Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive at Istanbul SAW Airport and head to your hotel to check in and get settled. This is your arrival day, so there's time to rest up before the main touring begins tomorrow. No meals are included, so grab something at the airport or near your hotel if you're hungry.
- Day 2
Istanbul
Your guided tour takes you through Istanbul's major landmarks starting with Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. From there you'll see the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque with its six minarets, then spend time walking through the Grand Bazaar with its thousands of shops. You'll return to your hotel by evening after a full day of exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hagia Sophia
- Guided tour of Topkapi Palace
- Guided tour of Hippodrome
- Guided tour of Blue Mosque
- Guided tour of Grand Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Hippodrome Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar - Day 3
Istanbul to Canakkale
Drive to Canakkale for a tour of the ANZAC Battlefields, visiting Brighton Beach, ANZAC Cove, Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, and Turkish memorials. After that, you'll explore the archaeological site at Troya, which is UNESCO-recognized, to see the famous Trojan Horse ruins, ancient temples, and structures. Check into your Canakkale hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of ANZAC Battlefields including Brighton Beach, ANZAC Cove, Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, and Johnston's Jolly
- Guided tour of Troya Archaeological Site including Walls of Troy, Megaron House, Ramp of Troy, Roman bath, Odeon, and Temple of Athena
Landmarks/POIs ANZAC Battlefields ANZAC Cove Lone Pine Australian Memorial Troya Archaeological Site - Day 4
Canakkale to Kusadasi
After breakfast, you'll travel to Pergamum to explore temples, palaces, the Zeus Altar, and the Parchment Library. Then visit the Asklepion ruins, an ancient medical center. Along the way you'll see the Aegean Sea with olive trees and views of Greek and Turkish islands. Check in at your Kusadasi hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Pergamum including temples, palaces, agoras, Zeus Altar, and Parchment Library
- Guided tour of Asklepion ruins
Landmarks/POIs Pergamum Asklepion - Day 5
Kusadasi
Start with the House of the Virgin Mary, a church built on 1st century AD foundations. Then head to Ancient Ephesus to see the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders), the third-largest ancient library, and the largest Roman theatre in Asia. This full-day tour covers one of the Eastern Mediterranean's best-preserved classical cities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of House of the Virgin Mary
- Guided tour of Ancient Ephesus
- Guided tour of Temple of Artemis
Landmarks/POIs House of the Virgin Mary Ancient Ephesus Temple of Artemis - Day 6
Kusadasi to Pamukkale and back
You'll spend the day at Pamukkale, the UNESCO terraces formed by warm spring water with healing properties. Visit Hierapolis, the ancient city above the terraces, to see its necropolis with 1,200 gravestones and the Sacred Pool with thermal waters over Roman ruins. Head back to your Kusadasi hotel in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Pamukkale terraces
- Guided tour of Hierapolis ancient city and necropolis
- Guided visit to Sacred Pool
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale Hierapolis - Day 7
Kusadasi to Patmos (Cruise Embarkation)
Transfer to Kusadasi Port for passport control, then board the Celestyal Olympia at 13:00. The cruise sails toward Patmos, arriving around 16:30 and staying until 21:30 in the evening. You'll spend your first night on the cruise ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Patmos - Day 8
Crete to Santorini (Cruise)
In the morning, join a half-day guided tour to Knossos on Crete to see the Minoan civilization's remains, including the central court, Throne Room, Grand Staircase, and frescoes. You'll return to the ship by noon, then sail toward Santorini and stay until 21:30 to explore on your own. Overnight on the cruise ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided half-day tour to Knossos including central court, Throne Room, Grand Staircase, and Prince of the Lilies fresco
Landmarks/POIs Knossos Crete Santorini - Day 9
Athens to Mikonos (Cruise)
Take a guided morning tour of Athens visiting the Acropolis and Parthenon, then explore Plaka with its historic houses and cobblestone streets. You'll pass the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and see the Panathenaic Stadium from the 1896 Olympic Games. Return to the cruise, which sails to Mikonos and stays until 23:00 for your own exploration. Overnight on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided morning tour of Acropolis with Parthenon
- Guided tour of Plaka neighborhood
- Guided visit to Panathenaic Stadium
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Mikonos
Landmarks/POIs Acropolis Parthenon Plaka Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Panathenaic Stadium - Day 10
Mikonos to Kusadasi (Cruise Disembarkation)
Your cruise arrives at Kusadasi Port where a driver meets you for a transfer to Izmir Airport for your onward flight. Tour services end here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
