time.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.