Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll land in Athens and head to a welcome meeting at 6 pm to connect with your group leader. The city centers around the Acropolis and Parthenon, so there's plenty of history to explore. After the meeting wraps up, join everyone for gyros and ouzo at a local spot to get to know your travel companions.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in Athens
Optional Activities
- Early arrival exploration of Athens (highly recommended to arrive a few days early)
- Visit to the Acropolis and Parthenon
- Dinner with travel companions
Landmarks Acropolis Parthenon 
- Day 2
Athens to Thessaloniki
Your leader takes you through the central Athens food market early on, where you can try Greek-style coffee and local flavors. Then it's time to catch a train heading north to Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. You'll have time to wander around on your own once you arrive, and later the group gathers for traditional meze-style dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Meze-style dinner at a local restaurant in Thessaloniki)
Included Activities
- Leader-led walking tour of central Athens food market
- Train journey to Thessaloniki
- Meze-style dinner in Thessaloniki
Optional Activities
- Greek-style coffee tasting during market walk
- Self-guided exploration of Thessaloniki
- Local music venues in Thessaloniki
Landmarks Central Athens Food Market - Day 3
Thessaloniki
This day is completely yours to shape. You could head to the UNESCO World Heritage site at Aigai to see ancient palace ruins and burial grounds, or check out the Byzantine Museum. The White Tower is another option if you want an iconic landmark, or simply hang out at waterfront cafés and take in the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in Thessaloniki
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Aigai (Vergina Tombs) archaeological site - UNESCO World Heritage site
- Visit to Byzantine Museum
- Visit to White Tower of Thessaloniki
- Waterfront café exploration
Landmarks Aigai (Vergina Tombs) Byzantine Museum White Tower of Thessaloniki - Day 4
Thessaloniki to Xanthi
After a relaxed morning, you'll take a public bus to Xanthi, a city positioned at a crossroads between the Black Sea, Europe, and Asia. A local guide leads you through both the old and new town centers once you arrive. The evening is free to wander around, and you'll join the group later for dinner to try Thracian cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Thracian cuisine at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Public bus journey to Xanthi
- Guided city tour of Xanthi with local guide
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Xanthi old town
- Self-guided exploration of Xanthi new town
- Group dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks Xanthi Old Town 
- Day 5
Xanthi
Following breakfast, you'll head up the mountain to visit a women's organization in Xanthi that makes traditional knitted items and homewares. There's coffee and pies to sample from women in Pomakochoria villages, plus the chance to learn about the Pomak community in northern Greece. Your afternoon opens up for further exploration, or you could try hiking and rafting in Nestos National Park if that appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to women's organization in Xanthi for traditional crafts
- Coffee and pies tasting from Pomakochoria villages women
Optional Activities
- Hiking expedition in Nestos National Park
- Rafting expedition in Nestos National Park
- Visit to Folklore and Historical Museum
- Visit to Holy Monastery
- Exploration of local art galleries
- Self-guided exploration of Xanthi
Landmarks Nestos National Park Folklore and Historical Museum Holy Monastery - Day 6
Xanthi to Alexandroupolis
After breakfast in Xanthi, you'll travel toward Alexandroupolis with a stop at the Church of Agios Nikolaos, a floating monastery on an island in Vistonida Lake. Watch for pink flamingos if wildlife interests you. Once in Alexandroupolis, a seaside city known for its lighthouse, you'll take an afternoon boat ride through the Evros Delta National Wetland Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at Church of Agios Nikolaos (Floating Monastery) on Vistonida Lake
- Boat tour through Evros Delta National Wetland Park
Optional Activities
- Wildlife viewing for pink flamingos at Vistonida Lake
- Evening exploration of Alexandroupolis
Landmarks Church of Agios Nikolaos Vistonida Lake Evros Delta National Wetland Park Alexandroupolis Lighthouse 
- Day 7
Alexandroupolis to Edirne
You're moving from Greece into Turkey today, starting with a stop in Soufli to visit the Art of Silk Museum housed in a restored neoclassical building. This is where you'll learn about silk production and its long history. After crossing the border, you'll meet your Turkish leader and stop at the Sultan Bayezid II Complex Health Museum in Edirne, built back in 1488. Check in to your hotel, then join your leader for an orientation walk and your first Turkish dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Turkish dinner in Edirne)
Included Activities
- Stop in Soufli village
- Visit to Art of Silk Museum in Soufli
- Visit to Sultan Bayezid II Complex Health Museum in Edirne
- Guided orientation walk in Edirne
- Turkish dinner in Edirne
Optional Activities
- Shopping at locally made silk items shop in Soufli
Landmarks Soufli Art of Silk Museum Sultan Bayezid II Complex Health Museum 
- Day 8
Edirne to Istanbul
A bus takes you from Edirne to Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and once the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Your leader guides you through the Old Town, showing you major sites like Hagia Sofia Mosque, the Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, and the Cistern. After the orientation tour, the rest of your day is open for exploring on your own, with an optional farewell dinner available if you want to join the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bus journey to Istanbul
- Guided orientation tour of Istanbul's Old Town
Optional Activities
- Visit to Hagia Sofia Mosque
- Visit to Hippodrome
- Visit to Grand Bazaar
- Visit to Cistern
- Self-guided exploration of Istanbul
- Optional farewell dinner with group
Landmarks Hagia Sofia Mosque Hippodrome Grand Bazaar Cistern - Day 9
Istanbul
Your trip ends today with no scheduled activities. You can leave your accommodation whenever you're ready. If you're interested in staying longer in Turkey, reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to set up post-trip accommodation.
Optional Activities
- Extended stay in Istanbul (requires advance booking)
