Highlights of Turkey & Greece - 16 Days

Welcome to Istanbul! Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, either exploring this vibrant city or relaxing at your hotel.

Today begins with a visit to the iconic Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman Sultans. Here, we'll explore its stunning gardens, kitchens, treasury, and terraces with breathtaking views of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.

After a photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III, we continue to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Blue Mosque, adorned with 20,000 Iznik tiles. Discover the Roman Hippodrome and conclude your tour at the bustling Grand Bazaar, a maze of thousands of vibrant shops.

Spend the evening exploring at your own pace or relaxing at the hotel.

Istanbul - Cappadocia. After breakfast, we begin the day with a walk along the picturesque Golden Horn to the famous Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Market, full of Anatolian colour and aroma. Next, we board a scenic boat tour along the Bosphorus, the strait that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Admire the European and Asian shores, lined with palaces, fortresses and elegant wooden mansions. In the afternoon, we transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Cappadocia, where we check into our hotel for the night.

Rise early for the chance to take an optional hot-air balloon ride (booked and paid locally) over Cappadocia's surreal landscape of fairy chimneys, orchards and vineyards. Afterwards, we set out to explore the region, starting with the Göreme Valley and the Göreme Open-Air Museum. After an included lunch, we continue to Uchisar and the Avcilar Valley, famous for its mushroom-shaped rock formations and striking geology. We end the day at some local craft centres before returning to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Cappadocia - Izmir - Kusadasi. After breakfast, we transfer to the local airport for a domestic flight to Izmir on Turkey's Aegean coast. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in the seaside resort of Kusadasi. The rest of the day is free to explore the town's lively markets or relax by the sea.

Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi. After breakfast, we drive to Selcuk to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful pilgrimage site set among hills and olive groves, believed to be the final home of Mary, Mother of Jesus. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. Highlights include the Library of Celsus, the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the Temple of Domitian and the Great Theatre. We return to Kusadasi in the afternoon, with dinner included tonight.

Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Kusadasi. We make an early start today for a scenic drive across the Anatolian countryside to Pamukkale, famous for its dazzling white travertine terraces and natural thermal pools. Walk among the limestone formations shaped over millennia by mineral-rich waters, a landscape that feels almost otherworldly. We then explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, including its Roman theatre and the Temple of Apollo, impressive reminders of the region's Roman past. In the late afternoon, we drive back to Kusadasi for dinner and our final night in Turkey.

Kusadasi - Patmos. After breakfast, transfer to Kusadasi port to board the "Celestyal Cruises" vessel for your captivating three-night Aegean cruise.

A short sail will bring us to the picturesque island of Patmos where we will dock for the night. While here, consider joining the optional excursion to the renowned Monastery of St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse.

Patmos - Rhodes. Arriving early in the morning at the picturesque island of Rhodes, the ship docks for the entire day, giving you the opportunity to explore the enchanting old town. If you wish, you can opt for an additional excursion to Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights.

With the freedom to choose today's adventure, immerse yourself in the island's beauty and cultural heritage. As the day concludes, return to the ship in the evening for dinner onboard.

Rhodes - Heraklion - Santorini. Arriving in Heraklion early in the morning, you have the option to explore the city at your own pace or join an optional excursion to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, steeped in legendary tales of the Minotaur.

In the afternoon, the cruise sails on to the enchanting island of Santorini. Here, you can either opt to take the cable car up to Fira town or embark on an optional excursion to the "Spectacular Oia village" which is perched on the caldera rim.

Santorini - Athens. As your cruise journey concludes, the ship arrives at Lavrion port early in the morning. Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking. Following disembarkation, a transfer will be provided to your hotel in Athens.

The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax and explore the historical center.

Athens - Mycenae - Nafplio - Athens. Today, we embark on a full-day tour to the Peloponnese, where we will admire the impressive Corinth Canal. Visit Mycenae, famously described by Homer as "rich in gold," and explore the Cyclopean walls and the Tomb of Agamemnon, with the iconic Lion’s Gate.

Continue to Nafplio, where we will take a walking tour through narrow cobbled streets, passing neo-classical buildings and the sea-front promenade with views of the fortified islet of Bourtzi, before returning to Athens.

Today we embark on a coach tour of Greece's vibrant capital city, named after the goddess Athena and thought to be over 3000 years old. Sights include the Panathenaic Stadium, the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which lies at the heart of modern Athens. The highlight of our day is the Acropolis, considered by some to be the most important ancient site in the western world. Here we find masterpieces of classical Greek architecture, including the iconic Parthenon. We also enjoy a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum, recently voted one of the best museums in the world.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Plaka, a historical and picturesque part of the city. Take a stroll through the cobbled streets or relax with a drink at one of the many tavernas in the area. Don't forget to shop for souvenirs on Ermou Street.

Athens - Delphi - Kalambaka. Today, we journey to Delphi, nestled on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, offering breathtaking views over the vast olive groves and the Corinthian Gulf. Once revered as the most sacred place in the ancient world, Delphi was the site of the Oracle of Apollo, a pilgrimage center for those seeking guidance from the Pythia. Explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the Sacred Way, and marvel at the Temple of Apollo, where Pythia once delivered her prophecies.

Afterwards, we'll continue our drive to our next stop - Kalambaka.

Kalambaka - Athens. This morning, we visit Meteora, a stunning World Heritage site where a series of towering rock formations shelter several sacred Eastern Orthodox monasteries. We return to Athens for the night, briefly stopping at Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans made a famous last stand against the Persians in 480 BC.

Our tour ends today after breakfast, with an included transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!