Overview
This itinerary can also be done in reverse order - start Athens end Istanbul.
Greece and Turkey offers a wealth of historical & cultural sites, beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine and warm hearted locals. This itinerary takes you from vibrant Istanbul through to Athens covering Cappadocia, Ephesus & Pamukkale then some free time for relaxing on the magical islands of Mykonos & Santorini as well as to the archaelogical sites of Delphi & the amazing scenery of Meteora Monasteries.
• This is NOT an escorted coach tour with group of same persons travelling together from start to end.
• It is a flexible travel package for individuals. You choose your own travel dates & there is also the option to customize the itinerary to suit your particular interests / where you would most like to visit in each country.
• Package Rate varies depending on number of persons travelling / your exact dates of travel / category of hotels used / any changes you might wish to make etc. Package rate starts from 2450 Euro per person - based on 2 persons using 3* hotels during low season. Excludes international flight to Istanbul for start & from Athens at the very end.
Tour itinerary
DAY 01 - Welcome to Turkey:
A transfer service will be waiting to welcome you in the arrivals hall of Istanbul Airport and take you on to the hotel for check-in. Overnight in Istanbul
meals: none
DAY 02 - Historical Tour of Istanbul
No visit to Istanbul would be complete without a guided tour taking you to explore the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional extra entrance to Harem room). Evening free at leisure to stroll around and enjoy dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul.
meals: breakfast & lunch included.
DAY 03 - Cruise on Bosphorous, head to Cappadocia:
Enjoy a morning cruise on the Bosphorous during which you have views from the vessel of various historical sights that line its shores. Also includes a visit to the famous Spice Bazaar & Rustempasha Mosque. Then some free time at leisure until transfer to airport for departure on domestic flight to Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia
meals: breakfast included
DAY 04 - Goreme & other Cappadocian highlights:
*Optional: very early morning 1 hour hot air balloon ride, amazing views over the valleys
Today discover great heritage & natural beauty of Cappadocia. During this full day tour explore Devrent Valley and Monk's Valley (Pasabagi) where you find the world famous fairy chimneys; break for lunch in Avanos, then visit Goreme Open-Air Museum with numerous churches and monasteries carved from the soft volcanic stone and decorated by Medieval Orthodox Christian Monks. Also view Uchisar Natural rock castle. Overnight in Cappadocia.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 05 - Kaymakli Underground City:
Join on another full day tour starting with a 4km (medium grade) hike in Red Valley exploring rock-cut churches and colorful fairy chimneys along the way. Visit Cavusin (old Greek village) then delve down into Kaymakli Underground City. The day also includes panoramic views at Pigeon Valley with its famous dove cotes & Ortahisar. A little free time before transfer to bus station for departure on overnight intercity bus to Pamukkale.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
*If you do not wish to travel by overnight bus we can arrange to use flight instead, please note your preference when making your request.
DAY 06 - Cotton Castle & Hierapolis ruins:
Arrive early morning (if by overnight bus) to Pamukkale and transfer to a small hotel where a day room is provided for you to have a shower and breakfast. Then meet up with tour visiting the natural formation of the travertens (cotton cliffs/cotton castle) in Pamukkale along with the ruins of Hierapolis. End of day with arrival to hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 07 - Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary:
Last but definately not least, depart on 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 & remains of Artemis Temple. Overnight in Kusadasi.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 08 - Kusadasi/Izmir to Mykonos:
Breakfast, check-out and either transfer to Kusadasi Port for ferry route Kusadasi-Samos & Samos-Mykonos or transfer to Izmir Airport for flight to Mykonos (via Athens). Which option will be used will depend on your chosen travel dates, as both the ferry & flight options operate only on certain days of the week (schedules for which are known to change from year to year). Arrive Mykonos and meet for transfer to the hotel. Evening free at leisure to begin exploring this famous island. Overnight in Mykonos.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 09 - Mykonos at leisure:
Breakfast at hotel and a full day free at leisure for you to explore Mykonos Town and other areas of the island. Dont forget about the famous nightlife which is on offer. Overnight in Mykonos.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 10 - Mykonos to Santorini:
Breakfast, check-out and as per selected time transfer to port for departure on seajet ferry to Santorini (ferry takes around 3hours). Arrive and meet for transfer to hotel with remainder of the day & evening free at leisure. Overnight in Santorini. *During winter season (November to March) we would need to use flight via Athens to connect these two islands.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 11 - Santorini at leisure:
Today is free at leisure for you to explore this magical island - during the day you can relax on one of its many beaches, visit a few of its picturesque villages, stroll the scenic route from Fira to Oia. There are optional excursions available, on request. End the day watching the romantic sunset over the caldera either from your hotel or during dinner at a local taverna/restaurant. Overnight in Santorini.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 12 - Santorini to Athens:
Breakfast, check-out and as per selected time transfer to port for departure on ferry to Athens (ferry takes between 5hrs to 9hrs depending on vessel - if you prefer 1hr domestic flights are also available). Arrive and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Athens.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 13 - Athens City Tour with Acropolis:
Breakfast at hotel then join on one of the following regular group excursions (you get to choose):
a) 5hr Coach tour: visit Acropolis, New Acropolis Museum & panoramic drive through city center
b) 3hr Walking tour: visit Acropolis & stroll through the city centre
c) 5hr Walking tour: visit Acropolis, New Acropolis Museum & stroll through city centre
d) 3hr Athens Food walking tour: visiting specialty food shops with tastings & Varvakeios market
*Other alternatives available, like wine tasting etc, advise your preference in the enquiry form
Afternoon and evening free at leisure for you to further explore on your own. Overnight in Athens.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 14 - Delphi - center of the ancient world:
*This 02-day tour operates every Mon/Wed/Thurs/Sat from April to October (summer season) / and every Wed only from November to March (winter season). Depending on your travel dates we may need to adjust the order of the itinerary slightly to suit the tour operation dates (for example do Delphi-Meteora first and after that the Athens City Tour).
Meet at hotel to join on a 02-day escorted group coach tour. Leave for Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova. Arrive Delphi and visit the Archaeological Site (visit of Delphi Museum not included during this particular 02-day tour). After the visit depart for Kalambaka, passing through picturesque villages and towns of Central Greece. Overnight in Kalambaka.
meals: breakfast & dinner included
DAY 15 - Perched monasteries of Meteora:
Visit Meteora and enjoy a unique and most impressive scenery with ageless Monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between earth and sky atop huge rocks. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see from across the road the Leonida's Monument), arrive in Athens early in the evening. Overnight in Athens.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 16 - Departure from Athens:
Breakfast, check-out and as per your international flight departure time transfer to Athens Airport.