20 NIGHTS / 22 DAYS
Day 1: USA - Istanbul (Turkey)
Flight with a good itinerary.
Day 2: Istanbul
Arrival at the airport in Istanbul. You will be greeted by our local representatives after exiting the customs and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. There, you will get a quick briefing from the tour guide about the itinerary. Rest of the day free to start your exploration of this legendary city. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, half-day guided city tour of Istanbul including the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the sportive and social center of the Byzantine Empire, and the Blue Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Istanbul built in the 17th century and famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets.You will also visit the Topkapı Palace which was the imperial residence of the sultan of the immense Ottoman Empire. Today, the palace is a spectacular museum which houses one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain as well as the famous Spoonmaker's Diamond, the fourth largest diamond of its kind.
You will also visit the Spice Market, known in Turkish as Misir Carsisi (Egyptian Bazaar), where you will discover different spices, their flavors and healing qualities. Located in Eminonu, Istanbul's oldest district, right next to the Flower Bazaar, the market was built by Hatice Turhan Sultan in 1660. Bedazzle your senses with the tempting variety of interesting spices, such as saffron, nigella seeds, chili, cumin, curry, all used for savory cooking as well as medicines. Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Optional half-day city tour of Istanbul ($) including Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and the underground Cistern Basilica (approx. $80 USD per person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Day 4: Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure southward to Canakkale. You will make a stop en route to visit the First World War battlefields at Gallipoli, where one of the Ottoman Empire's greatest military victories took place in 1915. Continuation to the hotel in Canakkale for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Day 5: Canakkale - Troy - Pergamon - Izmir
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to the site of the Ancient Greek city of Troy located southeast of the Dardanelles strait, close to Mount Ida. Both factual and legendary, Troy is famous for being the focus of the Trojan War, one of the most important events in Greek mythology and the scene of the legendary Fall of Troy, described in the Homer's Iliad and made famous by its wooden horse. You will visit the archaeological site of the city founded around 3500 BC, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see a reconstruction of the fabled wooden horse.
Continuation to Pergamon, a major cultural center of the Greek world in the 2nd century BC and one of Turkey's finest archaeological sites, where you will see the Asclepeion, an ancient Roman spa center. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will drive to Izmir. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Izmir. (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Day 6: Izmir
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at leisure to discover Izmir, Turkey's third largest city located on the shore of the Aegean Sea. Walking along the large promenade, you will reach the historic clock tower at Konak Square, the busiest place in the city. Stop at a local restaurant nearby to taste a typical Turkish coffee before discovering the authentic Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar, a rare sample of Ottoman architecture. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Optional full-day tour ($) of the Ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary (approx. $85 USD / person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Day 7: Izmir - Hierapolis-Pamukkale - Antalya
After breakfast, departure toward the wonderful site of Hierapolis-Pamukkale. Located near the city of Denizli, Pamukkale (meaning "Cotton Castle" in Turkish) is a unique and spectacular natural site, with its fairy-like, dazzling white cascade. Pamukkale's terraces are made of travertine, which is a sedimentary rock deposited by water from hot springs. The thermal water has been used since the Roman time for its therapeutic powers.
On top of the "castle" is the Greco-Roman spa city of Heriapolis, built in the 2nd century BC. You will visit Apollo's temple, which was competing with the one in Delphi at the time, the monumental Nymphaeum dedicated to the nymphs, the goddesses of water, and the Roman theatre. You will also see the well-preserved, extensive necropolis. Continuation to Antalya. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Day 8: Antalya
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure to explore Antalya, the heart of the Turkish Riviera. Discover the authentic and historic charm of Antalya as you stroll through the Kaleici district. Around the corner of a cobbled alley, you will see Hadrian's Gate, a magnificent example of Roman architecture dating back 130 AD, as well as the Old Clock Tower. Admire breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding mountains from Karaalioglu Park where the Hidirlik Tower sits, watching the bay since the 2nd century AD. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Optional full-day tour ($) including Antalya Archaeological Museum, Perge and Aspendos (approx. $65 USD / person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Day 9: Antalya - Cappadocia
Following breakfast at the hotel, departure for Cappadocia. En route, you will visit the large 13th-century Sultan Han caravanserai. This caravanserai provided traders, both foreign and native, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair, and many other common conveniences along the Silk Road. Continuation to Nevsehir. Overnight in Cappadocia. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Optional evening show ($) including Whirling Dervishes performance (approx. $40 USD / person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Day 10: Cappadocia
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure to explore the splendid region of Cappadocia. Explore one of the many underground cities open to the public. Digged into the rock, Göreme is one of those remarkable cities, the image of the undeniable charm of Cappadocia with its immaculate, fairy-like cliffs and hills cut by erosion. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Optional ($) Cappadocia Balloon Ride (approx. $230 USD / person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Optional full-day ($) Cappadocia tour (approx. $65 USD / person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Day 11: Cappadocia - Ankara
After breakfast at the hotel, departure for the Turkish capital, Ankara. Upon arrival, you will see the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. This museum has the finest archeological collection in all Turkey and contains records of every civilization that passed through Anatolia with priceless items dating back 7500 years. Overnight in Ankara. (Breakfast)
Day 12: Ankara - Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel and departure toward Istanbul. Rest of the day free to continue your exploration of the captivating city of Istanbul, bridge between Europe and Asia. Wander around the districts of Fener and Balat, where the small streets and colorful houses will give you the impression of being in a village. Make your way to Karakoy district, the former financial center of the Ottoman Empire, where you will be impressed by the magnificent buildings constructed by the Empire's wealthiest families. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Optional ($) Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise (approx. $50 USD / person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Day 13: Istanbul - Athens
After breakfast, greeting in the lobby of your hotel by our local representatives and transfer to the airport for your flight to Athens.
Arrival at the airport in Athens. You will be greeted by our local representatives after exiting the customs and transferred to your hotel in Athens. The rest of your day is free to relax or start your exploration of the historic city of Athens.(Breakfast)
Day 14: Athens
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day at leisure to continue your exploration of Athens. Athens is one of those cities that you have to visit at least once in your lifetime. Not only is this city home to the Acropolis and some of the most important architectural structures and archaeological finds in the Western world, it is also a very modern city, an urban amalgam of extraordinary art, culture, cuisine and shopping. (Breakfast)
Day 15: Athens
After breakfast at the hotel, pick-up for a guided tour of Athens and its famous Acropolis. Discover the ancient citadel of the Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena, where remains of great historic significance can be found, the most famous being the Parthenon. From the Hill of the Muses, where the citadel sits, enjoy great views over Greece's capital. You will also visit the New Acropolis Museum, where more than 4,000 objects from the Greek Bronze Age to Byzantine Greece are exhibited.(Breakfast)
Day 16: Athens - Paros
After breakfast at the hotel, greeting in the lobby of your hotel and transfer to the port of Athens to embark on a high-speed ferry toward Paros.
Arrival at the port of Paros. Greeting by our local representatives and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the charming city of Parikia, the capital and the main port of Paros. (Breakfast)
Days 17 to 18: Paros
All breakfasts at the hotel. 2 days to explore the gorgeous island of Paros at leisure. You can also book optional excursions ($) directly at your hotel. (Breakfasts)
With its historical heritage dating back almost 7,000 years, its cultural and architectural wonders such as the Panagia Katapoliani (a Byzantine church built in the 6th century), its fine sand beaches with crystal clear waters and its picturesque villages consisting of white walled houses and narrow streets full of flowers, Paros has everything to seduce travelers.
Day 19:Paros - Santorini
After breakfast, greeting in the lobby of your hotel and transfer to the port of Paros to embark on a ferry toward Santorini.
Arrival at the port. Greeting by our local representatives and transfer to your hotel. Take advantage of your afternoon and evening at leisure to discover the infinite charm and beauty of this island. (Breakfast)
Day 20: Santorini
Breakfast at the hotel. Explore the majestic island of Santorini at leisure. You can also book optional excursions ($) directly at your hotel. (Breakfast)
Whitewashed villages clinging to the sides of the sea cliffs have made the volcanic island of Santorini one of the most widely photographed places in the world. The island's charm and subtle mystery have even made it a target of speculation as to the location of the lost city of Atlantis. On the other side of the island, black-sand beaches slide toward the sea. Venture on this island to appreciate a little corner of paradise where, after watching an unforgettable sunset, you will most likely want to stay forever.
Day 21: Santorini - Athens
After breakfast at the hotel, greeting in the lobby and transfer to the port of Santorini to embark on a high-speed ferry toward Athens.
Arrival at the port of Athens. Greeting by our local representatives and transfer to your hotel in Athens. Enjoy the rest of your day to explore the friendly areas of Plaka and Monastiraki and enjoy a glass of wine on a rooftop with views of the Acropolis. (Breakfast)
Day 22: Athens - USA
Breakfast at the hotel. Greeting in the lobby by our local representatives and transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (Breakfast)
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*Please note that the order of the islands in Greece is subject to change and will be confirmed within 15 days prior the departure.
