Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
You'll land in Istanbul and connect with your English-speaking assistant right at the airport. From there, transfer to your hotel, get checked in, and settle in for the evening.
- Day 2
Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, head to the Spice Market for some shopping and free time to wander around. You'll then take a 1.5-hour Bosphorus cruise where you can see palaces and wooden houses that sit on both the European and Asian sides. Grab lunch at a local restaurant, then make stops at the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Hagia Sophia. The day winds down with free time at the Grand Bazaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Bosphorus Cruise (1.5 hours)
- Visit Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
- Visit Hippodrome
- Visit Hagia Sophia
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Spice Market
- Free time at Grand Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) Hippodrome Hagia Sophia Spice Market Grand Bazaar - Day 3
Istanbul to Ankara
After breakfast, you'll visit Topkapi Palace to see where Ottoman sultans once lived. Then you'll head out for Ankara, Turkey's capital city, arriving in the early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Topkapi Palace
Landmarks/POIs Topkapi Palace - Day 4
Ankara to Cappadocia
Breakfast comes first, followed by a visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum where you can explore artifacts from Neolithic, Paleolithic, Urartu, Hatti, Hittite, and Phrygia civilizations. Next, you'll pay respects at the Mausoleum of Ataturk. In the afternoon, you'll drive toward Cappadocia, stopping at an underground city that early Christians carved out for protection.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Anatolian Civilizations Museum
- Visit Mausoleum of Ataturk
- Visit Underground City
Landmarks/POIs Anatolian Civilizations Museum Mausoleum of Ataturk - Day 5
Cappadocia
This day is all about Cappadocia. You'll check out Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO site featuring cave churches carved right into the valley landscape. From there, explore Uchisar Village and the distinctive fairy chimneys. Later, head to Derbent Valley to see natural rock formations and visit carpet and onyx-stone workshops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO Heritage site)
- Visit Uchisar Village
- Visit fairy chimneys
- Explore Derbent Valley
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Balloon Tour (early morning departure)
Landmarks/POIs Göreme Open Air Museum Uchisar Village Derbent Valley - Day 6
Cappadocia to Pamukkale
After breakfast, you'll drive toward Pamukkale and stop along the way at Sultanhan Caravansarai, a historical site from the Seljuk Empire period. Upon reaching Pamukkale, visit the Cotton Steps, a UNESCO heritage site known for its thermal waters with healing properties.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sultanhan Caravansarai
- Visit Cotton Steps (Pamukkale) - UNESCO heritage site
Landmarks/POIs Sultanhan Caravansarai Pamukkale (Cotton Steps) - Day 7
Pamukkale to Izmir
After breakfast, drive to Selcuk-Ephesus and explore the Ephesus Ruins, including the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, and structures connected to Artemis worship. You'll also visit the House of Virgin Mary, believed to be her final home. Before heading to Izmir for the night, stop at a leather production store.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ephesus Ruins
- Visit Virgin Mary House
Optional Activities
- Stop at Leather Production Store
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Ruins Library of Celsus Temple of Hadrian Virgin Mary House - Day 8
Izmir to Canakkale
After breakfast, head to the Pergamon region and see the Asclepion, considered the first hospital of Asia Minor. Then continue to Troy to walk through the famous ancient city immortalized in Homer's work. You'll finish the day in Canakkale.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Asclepion Ruins (Pergamon)
- Visit Troy
Landmarks/POIs Asclepion Troy - Day 9
Canakkale to Gallipoli to Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll cross the Dardanelles Strait by car ferry to reach Gallipoli Peninsula. Spend the day visiting WWI battlefields including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Turkish and Allied trenches, plus various memorials and cemeteries. By evening, you'll return to Istanbul.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry
- Visit Gallipoli WWI Battlefields
- Visit Brighton Beach
- Visit Beach Cemetery
- Visit ANZAC Cove
- Visit Ariburnu Cemetery
- Visit ANZAC Commemorative Site
- Visit Lone Pine Australian Memorial
- Visit Johnston's Jolly
- Visit 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial
- Visit The Nek
- Visit Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial
Landmarks/POIs Gallipoli Peninsula ANZAC Cove Lone Pine Australian Memorial - Day 10
Istanbul to Athens
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Athens. When you land, your English-speaking team member will meet you, help with hotel check-in, and provide travel information. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore Athens at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Day 11
Athens
Take the morning at an easy pace. At 3:40pm, meet your assistant at Syntagma Square to watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony. You'll then have a panoramic city tour passing by the Athenian Trilogy (National Library, University of Athens, Academy of Athens), the Presidential Residence, Kallimarmaro Stadium, Zappeion, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Hadrian's Gate. The tour ends around 7:30pm at Philopappou Hill where you can take in city views. Later, join a guided walking tour through Anafiotika, Thissio, Monastiraki, and Plaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Changing of the Guards at Syntagma Square
- Panoramic city tour of Athens
- Athens by Night guided walking tour through Anafiotika, Thissio, Monastiraki, and Plaka
Optional Activities
- Visit Acropolis (independent)
- Explore Monastiraki (independent)
Landmarks/POIs Syntagma Square Hellenic Parliament National Library of Greece University of Athens Academy of Athens Presidential Residence Kallimarmaro Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium) Zappeion Temple of Olympian Zeus Hadrian's Gate Philopappou Hill Acropolis Monastiraki Plaka Anafiotika Thissio - Day 12
Athens to Mykonos
Your assistant will take you to Piraeus port in the morning for a ferry to Mykonos. The sea crossing is timed nicely so you can relax and enjoy the Aegean. When you arrive, your English-speaking representative will meet you, transfer you to your hotel, and introduce you to the island. The rest of the day is free to settle in and experience local life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry transfer from Piraeus to Mykonos
Landmarks/POIs Mykonos - Day 13
Mykonos
You have the full day free to explore Mykonos. The island draws an international crowd and offers beautiful beaches, excellent shops, and a lively nightlife scene if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Mykonos beaches
- Shopping at island shops
- Visit nearby island of Delos (short ferry ride) - birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in Greek mythology
Landmarks/POIs Delos - Day 14
Mykonos to Santorini
After breakfast, your staff will pick you up and drive you to the port for your ferry to Santorini. As you approach, you'll see Fira, the capital, perched dramatically on the cliffside with white houses overlooking the volcano. Your English-speaking representative will greet you, take you to your hotel, and introduce you to the island. The rest of the day is free to wander narrow streets and take in Santorini's character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry transfer from Mykonos to Santorini
Landmarks/POIs Fira - Day 15
Santorini
You have a free day to explore Santorini at your own pace. The island offers endless ways to discover its character, from quiet spots to the legendary sites tied to the lost continent of Atlantis.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Santorini villages and streets
- Visit scenic viewpoints
- Explore local shops and restaurants
- Day 16
Santorini to Crete (Heraklion)
At your arranged time, transfer to Athinios port for your ferry to Crete. You'll arrive at Heraklion, the port city on Greece's largest island. Your staff member will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry transfer from Santorini to Heraklion
- Day 17
Heraklion
After breakfast, you have the day free to explore Heraklion. Take a leisurely walk through the charming historical center, and make sure to see the Palace of Knossos, the legendary home of King Minos and the mythical Minotaur.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Palace of Knossos
- Explore historical center of Heraklion
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Knossos - Day 18
Heraklion to Athens (Departure)
After breakfast, transfer to Heraklion airport for your included flight back to Athens. Once you land in Athens, you'll connect to your international flight, ideally departing after 12:30pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
