DAY - 1 ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
The first day is your arrival at Athens International Airport, where you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel. Overnight in Athens.
DAY 2 - HALF A DAY ATHENS CITY TOUR (B)
08:00 am 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. The afternoon is free for your leisure for you to further explore Athens' hidden secrets. (Optional afternoon tour to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon.) Overnight in Athens.
DAY 3 - FERRY TO SANTORINI (B)
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 4 - SANTORINI (B)
Free day at leisure to relax on one of the many beaches of Santorini (gold, red, or black sand) or explore the capital, Fira. Overnight in Santorini.
DAY 5 - FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL VIA ATHENS (B)
Flight to Istanbul via Athens. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 6- BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN RELICS TOUR (B-L)
08:15 am Pick up from the reception and depart for the tour. Visiting, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays and Feast days), and Topkapi Palace (Closed on Tuesdays). The tour ends around 4:00 pm. Return to the hotel and overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 7 - FLIGHT TO CAPPADOCIA / CAPPADOCIA TOUR #1 (B-L)
04:00 am Pick up from the reception and transfer to the airport. You will fly into either Kayseri or Nevsehir. Arrive at the airport and depart for the tour. Visiting Devrent Valley, Monk`s Valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world-renowned fairy chimneys. After the lunch break, continue 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.
DAY - 8 CAPPADOCIA TOUR #2 & FLIGHT TO IZMIR (B-L) (Flight may be via Istanbul to Izmir)
Check out from the hotel; at 09:30 am, 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 the 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 to the hotel at Kayseri airport for the flight to Izmir, meet at the airport, and transfer to the hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
OPTIONAL TOUR: Hot Air Balloon Ride
DAY 9 - Ephesus and Virgin Mary Tour (breakfast-lunch)
During the Ephesus Full-day tour, you will see the ruins in the ancient city of Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, the Ephesus Archeology Museum, and the House of the Virgin Mary. Ephesus was once the most important commercial center of western Anatolia. After lunch visit the House of the Virgin Mary (reputed to be where she spent her final days). Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 10 - Hierapolis / Pamukkale tour & FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL (breakfast-lunch)
8:00 am pick up from the hotel (it may vary). Drive to Hierapolis ancient city (3 hours). You will visit the Hierapolis; Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis, which is one of the most significant ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1,200 graves, the Roman Bath, Domitian Gate, the Main Street, and the Byzantian Gate. Then, you walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm water that contains calcium. A swim in the effervescent waters of the Sacred Pool should be at the top of the list on any travel itinerary. In addition to a high level of natural radioactivity, the water contains calcium bicarbonate, calcium sulfate, magnesium, and carbon dioxide. After a swim, you should simply dry off and let the minerals do their magic. Then you will be taken to Denizli airport for your flight to Istanbul. Reception at the meeting point at Istanbul or SAW airport for transportation service to the hotel in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 11 - GOOD-BYE (B)
Pick up 5 hours before your international flight and transfer to Istanbul airport. Have a safe trip back home!
No extra hidden cost!
WHAT`S INCLUDED
Hotel accommodation according to your selection as 3, 4, or 5 stars.
Services of professionally licensed guides on local Group tours. In English.
(Ask for other language options for groups, or private tours in the regions).
Meals as: B breakfasts, L lunch.
Transportation in fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coaches on local tours and transfers. Regular group.
English-speaking guided tours are mentioned in the itinerary (Regular group).
Inbound and outbound airport transfers to/from your hotel.
All taxes, entrance & museum fees, and baggage handling. (unless otherwise stated)
Ferry tickets as indicated in the itinerary.
NOT INCLUDED
International airfares.
One-way international flight from Santorini to Istanbul. (Will be calculated during booking).
Domestic flights if as indicated in the itinerary. (Will be calculated during booking).
VISA needed for Turkey & Greece.
Tips to guide, driver, hotel staff, etc (Optional).
Items of a personal nature.
Harem and Treasure room entrance fees in Topkapi Palace.
Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast).
Travel Insurance and medical services.
Greece Stayover Tax to be paid directly to hotels per room per night: 3* hotels €1.5 / 4* Hotels €3 / 5* Hotels €4
No extra hidden cost!
