Day 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
Arrive at Athens International Airport, pick up, and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Athens.
Day 2 - HALF A DAY ATHENS CITY TOUR (Breakfast Included)
08:00 am (subject to change) Depart on a half-day morning tour of Athens which includes a visit to the Acropolis, its museum, and the Parthenon. Also view the House of Parliament, Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, National Library, Evzones in their picturesque uniform, Presidential Palace, the Panatheanic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Hadrian`s Arch. After the morning tour, the afternoon is at leisure for you to further explore Athens on your own. (Optional afternoon tour to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon.) Overnight in Athens.
Day 3 - Delphi Tour (Breakfast Included)
08:00 am depart from Athens driving through the fertile plain of Boeotia, crossing the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy of King Oedipus, Levadia & Arahova, famous for its colorful rugs and carpets. Arrive at Delphi the center of the Ancient world – the “Omphalos” (Navel) of the Earth – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mt Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, and the Museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghios. Return to Athens at 18:30. Overnight in Athens.
Day 4 - Ferry to Santorini (Breakfast Included)
Breakfast, check-out, and transfer to Piraeus Port for departure by morning ferry to Santorini. On arrival meet for transfer to hotel with rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Santorini. (Flights between Athens and Santorini are also available.)
Day 5 - Santorini (Breakfast Included)
Free day at leisure to relax on one of the many different beaches of Santorini (gold, red, or black sand) or explore the capital, Fira. Overnight in Santorini.
Day 6 - FERRY TO MYKONOS (Breakfast Included)
Breakfast, check-out, and transfer to Santorini Port for departure by high-speed ferry to Mykonos. On arrival meet for transfer to hotel with rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Mykonos.
Day 7 - DAY AT LEISURE IN MYKONOS (Breakfast Included)
Free day at leisure. Overnight in Mykonos.
Day 8 – FLIGHT FROM MYKONOS TO IZMIR VIA ATHENS (Breakfast Included)
Flight from Mykonos to Athens via Istanbul or directly based on the flight schedule. Reception at Izmir airport and transfer to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 9 - PAMUKKALE TOUR (Breakfast & Lunch Included) – 3-hour drive each way.
Around 08:00 am (subject to change) pick up from the reception and depart for the tour (3-hour drive). Visiting Pamukkale "Cotton Castle", once known as Hierapolis, famous for healing thermal/ mineral baths and beautiful snow-white "petrified waterfalls". After lunch, visit Hierapolis, including the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Devil`s Hole, and the Masterpiece Theatre. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 10 - EPHESUS TOUR (Breakfast and Lunch Included)
09:00 am (subject to change) Pick up from the reception and depart for the tour. Visiting the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Following this, we will make our way to Ephesus which was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Visiting Ephesus ruins, Odeon, Celcus Library, and the Theatre which is still in use today for concerts. As we walk through this ancient site you will notice the streets paved with marble which gives a hint to this city`s great wealth many years ago. Our last stop is the House of the Virgin Mary where it is believed that she arrived with Saint John 4-6 years after the death of Christ and spent her final days. Transfer back to the hotel after the tour. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 11 – FERRY TO SAMOS (Breakfast included)
Today, you have the opportunity to take a ferry ride to Samos Island with a daily ferryboat service. Transportation to and from the hotel, as well as ferry tickets, are included. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 12 - FLIGHT TO CAPPADOCIA (Breakfast Included)
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to Izmir airport for a flight to Cappadocia via Istanbul or directly based on the flight schedule. Reception at Kayseri airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 13 - CAPPADOCIA TOUR #1 (Breakfast and Lunch Included)
Pick up around 9:30 am; Join the local day tour; visit Devrent Valley, Monk`s Valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world-renowned fairy chimneys. After lunch break continues to the Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock-carved churches and monasteries. The tour will end with a visit to Uchisar, a natural rock castle. Transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia.
OPTIONAL TOUR: Hot Air Balloon Ride - Please ask price!
Day 14 - CAPPADOCIA TOUR #2 (Breakfast and Lunch Included)
09:30 am (subject to change), depart from your hotel to visit Red Valley, explore the famous rock-cut churches, and walk 4-5 km through the Gulludere valley. Then visit Çavusvillage. This village is famous for the houses and churches of Christian clergymen. After lunch drive to the Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli underground city where early Christians lived in fear and faith. Transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Optional: Whirling Dervishes Tour
Day 15 - FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL (Breakfast Included)
Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 16 - CLASSIC ISTANBUL CITY TOUR (Breakfast and Lunch Included)
08:15 am (subject to change) Pick up from the reception and depart for the tour. Visiting, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays & feast days), and Topkapi Palace (Closed on Tuesdays). The tour ends around 4:00 pm. Return to the hotel and overnight in Istanbul.
Optional: Dinner cruise oriental dance show
Day 17 - BOSPHORUS & TWO CONTINENTS TOUR - ISTANBUL (B-L)
Start the day with a visit to the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market), a lively marketplace built in 1664. Enjoy a 1.5-hour Bosphorus cruise, witnessing impressive sights like Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Maiden's Tower, Bosphorus bridges, Rumeli, and Anadolu Fortresses, and Ottoman Residences. After the cruise, have lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant in the Sultanahmet area. Continue the exploration with visits to Beylerbeyi Palace (or Dolmabahce Palace) and Camlica Hill, providing a panoramic view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Around 6:00 pm, transfer back to your accommodation.
Day 18 - GOODBYE (B)
Pick up 5 hours before your international flight and transfer to the airport. Have a safe trip back home!
No extra hidden cost!
What’s Included
All mentioned transfers in the program (some regular, some private).
All mentioned tours in the program include transportation with air-conditioned buses, guidance (in English), and entrance fees (except for some private sections in the museums) (Regular local tours).
(Ask for other language options for groups or private tours in the regions).
All meals as described in the itinerary as B Breakfast, L Lunch.
All local taxes.
17 nights accommodation in 3,4 or 5-star hotels according to your choice.
What’s Not Included
Tips (optional).
International flight tickets.
Domestic flight tickets. Will be calculated during the booking process.
Drinks with meals (except the drinks served at breakfast).
Travel insurance.
Visa (if needed).
Personal expenses.
No extra hidden cost!