Excursion to Istanbul 15 August

Early morning departure at 06:30 from Omonia with destination Thrace. With intermediate stops for coffee in Lamia and optional lunch on the way, we continue our journey enjoying the route to Komotini. Arrival at the hotel and settling in the rooms. Free time for rest or a first acquaintance with the city.
Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

After breakfast departure for the beautiful Ayvali (Bluebells), the hometown of Fotis Kontoglou. We will tour the old Greek quarter, we will walk through the picturesque streets of the market and visit the church of Agios Georgios. Then a visit to Moshonisi and the temple of Taxiarchs. Departure for historic Pergamon, where we will see the impressive Red Basilica, an imposing building from the time of Justinian, καθώς και τον αρχαιολογικό χώρο με το περίφημο Ασκληπιείο, ένα από τα σημαντικότερα θεραπευτικά κέντρα της αρχαιότητας. Συνεχίζουμε για τη Σμύρνη. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay.

Πρωινό και αναχώρηση για την περίφημη Αρχαία Έφεσο, έναν από τους σημαντικότερους αρχαιολογικούς χώρους της Ανατολής. Κατά την ξενάγησή μας θα θαυμάσουμε τη Βιβλιοθήκη του Κέλσου, τη Λεωφόρο των Κουρητών, το εντυπωσιακό Μεγάλο Θέατρο και πολλά ακόμη σημαντικά μνημεία της αρχαιότητας. Then we will visit and worship the tomb of Saint John the Theologian. Then departure for Kusadasi, one of the most famous seaside resorts in the area, where we will have time for a walk and shopping. In the afternoon return to Smyrna and visit the historical church of Agia Fotini.
Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast and departure for Vasilevousa, Istanbul. First stop at Zoodocho Pigi in Baloukli, where the shrine of Panagia Balukliotissa is located. We continue for Panagia of Blacherna, where the Akathistos Hymn was sung for the first time. Then visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and pilgrimage to the Patriarchal Church of Agios Georgios. Transfer to the hotel and time to rest. In the afternoon, an optional walk along the famous Great Street of Peran (Independence), one of the most lively and historic avenues in the city. Return to the hotel and stay overnight.

Breakfast and departure for the classic city tour. First stop is the majestic Hagia Sophia, ένα από τα σημαντικότερα μνημεία της παγκόσμιας ιστορίας. Στη συνέχεια θα δούμε το περίφημο Μπλε Τζαμί, τον Αιγυπτιακό Οβελίσκο, the site of the Byzantine Hippodrome and Justinian's Royal Cistern. We continue to the famous Kapali Charsi (Covered market), the largest covered market in the East, with approx 4.000 shops. Free time for shopping and sightseeing.
Return to the hotel and stay overnight.

Breakfast and visit to the impressive Dolmabahçe Palace, one of the most luxurious palaces in the world, also known as "Versailles of the East", built on the banks of the Bosphorus. Then we cross to the Asian side of Istanbul and from the pier we board a boat for the magical Prince Islands. We will visit Halki with the Theological School and the Prince, the largest and most cosmopolitan island. Free time for an optional lunch at a beach tavern and a walk around the island.
Back to town, transfer to the hotel and optional night out.
Overnight.

Breakfast and transfer to the pier for optional Bosphorus cruise, enjoying unique images from the palaces, the mansions and bridges that connect Europe and Asia. Then visit the famous Egyptian Market (Spice Market), where we will have free time for shopping. Departure for Greece and arrival in Komotini. Check-in at the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast and departure from the hotel. Arrival in Athens with intermediate stops.