Two Sides of the Aegean

Turkey and Greece have a great deal in common; social and cultural values shared on either side of the Aegean are instilled in the rhythms of everyday life.

Rather seeing them as two separate destinations, we approach them as part of a continious cultural space, where the Aegean Sea is not a divide but a thread that binds both.

Our itinerary follows both shores of the Aegean, beginning in Athens and ending in Istanbul, through a landscape shaped by classical antiquity, Byzantine legacy, and Ottoman presence. Each day on the tour will reveal a different layer of shared past.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Athens, Thessaloniki, and Kavala
Meteora monasteries
Ancient Delphi
Byzantine & Ottoman Istanbul
Legendary Troy on the Dardannelles
Hellenistic Pergamon & Aesclepion
Ancient Ephesus

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1: Athens

Welcome get-together and tour introduction, followed by our first dinner together.
Sleep in Athens, 2 nights.

Day 2: Athens

Stronghold of the people of Attica; Athens and the harbor city Piraeus. During our day in Athens, you will explore the Archeological Museum, the renowned Acropolis and Museum, the vivid squares Syntagma and Ommonia, and the never-sleeping district of Plaka.

Day 3: Athens – Delphi

A scenic drive through the mountain range of Attica. As we arrive in Delphi, we will have free time before dinner to explore the town.
Sleep in Delphi, 2 nights.

Day 4: Delphi – Meteora

Ancient Delphi was one the two major oracle centers of the known world. One way or another the name of this city is connected to almost all major settlements on both banks of the Aegean. An outstanding view and a unique location. The museum houses distinguished archaeological finds.

Day 5: Meteora

A unique landscape; massive rocks pointing to the sky, topped with striking looking Orthodox monasteries.
Sleep in Kalambaka, 1 night.

Day 6: Meteora – Thessaloniki

Today we visit Vergina, the burial site of Philip, father of Alexander the Great. In Thessaloniki, we visit the citadel, Ottoman castle, Jewish neighborhood, Aya Yorgi Cathedral, and the Archaeological Museum.
Sleep in Thessaloniki, 1 night

Day 7: Thessaloniki – Çanakkale

Today we drive to Greek - Turkish border via Kavala, a charming fishing town. En route to Çanakkale, we visit the WW1 memorials on the Gallipoli peninsula.
Sleep in Gallipoli, 1 night.

Day 8: Çanakkale – Pergamon

The day begins with Troy, the legendary city in Homer's epic, the Iliad.
Later in the day we drive to Pergamon. The ruins of this spectacular acropolis is 1,000 feet above the modern town and command an extraordinary views in all directions. In Bergama, we also visit the Aesclepion, the ancient medical center.
Sleep in Bergama, 1 night.

Day 9: Pergamon – Ephesus

Izmir is Turkey's largest metropolitan area on the Aegean. Here, we visit the ancient Agora, and the attractive medieval castle overlooking the city. On our way to Ephesus, we stop at the ancient city of Metropolis, one of the best preserved Hellenistic cities in Asia Minor.
Sleep in Kuşadası, 2 nights.

Day 10: Ephesus – Istanbul

Today we explore ancient Ephesus. During the Roman times, Ephesus was one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world and the capital city of the Asian Province. Next, visit the Museum of Archaeology in Selçuk which exhibits rare finds from the site.
An excursion to nearby Sirince village concludes the day.

Days 11 & 12: Istanbul

Domestic flight to Istanbul. Two full days of sightseeing, including visits to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus, and the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market.