Istanbul & Northern Greece - An Ancient Roman Route Tour

Travelling the Via Egnatia

Day 1 Arrival in Istanbul
Today we arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel.

"If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Constantinople," marvelled Alphonse de Lamartine, the 19th century French writer and politician. New Rome, Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul; the legendary city has served as the capital of the legendary Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. Though no longer a capital, Istanbul is the largest city and the cosmopolitan heart of Turkey, full of marvels and startling contrasts.

On this unique journey, Istanbul is a logical place to begin our journey (roughly) along the 2nd Century BCE road – Via Egnatia -- linking Rome with all her eastern provinces. Our chosen stops reflect the more interesting and important places along this venerable and scenic route between Byzantium & Rome. For the modern traveller, the major reward lies in the close access the modern Egnatia Odos provides to many towns of historic and culinary interest, all complemented by an ever-changing scenery quite different from elsewhere in the region.

As our sightseeing planned for tomorrow is based on a hunch that many people have already seen the 'classic' sites of Istanbul and therefore concentrates on some lesser-known/visited places, the first-time visitor may consider spending independent time in the city pre-trip. Our hotel is located in the heart of the city where the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and Agia Sofia are located.

Overnight in Istanbul.
Included Meal(s): Dinner

Day 2 Istanbul City Touring
We begin the day with a drive along the imposing 5th century City Walls. The double walls stretch for 6.5 km (10.5 miles), separated by a 20m wide moat and punctuated at regular intervals with defensive towers. Built to be unbreachable, the walls protected the "Queen of all Cities" until the 4th Crusade. We will stop at various points of interest, including Yedikule, the "Gate of the 7 Towers" where the original Golden Gate of the city was incorporated into the city walls, and walk around some of the oldest quarters inside the walls. We will walk around the historic Greek quarter of Fener with its beautiful lanes, houses, and Byzantine churches.

We continue to the Church of St. Saviour in Chora (Kariye Museum), the jewel of Istanbul. The church is covered with beautifully preserved mosaics of gold, some of the finest examples of Byzantine art in the world, depicting scenes of the Genealogy of Christ, the Infancy, Life and Ministry of Christ, and the Life of the Blessed Virgin. There are also wonderful frescoes in the nave and funerary chapel. The church itself dates to the 11th century, but all the interior decoration was commissioned between 1316-1321 by the statesman and scholar, Theodore Metochites.

Our final stop is the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, built by the great architect, Sinan, in the 16th century. The design of the mosque achieves a perfection of harmony and ‘monumentality’ at once, set in the centre of a huge complex which included a library, soup kitchen for the poor, a hammam (bath), fountains, gardens, caravansary, and schools. We will also see the tombs of Mimar Sinan, Sultan Süleyman and his wife Roxelana. We take some time to explore the picturesque streets in this area, famous for their old Ottoman wooden houses.

We then head back to the city for a fun and informal cooking class. You will come to understand why Turkish cuisine is world famous -- diverse and savoury, spicy without being (too) hot, vegetable rich and healthy -- and today we will gain some hand-on skills to replicate some of the delicious dishes we have experienced on our trip. For our dinner we'll be able to dine upon the fruits of our labours!

Overnight in Istanbul.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3 Istanbul City Touring
Our morning starts with a visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, clove, and thyme rise from hundreds of colourful muslin bags at every store front.

We then board a ferry for a relaxing cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway that divides Asia and Europe. As you sit back and enjoy some tea from traditional small cups, numerous summer palaces and palatial homes will pass by on either side.

Disembarking at the northern end of the strait, we have a break for lunch with some free time before crossing the Golden Horn, via a historic tram that runs through a tunnel built in 1875, to reach the district of Pera. The word Pera is of Greek origin specifically meaning “far away,“ and it was here (far from the main Greek settlement at Fenar) that many of the European ambassadors and merchants came to settle. Pera has always had a European flavour, apparent when we visit the Genovesi-built Galata Tower.

Later our on-foot exploration will take us through the lively district of Taksim, where you will be free to explore and find your own evening meal at one of the many excellent restaurants in the area.

Overnight in Istanbul.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 4 Istanbul - Edirne
Today we depart Istanbul by road and travel to Edirne. Our route shadows a road constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It crossed Illyricum, Macedonia, and Thracia, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey as a continuation of the Via Appia.

The area around Edirne, thanks to its strategic position on the major routes to Istanbul, Bosphorus, and onward to Asia, has been repeatedly fought for in the past. It has been the site of no fewer than 16 major battles and sieges since the days of Ancient Greece. Edirne’s former name is Adrianople (Hadrianoupolis), i.e. “City of Hadrianus”, named after the Roman emperor who founded the city on the site of Thracian village of Uskudama.

Overnight in Edirne.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5 Edirne Touring
Today in Edirne we see landmarks including Eski Cami (Old Mosque), Uc Serefeli Cami with its four distinctive minarets, and Sinan’s masterpiece Selimiye Mosque. Browse the shops at Selimiye Arastasi or Ali Pasha Covered Bazaar, and check out the Medical Museum at Beyazit Kulliyesi.

With a population of roughly 165,000, this is a historic city that is well worth visiting. We will see mosques that rival the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, enjoy authentic Ottoman cuisine, possibly shop at a covered market, and witness daily life from a busy town square.

Overnight in Edirne.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6 Edirne, Turkey - Dadia National Forest, Greece
Today we cross the border into Greece and make our way to the Dadia National Forest, where our attention shifts briefly from the historical to the natural attributes of this stunning region.*

This forest of old growth Balkan oak and pine is one of the most important in all of Europe and is the breeding area for some of the rarest birds of prey on the planet. We hope to do some light hiking and visit the blinds -- this is one of "the" places in all of Europe to see nesting black Eurasian vultures and many other rare bird species. The forest itself is something beautiful and rare in this part of the world.

We finish our day at our hotel, located just outside the park gates.

* Please note that, due to recent wildfires our activities may vary depending on access and areas that were damaged.

Overnight at Dadia.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 Dadia - Evros Delta - Alexandroupoli
En route to Alexandroupoli today, we'll make another natural history stop to experience the wonders of the Evros Delta region.

The estuary of the River Evros (Evros Delta) forms an eminent wetland complex, consisting of lagoons, swamps and marshes, canals and reeds, sheltering huge numbers of birds. It is a wetland of international significance, part of the Ramsar Convention, as many important populations of aquatic birds, waders, birds of prey, and several others gather there, many of which are rare at a national, European, and global level.

We continue to Alexandroupoli and have a tour upon arrival. Situated as it is at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean Sea and the Balkan Peninsula, everyone who passes through stops here, and so will we! The streets are atmospheric and the waterfront is lined with tavernas and seafood restaurants.

Alexandroupoli is one of the newest cities in Greece, as it was only a fishing village until the late 19th century. However, the modern city is located at the site of ancient Sale, a Greek city of the classical era founded by colonists from the island of Samothrace, mentioned by Herodotus. Alexandroupoli benefits from its position at the centre of land and sea routes connecting Greece with Turkey. Landmarks in Alexandroupoli include the city's lighthouse in the port, the archaeological sites of the Mesimvria Zone, and Maroneia stretching out to the small port of Agios Charalambos, the city's waterfront (the centre of commercial activity), and the nearby Evros Delta.

Overnight in Alexandroupoli.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8 Alexandroupoli - Philippi - Kavala
Today we travel to Kavala with a stop at the archaeological site of Philippi, the most important in East Macedonia with characteristic monuments of the Hellenistic, Roman and early Christian periods. Here you can see the buildings of the ancient city, the ruins of the Roman city, Christian churches and the central Egnatiev road, the fragments of which can now be repeated the way of the Apostle Paul. This road divides the city into two parts.

We continue to Kavala, one of the most attractive of Greece's larger cities, rising like an amphitheatre from the beautiful harbour up to a huge Byzantine fortress. Built on the ancient city of Neopolis, the city's population doubled in 1922 when the Greeks from Asia Minor made there way here during the exchange of populations. Here we’ll likely be able to see a piece of the original Via Ignatia, still extant. It covered a total distance of about 1120km and, like other major Roman roads, it was about six metres wide, paved with large polygonal stone slabs or covered with a hard layer of sand.

On arrival in Kavala we have a tour of this important northern port city. Among the city's impressive landmarks are the old walls, the Byzantine castle, and the Kamares -- the aqueduct erected by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. We visit the Archaeological Museum, containing finds from the ancient city of Amphipolis, a colony of Athens.

Overnight in Kavala
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9 Kavala - Haldiki Peninsula - Thessaloniki
Today's excursion takes us to the Haldiki Peninsula. Comprised of three smaller peninsulas (Kassandra, Sithonian, and Athos), the Halkidiki is home to one of the most important monastic communities in the entire Christian Orthodox world. At the foot of Mount Athos stands an enormous World Heritage site; the monasteries of Mt Athos. Visiting the monasteries is somewhat impractical for us due to strict visitation rules (ie only men are permitted to visit, and they require advance notice and written invitation from their nation's embassy in Athens). Instead, we will enjoy a short lunch cruise passing below numerous coastal monasteries with good views of Mt Athos's peak (2033m).

Thessaloniki, the second largest city of modern Greece. It was first established in 316 BC by Kassandros and named after his wife, Thessaloniki, half sister of Alexander the Great. It is here that the Apostle Paul first brought the message of Christianity (AD 50) and that Demetrius, a Roman officer died in martyrdom (AD 303), thus becoming the holy patron of the city. Thessaloniki was the second most important city of the Byzantine Empire, next to Constantinople, and is full of beautiful examples of Byzantine art and architecture.

If time permits we may accomplish some of our Thessaloniki sightseeing upon arrival.

Overnight in Thessaloniki (dinner on your own this evening).
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10 Thessaloniki Touring
We will spread our sightseeing of this interesting city of two days. This morning we enjoy a half-day tour of a city steeped in history. Our focus will be on the Archeological Museum which will take us through the long history of a city that was founded by a Macedonian King in the 4th Century BC and went on to become the most important city between Rome and Byzantium during the Roman era. During the Byzantine period Thessaloniki flourished, as it did under the Ottomans and this museum is packed with treasures from past centuries.

This afternoon you will have some free time to explore the city on your own (dinner on your own this evening).

Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 11 Thessaloniki Touring - Continued
This morning we continue our visit of Thessaloniki, including stops to see the Museum of Jewish Presence (at one time, the city's population was more than 50% Jewish.) We will visit the Ataturk Museum, located in the house that was the birthplace of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. We will see the large Aristotle Square, the famous White Tower, which was added to the Roman-Byzantine walls by the Venetians, and we will also visit the Church of St. Demetrius, the patron saint of the city.

Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 12 Thessaloniki - Pella & Vergina - Litochoro
Our journey continues with a departure for Pella, the land where Alexander the Great was born. We’ll visit the archaeological site and museum, which hosts exhibits of major historical significance -- excavators have discovered unique archaeology findings.

Next we visit Vergina, one of the most important sites in all Greece. Greeks today simply call this site "The Tombs"; archaeologists, however, know the site to be ancient Aigai, the first capital of the Macedonian Kings and their burial place until the time of Alexander. While here we will see the famous tomb of Philip of Macedon, filled gold caskets, royal diadems, gold jewelry, the king's gold woven robes, and his armour and shield.

We finish our day in the small town of Lithoro, sheltering in the shadow of Mt Olympus.

Overnight in Litochoro.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 13 Mount Olympus Area
Today we enjoy another day exploring the natural attributes of our route and the wild splendour of the My Olympus area. Our day also includes the archeological site of Dion, home to one of the oldest altars and temples dedicated to the supreme god Zeus. This was one of the most visited cult centers of the Ancient Greek world.

The site is expansive and it’s museum reminds us of some of those who came over the many centuries  to make offerings here, including many Macedonian warlords before heading into battle. Both king Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Great would come to celebrate their many victories here.

We’ll also enjoy some of the area’s natural appeal. Mount Olympus actually has 52 peaks—the 2917 metre summit is called Mytikas. Below Mount Olympus you’ll find some stunning deep gorges. The mountain is situated in the north of the country on the borders of the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia in the Olympus mountain range. The area is a World Biosphere Reserve, and it became the first National Park in Greece in 1938. The history and mythology surrounding Mount Olympus is as much of a reason to climb the mountain as the scenery. There are few mountains in the world that can stand up to Mount Olympus in terms of romanticism or folklore.

Overnight in Litohoro.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14 To Kastoria
Today we continue to Lake Orestiada, the lake of Kastoria, one of the most beautiful in the Balkans. The lake is directly linked to the character, history, and development of the city and has been classified as a "Monument of Natural Beauty" by the Ministry of Culture and integrated in the European "Network of Nature 2000."

Our destination is Kastoria, a town that flourished from the 17th century onwards as the most important fur-trading centre in the then Ottoman Empire. Handsome mansions, Dionysian celebrations, Byzantine treasures, waterbirds and artisanal furs, characterize this charming town, the "Lady of Macedonia."

Our town tour will include visits to a number of mansions owned by former fur-trading families. Lake Orestiada was once teeming with beavers ('kastoras') and the trade in beaver skins, which began over a thousand years ago, gave rise to the town's chief industry, that of furrier to much of Europe. When the beavers ran out, the town imported furs and it seems that, almost on every block in this charming small city of narrow streets and Byzantine-era churches, that there is at least one place of business related to the fashioning of clothing out of now-imported furs, mostly mink. Kastoria remains an international center for the fur trade, and hosts an annual international exhibition of fur.

We also visit the Byzantine museum which houses a remarkable collection of local icons.

Overnight in Kastoria.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 15 Kastoria - Epirus & Zagori Region
Today we continue to the rugged mountainous region of Epirus where we tour the Zagori area. Located in the extreme northwest of the country and dominated by the Pindhos mountain range, one of the highest in Greece, this is considered to be one of the most beguiling regions in the entire country. We will stop to visit some of the many villages where large, beautifully constructed Ottoman-influenced houses testify to an age when locals enjoyed great wealth and autonomy under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. We will also be reminded of the horrific events of World War II that were unleashed on the inhabitants of this tough region by the occupying Nazi forces who could would not tolerate their resistance.

Overnight in the Zagori Region.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 16 Zagori & Vikos Gorge - Drive to Ioannina
Our main focus this morning is the natural beauty of the region with a walk through part of the Vikos Gorge.

Later our journey continues to Ioannina, where will have a walking tour of walled precinct known as the Kastro district, built on piece of land that reaches out into Lake Pamvotis. We will visit the Aslan Pasha Mosque, now the home of the Municipal Museum, showcasing the ethnographic richness of Epirus.

Overnight in Ioannina.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 17 Departure
Departure from Ioannina.

Breakfast

KALO TAXIDI!!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast