Turkey to Athens & Greek Islands - 18 Days

Arrive in Istanbul and meet your English-speaking assistant at the airport. There's an included transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Please note: This tour is conducted in English. However, dependent on the mix of the group, touring may also be bilingual, in one additional language as well as English.

Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, we drive from your hotel to the Spice Market for some shopping. Enjoy some free time before embarking on an included 1.5-hour Bosphorus Cruise. This scenic cruise offers views of the Bosphorus Strait, which separates the continents of Asia and Europe. Take in the stunning sights of Istanbul, including its lush forests, palaces, and traditional wooden houses on both sides of the strait.

Following the cruise, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), Hippodrome, and the renowned Hagia Sophia. Spend some leisure time at the Grand Bazaar, before returning to the hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Istanbul - Ankara. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing to visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans (note that the entrance fee for the harem section is not included). After exploring this grand palace, we'll say goodbye to Istanbul and make our way to Ankara, the capital of Turkey. We arrive in the city in the early evening, and dinner is included on arrival.

Ankara - Cappadocia. Begin the day with a visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Here, we explore Neolithic and Paleolithic artefacts from the Urartu, Hatti, Hittite, and Phrygian civilizations. Afterward, we continue to the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

In the afternoon, we drive to Cappadocia, stopping along the way to visit one of the largest underground cities in the region, built by early Christians seeking refuge from attacks. Dinner is included on arrival in Cappadocia.

Enjoy breakfast before we set off for a full-day tour of Cappadocia. Our first stop will be the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its mesmerizing cave churches nestled in the valley. The journey continues to Uchisar Village, where we marvel at the spectacular fairy chimneys. Next, visit Dervent Valley to explore its unique rock formations and participate in workshops focused on carpets and onyx stones.

An optional hot air balloon tour over the landscape is also available. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Cappadocia - Pamukkale. We say goodbye to Cappadocia and drive towards Pamukkale. On the way, we stop at Sultanhan Caravanserai, a historic site built during the Seljuk Empire that served for many years as a rest stop for travellers and merchants.

Arriving in Pamukkale, we explore the famous Cotton Steps and travertines, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its healing thermal waters. After our visit, we continue to the hotel, located in Pamukkale.

Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir. Today's first destination is Selcuk, where we visit the legendary Graeco-Roman ruins of Ephesus. Ephesus is dedicated to Artemis, featuring remarkable sites like the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, and the Agora.

After our visit, we continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to be the final resting place of Jesus's mother. We also make a stop at a leather production store before continuing to Izmir, where we are spending the night.

Izmir - Pergamum - Troy - Canakkale. After breakfast and check out, we drive to the Pergamum (Bergama) region, where we will explore the ruins of Asclepion, known as the first hospital in Asia Minor's history.

Next, we proceed to Troy to visit the legendary city immortalized in Homer's Iliad, and to see the replica of the fabled wooden horse. Our final destination for today is Canakkale.

Canakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul. We complete our loop of Turkey today, arriving back in Istanbul, the city formerly known as Constantinople that straddles Asia and Europe. Before we arrive back in the city, we have a final stop.

After breakfast, we'll take a car ferry across the Dardanelles Strait to reach the Gallipoli Peninsula. Here, we will visit one of Turkey's most poignant sites: the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli. Our tour will include Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, the ANZAC Commemorative Site, the Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, the Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, the 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, The Nek, and the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. After our emotional visit, we make our way to Istanbul.

Istanbul - Athens (Greece). After breakfast and check-out, you'll be transferred to the airport for you included flight to Athens. On arrival in the legendary Greek capital, you'll be transported to your hotel by private vehicle. An English-speaking team member will greet you at the hotel, assist with check-in and introduce you to the city.

The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and explore Athens at your leisure.

Please note: Some travellers may be ending their tour in Istanbul, and others may join the group in Athens.

You have the morning to yourself - whether you prefer sleeping in, exploring the Acropolis, or relaxing in the hotel. Today's guided sightseeing will allow you to see the Acropolis from various vantage points, but doesn't include entry to the site, so we recommend you fill your morning with a visit!

Meet with your group and guide at Syntagma Square at 15:40 to witness the Changing of the Guards in front of the Hellenic Parliament at 16:00.­ Soon after, we will begin a panoramic city tour together, providing a comprehensive overview of Athens and its key landmarks.

During the tour, we'll see the Athenian Trilogy (including the National Library, University of Athens, and Academy of Athens), the Presidential Residence, the Kallimarmaro Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium), the Zappeion, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus along with Hadrian’s Gate. There will be short stops to appreciate the sights and capture memorable photos.­ The tour concludes at Philopappou Hill, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

In the evening, we embark on a guided walking tour through the prettiest districts of the capital, such as Anafiotika, Thissio, Monastiraki, and Plaka.

Athens - Mykonos. This morning, you will be transferred to the Piraeus Port, where you'll board the ferry to the island of Mykonos. The crossing is scheduled perfectly for you to enjoy the sun on deck and admire the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea. On your arrival, an English-speaking representative will greet you, transfer you to the hotel, and introduce you to the renowned island. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and start exploring this beautiful island, known for its windmills, beaches and nightlife.

Enjoy a free day to explore the stunning island of Mykonos, a favorite destination for the international jet set. It is renowned for its beautiful beaches, exquisite shops, and lively nightlife. You may wish to consider taking a short ferry ride to the historic island of Delos. According to Greek mythology, Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. This small island, inhabited since 3000 B.C., was a significant cultural centre in ancient times. Spend a second night in the hotel on Mykonos.

Mykonos - Santorini. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the port to board your onward ferry to Santorini. As the ferry nears the volcanic island, you will be able to see the capital city, Fira, with its distinctive white houses perched on the cliffs, overlooking the volcano.

Disembark and meet a representative who will transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to begin exploring Santorini.

Enjoy a free day to explore Santorini's whitewashed villages and black volcanic landscapes at your own pace. The island was named by Venetian nobleman Giacomo Barozzi, inspired by a chapel dedicated to Saint Eirini. Barozzi's descendants stayed on the island until 1576, when it became part of the Duchy of Naxos, prior to the Turkish conquest by Piyale Pasha. Consider a ferry over to the active volcanic caldera or find somewhere to enjoy one of the world's best sunsets.

Santorini - Heraklion (Crete). At the scheduled time, our team will take you to Santorini's new port, Athinios, where you will catch the ferry to Greece's largest island, Crete, specifically arriving at the port of Heraklion. Upon your arrival, we will greet you at the port and take you to the hotel.

Enjoy a full day to discover the amazing city of Heraklion and its surroundings at your own pace. We recommend taking a relaxed walk through the historical centre, and don't miss the remarkable Palace of Knossos, the legendary residence of King Minos and the mythical Minotaur.

Heraklion - Athens. After breakfast, our staff will transport you to Heraklion Airport at the scheduled time, where you will catch an included flight back to Athens. Our tour ends on arrival back at the airport in Athens - we recommend you don't book your onwards flight before 13:00 to allow for any delays. Safe travels!