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Highlights of Northern Greece & Turkey

13 days, Athens to Istanbul

13 days

Athens to Istanbul

From$3299USD
Valid on Oct 11 2026
Trip Code: EGVI

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12.

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13 days

Athens to Istanbul

From$3299USD
Valid on Oct 11 2026
Trip Code: EGVI

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 13

Map of the route for Highlights of Northern Greece & Turkey

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Athens/Vólos

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.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group| Your Foodie Moment Cultural Walk and Tavern Visits with Meze Plates

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 2Vólos

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.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Vólos/Thessaloníki

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.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Thessaloníki

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.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Thessaloníki/Kavala

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.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Kavala/Istanbul

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.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Istanbul/Çanakkale

Travel east from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a guided tour of the area including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, continue on to the harbour town of Çanakkale.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Çanakkale/Selçuk

Set off from Çanakkale and visit the ancient city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik and stop by the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft coop before travelling south to the town of Selçuk for the night.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Çöp(m)adam Visit

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Selçuk/İzmir

Explore Ephesus this morning as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. Back in Selçuk, take part in a demonstration of how to prepare pide, a traditional Turkish flatbread, then devour the delicious results for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to the city of Izmir for an orientation walk of the old Kemeralti bazaar then board an overnight train bound for Cappadocia.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Pide Demonstration and Lunch

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 10Konya/Cappadocia

Disembark the train in Konya and grab some breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Visit the Mevlana Museum before continuing by private vehicle to the Cappadocia region and check into the hotel. Sip a cup of tea or coffee while taking in the sunset from a nearby viewpoint before heading out for an optional dinner with the group in the evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 11Cappadocia

Set out on a full day of exploration of the Cappadocia area, starting with a hike through the iconic "fairy chimneys." Stop at various scenic viewpoints for photos on the way to the massive subterranean complex of the Kaymakli underground city before some free time in the afternoon for individual exploration or to relax at the hotel. In the evening, gain insight into the local cultural traditions by sharing a meal with a local family.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Local Living Moment Dinner with Local Family

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 12Cappadocia/Istanbul

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to Istanbul. Enjoy the rest of the day free for individual exploration of the historic and vibrant city, grab some street food or relax at a cafe before an optional final dinner with the group.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Istanbul

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit, Ayvalık
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Foodie Moment: Cultural Walk and Tavern Visits with Meze Plates, Vólos
  • Your Foodie Moment: Pide Demonstration and Lunch, Selçuk
  • Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family, Çavuşin
  • 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
  • Istanbul evening orientation walk
  • Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit
  • Troy entrance and guided visit
  • Ephesus entrance and visit
  • Orientation walk in the old Kemeralti bazaar in Izmir
  • Tour the Mevlana Museum
  • Tea at sunset from a viewpoint over Cappadocia
  • Hike through the "fairy chimneys" of Cappadocia
  • Kaymakli underground city exploration
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (12 nts).

Meals

12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Allow USD335-435 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, ferry, train, plane, walking.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

My Own Room - From $659.00

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Highlights of Northern Greece & Turkey

| 13 days - Athens to Istanbul - from $3299 USD