Adventure Travel by Big Earth Adventure

Europe

With each country's diverse history, archeology, culture and languages make it very appealling and rewarding to visit - and visit more than once - many times. You now have the opportunity to experience many different travel styles. Take guided or self-guided trips through Italy, France, Germany. Take the Eurorail from Zurich to Munich, walk the Danube Canal. Whether you want to stay in a villa in France, bike the Loire Valley or take a guided walk through Tuscany.
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ATHENS TO ISTANBUL

Trip code:

 im-taai

Trip length:

 17 days

Group size:

 Maximum 18

Transportation:

 Inter-island ferries, private air-conditioned coach / intercity public bus.

Trip Overview

Join us on this fascinating tour through Greece and Turkey. We have time to explore the volcanic island of Santorini and relax on the beaches of Paros. There is also a chance to visit the amazing ruins at Ephesus and the beautiful town of Bergama. We finish with a visit to the memorials of Gallipoli and time to explore exotic and mesmerizing Istanbul.

This is the trip for you if you love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Itinerary & Departure Dates

Day 1 Athens. Check in to your hotel. No meals
Day 2 Athens. Free day to explore the Acropolis & the charming old "Plaka" district of Athens. Transfer to Pireas and board the overnight ferry to Santorini. (B)
Day 3 Santorini. The volcanic island of Santorini is thought by many to be the Atlantis of legend. Dramatic black cliffs of the volcano's caldera rise from the sea, white washed walls and blue domed churches decorate the rim. Free day to explore by foot or small boat
Day 4 Santorini - Paros. Enjoy the beaches of Santorini, visit Akrotiri or take a trip to the Black Island at the centre of the volcano. Evening ferry to Paros.
Day 5 Paros. This island has everything you would expect of an island of the Cyclades
Day 6 Paros. A day to relax or shop.
Days 7-8 Naxos. Naxos is the largest and possibly most beautiful island of the Cyclades. Overnight ferry to Samos.
Day 9 Samos. An opportunity for a picnic excursion by Caique day boat to swim in remote coves.

Day 10 Samos. If weather permits, you can make a day excursion by hydrofoil to the Holy Island of Patmos.
Day 11 Samos - Selcuk. Free morning in Samos before taking a ferry to Kusadasi in Turkey. A short drive then brings us to Selcuk.
Day 12 Seluk - Ephesus. Free day in Selcuk to explore the ancient site of Ephesus or the charming town. (B)
Day 13 Canakkale. Today we drive north to the small town of Canakkale. (B)
Day 14 Cannakale - Gallipoli - Troy. Free day in Cannakale. There is the opportunity to visit Legendary Troy or the poignant Anzac memorials of Gallipoli. (B)
Day 15 Gallipoli - Istanbul. We cross the Dardanelles and drive to Istanbul. (B)
Day 16 Istanbul. A full free day to visit the highlights of the old city of Istanbul. (B)
Day 17 Istanbul. Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

Look below for departure dates.
Note:Itinerary subject to change due to ferry schedules

Accommodations

2 nights overnight ferries (deck class), 14 nights simple hotels.

Meals

Breakfasts included on some days. For other meals allow US$8-18 per day in Greece and US$6-12 per day in Turkey.

Departure Dates

31 Jul - 16 Aug
28 Aug - 13 Sep
28 Sep - 11 Oct
Please contact us for 2005 departures.

Please contact us for a detailed trip dossier, free brochure, availability and prices.