Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll land in Athens and connect with your leader at 6 pm for an orientation meeting. The Acropolis and Parthenon define this ancient city, and after the meeting you can walk around, try some gyros and ouzo, and get to know your group.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
- Explore Acropolis
- Visit Parthenon
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Acropolis Parthenon 
- Day 2
Athens to Thessaloniki
Start with a leader-guided walk through the central Athens food market where Greek-style coffee is the thing to try. Then catch a train heading north to Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. Once you arrive, you can wander around at your own pace before dinner featuring meze-style dishes and a chance to check out local music venues.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led walking tour of central Athens food market
- Train to Thessaloniki
Optional Activities
- Greek-style coffee
- Meze-style dinner at local restaurant
- Visit local music venues
- Day 3
Thessaloniki
The whole day is yours in Thessaloniki. If you want structure, there's an optional guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Aigai archaeological site with its palace and burial grounds. Otherwise, the Byzantine Museum, the iconic White Tower, or a waterfront café are all solid options.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Aigai (Vergina Tombs) archaeological site
- Byzantine Museum visit
- White Tower of Thessaloniki visit
- Waterfront café exploration
Landmarks Aigai (Vergina Tombs) Byzantine Museum White Tower of Thessaloniki - Day 4
Thessaloniki to Xanthi
After a relaxed morning, take a public bus from Thessaloniki to Xanthi, a city positioned at the crossroads of the Black Sea, Europe, and Asia. A local guide takes your group through both the old and new town centers. Your evening is free, so you can explore more or join others for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour with local guide
Optional Activities
- Group dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Xanthi Old Town 
- Day 5
Xanthi
Following breakfast, head up the mountain to see a local women's organization making traditional knitted items and accessories. You'll have coffee and pies from women in nearby Pomakochoria villages and learn about the Pomak people of northern Greece. The afternoon opens up for hiking, rafting in Nestos National Park, visiting museums, exploring a monastery, or checking out art galleries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit women's organization for knitting and homeware creation
- Coffee and pies tasting from Pomakochoria women
Optional Activities
- Hiking expedition in Nestos National Park
- Rafting in Nestos National Park
- Folklore and Historical Museum visit
- Holy Monastery visit
- Art galleries exploration
Landmarks Nestos National Park Folklore and Historical Museum Holy Monastery - Day 6
Xanthi to Alexandroupolis
Have breakfast at your place, then travel to Alexandroupolis with a stop at the Church of Agios Nikolaos on an island in Vistonida Lake, sometimes called the 'Floating Monastery.' Keep an eye out for pink flamingos. In Alexandroupolis, a seaside town known for its lighthouse, you'll take an afternoon boat ride through the Evros Delta National Wetland Park. Evening is yours to relax or explore more.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Church of Agios Nikolaos visit
- Boat ride through Evros Delta National Wetland Park
Optional Activities
- Flamingo wildlife spotting
Landmarks Church of Agios Nikolaos Vistonida Lake Evros Delta National Wetland Park 
- Day 7
Alexandroupolis to Edirne
Your Greece to Turkey leg starts in Soufli, a village known for silk production. Check out the Art of Silk Museum in a restored neoclassical building with a shop for locally made items. Cross into Turkey and meet your Turkish leader. Before settling in Edirne, visit the Sultan Bayezid II Complex Health Museum from 1488. After checking into your hotel, your leader takes you on an orientation walk followed by your first Turkish dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Turkish dinner)
Included Activities
- Village visit to Soufli
- Silk Museum visit
- Sultan Bayezid II Complex Health Museum visit
- Guided walking tour and orientation
Landmarks Soufli Art of Silk Museum Sultan Bayezid II Complex Health Museum 
- Day 8
Edirne to Istanbul
You'll bus from Edirne to Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and a former capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Hagia Sofia Mosque, the Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, and the Cistern are major sites here. Your leader guides an orientation tour through the Old Town, then the rest of the day is open for exploring on your own. An optional farewell dinner with your group happens tonight if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided orientation tour of Old Town
Optional Activities
- Hagia Sofia Mosque visit
- Hippodrome visit
- Grand Bazaar exploration
- Cistern visit
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks Hagia Sofia Mosque Hippodrome Grand Bazaar Cistern 
- Day 9
Istanbul
This is your final day and there's nothing scheduled. You can leave anytime that works for you. If you want to stay longer in Turkey, reach out to your booking agent beforehand to arrange an extension.
