Welcome to Europamundo! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.

IMPORTANT:
-Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at 02:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
-If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. At the reception, you will find an information board with our staff’s telephone number and hours of assistance. Until then, you have free time to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel staff can assist you with any information you need.
-During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. If these activities are available on the Europamundo app or through your "My Trip" link, we strongly recommend booking them as early as possible to ensure availability. Waiting until the last minute may result in missed opportunities due to limited tickets, bus seats, or other factors.

Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.

Istanbul

08:00 a.m. - We´ll embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. During our tour, we´ll visit the Süleymaniye Mosque, the largest in Istanbul. We´ll explore the ancient walls, take in views of the Golden Horn and the fishing district, and marvel at the exterior of Hagia Sophia. After, we’ll head to Topkapi Palace (tickets included9, the former administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, renowned for its magnificent courtyards and pavilions. In the afternoon, you´ll have free time to explore this city spanning two continents.

07:30 p.m. - As the afternoon draws to a close, we´ll arrange a transfer to Taksim, the city´s most vibrant commercial district. Here, you´ll have time to dine at one of the many restaurants. You can also enjoy a ride on the old tram that traverses the area or visit the nearby Galata Tower. We´ll return to the hotel around 10:00 p.m.

Important: Please note that during your stay in Istanbul, services may vary, potentially including a boat ride on the Bosphorus on the first day and a panoramic visit on the second day.

Istanbul

We’ll embark on a private boat exclusively for Europamundo travelers for a two-hour trip on the Bosphorus (tickets included). If there are few travelers, the boat trip may be on a regular excursion boat. This journey will take us through the strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, dividing Istanbul between its European and Asian sides. We’ll enjoy the lively activity of the strait with its many boats. We’ll pass under the two bridges that link Europe and Asia and admire the Sultan’s palaces, traditional wooden houses, and Ottoman architecture. Afterward, we’ll return to central Istanbul and have some free time.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You can go shopping in the Grand Bazaar, visit Hagia Sophia, and discover numerous other attractions in this magnificent city.

Istanbul - Ephesus - Kusadasi

Total distance covered: 560 km.

07:00 a.m. – Departure from Istanbul in the early morning.
02:00 p.m. - We´ll arrive at Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city of Asia Minor, which had a population of a quarter of a million two thousand years ago. We’ll explore the Basilica of St. John, the House of the Virgin Mary and the archaeological site (tickets included).

06:00 p.m. – Departure from Ephesus. We’ll continue towards the Aegean Coast.
06:30 p.m. – Kusadasi, a popular coastal town known for its vibrant commercial life, bazaars and quaint castle. You’ll have free time in the center and then we’ll head to the hotel, where dinner will be included.

Note: During high season, from May through October, accommodations will be provided in Aydin instead of Kusadasi. In this case, after exploring Ephesus, we’ll make a stop in Kusadasi (4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), where we’ll include a panoramic tour of the city before continuing on to Aydin.

Kusadasi - Bodrum - Marmaris

Total distance covered: 320 km.

Scenery: Various beautiful sights over the Aegean Sea.

08:30 a.m. - Departure from Kusadasi.
10:00 a.m. - Lake Bafa. We’ll stop to take in its stunning natural beauty, rich history, mystical charm, and serene atmosphere. This is undoubtedly one of Turkey´s must-see natural wonders.

10:30 a.m.- Departure from Bafa Lake.
12:00 p.m. – Bodrum. Free time in this beautiful, fortified city of Greek origin. You can explore its impressive castle, wander through its lively streets bustling with tourists, or visit its marina. We’ll have some time for lunch.

03:00 p.m. – Departure from Bodrum.
05:30 p.m. - Marmaris. Arrival to another beautiful coastal tourist enclave, with its castle, pier and fountains. Dinner and accommodation.

Please note: On some occasions, especially during the summer, our accommodation will be in the nearby town of Mugla instead of Marmaris.

Marmaris - Rhodes

Notes:
-Remember that we’ll be entering Greece. On the ferry, please ensure you have your luggage and passport readily accessible.
-The ferry schedule between Rhodes and Marmaris is subject to frequent changes and does not operate daily (except during summer months). Therefore, this part of the itinerary may require adjustments.
-For groups of fewer than 10 people, visits to Rhodes may be conducted on a regular service with an alternative schedule, shared with passengers from other companies.

07:30 a.m. – Departure from the hotel to the ferry port. Border procedures.
09:15 a.m. – Departure on the fast ferry. The trip will last approximately one hour. Please note that the schedule may be subject to changes as per the above note.

10:15 a.m. – Rhodes. Border procedures to enter Greece. We’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of the remarkable walled city of Rhodes and its historic quarter, which reflects a rich tapestry of cultural influences—from Greek and Roman to Byzantine, Knights of Malta, Ottoman, and Italian. The guided tour will last approximately two hours with a local guide. Following the tour, we’ll transfer you to the hotel.

Free afternoon. We recommend enjoying the beaches or exploring this beautiful city at your leisure.

Rhodes - Heraklion

Total distance covered: 115 Km.

Scenery: Mediterranean landscapes and picturesque views over the sea.

Note: Direct flight schedules between Rhodes and Crete are limited and subject to change; sometimes the flight may occur on Friday morning or include a stopover in Athens.

09:00 a.m. – Departure from Rhodes city. Today, we’ll embark on an excursion to explore the rest of the island (included).
09:30 a.m. – Filerimos. We’ll explore its small monastery, set amidst stunning landscapes atop a hill.

10:15 a.m. – Departure from Filerimos.
11:30 a.m. – Lindos. We’ll arrive in this historic city boasting a medieval fortress and a Greek Acropolis overlooking the sea. We´ll take you by coach to St. Paul’s Bay, where tradition holds that the apostle arrived by sea in 51 A.D. to spread Christianity. This picturesque setting was also featured in the film "The Guns of Navarone." You can stroll through its charming, whitewashed streets, relax on one of its beaches, or opt for a traditional donkey ride up to the Acropolis.

03:00 p.m. – Departure from Lindos and return to Rhodes. Transfer to the airport according to flight schedule. Direct flight or flight with a stopover in Athens to the island of Crete. Arrival in Heraklion and transfer to the hotel.

Heraklion - Rethymno - Chania - Heraklion

Total distance: 145 km.

Scenery: Beautiful Mediterranean landscapes with views of mountains and the sea.

09:30 a.m. - Departure from Heraklion. Our route will follow the coastline, offering stunning sea views.
11:00 a.m. - Rethymno. Arrival in this beautiful coastal city of Venetian origin characterized by its medieval castle. You’ll have time to stroll through its historic center and enjoy lunch.

02:30 p.m. - Departure from Rethymno.
03:30 p.m. - Chania. Arrival in this captivating city boasting an impressive fortress and stately mansions. Throughout its history, Chania has been contested among Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians, and Greeks. Our guide will highlight the most beautiful points of interest, and you’ll have free time to explore the city.

07:00 p.m. - Departure from Chania and return to Heraklion.

Heraklion - Knossos - Agia Galini - Heraklion

Total distance covered: 180 km.

09:00 a.m. – Departure from Heraklion.
09:30 a.m. - Knossos. Our visit includes a guided tour of the Palace of Knossos, offering insights into the Minoan culture that gave rise to Greek civilization four thousand years ago.

11:45 a.m. - Departure from Knossos. We’ll travel through the island´s tall mountains, heading south towards the Libyan Sea.
01:30 p.m. - Agia Galini, a picturesque town with labyrinthine alleys, a charming fishing port, and bustling taverns. Enjoy free time to explore, have lunch, and perhaps take a swim in the sea.

06:30 p.m. - Departure from Agia Galini. Return journey to the capital of Crete.
08:00 p.m. - Heraklion. We recommend strolling through its lively historic center, brimming with activity and small restaurants.

Note: From November to April, due to the end of the summer season and business closures, we´ll visit the picturesque town of Matala instead of Agia Galini. Matala is renowned for its beautiful beach and unique landscapes of cliffs with carved caves.

Heraklion - Panagia Kera - Agios Nikolaos - Elounda - Spinalonga - Heraklion

Total distance covered: 180 km.

09:30 a.m. - Departure from Heraklion. We’ll journey to the east of the island, passing through coastal and mountainous landscapes.
11:00 a.m. - Panagia Kera. Located in a small village amidst a rich agricultural plain, we’ll visit the 13th-century church renowned for some of the best frescoes in Crete (admission included).

12:00 p.m. - Departure from Panagia Kera.
12:15 p.m. - Arrival in Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque town with a natural port. You´ll have time for a walk and lunch.

02:30 p.m. - Departure from Agios Nikolaos.
03:00 p.m. - Arrival in Elounda, once a city-state and now a beautiful tourist enclave. Enjoy some leisure time for a stroll. Here, we’ll include a boat trip (either from Elounda or nearby port of Plaka) and admission to the Fortress of Spinalonga. This ancient Venetian fortress later served as a leprosarium for many years. The boat trip takes about 15 minutes each way, with time to explore the fortress before returning by boat. Afterwards, we´ll visit the picturesque coastal town of Plaka for coffee and a stroll.

06:00 p.m. - Departure from Plaka.
07:30 p.m. - Heraklion.

Heraklion - Santorini - Athens

Total distance covered: 50 km.

Note: The schedules and frequencies of the ferries for this day’s program will vary depending on the time of year. Sometimes, the journey from Santorini to Athens may be by plane.

Early in the morning, we´ll transfer to the port. Our ferry usually departs around 07:00 or 08:00 a.m. We travel on modern, high-speed ferries, so we should reach the island of Santorini in less than two hours.

Arrival in Santorini is scheduled for 08:50 a.m. (if the ferry leaves at 07:00) or 09:50 a.m. (if it leaves at 08:00). From there, we´ll travel by bus through breathtaking landscapes to Oia, unquestionably the most spectacular town on the island: lively white streets, breathtaking views of cliffs, remnants of a castle, and windmills. You´ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch.

Next, we´ll visit Fira, the island´s capital. Those interested can descend to the port either by cable car or by donkey and admire the cruise ships.

Later, we´ll proceed to the ferry port to board another high-speed ferry departing around 03:30 p.m. We should arrive in Athens just before midnight.

Important note: From November to mid-April, we won’t visit Santorini due to the suspension of the high-speed ferry service from Heraklion. During this period, we’ll travel from Heraklion to Athens by plane.

Athens

In the morning, we´ll embark on a panoramic tour of Athens. We´ll get to know the modern city, the Panathenaic Stadium and the Royal Palace. Afterward, you´ll have free time to explore on your own.

Note: If the number of participants is very limited, a "Hop-On/Hop-Off" bus ticket may be provided for exploring the city instead of a city tour.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.