Great Southeast Europe

Welcome to the start of your exciting journey with Europamundo! Upon your arrival at the airport, we will be there to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Once you've settled in, check the hotel reception area for information about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.

Today, we delve into the heart of Athens with a city tour guided by a local expert. We'll visit the Presidential Palace, the Panathinaikos stadium, and the bustling squares of the city center. Our tour concludes at the Acropolis, a symbol of ancient Greece. In the evening, we'll head to the PLAKA area, a lively neighborhood filled with quaint Greek bars, where you can immerse yourself in the rich folklore of this country.

We set off early in the morning towards the North of Greece. Our first stop is KAMENA VOURLA, a charming seaside resort surrounded by stunning landscapes. We then continue north, making a brief stop at the site of the Battle of Thermopylae. Our journey takes us to KASTRAKI, a picturesque village offering panoramic views of the valley. After a leisurely lunch, we visit the breathtaking Meteora valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll explore one of its famous monasteries before heading to KALAMBAKA for dinner.

Today, we journey through the scenic landscapes of Northern Greece to the Aegean Sea. We arrive in THESSALONIKI, Greece's second-largest city, where you'll have time to explore and enjoy lunch. From there, we cross the border into Bulgaria. We'll stop in MELNIK, a picturesque museum-town nestled amidst beautiful landscapes in a wine-producing region. Our day concludes in SANDANSKI, a charming spa town known as the birthplace of Spartacus. Dinner and overnight stay will be in SANDANSKI.

Our day begins with a visit to the beautiful Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by forests. From there, we continue to SOFIA, the capital of Bulgaria. After lunch, we embark on a city tour where we'll see the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and the city's squares and avenues showcasing Stalinist architecture. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure.

After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport for a flight to Istanbul, Turkey. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or start exploring this vibrant city. Information about the next part of your trip will be provided in the afternoon or can be found on the information boards at the hotel reception.

Today, we embark on a sightseeing tour of Istanbul, a city straddling two continents. We'll visit the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, the largest in Istanbul, and admire the exterior of Hagia Sofia. We'll also offer tickets for a visit to the Top Kapi Palace, the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. In the evening, we'll transfer you to the Taksim neighborhood, the city's commercial and entertainment hub. Here, you can dine in one of the many restaurants, take a ride on the old tram, or visit the nearby Galata Tower.

Today, we offer a unique experience - a two-hour boat trip on the Bosphorus. The Bosphorus is a strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and separates Istanbul into two parts: Europe and Asia. You'll enjoy the lively atmosphere of the strait, pass under the two bridges that connect Europe and Asia, and admire the palaces of the sultans, traditional wooden houses, and Ottoman villas. The rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul at your leisure.

We leave Istanbul early and head to Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city of Asia Minor. Here, we'll visit Saint John's Basilica and the house of the Virgin Mary. After exploring the archaeological site, we continue to Kusadasi, a lively coastal town with a bustling market and a small castle. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Kusadasi.

Today, we head to one of Turkey's natural wonders, Lake BAFA. From there, we continue to Bodrum, a beautiful fortified city of Greek origin. You can visit its castle, stroll through its lively streets, or explore its sports marina. After lunch, we journey to Marmaris, another beautiful coastal city with a castle, marina, and fountains. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Marmaris.

We start the day early with a ferry ride to Greece. The journey will take about an hour. Upon arrival in Rhodes, we'll take a city tour of this incredible walled city and the old quarter, which bears the imprints of different cultures that shaped it. The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure. Please note that the ferry schedule between Rhodes and Marmaris is subject to change and may not operate daily.

Today, we explore the island of Rhodes. We'll visit FILERIMOS, a small monastery atop a hill, and LINDOS, a medieval fortress and Greek Acropolis overlooking the sea. After lunch, we return to Rhodes for some free time. In the evening, we'll transfer you to the airport for a flight to Crete. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel in HERAKLION.

In the morning, we travel along the coast towards the west of the island. We'll visit RETHYMNO, a beautiful coastal city of Venetian origin, and CHANIA, a captivating city with an impressive fortress and stately mansions. We return to HERAKLION at the end of the day.

Today, we visit the PALACE OF KNOSSOS, where you'll learn about the Minoan culture that gave rise to the Greek culture four thousand years ago. We then cross the high mountains in the center of the island and travel to the southern area. We visit AGIA GALINI, a picturesque town with labyrinthine streets, a fishing port, and popular taverns. After some free time for lunch and a swim in the sea, we return to the capital of Crete.

We leave along the coast towards the east of the island. We visit the small town of Kritsa and PANAGIA KERA, a 13th-century church with some of the best frescoes in Crete. We then head to AGIOS NIKOLAOS, a picturesque town with a natural port. After a walk and lunch, we visit ELOUNDA, a beautiful tourist enclave. From here, we take a boat ride to the island-citadel of SPINALONGA, an ancient Venetian fortress that was later a leprosarium. We return by boat and continue to HERAKLION for the night.

Early in the morning, we transfer you to the port for a fast ferry to the island of SANTORINI. Upon arrival, we'll take a bus to OIA, the most spectacular town on the island. After some free time for lunch, we'll visit FIRA, the capital of the island. We recommend sailing to the hot springs and watching the sunset from an old and classic Mediterranean boat.

After breakfast, we take a ferry to MYKONOS. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore this beautiful island. According to mythology, the battle between Zeus and the Giants occurred on this island.

Today is a free day for you to enjoy the island at your own pace. You might want to visit the island of Delos, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, one of the most sacred places in Ancient Greece. Alternatively, you could simply relax on the famous Paradise and Super Paradise beaches.

After breakfast, we transfer you to the port for a ferry ride back to Athens. We'll arrive at the port of Piraeus in the evening.

After breakfast, our unforgettable 20-day tour comes to an end. We hope you've enjoyed your journey through Europe and Asia with us!