Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive and get transferred to your hotel to settle in. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore on your own. Stop by the hotel reception board in the afternoon to find out when the tour officially kicks off tomorrow.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Movenpick Golden Horn)
- Day 2
Istanbul
Your guided tour shows you Istanbul's key sights, starting with Süleymaniye Mosque and the ancient city walls along the Golden Horn. You'll see Hagia Sophia's exterior, then head to Topkapi Palace to walk through its courtyards and pavilions. After lunch you have free time to wander around, then transfer to Taksim to check out the historic tram and have dinner. Galata Tower is optional if you want to climb it.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Movenpick Golden Horn)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Istanbul
- Enter Süleymaniye Mosque
- Explore ancient walls
- Visit Golden Horn
- Explore fishing district
- View exterior of Hagia Sophia
- Visit Topkapi Palace with admission included
Optional Activities
- Visit Galata Tower
Landmarks Süleymaniye Mosque Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Golden Horn Galata Tower 
- Day 3
Istanbul
You'll board a private boat for about two hours on the Bosphorus, sailing between the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara while passing under the bridges connecting Europe and Asia. Along the way you'll see Sultan's palaces, traditional wooden houses, and Ottoman architecture. Back in central Istanbul by afternoon, you have free time to do as you like.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Movenpick Golden Horn)
Included Activities
- Bosphorus boat trip on private boat (approximately 2 hours)
Landmarks Bosphorus Strait - Day 4
Istanbul to Kusadasi
You'll leave Istanbul early and drive through Turkey to reach Ephesus around lunchtime. There you'll explore one of the best-preserved ancient cities, checking out the Basilica of St. John, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the archaeological site. From there you continue to Kusadasi, a lively coastal town with a castle. Dinner is included and you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Bleu)
Included Activities
- Visit Basilica of St. John in Ephesus
- Visit House of the Virgin Mary
- Explore archaeological site of Ephesus with admission included
Landmarks Basilica of St. John House of the Virgin Mary Ephesus Archaeological Site - Day 5
Kusadasi to Marmaris
After an early start you'll visit Lake Bafa, one of Turkey's natural wonders. Next you head to Bodrum, a fortified city of Greek origin where you can see its impressive castle, walk through lively streets, and check out the marina. Later you'll travel to Marmaris, another coastal destination with a castle, pier, and fountains. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pasabey), Hotel (Tuna)
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Bafa
Optional Activities
- Explore Bodrum castle
- Wander through Bodrum's lively streets
- Visit Bodrum marina
Landmarks Lake Bafa Bodrum Castle 
- Day 6
Marmaris to Rhodes
Early morning you'll go to the port and catch an express ferry to Rhodes, which takes about an hour. After going through border procedures, you'll take a tour of the walled city and historic quarter, seeing influences from Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Knights of St. John, Ottoman, and Italian periods. Free time in the afternoon lets you explore on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Semiramis City)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Rhodes walled city and historic quarter
Landmarks Rhodes Walled City 
- Day 7
Rhodes
An included excursion takes you around Rhodes island. You'll visit Filerimos monastery on a scenic hill, then travel to Lindos to explore its fortress and Acropolis with sea views. You can wander the whitewashed streets, relax on beaches, or take a traditional donkey ride up if you want. Later you'll head to Rhodes port to catch the ferry to Athens.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ferry Rodas Atenas)
Included Activities
- Island excursion to explore rest of Rhodes
- Visit Filerimos monastery
Optional Activities
- Explore Lindos fortress and Acropolis
- Stroll through Lindos whitewashed streets
- Relax on Lindos beaches
- Traditional donkey ride to Lindos Acropolis
Landmarks Filerimos Monastery Lindos Fortress Lindos Acropolis 
- Day 8
Athens - Tripoli - Olympia - Patras
Your ferry docks in Athens-Piraeus at 7:00 a.m. From there you'll travel to the Peloponnese, stopping briefly at Corinth Canal. Through the mountains to Tripoli for a break near Aeros Square and its cafes, then on to Olympia to see where the first Olympic Games happened in 776 B.C., including the Temple of Zeus, Stadium, Gymnasium, and Arena. After that you'll go to Patras, Greece's third-largest city, with its medieval fortress, largest cathedral, and St. Andrew Church pilgrimage site. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Moxy Patras Marina)
Included Activities
- Visit Corinth Canal
- Explore Olympia Archaeological Site with local guide and admission included
Optional Activities
- Stroll Tripoli's Aeros Square
Landmarks Corinth Canal Olympia Archaeological Site Temple of Zeus Patras Medieval Fortress Church of St. Andrew 
- Day 9
Patras - Nafpaktos - Mycenae - Acrocorinth - Athens
After breakfast you'll cross the Rio-Antirrio cable-stayed bridge connecting the Peloponnese to mainland Greece. A stop at Nafpaktos shows its Venetian fortress and historic old town, site of the 1571 Battle of Lepanto. Then you'll visit Mycenae, the 18th-century BC citadel considered the cradle of European civilization, with free time for lunch and exploring. Next comes the Fortress of Acrocorinth where an ancient Aphrodite temple sits at the highest point. A brief stop at Corinth Canal, and you'll arrive in Athens by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes), Hotel (Skylark)
Included Activities
- Cross Rio-Antirrio bridge
- Visit Mycenae citadel with admission included
- Visit Acrocorinth Fortress with admission included
Optional Activities
- Stroll Nafpaktos harbor and old town
Landmarks Rio-Antirrio Bridge Nafpaktos Harbor Mycenae Acrocorinth Fortress 
- Day 10
Athens
You have the full day to explore Athens at your own pace. Wander through different neighborhoods, visit museums, check out local cafes, or relax however you'd like. There's plenty to discover on your own here.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes), Hotel (Skylark)
- Day 11
Athens
After breakfast, your tour wraps up and you head home with some great memories from the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
