Selanik - Sofia Christmas Markets Tour
Tour Program
Istanbul - Ipsala
Meeting Points:
22:00 Kadıköy Marriage Registry Office Parking Lot
22:30 In front of Mecidiyeköy İstikbal-Altunbaş
23:00 In front of İncirli Ömür Plaza
23:45 In front of Silivri Vega Mall
01:00 Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Rest Area
After meeting with our guests at the departure points specified in the tour program, we proceed along the Tekirdağ – Malkara – Keşan – İpsala route, taking necessary breaks, and arrive at the İpsala Land Border Gate. Following the exit procedures we complete there, we cross over the Meriç River and arrive at the Greek Kipi Land Border Gate. After our passport and customs procedures there, we enter Greece.
Ipsala - Kavala - Drama - Thessaloniki
After our arrival in Greece, we will stop for breakfast along the way. Following the break, we continue towards Kavala. Upon our arrival in Kavala, we begin our panoramic city tour. As we head toward the old town, the first place we will see is the Church of Saint Nicholas. The mosque, built in 1530 by Suleiman the Magnificent in honor of Ibrahim Pasha, was shortened at its minaret in 1926, converted into a bell tower, transformed into a church, and Christian mosaics were added in front of it. Other historical places we will see on our tour include Kavala Castle, the house of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Imaret, which is currently used as a hotel, the aqueduct, and the old town within the castle. After our panoramic Kavala city tour, those who wish may join the optional Drama Christmas Market Village tour (€15). After the tour, we depart for Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece after the capital, Athens. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we visit the city’s largest church, the Church of Saint Demetrius, and Atatürk’s House. We then carry out our panoramic city tour. We will see, from the outside, the waterfront promenade, the White Tower, the Rotating Tower, the Fairgrounds, the statue of Alexander the Great, the Seven Towers, Galerius’s Arch of Triumph from the Roman period (Kamara), the Rotunda, Bey Hamam, and Hamza Bey Mosque. After the tour, we provide free time for you to visit the Christmas market located in the square. After the allotted free time, we head to our hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, we complete our check-in procedures. In the evening, those who wish may join the optional Greek Tavern tour (€55). Guests who do not wish to join the tavern tour may reach the city center by bus (transfer fee €10). After our tavern tour, we return to the hotel and stay overnight at our hotel in Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki - Sofia
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Sofia. On the way, guests who wish may join the Rila Monastery tour (25 €). Built in the 10th century, Rila Monastery is Bulgaria’s largest monastery and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the monastery visit, we continue to Sofia. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour. Places to be seen include St. Nedelya Church, the Rotunda Church, the Russian Church, St. Sophia Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Prime Minister’s Office and Parliament buildings, Sofia University, the National Palace of Culture, and Banyabaşı Mosque, designed by Mimar Sinan. After the tour, free time to visit the Christmas market. Then we proceed to our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel in Sofia. In the evening, guests who wish may join the dinner included Bulgarian Night tour (55 €). Guests who do not wish to attend the Bulgarian Night may go to the center by bus (transfer fee 10 €). After our tavern tour, return to the hotel and overnight stay at our hotel in Sofia.
Sofya - Plovdiv - Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we will visit Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria, where the sights include Nebet Tepe, the Old Town, Battenberg Street, Argir Kuyumdzhioglu’s House (Ethnographic Museum), Ottoman houses, the amphitheater, the Cuma Mosque, and Cuma Square. After the city tour and free time, we will head toward the Kapıkule Border Gate. Upon arrival, we will complete our passport and customs procedures, shop at the duty-free store, and then depart for Istanbul. After arriving in Istanbul, we will drop off our guests at the designated points on the tour program along the return route and conclude our tour. We hope to see you again on our next trips…
What's Included
- Transportation by bus
- 2 nights accommodation in 3*- 4* hotels with breakfast included
- Panoramic city tours and transfers included in the program
Not Included
- Exit tax for international travel
- Visa fee and service charge
- Overseas Travel Health Insurance
- Lunches and dinners
- Optional excursions noted as extra in the program
- Museum and archaeological site entrance fees (Optional)
- Driver and guide tips (Optional)