Istanbul & Princes Islands
4 days, every Thursday, from 169 €/person.
Where the West meets the East, history takes shape. A beautiful journey to the City of Cities, the centre of civilisation. Colours, aromas and unique images accompany each visitor and are engraved in the memory. A unique experience that will be unforgettable.
Programme:
Day 1, Thursday: Thessaloniki – Kavala – Istanbul (630 km)..
Departure at 08.00 am from Kavala and with the necessary stops, we arrive at the border. Passport control and free time for duty free items. Entering Eastern Thrace we pass out of Kesani, Malgara and Raidestos, travelling parallel to the coast of the Sea of Marmara. Arrival in Istanbul in the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel and free time. In the afternoon a first acquaintance with the city by walking through the beautiful and picturesque streets of the pedestrian street of Perra and the Genoese Magnifica Communita di Perra centred on the Tower of Galata , will delight you.
Day 2 Friday: Kapali Charsi – Life Fountain (Balukli) – Asian Istanbul – Prince Island
After breakfast we depart for our visit to the city’s famous covered market, Kapali Charsi with its 4,000 shops for shopping in leather goods, carpets, alabaster, gifts, jewellery, antiques etc., without missing the necessary “bazaar”. Then we head to the Holy Sanctuary of the Church of the Zoodochos Spring, where, according to legend, the miracle of the fishes took place on the day of the Fall of Constantinople. We continue with our excursion to Asian Constantinople and Prigipo, the largest and most beautiful island of the Prigiponese complex located in the Sea of Marmara. Passing over the Bosphorus suspension bridge that connects European and Asian Istanbul, and after crossing a large part of the Asian side, we arrive at the port of Bostanji to board a private ferry to the enchanting and green prince of Istanbul. Arrival at St. George’s Island of Kuduna, the famous monastery with thousands of miracles to Christians and Muslims alike. Prigipos is crowded with magnificent stately wooden mansions and grand “gazebos” of past centuries. We end up at the church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (if it is open) and have lunch in person at one of the picturesque seaside taverns. Return to Istanbul. Hotel, overnight.
Day 3 Saturday: Keratios Gulf – Bosphorus – Byzantine Hippodrome – St. Sophia – Royal Cistern – Virgin Mary of Blachernae
Breakfast at the hotel and our day begins with the optional cruise that starts from Keratios Bay and opens up to the straits of the famous Bosphorus where we will admire the old villages and the modern aristocratic districts, reaching the second suspension bridge of the Bosphorus. We arrive at the port of Eminon from where we started and then head towards the historic centre, passing by the Blue Mosque and leaving behind us the place where the Byzantine hail of the Hippodrome and the ceremonial processions of the Augustus used to echo, we move on to admire and tour the architectural marvel of the Agia Sophia of God, which is still today the oldest and largest enclosed temple in the world. Then we will visit the Royal Cistern of Justinian, with its atmospheric environment, which is another marvel of Byzantine architecture and was recently opened to the public after its complete renovation. After completing our visits to the historic centre, we depart for our pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Virgin Mary of Blachernae, where the miracle of the Virgin Mary occurred in 626 AD and where the chanting of the Immaculate Hymn was first performed. Return to the hotel and in the evening optional night out in a night club.
4th Day Sunday: Istanbul – Tower of Galatas – Lantern – Fanari – MGS – Kavala – Thessaloniki (630 km)
After breakfast we head to the Tower of Galata and from its balcony with its magnificent perimeter view we will bid farewell to our beloved City. We continue to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which since 1601 has been housed in the Fanari, in the church of St. George. Guided tour and free time to wander the beautiful alleys of the Phanari and admire the building of the Great School of the Nation, a masterpiece of architecture by the famous 19th century architect Konstantinos Dimadis. Departure and through the border of Kipi and the necessary stops back to Greece.
What is included:
- Transport – travel by elevated bus.
- Accommodation in selected hotels..
- Breakfast.
- Experienced guide – leader.
- Guided tours – tours according to the program.
- Civil liability insurance..
Not included:
- Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites, extra meals, drinks, porters, gratuities and everything mentioned in the programme as optional, suggested or own..
- Cruise on the Bosphorus: adult price: 20€/child 2-12 years old: 15€, ferry ticket to the Princes Islands: 10€ per person
- Total taxes and other expenses: 10€..
- Travel Insurance for COVID-19 – Insurance coverage for COVID-19 reasons, and coverage of medical expenses during the trip and reimbursement of 70% of the money in case of illness due to COVID-19, up to 1st degree of kinship. Cost 20 €.
