Program

Day 1: LARNACA - ATHENS - ISTANBUL
Gathering at Larnaca airport and flight to Constantinople via Athens. Arrival, pick-up and departure for the Orthodox Patriarchate, we will see the Closed Gate, the place of martyrdom of Patriarch Gregory V and we will worship at the patriarchal church of Saint George, admiring the gilded old wooden carved iconostasis, the rare icon of Panagia Pammakaristos and other holy relics. Time to wander around the Phanar to see the Great School of the Nation. Next we will visit Panagia Baloukliotissa, with the legend of the monk and the fish in the manta of the Fall of the City. Alongside the Byzantine land walls of Theodosius we will go to the Panagia of Blachernae, where the "Akathistos Hymn" was sung. We continue to the famous Egyptian market or Spice market. Finally, transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. The rest of the day is free. Overnight.

Day 2: CONSTANTINOPLE
After breakfast we will get to know the most important Byzantine and Ottoman sights. We will start from the Hippodrome, see the imposing blue mosque with the impressive six minarets and take a tour of the magnificent Church of Hagia Sophia. We continue to the famous Topkapi, with the treasures of the Sultans and visit the Basilica Cistern or the Aqueduct, which is one of the most impressive sights of the City. Finally, we will end up at the Covered Market with its 4,000 fancy little shops. Late in the afternoon, we return to our hotel. In the evening, we recommend a cruise on the waters of the Bosphorus. Overnight stay.

Day 3: ISTANBUL - ÇANAKKALE
Breakfast and departure for Çanakkale or Dardanelles, it is the second province of Turkey that has territories on two different continents. We will travel parallel to the Sea of ​​Marmara, along the way we will see several Greek cities. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. After dinner, we recommend a walk along the waterfront to see the Trojan Horse, which was used for the filming of the movie "Troy".

Day 4: TSANAKKALE - IMBROS
After breakfast we will take the ferry boat to the Historical island of Imbros, which together with Tenedos are the two islands of the Aegean Sea that belong to the Turks. Arrival at the port of Agios Kirikos and a tour of the island follows. We will see Schinoudi, Agroidia, Agios Theodoroi, the most socially advanced village and birthplace of the Patriarch, which still maintains its traditional character, the Castle, the harbor and Chora Panagia. Early in the afternoon we will take the ferry boat to go to Kampatepe and then to Tsanakkale and a tour of the city follows. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: TROY - AYVALI - PERGAMO - SMYRNA
Breakfast and visit to the archaeological site of Troy. We will tour the city where the Trojan War took place and we will mentally experience "the epic of the Iliad" among heroes such as Achilles, Hector, Agamemnon, Menelaus, etc. Then we depart for Moschonisia, we will visit the largest island that is connected to Ayvali by a narrow bridge. We will walk through the narrow picturesque streets and see the church of Taxiarches. Next stop is the old town of Ayvali with its many small alleys with Greek mansions. We will visit the church of St. George, which has stood in its place since 1790, and has been a mosque since 1922, although the Christian icons and symbols have been removed, the exquisitely crafted iconostasis has been preserved. Time on the beach and we continue for a guided tour of the archaeological site of Pergamon. Lunch and continue to Izmir, where we will arrive late in the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel and dinner. Don't miss the opportunity after dinner to walk along the coastal promenade.

Day 6: IZMIR - EPHESUS
Breakfast and we depart for Ancient Ephesus, with its well-preserved monuments. During the tour we will see the most important monuments such as the Arcadian Way, the Hellenistic Theater, the Nymphaeum, the Stadium and the Library of Celsus. We continue to the Greek village of Kirkintzé, mentioned by Dido Sotiriou in “BLOODED LANDS”. Next stop for lunch and free time is the cosmopolitan resort of Kusadasi. Return to Izmir and on the way to the hotel we will cross the coastal avenue surrounded by picturesque house facades that prove that Hellenism has passed through here and has left its memories indelible. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: SMYRNA - ATHENS - LARNACA
After breakfast we will have a tour of Smyrna and free time in its bustling bazaar. Early in the afternoon with our luggage we depart for a visit to Kordelio. Free time for lunch and a tour. Kordelio in 1922 had an important social life and its own waterfront. We suggest you try its famous sweet, the kunefe and we depart for the Smyrna airport where we will take the return flight to Larnaca via Athens.