Overview
From modern cities filled with worldly citizens (Istanbul, Amman & Athens) to islands dotted with small villages (Mykonos & Santorini) and awe-inspiring natural regions (Cappadocia & Pamukkale) - this itinerary combines some of the best natural & historical sites of three ancient civilizations.
• This is a flexible travel & tour package for individuals, not an escorted group coach tour. You select your own travel dates and we then customize the itinerary accordingly. The order of the route can also be changed if you wish.
• Package Rate starts from 3900 Euro per person, based on 2 persons and using 3* hotels (varies according to the number of persons traveling, your selected travel dates and hotel category). Excludes international flight to starting point Athens & from ending point Amman.
Tour itinerary
DAY 01 - Arrival Athens:
Meet at Athens Airport for transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Athens.
meals: none
DAY 02 - Athens City Tour:
Breakfast at the hotel then join on one of the following regular group excursions (you get to choose):
a) 5hr large-group coach tour: visit Acropolis, Acropolis Museum & panoramic drive in city centre
b) 5hr small-group walking tour: visit Acropolis, Acropolis Museum & stroll in the city centre
c) 5hr small-group walking tour: visit Acropolis, Ancient Agora & stroll in the city centre
***Please note your preference when making your request, otherwise, we will automatically include the 5hr large group coach tour. Other alternatives are also available, such as wine tasting and/or a foodie tour, etc.
The afternoon and evening are free at leisure for you to further explore on your own. Overnight in Athens.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 03 - Athens to Mykonos:
Transfer to the port for a fast ferry to Mykonos. Arrival, transfer to hotel, with the remainder of the day and evening free at leisure. Overnight in Mykonos ***Domestic flights to Mykonos are also available.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 04 - Mykonos at leisure:
A full day free at leisure to relax on one of the many beaches, sightsee around Mykonos town or take a day trip to the nearby island of Delos. Overnight in Mykonos.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 05 - Mykonos to Santorini:
Transfer to the port for a morning or afternoon fast ferry to Santorini. On arrival, transfer to hotel with the remainder of the afternoon and/or evening free at leisure. Overnight in Santorini
meals: breakfast included
DAY 06 - Santorini at leisure:
The day is free at leisure for you to explore around various towns, villages, museums or wineries; hike the scenic route between Fira and Oia or simply relax on the island beaches. Overnight in Santorini.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 07 - Flight Santorini to Istanbul:
Transfer to the airport for a flight from Santorini to Istanbul (via Athens). On arrival, meet at Istanbul Airport for transfer to the hotel with the remainder of the afternoon and/or evening free at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
meals: breakfast included
DAY 08 - Sultanahmet Sightseeing Tour:
Meet at the hotel to begin a full-day walking tour exploring some of the most amazing sights that the historical area has to offer. The guided tour includes the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional extra entrance to Harem room). Overnight in Istanbul.
meals: breakfast & lunch included.
DAY 09 - Bosphorus Cruise and Flight to Cappadocia:
Enjoy a morning cruise on the Bosphorus during which you have views from the vessel of various historical sights that line its shores. The guided cruise-tour also includes a visit to the famous Spice Bazaar. You then have some free time before transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Cappadocia, arrive and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia
meals: breakfast included
DAY 10 - Cappadocia Tour with Goreme:
*Optional extra: Early morning (at sunrise) 1-hour hot air balloon ride for amazing views
Today immerse yourself in the beautiful natural setting of Cappadocia. During this full-day tour, explore Devrent valley and Monk's valley (Pasabagi) with the world-famous fairy chimneys; break for lunch in Avanos; then visit Goreme Open-Air Museum exploring numerous churches and monasteries which were carved from the soft volcanic stone and decorated by Medieval Orthodox Christian Monks around 1000-1200AD. Also view Uchisar Natural rock castle. Overnight in Cappadocia.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 11 - Cappadocia Red Valley & Kaymakli Underground City:
After breakfast, join on another full-day tour, this time starting with a 4km hike (medium grade, approx 2hrs) in Red Valley exploring rock-cut churches and fairy chimneys as you make your way towards Cavusin (an old Greek village). Break for lunch, then on to explore the amazing Kaymakli Underground City. The day also includes panoramic views at Pigeon Valley with its famous dovecotes. After the tour, you have some free time before departure on the overnight intercity bus to Pamukkale. ***If you do not wish to travel by overnight bus, we can arrange using a flight. Please note your preference when making your request.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 12 - Pamukkale & Hierapolis ruins:
Arrive early morning to Pamukkale (if by overnight bus) and time for breakfast & a shower (a "morning-room" at a small nearby hotel will be provided for you to be able to do so). Then join on the day tour visiting the natural formation of the travertines in Pamukkale (translated as "Cotton Castle") and the ruins of Hierapolis. End of the day with arrival to the hotel in Kusadasi, evening free at leisure.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 13 - Ephesus Sightseeing Tour:
Last but definitely not least, enjoy a full-day tour visiting the Ancient City of Ephesus. Here you have the chance to walk down marble streets, view the magnificent Celsius Library and the Grand Theatre, just a few of the many buildings and fountains that can be found in this open-air museum. Also, visit the House of Virgin Mary & the remains of Artemis Temple. Evening free at leisure for you to enjoy the seaside town of Kusadasi
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 14 - Flight Izmir to Amman:
Welcome to the Kingdom of Jordan! Transfer to Izmir Airport for the flight to Amman, then on to the hotel in the city center. The afternoon and/or evening is free at leisure for you to stroll around on your own or simply relax and recharge at the hotel in preparation for the days ahead. Overnight in Amman.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 15 - Jerash, Ajloun & Amman:
With your private driver, depart to Jerash and visit (with 01-hour local onsite guide) the spectacular forum, Roman collonaded street, Nymphaeum and Temple of Artemis. Then head on to Ajloun, the great 12th-century Islamic castle built around 1184/85 by the famous Islamic leader Salah al-Din. Return to Amman and visit the Citadel with the remains of the Umayyad Palace and Hercules Temple as well as the Archaeological Museum. Downtown, see the Roman Theatre from the 2nd century and traditional souks, stroll in Jabal Amman. Overnight in Amman.
meals: breakfast included
•The Jordan section of this travel package is on a Private Basis. You will be taken to all mentioned sights in Jordan by private a/c tour vehicle with an English-speaking driver. Local tour guides are included for the visits of Jerash & Petra only. An optional extra cost would apply if you wish to have an escorting tour guide travel in the vehicle with you on all days - this is not a necessity, as most persons are happy with local guides in Jerash & Petra only.
DAY 16 - Madaba, Mt Nebo & Kerak:
As you head from Amman to Petra, make stops along the way visiting Mt Nebo, Madaba & Kerak. Your driver takes you first to Mt Nebo to overlook the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and parts of the Holy Land. Then a short ride on to Madaba where you have the opportunity to see the famous 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St. George’s Church as well as the other mosaics in the Archaeological Park. Continue along the ancient caravan route of the King’s Way making a short photo stop in Wadi Al Mujib, a great wide valley with magnificent geological formation. Arrive at Kerak and explore the underground passageways of the crusader castle, enjoy the view and imagine how the forces of Salah ad-Din besieged this stronghold several times. After a last 2hour drive, arrive at the hotel in Petra.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 17 - Petra & Wadi Rum:
After breakfast, explore the red rose city of Petra. Your local Petra guide takes you along the famous narrow, the Siq, and be amazed as your eye catches the amazing and world-famous Treasury. From here explore the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh's Castle. After some free time to explore the site further on your own, transfer to another of nature's wonderlands that has attracted human beings for thousands of years, Wadi Rum. Here enjoy a 4x4 jeep ride through the unusual desert terrain with towering cliffs shooting out of the sandy desert floor and some amazing natural rock bridges. Arrive at the tented camp in Wadi Rum and enjoy dinner under the starry night sky.
meals: breakfast & dinner included
DAY 18 - Dead Sea & return to Amman:
After breakfast, proceed north to the lowest spot of the world, the Dead Sea. Here you have free time at leisure to relax/float in the salty waters before continuing on the drive back to Amman. Overnight in Amman. ***For those that wish, we can arrange for you to stay this night at the Dead Sea, instead of back in Amman city centre.
meals: breakfast included (dinner optional)
DAY 19 - Departure
As per your international flight departure time, transfer from the hotel to Amman Airport.