Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
Your English-speaking assistant will meet you at the airport and handle your transfer to the hotel with check-in. The afternoon and evening are open for you to do as you like. If you want something extra, there's the option of a Bosphorus night cruise or a traditional hamam session for relaxation.
Optional Activities
- Night Cruise on the Bosphorus
- Hamam Cimberlitas spa treatment (one hour)
- Day 2
Istanbul to Ankara to Cappadocia
After breakfast, your assistant picks you up for a flight to Ankara. You'll see the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk. From there, you head to Cappadocia with a stop at one of the region's largest underground cities. Dinner and rest happen at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
- Explore Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk
- Stop at underground city along route to Cappadocia
- Dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia (subject to weather conditions)
Landmarks/POIs Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk - Day 3
Cappadocia
Following breakfast, the entire day focuses on Cappadocia's landscape. Start at Uçhisar with its troglodyte villages and the Kaymakli underground city. Later, check out Görème Valley's open-air museum with rock-carved churches, then walk through Pasabag Valley's fairy chimneys. You'll finish in Avanos to see its pottery work and newly discovered underground city. Dinner is back at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Uçhisar troglodyte villages
- Visit Underground City of Kaymakli
- Tour Görème Valley open-air museum and rock-carved churches
- Explore Pasabag Valley and fairy chimneys
- Visit pottery factories in Avanos
- See Avanos underground city
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Uçhisar Underground City of Kaymakli Görème Valley Pasabag Valley Avanos - Day 4
Cappadocia to Pamukkale
After breakfast, you travel to Pamukkale with a stop at the historic Old Palace and Medieval Fort of Caravanserai. Once you arrive, the day is yours to explore at your own pace. The travertine terraces created by natural hot springs are the main draw here. Dinner happens at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Old Palace and Medieval Fort of Caravanserai
- Explore Pamukkale travertine terraces
- Dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Thermal pool at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Caravanserai Pamukkale - Day 5
Pamukkale to Ephesus
Breakfast comes first, then you head to Hierapolis, a World Heritage Site featuring the Necropolis, ancient Roman baths, and Cotton Castle. After lunch, there's a visit to Meryamana, believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final years. Next you travel to Ephesus to see the Library of Celsus and Theater ruins. Check-in, dinner, and rest follow at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Hierapolis archaeological site
- Visit Necropolis
- Tour Roman baths
- Visit Cotton Castle natural park
- Visit pilgrimage site of Meryamana
- Explore Ephesus ancient Roman city
- See Odeon
- View Arch of Hercules
- Tour Library of Celsus
- Visit Greco-Roman Theater
- Explore Agora
- Visit Basilica of Saint John
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Hierapolis Library of Celsus Ephesus Basilica of Saint John - Day 6
Ephesus to Izmir to Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll head to Izmir airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Once you arrive, your transfer takes you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to walk around and see the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Shop for hand-painted pottery, carpets, or traditional-style clothing in Izmir
- Day 7
Istanbul
Breakfast done, you'll meet your English-speaking guide for a full day covering Istanbul's main sites. The itinerary includes Hagia Sophia, Constantinople Racecourse, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar with its thousands of shops. Lunch happens at a central restaurant. After the tour finishes, you can either explore the old city more or head back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at central city restaurant)
Included Activities
- Full-day city tour with English-speaking guide
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Visit Constantinople Racecourse
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit Topkapi Palace
- Explore Grand Bazaar
- Lunch at central city restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque Topkapi Palace Grand Bazaar Camlica Hill - Day 8
Istanbul to Athens
You'll transfer to Istanbul International Airport and fly to Athens. An English-speaking assistant meets you and arranges your private vehicle to the hotel. After settling in, your evening is open for unwinding and seeing this historic capital at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Lycabettus Hill - Day 9
Athens
The morning is open for sleeping in or exploring on your own. At 15:40, your assistant meets you at Syntagma Square to catch the Changing of the Guards at 16:00. Then you'll drive through the city seeing the Athenian Trilogy, Presidential Residence, Kallimarmaro Stadium, Zappeion, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Philopappou Hill ends the tour around 19:30 with city views. That leaves time for dinner in Plaka or an optional evening walking tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Witness Changing of the Guards at Hellenic Parliament
- Panoramic city tour
- See Athenian Trilogy (National Library, University of Athens, Academy of Athens)
- View Presidential Residence
- See Kallimarmaro Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium)
- See Zappeion
- Visit Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Gate
- Visit Philopappou Hill
Optional Activities
- Athens by Night Walking Tour (Monastiraki, Plaka, Anafiotika)
Landmarks/POIs Hellenic Parliament National Library of Greece University of Athens Academy of Athens Kallimarmaro Stadium Temple of Olympian Zeus Hadrian's Gate Philopappou Hill Monastiraki Plaka - Day 10
Athens to Mykonos
You'll transfer to Piraeus Port and board a ferry to Mykonos. Spend the journey on the sunny deck taking in the Aegean Sea. When you arrive, an English-speaking representative greets you and arranges your hotel transfer. The rest of your day is yours to relax and settle into the island's laid-back pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Mykonos - Day 11
Mykonos
This is a free day to explore Mykonos on your own. The island is known for nice beaches, good shopping, and a lively nightlife scene. Try the local Mediterranean food with fresh vegetables, olive oil, and seafood. If you're interested, the nearby island of Delos is historically significant as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Rent a car or motorcycle to explore the island
- Day trip to Delos island
Landmarks/POIs Delos - Day 12
Mykonos to Santorini
After breakfast, your representative picks you up at the scheduled time for a drive to the port. You'll board a fast ferry to Santorini with views of Fira's white clifftop houses facing the volcano. When you arrive, an English-speaking representative welcomes you and takes you to your hotel with information about the island. The rest of the day is open for wandering the narrow streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Fira Oia - Day 13
Santorini
The day is yours to explore Santorini. There's an optional sailboat tour available if you want to visit the Nea and Palea Kameni islands within the caldera. You can see natural hot springs and their distinctive green and yellow waters if you choose to go.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Sailboat tour to Nea and Palea Kameni islands with natural hot springs
Landmarks/POIs Nea Kameni Palea Kameni - Day 14
Santorini to Athens
You'll transfer to Santorini Airport for your return flight to Athens. Your arrival timing works well with international flights departing after 12:30 PM. Before leaving, look for local Assyrtiko wine or sweet Vinsanto in shops or the duty-free selection at Athens Airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
