Day : 1
Arrive Istanbul (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Welcome to Istanbul. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Relax after your journey. In the evening attend a trip briefing with your Travel Director and meet your fellow travellers.
Day : 2
Istanbul Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour including a visit to see parts of the Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453-1852. Visit the Hippodrome, once the centre of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Visit the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, so-called for its blue ceramic tiles. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world's largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets. Consider joining a delicious Turkish optional dinner where local cuisine is served along with traditional belly dancing entertainment.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 3
Istanbul – Ankara
Number of Days : 1
This morning enjoy free time in the city or take an Optional Experience Bosphorus cruise to enjoy views of the strait that separates Asia and Europe, and visit Hagia Sophia. This church was built in the Byzantine capital during the 6th century and converted into a mosque by the Ottomans. Today it houses a museum and is known as one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Early this afternoon depart for the capital city of Ankara for an overnight stay.Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day : 4
Ankara – Cappadocia (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artifacts dating back 7,500 years including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Perhaps take an Optional Experience this evening to see a mesmerising Whirling Dervish performance with dinner at a local restaurant.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 5
Cappadocia Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
This morning visit Pasabagi and the Red Valley and later stop at a regional rug production centre to have a firsthand experience of this unique art. This afternoon you may wish to take an Optional Experience to Göreme and Avanos. Göreme, a historical region of Turkey located among unique rock formations, was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Afterwards continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high quality earthenware. This evening dinner will be served at your hotel.Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day : 6
Cappadocia – Konya
Number of Days : 1
This morning visit the underground city of Sarhatli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons. Drive to Konya and visit the famous mausoleum of the Sufi philosopher Mevlana. This was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the Whirling Dervishes. Later check into your hotel in Konya and enjoy dinner.Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day : 7
Konya – Pamukkale
Number of Days : 1
After breakfast leave Konya and travel to see the unique cotton fortress of Pamukkale with its white lime cascades formed by mineral springs. You will also get to see the ruins of the ancient Roman health spa of Hierapolis. This evening enjoy a relaxing dinner at your hotel.Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day : 8
Pamukkale – Ephesus and St. Mary's House – Izmir
Number of Days : 1
Today travel to Selçuk and tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural centre of the ancient world and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, view a magnificent theatre, see the Library of Celsus, a gymnasium and finally Hadrian's Temple. Then take a short drive from Ephesus to visit St. Mary's stone cottage, where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to Izmir.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 9
Izmir – Pergamon – Troy – Çanakkale
Number of Days : 1
Visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamon and continue to Troy with its famous wooden horse. This town is best known for being the setting of the Trojan War as well as a place where many cities are built on top of each other. Continue to Çanakkale for the night with dinner served at your hotel.Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day : 10
Çanakkale – Gallipoli – Istanbul
Number of Days : 1
In the morning depart for Gallipoli, the site of many WWI battles. Visit poignant Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair before returning to Istanbul. Enjoy a last night in Istanbul with your travel companions after this comprehensive trip through Turkey.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 11
Istanbul – Athens (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
This morning take a short flight to Athens to join your 'Greek Island Explorer' trip. You are met on arrival and taken to your hotel. After check-in spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the city. Later, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Meeting.
Day : 12
Athens Sightseeing and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Your Local Specialist takes you on a morning sightseeing tour of Athens starting with a visit to the ancient Acropolis and the Parthenon, which is considered to be the most important building to survive from Classical Greece. View the Panathinaiko Olympic stadium, the Evzone guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a host of other famous sites including the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. Spend the rest of the day as you choose. This evening savour local Greek specialities at one of the city's excellent restaurants.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 13
Athens – Mykonos (3 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Transfer to Piraeus and board the Aegean ferry. Your first stop is Mykonos, popular with the rich and famous. Transfer to your hotel where you will be given an orientation tour and useful information. Spend the rest of the day exploring this magical island. Houses, shops, churches, restaurants and windmills are immaculately whitewashed, with splashes of sky blue and jade green bringing colour to door frames and window shutters, many of which are overhung with dazzling pink and purple blossoms. Dinner is included tonight. Afterwards you might like to experience the island's vibrant nightlife.Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day : 14
Mykonos Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Experience the delights of Mykonos, around 9,000 people inhabit this rugged mass of granite. One of the most cosmopolitan islands in Greece, Mykonos is known for its beaches and diverse nightlife but manages to retain a strong indigenous identity despite its popularity. If you want to see the quieter side of the island, explore narrow winding alleys full of tempting boutiques in the labyrinth of the old town.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 15
Mykonos Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Today is free for you to wander round Little Venice on the east side of the harbour or consider a sightseeing experience to the nearby sacred island of Delos, a charming island and the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. Visit the Archaeological Museum or Aegean Maritime Museum displaying ancient and nautical artifacts relating to the island's seafaring heritage. Enjoy cocktails at a waterfront restaurant and don't miss the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in the sparkling sea.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 16
Mykonos – Santorini (3 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Your holiday continues with a ferry ride south across the Aegean to the beautiful island of Santorini, your home for the next three nights. You are met at the port and transferred to your hotel where you will be given an orientation tour and useful information. After check-in, explore Santorini, also known as Thira, which is comprised of a small circular archipelago of volcanic islands and is all that remains after one of the world's largest volcanic eruptions. This created a caldera whose multi-coloured walls are spectacular and it's the islands physical beauty that, along with a dynamic nightlife, makes it one of Europe's most desirable destinations. This evening join your fellow travellers for an included dinner.Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day : 17
Santorini Free Time
Number of Days : 1
There are plenty of things to do in Santorini and you have two full days to enjoy this picturesque island. Relax in cliff-top restaurants and laze on sun-soaked beaches. Consider a cruise to explore the volcano and swim in the hot springs. Visit the island's museums or take a tour of a traditional winery and sample the grape variety unique to Santorini.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 18
Santorini Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Enjoy another full free day on this picturesque island. Santorini has an abundance of dining establishments to suit all tastes where you can dine on a full range of international cuisine, including Greek specialities. And don't miss the sunsets for which the island is justifiably famous. They are spectacular from anywhere on the caldera but particularly from Oia on the northern tip of the island, which offers an uninterrupted view of the sun as it sinks below the horizon.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 19
Santorini – Athens
Number of Days : 1
Today take the high-speed ferry back to Athens for the final night of your trip. On arrival at the port of Piraeus, you are transferred to your Athens hotel. Enjoy some last minute sightseeing, shop for souvenirs or simply relax and reflect on your amazing journey. This evening you might like to join your travelling companions for a celebration dinner - there are plenty of restaurants, tavernas and open air cafés in the colourful Plaka area with street musicians playing traditional Greek music.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 20
Depart Athens
Number of Days : 1
This morning, after breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to Greece and your new found friends at the end of your wonderful holiday. Transfers are available to the airport for your return flight home. Conditions apply.Buffet Breakfast
