Greek & Turkish Wonders – Istanbul To Athens

Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.

With a history spanning more than two millennia, Thessaloniki reigned alongside Constantinople as a capital of the Byzantine Empire. So numerous are the outstanding Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments that as a group they have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the ornate church and sacred crypt of St. Demetrius, the city’s martyred patron saint, or the palace complex of Galerius and the mosaics in the Rotunda. The Archaeological Museum holds even more ancient treasures.

Located at the foot of Mount Pelion, Volos wasn’t founded until the mid-19th century, and its neoclassical architecture lends it a contemporary feel. The broad streets along the waterfront are excellent for strolling. Still, history hasn’t been completely disregarded as the Archaeological Museum of Volos displays vast collections of ancient coins and glass vessels.

Explore this bustling city’s ancient roots, and visit the huge castle perched on the hill – the beautiful Greek theater that the Romans repaired and then copied back in Rome! See the impressive Cathedral and the Church of St. Nicholas, converted from a mosque. Enjoy the Archaeological Museum or one of the fine art museums with collections of important works. Venture into the old quarter near the waterfront to enjoy the old Turkish mansions or into the countryside and discover quaint villages where time has stopped.

Meander through the ruins of ancient Ephesus and marvel at the famed Library of Celsus, the huge amphitheater, the marble roads with their chariot marks, the amazing mosaic sidewalks and the superb, rarely opened Terrace Houses. Or journey to three monumental cities of antiquity – Priene, Miletus and Didyma – renowned for their majestic temples and impressive, beautifully preserved stadiums.

A playground for yachters, tourists and jet setters, modern Bodrum stands on the site of the ancient city of Halicarnassus. You can still see the foundations of the mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was destroyed by earthquakes. The Knights of St. John used its stones to build Bodrum Castle, fascinating not only as a medieval monument but also for the Museum of Underwater Archaeology within its walls, which includes a display of the oldest known shipwreck.

Visit the beautiful whitewashed hilltop towns of Oia and Fira and their breathtaking views of the caldera below. See the stunning artifacts in Fira’s museum, including recent finds from the excavation of Akrotiri, thought by many to be the legendary city of Atlantis, or visit a winery. Stroll through the winding streets with fantastic views around every corner.

Enjoy wandering through the narrow, winding streets of this delightful seaside village with its whitewashed houses, flowers and brightly painted shutters and doors. Stand beneath the windmills on the hill. Visit the archaeological museum and an old bakery still using a 15th century wood-burning stove.

Climb up the magnificent Acropolis and stand in awe of the Parthenon, the beautiful temples and the view over Athens stretched out before you. See city highlights including the new and old Olympic stadiums. Journey to Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon overlooking the sea, or visit ancient Corinth and the narrow Corinth Canal cut through miles of solid rock.