Walking Greece & Turkey 2011 - 2 part tour
Already Walked for 2011!
12th IVV Olympiad option available for fall departures.
 Our exploration of the fabled land of Greece spans the chronology of Western Civilization, bringing to life the legends of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and giving context to Greek mythology and history. We start at King Minos’ Palace of Knossos on the Aegean island of Crete; absorb some of the world’s most stupendous vistas from the rim of Santorini’s sea-filled caldera; continue to Mycenae, where Agamemnon marshaled the Greek armies for the Trojan War; and finish in Athens, pinnacle of Classical Greece.
It’s doubtful that any other region of the world has witnessed as many history-changing events as the land of Turkey. Straddling the isthmus between Asia and Europe, it has seen the rise and fall of multiple empires whose armies have marched back and forth across its well-trafficked soil. The Biblical patriarch, Abraham, and the cataclysmic account of Noah and the Ark; the Hittites, first to gain advantage through the use of iron; the Persian onslaught of Classical Greece under Xerxes and Darius; Alexander the Great and the explosion of Hellenistic culture; the Roman era with its Pax Romano and spread of Christianity; the Byzantine Empire during the golden age of Constantinople; the sordid chapter of the Crusades; and finally, the glory of the Ottoman Empire — all were strongly connected to the country we now call Turkey.
Together these itineraries offer travelers a fascinating view of two countries bursting with much of the world’s early history! Feel free to join us for either Greece or Turkey, or combine both into one Mediterranean combo package to maximize your travel budget!
12th IVV Olympiad Pre-tour/Extension
This optional addition to the Fall Greece & Turkey program encompasses the walks and sights of the 12th IVV Olympiad, a biennial event celebrating the sport of walking. Click here to view the 12th IVV Olympiad itinerary.
How to Register
To save yourself a spot on this Adventure, contact us with a $500 payment as soon as possible. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis! Click here for more details on registering.
Greece: Birthplace of Western Civilization
DAY 1: ARRIVE ATHENS, GREECE (D)
Upon arrival into Athens, you will be met at the airport by a representative of WAI and transferred to our hotel in the heart of historic Athens. The first group activity will be a Get Acquainted dinner this evening where you’ll enjoy seeing old friends or getting acquainted with new traveling companions as you share your anticipation of the exciting days ahead exploring Greece: Birthplace of Western Civilization!
DAY 2: ATHENS – RETHYMNO, CRETE (BD)
Lasithi, Birthplace of Zeus Walk – 10 km, rated 1
This morning, we fly over the island-studded, sapphire-colored Aegean Sea to the island of Crete. Upon arrival, we visit the Palace of Knossos, home of mythical King Minos, namesake for the advanced yet mysterious Minoan civilization which controlled much of the Mediterranean in the 3rd and 2nd millenniums before Christ. This afternoon’s walk takes us through the picturesque, rural valley of Lasithi, legendary birthplace of Zeus, master of the Greek pantheon.
DAY 3: ACTIVITIES FROM RETHYMNO (BD)
Imbros Gorge Walk – 8 km, rated 3+/4
We’ll explore a little-visited corner of Crete today on a walk through Imbros Gorge. One of the most enjoyable gorge walks in Crete offers the fascination of narrow, shaded canyons and rich vegetation with the bonus of an enchanting Cretan panorama overlooking the Mediterranean Sea at walk’s end. The scenic drive back to Rethymno provides us opportunities for a stop or two to sample the delights of small town Crete.
DAY 4: RETHYMNO – THIRA TOWN, SANTORINI (BD)
This morning, we board a ferry bound for the Cycladic Island of Santorini. In the 15th century B.C., a violent explosion believed to be eight times more powerful than the largest eruption in recorded history (Krakatoa) devastated most of the eastern Mediterranean. A layer of ash more than 200 feet thick was left behind, a tidal wave rocked the Mediterranean, and the gigantic crater was filled with seawater when part of the rim was blasted away. Our hotel for the next two nights is positioned near the eastern rim of the crater. We look forward to two days of exploration on this fabled Aegean Island.
DAY 5: ACTIVITIES FROM THIRA TOWN (BD)
Santorini, Jewel of the Aegean Walk – 10 km, rated 3
This morning, we participate in an unforgettable walk along the caldera rim offering breathtaking and virtually continuous views out over the sea-filled shell of the volcano. Following lunch, we’ll board the bus and explore other parts of the island, perhaps stopping to sample some of the unique wines developed on this arid island jewel.
DAY 6: THIRA TOWN – NAFPLIO, PELOPONNESE (BD)
Following an early morning flight to Athens, we’ll enjoy a panoramic drive along the Bay of Salamis, site of the history-changing 480 B.C. naval battle between the Athenian navy and the Persians. After crossing the Corinth Canal, we’ll visit the ruins of ancient Corinth, recipient of one of the Apostle Paul’s many letters. After a day of travel through the beautifully varied scenery of the Peloponnese, we’ll arrive for a 2-night stay at our hotel in Nafplio.
DAY 7: ACTIVITIES FROM NAFPLIO (BD)
Mycenae Walk with Agamemnon – 10 km, rated 2+
Our morning walk showcases the beauty of the Peloponnese countryside – wildflowers, pastoral farm scenes, and the palpable aura of several millennia of history. The walk finishes at the ruins of Mycenae, home of the civilization immortalized by the Greek poet Homer in the Iliad. After lunch, we’ll explore these evocative cyclopean ruins, fertile ground on which to imagine life here in 1200 B.C., and the epic saga of the 1000 ships launched to battle Troy.
DAY 8: NAFPLIO – ATHENS (BD)
Nafplio Seaside Walk – 10 km, rated 1+
Today’s walk follows a coastal trail to the seaside resort of Nafplio. En route back to Athens, our local guide will demonstrate the near-perfect acoustical engineering of the Classical Age of Greece at the outdoor amphitheater of Epidaurus. We finish the day in Athens in anticipation of tomorrow’s completion of our chronological journey through Greek history. Our hotel for the next two nights is near the Acropolis and the ancient shopping lanes of the Plaka district.
DAY 9: ACTIVITIES IN ATHENS (BD)
First on our list this morning is a walking tour of the Acropolis, with its proud and stately Parthenon, 2500-year-old symbol of the Golden Age of Greece. After time for lunch and shopping in the Plaka, we visit the National Archeological Museum. Our guided tour of these fascinating artifacts provides a fitting review of the fascinating span of ancient history we’ve encountered together over the past 9 days.
DAY 10: RETURN HOME FROM ATHENS (B)
An early morning transfer to the airport prepares us to bid farewell to Greece. We’ll return home, replete with the beauty and wonder of the Mediterranean and Ancient Greece!
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Turkey: Crossroads of the Ancient World
DAY 1: ARRIVE ISTANBUL (D)
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you’ll be met by a representative of WAI and transported to our hotel in the heart of the city. Attractions near our hotel are numerous, including the labyrinthine tunnels of the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest (1461) and largest covered marketplaces in the world. Later, you’ll rendezvous with the group arriving from Greece: Birthplace of Western Civilization to enjoy a Get Acquainted dinner in a nearby restaurant.
DAY 2: ACTIVITIES IN ISTANBUL (B)
Historic Istanbul Walk – 10 km, rated 1+
Our Adventure in Turkey hits full stride today with a multifaceted walk through amazing Istanbul, gateway to Asia. We’ll pass through exotic shopping districts; cross the Gelata Bridge over the Golden Horn; enjoy a feast for the senses in the Spice Market; and pass the Mosque of Suleymaniye the Magnificent, Rustempasa Mosque, and the Whirling Dervish Museum. After time for lunch, we walk through time at the incredible Istanbul Archeological Museum, a mindboggling bonanza of artifacts portraying nearly all eras and civilizations of the Near East and Western Civilization.
DAY 3: ACTIVITIES IN ISTANBUL (B)
We explore more of Istanbul’s Turkish delights on an all-day walking tour through world-class points of interest. Along the way, we’ll see the ancient Hippodrome (chariot racing); Topkapi Palace and the exquisite treasures at the palace of the Sultan; massive, 6th-century architectural marvel Hagia Sophia, first a Byzantine church, now a mosque; the spectacular Blue Mosque; and the intriguing 6th century Underground Cistern.
DAY 4: ISTANBUL – IZMIR (BD)
Part 1: Pergamum & Ephesus Walk – 4 km, rated 2
An early morning flight takes us to Izmir, on the western coast of Anatolia, the Asian portion of Turkey. From Izmir, we drive through Anatolian countryside to the ancient Roman city of Pergamum, containing some of Turkey’s most dramatic Roman ruins. Here we'll visit the site of the greatest library of the ancient world, the famous Asclepion (hospital) of the physician Galen, and the Church of ancient Serapium (7th century).
DAY 5: ACTIVITIES FROM IZMIR (BD)
Part 2: Pergamum & Ephesus Walk – 6 km, rated 2
South of Izmir lies another wonder of the ancient world – the city of Ephesus. We’ll stroll its marble streets past the Library of Celsus, the Roman Baths, the Gate of Hadrian, and the Roman Terrace Houses. The amphitheater where the apostle Paul was nearly executed during the riot of the idol-making silversmiths is still in good condition. The nearby village of Sirince is our lunch stop for today. Initially settled by Hellenistic Greeks, then Ephesian Christians, and finally by Muslims from Salonica, Sirince provides a delightful taste of rural Turkish village life.
DAY 6: IZMIR – CAPPADOCIA (BD)
After a leisurely morning in Izmir (originally Smyrna, one of the 7 churches in the book of Revelation), we take an afternoon flight to Kayseri, on the edge of Cappadocia. We spend the next two days exploring Cappadocia, a wondrous place of bizarre scenery and fascinating history.
DAY 7: ACTIVITIES IN CAPPADOCIA (BD)
Soganli & Red Valley Walk – 10 km, no rating available
Our travels in captivating Cappadocia begin with a descent into the amazing underground city of Kaymakli, a maze of living quarters inhabited by Christians hiding from persecution some 1300 years ago. Next, we visit Soganli Valley, a peaceful and picturesque monastic rock settlement famous for its pigeon houses and rock formations in the shape of donkeys, camels, and dolls. We end the day with an unforgettable, and at times contemplative, walk in the Red Valley through fabulous volcanic rock formations and past rock-hewn hermit churches adorned with frescoes and paintings.
DAY 8: ACTIVITIES IN CAPPADOCIA (BD)
Pigeon Valley Fairy Chimneys & Frescoes Walk – 10 km, no rating available
Following an optional early morning hot air balloon ride over beautiful Cappadocia, our walk of the day takes us through more amazing rock formations from Pigeon Valley to Uchisar, renowned for its natural rock fortress. En route, we’ll pass through the intriguing Open-Air Museum of Goreme, with its fairy chimneys and early Byzantine churches. A second optional activity this evening offers a rare opportunity to observe the ritualistic dance of the whirling dervishes.
DAY 9: CAPPADOCIA – ISTANBUL (BD)
A mid-morning flight takes us back to Istanbul for the final day of our Adventure in Turkey. Upon arriving in Istanbul, travelers will have the afternoon free to explore more of this amazing city astride the Bosporus. Or consider joining us for an optional cruise along this fabled body of water, gliding past opulent palaces, exquisite mosques, imposing fortresses, and traditional wooden Ottoman-era mansions. We rendezvous this evening to reminisce about this most exotic of Adventures during our Farewell Dinner.
DAY 10: RETURN HOME FROM ISTANBUL (B)
Our Adventure in Turkey: Crossroads of the Ancient World comes to a close today. We’ll return home with a knapsack full of memories from our exploration through the history, culture, and scenery of this wonderful land spanning the borders between Europe and Asia.
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What's Included
Greece: Birthplace of Western Civilization
10 Days l $3675
Including
- Airport to hotel group transfers on first and last day*
- 2 domestic flights in Greece
- Ferry from Crete to Santorini
- Superior tourist-class (3-star) or better hotel accommodations
- All land travel as outlined
- All breakfasts and dinners as listed (BD)
- 5 walks as listed (IVV sanctions not yet obtained)
- Fees for walking credit
- WAI guide service throughout
- Cultural & historical expertise of our local guide throughout
- All tipping for local guides and coach drivers
- This tour offers a limited number of private rooms for solo travelers for an additional fee
Entrance fees and guided tours of:
- Palace of Knossos (Crete)
- Ancient Corinth (Peloponnese)
- Mycenae Archeological Site (Peloponnese)
- Epidaurus Amphitheater (Peloponnese)
- Acropolis, including the Parthenon (Athens)
- National Archeological Museum (Athens)
- More fun stops than we can list!
Turkey: Crossroads of the Ancient World
10 Days l $3550
Including
- Airport to hotel group transfers on first and last day*
- 3 domestic flights in Turkey **
- Superior tourist-class (3-star) or better hotel accommodations
- All land travel as outlined
- All breakfasts and 7 dinners as listed (BD)
- 5 IVV-sanctioned walks as listed
- Fees for walking credit
- WAI guide service throughout
- Cultural & historical expertise of our local guide throughout
- All tipping for local guides and coach drivers
- This tour offers a limited number of private rooms for solo travelers for an additional fee
Entrance fees and guided tours of:
- The Spice Market and Grand Bazaar (Istanbul)
- Istanbul Archeological Museum (Istanbul)
- Topkapi Palace (Istanbul)
- Hagia Sophia (Istanbul)
- Blue Mosque (Istanbul)
- Roman cities of Ephesus and Pergamum
- Kaymakli underground city (Cappadocia)
- Soganli Valley (Cappadocia)
- Goreme Open-Air Museum (Cappadocia)
- More fun stops than we can list!
Optional Excursions
- Hot air balloon ride (Cappadocia)
- Whirling dervish performance (Cappadocia)
- Bosphorus cruise (Istanbul)
COMBO PACKAGE: Travelers opting for both Adventures will receive free airfare from Athens to Istanbul.
*Details of transfers provided are listed in Adventure Advice memo sent upon receipt of tour registration.
** Airfare pricing for domestic flights in Turkey is somewhat volatile and is not yet available. Adventure price includes airfare estimates at time of brochure publication. Travelers will be notified of any changes in airfare pricing and will be billed or credited accordingly.
NOTE: Because we are visiting Greece and Turkey several times in 2011, various activities may be shifted to different days, according to times of operation.
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Registration Details
To reserve your spot on this adventure, please mail the Registration Form along with a $500 per person deposit, or call in with your credit card. Make checks payable to Walking Adventures International. VISA, MasterCard, and Discover also accepted.
The General Tour Conditions contain important information you should read before you register.
Mail payments to:
Walking Adventures International
PO Box 871000
Vancouver WA 98687-1000
USA
Travel Insurance
Walking Adventures has negotiated with an insurance carrier to provide travel insurance in the form of a Preferred Benefits™ policy. We are pleased to make this package available and believe that it will provide travelers with an important element of security at a reasonable price.
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Why We Walk
Why We Walk
Walking and travel are a natural combination! For over 20 years, our Walking Adventures International team has been offering walking programs around the world, and we’ve found that walking and motorcoach travel is the best way to tour. Our coach takes you efficiently from point to point with little wasted time, but walking lets you get off the bus, stretch your legs, and explore the "must see" highlights and off-the-beaten-track wonders. For more on Why We Walk, click here.
Walk Rating System.
As you can see in the itinerary below, we use a difficulty rating system ranging from 1 to 5:
1. An easy walk on pavement or well-maintained trail with no significant hills.
2. A moderately easy walk, may be on pavement or on trails. No significant difficulty with hills.
3. A moderate walk in any setting with some difficult terrain, one or two substantial hills and/or steps.
4. A more difficult walk. Most likely in a natural setting with poorly maintained paths and steeper or hilly inclines.
5. A very difficult walk. All in rough fields or woods. Many steep hills or high altitude trails, or very rough uneven terrain, steep or unstable inclines.
Volkssport
Some travelers like to keep track of their walks with a system known as volkssport. Click here if you’d like to know more about volkssport.
General Questions
And follow this link for more details on topics like: WAI’s approach to airfare, the number of people accepted on a tour, and finding a roommate!
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