Greece & Turkey: Athens to Istanbul Adventure
Overview
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 read more a vibrant swirl of culture, history, and incredible food. One unforgettable week, two incredible countries, and memories to last a lifetime.
Itinerary
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.
This tour departs from Athens on day 1 and it is required to be at the meeting point hotel no later than 8:00am. We recommend that you book a pre-night at our hotel or nearby for the night prior so that you don't miss the group transfer.
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
- Thermopylae and Information Center Visit: Explore the Thermopylae site and Information Center, dedicated to commemorating the historic Battle of Thermopylae, a pivotal event in ancient Greek history. Learn about how Spartan warriors defended against a Persian invasion at this site in 480 BC through exhibits featuring multimedia presentations and artifacts.
- Orientation Walk Volos: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, and ATMs, as well as point out some local sites.
- Cultural Walk and Tavern Visits with Meze Plates: Set out on a walk with a local guide, learning of archaeology, mythology, and gastronomy as you sample local drinks and delicious plates of 'meze'. Witness the city's highlights and immerse yourself in Volos' unique culture.
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.
- Milies Visit: Explore Milies, a well preserved village known for its stone mansions, cobblestones, and railway. Head out on foot for a short 1-hour hike to visit the Centaur Cave where Chiron lived. Visit the church and take some time to shop for local wares.
- Vizitsa Visit: Visit Vizitsa, known for the agricultural co-op owned and run by local women. Opt to sample local goods and enjoy coffee and snacks.
- Pinakates Visit: Explore the village square; take in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
- Kato Gatzea Visit: Sit back and relax with free time at the beach. Enjoy the golden sand and clear water, or explore the quaint village, home of local tavernas serving truly authentic Greek cuisine.
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.
Between November 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, the Polycentric Museum will be closed. If you are travelling during these dates, the visit will be replaced by the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
- Mt Olympus National Park: Arrive at the Prioni Refuge and visitor centre for free time over lunch, then take part in a short walk with your CEO through the forest around Mt Olympus, the summit is said to house the mythical Gods. Explore the vast wilderness and several different ecosystems.
- Polycentric Museum of Aigai: Visit one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the Vergina Royal Tombs. Vergina was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia and houses the Royal Tomb of King Phillip, father of Alexander the Great. Tour the tombs and museum and witness the stunning treasure found here.
- Orientation Walk Thessaloniki: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets and ATMs.and show you some of the main sites.
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.
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore.
- Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki: One of the largest museums in Greece, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is home to to artifacts from the Prehistoric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods.
- Nea Paralia: Head down to Thessaloniki's waterfront, one of the most beautiful and internationally awarded promenades. Explore the cycle paths, sports fields, culinary outlets, and the attractive seaside.
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.
- Orientation Walk Kavala: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore.
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.
- Alexandroupoli Walk: Wander the old town area with your CEO and learn about the two communities intermingling in their daily lives.
Depart at any time.
- Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
Trip Inclusions
- 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.
- Your 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
- Private vehicle, walking
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guide
- Hotels (6 Nights)
- 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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