Great Capitals of Turkey & Greece

Arrival at Istanbul Airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for half-day tour “BOSPHORUS”: We will go to the pier and embark the regular boat for Cruise on Bosphorus, a strait that separates two continents and joins the Black Sea with the Sea of ​​Marmara. From the boat we can admire the Dolmabahce Palace, the Mosque, the bohemian neighborhood of Ortakoy, the Rumeli and the Anatolian Fortresses, the Beylerbeyi Palace, the typical “yali” wooden houses, etc.

Next we will visit the Spice Bazaar, also called the Egyptian Bazaar, it is one of the oldest markets in Istanbul and one of the best places to buy typical products such as spices, sweets or nuts.

Free afternoon to explore the city. OR you can take the optional excursion "Topkapi Palace": In the afternoon, visit the Hagia Irene; it was the first church in Constantinapolis and is located in the first courtyard of the Topkapi Palace. It was built by Constantine V in the 8th century and was used as an armory during the Ottoman Empire period. Next visit the Topkapi Palace, which was the residence of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries. See the pavilions, kitchens, audience chambers and kiosks built around a series of courtyards. Finally visit the Grand Bazaar, with more than 4,500 shops that are grouped in specialized areas in different products: jewelry, clothes Overnight in Istanbul.

Breakfast at hotel. Departure for half day tour “GOLDEN HORN”: We will start by visiting the famous café Pierre Loti which is on the top of the hill in the Eyup neighborhood and has a wonderful view of the Golden Horn. Free time to enjoy the view with the possibility of having a coffee or tea (at own expense). Then we will go to the Cathedral of St. George, it is the fifth church in Constantinople that houses the Ecumenical Patriarchate since the 15th century. Formerly a convent for Orthodox nuns, it was converted into patriarchal offices by Bishop Matthew II (1598-1601). On the way, we will see a part of the walls of Constantinople, once an impenetrable fortification, stretching for seven kilometers from the Sea of ​​Marmara to the Golden Horn. Next stop will be a visit to the Mosque of Soliman the magnificent, considered to be the most beautiful of the imperial mosques of Istanbul, which was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the famous architect of the Ottoman Golden Age.
Free afternoon to explore the city. OR you can take the optional "Classical tour”: In the afternoon, visit the Hagia Sophia; it is unquestionably one of the most fantastic buildings of all time. It was built by the Justinian’s in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground, with a diameter of 31 meters. During the Ottoman Empire it was converted into a mosque and with time the minarets were added. Continue by visiting the old Hippodrome that belongs to the Byzantine era, which was the center of civil activity in the country and where not only horse races and gladiatorial fights were held, but also celebrations in honor of the Emperor. Today it preserves the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Fountain of Emperor William.
Next, visit Blue Mosque famous for its blue tiles and finally the Archaeological Museum, of world importance for the exclusivity and quantity of works that it contains in its buildings: the Museum of Antiquities with Greek, Roman, Byzantine pieces and the sarcophagi of the royal necropolis of Sidon; the Cinili Kosk (pavilion), exquisite pavilion of the s. XV that includes a collection of ceramics. Overnight in Istanbul.

Breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

After your breakfast and depending on your departure time transfer to Istanbul airport to take your flight to Athens.
Arrival at Athens Airport and transfer to the hotel. We propose a walk to enjoy the nightlife of Athens. Overnight in Athens.

After your breakfast we will start the tour around the sites of Athens. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop).Continue and pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma).On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: 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. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum. The evening is free. We recommend taking a tour to enjoy the beautiful sunset in Cape Sounion. Overnight in Athens.

Today we have free time to enjoy the beauties of Athens. You can revisit some of the sites that interest you, or just stroll in the picturesque paved streets in Plaka. On the other hand, if you wish to take another guided tour we can assist you with a variety of options Overnight in Athens. Optionally we suggest a tour to Argolida. The diversity of the Argolic landscape with its fields, forests, bare mountain peaks, beautiful beaches and innumerable coves manages to keep the adrenaline of the visitor at a high level, who is called, at the same time, to wander in a large and unique archeological park. The place, after all, has been inhabited, continuously, for millennia and the testimonies for the works of the people are many and impressive. Mycenae, Epidaurus and Tiryns, along with other archaeological sites and monuments in the area, are destinations that are benchmarks, both domestically and globally. These places gave birth to the ancient myth of the Cyclops, the dynasty of the Atreides, and still raise questions among scientists about history. Journey for an ancient representation: this is Argolida and we will get to know it, through its three most important archeological treasures. Overnight in Athens.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport. End of our services.