13-Nights Classic Mainland Greece: Athens to Istanbul - Classic

13-Nights Classic Mainland Greece: Athens to Istanbul - Classic from $3,679

G Adventures

OFFER ID 1617762

Classic Mainland Greece: Athens to Istanbul
Two weeks, two incredible countries, and a journey through history, culture, and cuisine - this 14-day adventure from Greece to Turkey has it all. Marvel at the Acropolis and Parthenon, wander the charming streets of Nafplio, and stand on the legendary battlefield of Thermopylae, the inspiration behind the movie 300. Dive into Greek flavours with a hands-on cooking class in Athens and a meze tasting in Volos before crossing into the dynamic crossroads of East and West-Istanbul. From ancient ruins to vibrant cityscapes, breathtaking scenery to unforgettable meals, this trip is packed with epic moments and new friends to share them with.

Highlights
Step back in time at the iconic Acropolis and Parthenon, Walk the legendary Thermopylae battlefield-the origin of the movie 300, Master Mediterranean flavours with a hands-on cooking class in Athens, Sink your toes into the golden sands of the beach at Kato Gatzea

Accommodation
Hotels (13 nts).

Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12.

Meals Included
13 breakfasts, 1 dinner

What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Tour of Shedia Home and a Beverage, Athens
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class Athens, Athens
Your Foodie Moment: Cultural Walk and Tavern Visits with Meze Plates, Vólos. Athens orientation walk. Guided tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon. Acropolis and Parthenon entrance fees. Visit the site of Thermopylae Information Centre. Guided tour of Ancient Delphi. Visit the Corinth Canal. 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.


13 nights from $3,679 per person

Itinerary

G Adventures: Classic Mainland Greece: Athens to Istanbul

Day 1: Athens
Arrive at any time.
We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this world-renowned city.There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2: Athens
Explore the city on a guided walking tour to the Parthenon and Acropolis with a refreshment stop at a local non-profit cafe, Shedia Home, along the way. Enjoy a free afternoon to immerse yourself deeper into this historical city; opt to visit the new Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora, or the National Archaeological Museum. Later in the evening attend a cooking class with a local chef and enjoy a dinner of your creations.


Day 3: Athens/Meteora
Travel north from Athens by bus and train to Kalampaka, the perfect base for visiting the monasteries and the area of Meteora.
Perched on high cliffs there are monasteries built on immense natural pillars and make for a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Day 4: Meteora
Spend a full free day in the area. Head out and visit the mountain top monasteries on your own by bus or pre-book the Meteora Monasteries Hiking Tour to do it on foot with a local guide.


Day 5: Meteora/Delphi
After breakfast, transfer to the site of Thermopylae and Information Centre to learn of the famous battle that helped create the Greece we know today. Continue on to Delphi for an orientation walk before touring Ancient Delphi with a local guide. Spend the evening as you wish with free time.
Travel through mountain scenery around Mt Parnassos to Delphi.Enjoy a visit to the ancient city of Delphi, then spend the evening exploring the charming little town or relaxing in a small café enjoying the views of the nearby valley.

Day 6: Delphi/Náfplio
Travel Nafplio with a stop at the Corinth Canal on the way. Take part in a brief orientation walk then spend the evening exploring the cobblestone streets with free time. Opt to climb the Acronafplia to take in the views.
Described as one of Greece's prettiest towns, the narrow pedestrian streets of old town are begging to be strolled upon.

Day 7: Náfplio/Athens
Enjoy free time to explore Napflio and the surrounding areas. Choose to visit Epidavros, as well as the nearby site of Mycenae then transfer in the late afternoon to Athens for the night.
There is a wealth of ancient sites to explore within easy reach of Nafplio on a free day such as Epidavros, which is highly regarded as one of the most renowned of Greek ancient sites. Or choose to visit the famous Mycenae, also close by, with its spectacular treasury and ruins, or for another lesser-known Mycenean site visit Tiryns, just in the suburbs of Nafplio itself.

Day 8: 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.

Day 9: 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.


Day 10: 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.


Day 11: 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.


Day 12: 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.


Day 13: 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.


Day 14: Istanbul
Depart at any time.

Featured Destinations
Nafplion (Nauplia)
Meteora
Istanbul
Kavala
Thessaloniki
Delphi
Volos (Meteora)
Athens

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges
04/19/2026 - 05/02/2026
from $3,949 per person
05/03/2026 - 05/16/2026
from $3,949 per person
05/17/2026 - 05/30/2026
from $4,229 per person
06/14/2026 - 06/27/2026
from $4,229 per person
07/12/2026 - 07/25/2026
from $3,949 per person
08/09/2026 - 08/22/2026
from $3,949 per person
09/06/2026 - 09/19/2026
from $4,229 per person
09/20/2026 - 10/03/2026
from $4,229 per person
10/04/2026 - 10/17/2026
from $3,679 per person
10/18/2026 - 10/31/2026
from $3,679 per person
11/01/2026 - 11/14/2026
from $3,679 per person


* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Prices Start At
from $3,679 per person
Length
13 Nights
Air City
Call for airfares from your city.
Vacation Rating
Moderate
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Remarks
Pricing is per person, land only, in US dollars and based on double occupancy. For specific validity dates, discount amount and tour information, please return to the promotion in question. Promotion valid on G Adventures small group tours excluding Independent, MS Expedition or National Geographic Journeys, unless otherwise stated. Promotion applicable to new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Does not apply to airfare (unless otherwise stated), pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room' or 'My Own Tent', transfers, theme packs, insurance, polar kayaking & camping excursions or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time. Itinerary and map subject to change.

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
 

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID
1617762

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