TURKEY, BULGARIA AND GREECE TOUR
10 DAY ITINERARY
TBG17ITIN270116 TTS
Tour commences Istanbul – dates TBA
Day 1 – Turkey - Istanbul - Arrival Day
on arrival at Turkey Istanbul (IST) Airport you are transferred to your hotel. Overnight Istanbul.
Day 2 – Turkey - Istanbul City Tour
This morning we have a day tour of old Istanbul city, including:
St Sophia - ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed
by Justinian in the 6th century is one of the architectural marvels of all time.
The Topkapi Palace - the palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries
housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the
sultans, jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle. The Blue Mosque (AKA
Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque) – near St. Sophia built in the 16th century with its magnificent
interior decoration of blue tiles. The Hippodrome - the scene of chariot races in ancient times,
with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the
Column of Constantine. The Grand Bazaar - a labyrinth of streets and passages with 4,000
shops – goldsmiths, carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, hand painted ceramic plates,
handmade copperware, brass and onyx-ware. Optional (extra) evening shows or Bosphorus
Dinner Cruise with Turkish entertainment and dinner. Overnight Istanbul.
B
Day 3 – Turkey - Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour
After breakfast depart for our Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour.
Spice – AKA Egyptian Bazaar. The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon,
caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
Bosphorus cruise - excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The
shore is lined with old wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses, and fishing villages.
During the cruise you will see the following attractions...
Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the
coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At
Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather on Sundays to display their work.
Rumeli Fortress - built in 1452 to guard the Bosphorus passage and one of the most beautiful
works of military architecture in the world. Beylerbeyi Palace - the summer residence of
Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and
magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul. The Bosphorus Bridge crossing from Asia) to Europe and Camlica Hill - the highest point in Istanbul. After our cruise
experience traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women and see jewellery, handcrafts
centre and a leatherwear show. Overnight Istanbul.
B
Day 4 - Turkey - Istanbul - Plovdiv - Bulgaria
After breakfast we depart for Bulgaria. On arrival check in to hotel and rest of day is yours.
Explore Plovdiv city, shop in the local markets or relax. Overnight Plovdiv.
B
Day 5 - Bulgaria - Plovdiv - Sofia
Depart for Sofia. Guided sightseeing tour of the city centre, including visit to Alexander Nevski
Cathedral - one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as a primary tourist
attraction; St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, built by Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th
century, National Theatre, former Royal Palace - today housing an Art Gallery and Museum.
Optional – dinner at a traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight Sofia. B
Day 6 - Bulgaria - Sofia - Rila Monastery - Sandanski
Depart for Rila Monastery – for a guided tour of the most exquisite example of the monastery
art and architecture in Bulgaria. Visit to Nativity of the Virgin Church and miracle icon of the
Virgin, the old kitchen, the museum where you can learn the history of the monastery, Hrelyo’s
Tower and spectacular views from the mountain. Overnight Sandanski.
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Day 7 - Bulgaria - Sandanski – Melnik - Greece - Thessaloniki
Drive to Melnik - famous for its wines and sandstone rocky pyramids. Visit to Kordopulova
museum-house. Around noon departure for Greece. Arrive Thessaloniki early afternoon. Rest of
day free to explore Thessaloniki, shop or relax. Overnight Thessaloniki.
B
Day 8 - Greece - Thessaloniki - Vergina – Thermopylae - Athens
After breakfast drive to Vergina, the most important remains of the monumental palace of the
Kingdom of Macedonia, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial
ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the
royal tombs is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way
for his son Alexander. Continue to Athens stopping enroute at Thermopylae – site where a
small Greek force made a heroic stand against the Persians in 480BC. Overnight Athens. B
Day 9 - Greece - Athens Sightseeing Tour With Acropolis & Half Day All in One
After breakfast we start the tour of Athens, visiting Syntagma Square - the centre of modern
Athens and view the changing of the guard in front of Parliament building. On the way to the
Acropolis, we stop at the white marble Panathenaic Stadium - where the first modern Olympic
Games were held in 1896. We also see the Temple of Olympian Zeus - the largest Temple ever
built in Greece, view the National Gardens, Academy, National Library and the magnificent
Parthenon on the Acropolis. Then drive to Piraeus, Greece's port and continue along the coast
to Kastella overlooking the harbour. We travel the Athens Riviera enroute to Mesoghlia, then
after a visit to a winery continue to Porto Rafti and to the McArthur Designer Outlet shopping
village. Then to a Pottery workshop to see making and exhibition. Overnight Athens.
B
Day 10 - Greece – Athens - End of Tour
After breakfast, transfer to Athens International (IST) Airport for a flight back home.
INCLUDES:
Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul Ataturk (IST) Airport
4 Star hotel accommodation with breakfasts = B
Guided Istanbul, Bosphorus cruise, shopping, Melnik, Sofia, Vergina, Athens and Attica tours.
Entrance fees as specified in the final itinerary
Transportation by air-conditioned coach
Professional English-speaking tour guides
Departure transfer to Athens International (IST) Airport
EXCLUDES:
International flights
Insurance: All types
Visa
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
Any others expenses which are not mentioned at the included section
B