General

DAY 1:- Depart for Istanbul

Depart from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul.

Welcome to Turkey. Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport, clear  immigration, collect your luggage and follow sign for EXIT.

 You will be greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jet lag and get ready for the adventures awaiting you! (Istanbul is 2 hours ahead of UK GMT).

In the evening transfer for dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Meals: Dinner                                                             Overnight: Istanbul

 DAY 2:– Istanbul – City Tour

 This morning after breakfast, we begin our city tour of Istanbul and enjoy the exotic city that spans both Europe and Asia. We visit the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sofia and the Hippodrome.

Later visit the Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full of treasures including carpets and kilims, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping, Ottoman style.

Hagia Sophia – Built by the Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century AD and designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodore of Miletus, the church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Converted into a mosque in 1453, it is now a museum. Its massive dome still dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is also famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses and a poignant Virgin and Child.

Blue Mosque – which takes its name from the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Built by Sultan Ahmet I in the early 17th century and designed by a pupil of Sinan, the greatest of Ottoman architects, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets. Its courtyard is especially grand.

The Hippodrome – the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive.

In the evening transfer for dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                  Overnight: Istanbul

 DAY 3:- Istanbul

 After breakfast, free time at leisure. Later board our coach and proceed for half a day city tour.

We begin with a brief visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar*, one of Istanbul’s most colourful, bustling attractions. A colourful market heaped with various sweets and spices. The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

Next, we travel to the Golden Horn on our way to an unforgettable boat cruise along the Bosphorus, the majestic strait that runs through Istanbul. Sail up the Bosphorus, the waterway between Europe and Asia, passing under the suspension bridges and viewing Ottoman summer palaces, Rumeli Hisar, a massive fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror in just three months as he prepared to take Istanbul. Also noteworthy on this tour are the 19th century mansions of the Ottoman elite and the Sultans’ fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges.

Spice Bazaar – The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

Boat Cruise On The Bosphorus – An amazing cruise between the two continents, EUROPE and ASIA, cruise along the Bosphorus by the Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden villas and mansions up to the Rumeli Fortress.

Later we will be dropped off at our hotel. Rest of the afternoon free time at leisure or   go   shopping.

Entertainment: – Turkish Night

This evening we visit an exclusive nightclub where we will enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine, including the delicious array of appetizers known as meze. The Turks are justly proud of their food. They are equally proud of their traditional music, and after dinner folk musicians from different regions of Anatolia will perform for us.

And of course no night out in Istanbul would be complete without belly-dancers. We will be entertained by some of the city’s finest.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                  Overnight: Istanbul

 DAY 4:– Flight Istanbul – Athens

This morning after breakfast, we depart for Istanbul Ataturk Airport to board your flight to Athens.

Welcome to Greece. Upon arrival at Athens International Airport, clear immigration, collect your luggage and follow sign for EXIT.

 You will be greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jet lag and get ready for the adventures awaiting you!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                  Overnight: Athens

 DAY 5:– Athens – City tour, Acropolis

 Today after breakfast, we depart for city tour of Athens combing the ancient aura and a beautiful modern city with a wonderful coastline “the Athenian Riviera“. You can do many things in a day in Athens. You can start your day with our Athens sightseeing Acropolis city tour. Visit The Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum or the national archaeological museum of Greece, one of the best museums in the world! The Ancient Agora, Kerameikos Cemetery, the temple of Zeus and continue with Neoclassical Athens and much more. Discover and experience most of Athens in a day.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                  Overnight: Athens

 DAY 6:– Free time – Flight Depart Athens – London

 This morning after breakfast, free time at leisure or explore the Athens city by yourself.

 Later in the afternoon transfer to Athens airport to board your flight for London.

On arrival at London Heathrow Airport, follow signs for arrival/baggage claim, clear immigration, collect baggage and follow sign for exit.

     Meals: Breakfast

Note:

• Return flight – If your flight departs in the morning, you will arrive in U.K. on the same day.
• Return flight – If your flight departs in the afternoon / evening, you will arrive in U.K. on the next day.

  ** Your tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful holiday. **