The Heart of Thrace (2025)
From €2,725

The Heart of Thrace (2025)

Holidays package
Created: Saturday 16 November 2024
Ref ID: 12127897
price per person From
€2,725
Based on 2 adults
€5,451
Total Price
Created: Saturday 16 November 2024
Itinerary
Tours

Day 1: Athens

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.


Day 2: Athens

We´ll embark on a city tour of Athens with a local guide, visiting landmarks such as the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held, the National Library, and the bustling squares of the city center. We´ll also explore the newer neighborhoods that developed after the 2004 Olympic Games. The tour will conclude at the Acropolis (admission not included). In the evening, we´ll provide a transfer to the historical neighborhood of Plaka, renowned for its charming Greek tavernas and opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich folklore of this country.


Day 3: Athens - Kamena vourla - Kalabaka

We’ll depart early in the morning towards northern Greece, stopping at Kamena Vourla, a charming seaside tourist hub surrounded by stunning landscapes. We´ll then proceed north, stopping at the Thermopylae Mountain Pass, the historic site of the famous battle. Next, we´ll visit Kastraki, a picturesque village with beautiful views of the entire valley, where you´ll have free time for lunch. Afterward, we´ll explore the Meteora, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission to one of its renowned monasteries is included. Dinner will be provided in Kalabaka.


Day 4: Kalabaka - Thessaloniki - Melnik - Sandansky

We’ll journey through northern Greece, taking in the beautiful mountain scenery as we head towards the Aegean Sea. Our first stop will be in Thessaloniki, where we’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch in Greece’s second-largest city. Afterward, we’ll continue into Bulgaria, crossing the border into the region of Bulgarian Macedonia. Here, we’ll visit Melnik, a picturesque museum town nestled among stunning landscapes and renowned for its wine production. We’ll conclude our day in Sandanski, a charming spa town known as the birthplace of Spartacus where we’ll stay for the night. Dinner will be included.


Day 5: Sandansky - Rila - Sofia

We’ll visit the stunning Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its fortress-like appearance and beautiful forest surroundings. We’ll then continue to Sofia, arriving by late morning. After lunch, we’ll take a guided tour of Bulgaria’s capital, where we’ll see the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and the city´s squares and avenues, showcasing Stalinist architecture. You’ll have free time afterward to explore the city at your leisure.


Day 6: Sofia - Istanbul

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport to take a regular flight to Turkey (included; departure times may vary). Upon arriving in Istanbul, we’ll provide a transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. You’ll receive detailed information about this part of your trip in the afternoon, either directly from our team or on the information boards at the hotel reception.


Day 7: Istanbul

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.


Day 8: Istanbul

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.


Day 9: Istanbul - Ephesus - Kusadasi


Day 10: Kusadasi - Bodrum - Marmaris

We’ll leave early to visit one of Turkey´s natural wonders, Lake Bafa, and take a moment to admire its serene beauty. Our journey will then continue to Bodrum, a stunning fortified city of Greek origin. Here, you can explore its impressive castle, wander through its lively streets bustling with tourists, or visit its marina. After lunch, we’ll proceed to Marmaris, another picturesque coastal tourist destination known for its castle, pier, and fountains. Dinner will be included.Please note: On some occasions, especially during the summer, our accommodation will be in the nearby town of Mugla instead of Marmaris.


Day 11: Marmaris - Rhodes

We’ll set off towards Greece early in the morning and board the express ferry to Rhodes. The journey will last about an hour. We’ll undergo standard border-crossing procedures. Once in Rhodes, we’ll embark on a tour of its remarkable walled city and historic quarter, which reflect a rich tapestry of cultural influences—from Greek and Roman to Byzantine, Knights of St. John, Ottoman, and Italian. You’ll have free time in the afternoon to explore at your leisure.Please note: The ferry schedule between Rhodes and Marmaris is subject to frequent changes and does not operate daily (except during summer months). Accordingly, this part of the itinerary may need to be adjusted.


Day 12: Rhodes - Ferry rodas athens

Today, we’ll depart from Rhodes city for an excursion to explore the rest of the island (included). Our first stop will be Filerimos, situated atop a hill, where you can visit its monastery amidst stunning landscapes. From there, we’ll journey to Lindos to explore its fortress and Acropolis, offering breathtaking views of the sea. You can stroll through its charming, whitewashed streets, relax on one of its beaches, or opt for a traditional donkey ride up to the Acropolis. Later, we’ll reconvene at the port of Rhodes and board a ferry to Athens.


Day 13: Ferry rodas athens - Athens

06:30 a.m. – Lavrio Port. Our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories. Note: If you arrive by ferry from Rhodes, your port of arrival will be Piraeus. If you request additional nights in Athens, the transfer from the port to the hotel is not included and will be charged separately.

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price per person From
€2,725
Based on 2 adults
€5,451
Total Price
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This idea includes
Destinations 13
Accommodations 8
Tours 1
Tour summary
Operator
EuropamundoOperator
Guide languages
Español
Português
Included
  • Europamundo General Services: Travel by bus with Spanish and Portuguese speaking guide, basic travel insurance, hotel and breakfast buffet.
  • Includes arrival transfer
  • City tour in: ATHENS, SOFIA, ISTANBUL, Rhodes, ATHENS
  • Boat: On the Bosphorus
  • Evening transfer: Plaka neighborhood in Athens, Taksim Square in Istanbul
  • Ticket admission: Monastery, Sofia Cathedral , Suleiman the Great Mosque in Istanbul , house of the Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John, Ruins of Ephesus
  • Ferry: Mármaris-Rhodes, Rhodes/ Athens
  • Flights included: Sofia/ Istanbul
  • 4 dinner included in: Kalabaka, SANDANSKY, Kusadasi, MARMARIS
Planned accommodations
ATENAS
  • NOVOTEL ATHENES 4*
KALAMBACA
  • DIVANI METEORA 4*
TESALONICA
  • DOMOTEL LES LAZARISTES 5*
SANDANSKY
  • PIRIN PARK HOTEL 5*
SOFIA
  • RAMADA SOFIA 4*
ESTAMBUL
  • GRAND CEVAHIR 5*
MARMARIS
  • LABERNA 4*
RODAS
  • RODOS PALACE 5*

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