History, mythology, cobblestone streets, golden beaches, and the legendary Mt. Olympus — what more could you ask for? Journey from west to east on this epic seven-day adventure from Athens to Istanbul. Walk in the footsteps of warriors at the Thermopylae battlefield, the inspiration for the movie 300, and dive into the myths and legends that make Greece so captivating over a spread of delicious local meze. Wander through the rugged beauty of Mt. Olympus National Park, standing in the shadow of the gods, before crossing into Turkey and arriving in Istanbul — a city where East meets West in a vibrant swirl of culture, history, and incredible food. One unforgettable week, two incredible countries, and memories to last a lifetime.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
2 - Light
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Cultural Walk and Tavern Visits with Meze Plates, Vólos. Visit Thermopylae Battleground Site and Information Centre. Volos Orientation Walk. Full-day village-hopping tour from Vilos. Hike to centaur cave from Milies, Visit a women's coop in Vizitsa. Visit Pinakates, Agios Georgios and beach time at Kato Gatzea. Walk in Mount Olympus National Park. Polycentric Museum of Aigai. Thessaloniki Orientation Walk. Walking exploration of Kavala's old town. Alexandroupoli orientation walk. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Walk the legendary battlefield of Thermopylae—the origin of the movie 300, Stand in the shadow of mighty Mt Olympus—the mythical home of the gods, Indulge in traditional 'meze' while uncovering ancient myths on a cultural tour of Volos
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12.
What meals are included in this trip?
6 breakfasts, 1 dinner
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private vehicle, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (6 nts).
Itinerary
Athens/Vólos
Depart Athens in the morning for the drive to Volos, with a quick stop in Thermopylae on the way for a short visit. Once in Volos, set off on an orientation walk with your CEO, followed by some free time to settle into the hotel and relax. In the evening, meet up with a local guide and head out on a cultural walk to see some of the city's highlights, stopping at 2 different local taverns along the way for small plates of food called 'meze,' truly a local and delicious experience that will serve as a light dinner. Thermopylae is an ancient battlefield where Greek (mainly Spartan) soldiers held off the Persian army for three days. A battle which acted as inspiration for the movie 300.
Vólos
Head out from Volos today on a day of exploration and cultural immersion, hopping village-to-village. Explore Milies and take a short hike to a cave, stop by a women's co-op in Vizitsa then visit the town of Pinakates and have beach time at Kato Gatzea before returning to Volos in the evening. Each stop provides a unique glance into the daily life in this beautiful corner of the world.
Vólos/Thessaloníki
Drive north from Volos, stopping at Mount Olympus National Park for a short walk near the mountain that was home to the gods in Greek mythology. Continue to the Polycentric Museum of Aigai to tour the tombs and see the archaeological artifacts before carrying to Thessaloniki. Join your CEO for an orientation walk and enjoy a free evening.
Thessaloníki
Take advantage of a free day to explore Thessaloniki. Discover historic landmarks like the Roman Forum, visit museums or take a walking food tour, sampling dishes like Greek 'meze' and other regional specialties. In the evening, head out for an optional dinner at one of your CEO's favourite local spots.
Thessaloníki/Kavala
Wave goodbye to Thessaloniki this morning and drive to the city of Kavala. Settle in and orient yourself with a CEO-led orientation walk of the old town with the option to walk up to the castle for great views of the city and of the sea. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to continue exploring or to relax.
Kavala/Istanbul
Depart Kavala in the morning and drive east to the city of Alexandropoli. Take a short walk with the CEO to explore the area and have some time for lunch before continuing on to the Turkish border and onwards to Istanbul, arriving in the evening.
Istanbul
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
