Guided by Dr Sven Erlic
Start in Athens:
Finish in Istanbul:
Price per person- twin share $5309.00 – LAND ONLY
Single supplement $443.00
Proposed itinerary
Day 1
Upon your arrival in Athens you will need to make your own way to the group hotel. After you’ve freshened up you’ll join the group for a short debrief and in the late afternoon we will visit the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum. In the evening you will join the group for a welcome dinner.
(D)
Day 2
Today we will meet up mid morning, allowing you to sleep in. We will take a tour through the magnificent National Archaeological Museum and its vast collection of ancient antiquities, one of the best museums in world. In the afternoon you’ll be given a chance to explore the city on your own, perhaps do some shopping. In the early evening you will be offered to join an optional tour to the site of Marathon.
(B)
Day 3
Today we depart early for Mycenae, King Agamemnon’s capital and the city that gave its name to the Mycenaean civilization. We will take a short break in Corinth, where Alexander sought out the philosopher Diogenes and afterwards remarked “Where I not Alexander, I would be Diogenes”. After Lunch we’ll depart for the theatre in Epidaurus, famous for its acoustics. Then we will make our way to Olympia, arriving in the early evening.
(B, D)
Day 4
In the morning you will be left to explore on your own and in the afternoon we will visit the site of the ancient Olympics, where we’ll walk through the ancient competitor’s tunnel to the original starting lines for a stadium race to determine which tour member is the fastest. We’ll also visit the adjoining museum and the ‘Tholos of Philip’ a monument built by Philip II and Alexander the Great.
(B,D)
Day 5
Today we will depart quite early and get to the site of the famous Delphic Oracle at the slope of Mount Parnassus. After a short lunch we will travel to see the Lion of Chaeronea, a monument raised to honour the Sacred Band of Thebes and we will also make a short stop at the Pass of Thermopylae to see the monument to King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. We will stop for dinner at Lamia before reaching Ioannina in the late evening.
(B,D)
Day 6
This morning you will have the option of travelling to the archaeological site of Phoenice in Albania and in the late afternoon we will explore the magnificent and extensive archaeological site of Dodona. This entire region belonged to the Kingdom of Epirus, home of Princess Polyxena, later to become the mother of Alexander the Great.
(B,D)
Day 7
This morning we will take off early to visit the Royal Tombs of Aigai, the resting place of Phillip II, and its adjoining museum. We will also visit the theatre where Phillip II was assassinated and Alexander was proclaimed king. After a short break for lunch we will drive to Meiza Archaeological site, the site of the school of Aristotle, Where Alexander was educated. Alexander later said “I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.” Then we will travel to Bitula in the Republic of Macedonia.
Day 8
This morning we will visit the archaeological site of Herakleia Lynkestis, an ancient Macedonian city. Then we will Travel to Skopje, stopping on rout to see the unique statue of Alexander in the city of Prilep. In Skopje, capital of modern Macedonia, we will visit the Giant Statue of Alexander the Great and have an early dinner before travelling to Thessaloniki.
(B,D)
Day 9
Today we will visit Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia. Where Alexander grew up surrounded by many celebrated artists and where Euripides wrote “A small but valiant force is worth more to a general then a vast army.” And in the afternoon we will visit the Archaeological Museum at Thessaloniki, known for its large collection of Macedonian artefacts. Later that evening you will have the option travel to Methoni to see the statue of Philip II.
(B)
Day 10
Today we will cross the border into Turkey, meet our Turkish guide and cross the Dardanelles formerly known as the strait of Hellespont and into Asia. Before landing, in the tradition of Homers Iliad, Alexander threw his spear into Asian territory declaring it “spear-won” territory. We will overnight in Çanakkale.
(B/D)
Day 11
This morning we will leave early, first to visit Troy where following ancient custom Alexander ran naked around Achilles Tomb and said “O fortunate youth, to have found Homer as the herald of your glory.” We will then continue towards the ancient ruins of Pergamon and its famous library. Once we settle in at the hotel in Izmir, you will have the option of travelling to Sardis, ancient capital of King Croesus who was so rich he invented gold coins.
(B/D)
Day 12
Today we will visit Ephesus a well preserved ancient city, where according to legend the Great Temple of Artemis burnt down the day Alexander was born. We will also stop at the ancient city of Miletus, origin of the intellectual revolution, and the oracle temple at Didyma. We will overnight in Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus and birthplace of Herodotus, Father of History.
(B/D)
Day13
This morning we will visit the amazing Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, It has artefacts recovered from the numerous shipwrecks around Turkey including the oldest shipwreck in the world. In the afternoon we will visit the Myndos Gate, an ancient entrance to the city and scene of great turmoil. In the early evening we will visit the remains of another of the seven ancient wonders, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
(B)
Day 14
Today we will leave early to travel to Antalya, Turkeys largest resort destination, famous for its beaches and beauty. After we have booked into the hotel you can either spend the rest of the day as a tourist or take the option to visit to Antalya Archaeological Museum, one of Turkeys largest museums which has a massive collection of artefacts including an ancient Statue of Alexander the Great.
(B)
Day 15
Today we’ll walk up the steep road to the ancient ruins of Termessos, located high on a natural plateau. From its amphitheatre you have a spectacular view out over the Pamphylian plain. In the afternoon we will visit the impressive ruins at Perge, its Hellenistic gateway, theatre and stadium.
(B, D)
Day 16
Today we will leave early, stopping first at the ruins of Sagalassos which are undergoing an impressive restoration and later at the city of Gordium, its museum and the tomb of King Midas. Here Alexander solved the riddle of the Gordian knot, releasing a prophecy to become Lord of Asia. In the early evening we will arrive in Ankara, capital of Turkey.
(B, D)
Day 17
This morning we will go the Anatolian Civilization Museum in Ankara. Many of Turkey’s best ancient treasures are housed here. Then we will start to make our way to Istanbul.
(B, D)
Day 18
Today we will visit Istanbul Archaeological Museum, which in it’s place of honour holds the famous Alexander Sarcophagus. A beautiful stone tomb carved with scenes of Alexander’s life. In the afternoon we will visit Hagia Sofia, ironically built by the Roman Emperor that put the final end to Alexandrian ideals, ushering in the Dark Ages. In the evening you will join the group for a farewell dinner.
(B/D)
Day 19
You will need to make your own way to the airport to meet your flights home. Keep in mind that this tour only visits sites that are relevant to Alexander the Great and his deeds. If you want to visit other sites like Gallipoli or the Blue Mosque you’ll have the opportunity to do after the conclusion of the tour.
(B)
Tour includes
18 nights accommodation in 3 – 4 star hotels – Hotel names subject to confirmation when tour is guaranteed.
18 x breakfasts and 12 x dinners
Sightseeing, entrance fees and local English speaking guides where mentioned in the itinerary
Private air-conditioned transport on tour and travel days
Ferry from Eceabat to Canakkale
Local guide gratuities
Tour leading by Dr Sven Erlic
Tour does not include:
Items of a personal nature
Sightseeing not included in the itinerary or extra sightseeing during free time
Any lunches
Drinks at included dinners
International air travel
Travel insurance
Any visa costs – If travelling on an Australian passport, only a Turkish visa is required. This is purchased on arrival for approximately USD60.00