Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll get transferred to your hotel and have the afternoon to settle in. Check the information boards at hotel reception for all the tour details and what's coming up over the next few days.
- Day 2
Istanbul
Start with a guided tour of Istanbul hitting the Süleymaniye Mosque, ancient walls, and the Golden Horn fishing district. Your tickets are included for Topkapi Palace, so you'll walk through Ottoman courtyards and pavilions. After seeing Hagia Sophia's exterior, you'll have free time to wander around. Later, head to Taksim for dinner and check out the historic tram, or visit nearby Galata Tower if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Istanbul
- Visit Süleymaniye Mosque
- Visit ancient walls
- Explore Golden Horn area
- Visit fishing district
- Visit Topkapi Palace with entrance ticket
- View Hagia Sophia exterior
Optional Activities
- Visit Galata Tower
Landmarks/POIs Süleymaniye Mosque Topkapi Palace Hagia Sophia Golden Horn Galata Tower Taksim Square - Day 3
Istanbul
Spend about two hours on a private boat tour of the Bosphorus with other Europamundo travelers. You'll pass under two bridges connecting Europe and Asia, seeing Sultan's palaces, traditional wooden houses, and Ottoman architecture along the way. Back in central Istanbul by late morning, you'll have free time to do what you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Bosphorus boat trip with included ticket
- View bridges connecting Europe and Asia
- View Sultan's palaces
- View Ottoman architecture and traditional wooden houses
Landmarks/POIs Bosphorus Strait - Day 4
Istanbul to Kusadasi/Aydin
Head out early from Istanbul and drive through Turkey. You'll arrive in Ephesus around lunchtime to explore one of Asia Minor's best-preserved ancient cities. Tickets are included for the Basilica of St. John, House of the Virgin Mary, and the archaeological site. Then continue to Kusadasi, a vibrant coastal town with a castle, where you'll stay overnight and dinner's included. Note: May through October you might stay in Aydin instead with a scenic Kusadasi stop from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Basilica of St. John
- Visit House of the Virgin Mary
- Visit Ephesus archaeological site with entrance ticket
Optional Activities
- Explore Kusadasi castle
- Explore Kusadasi commercial areas
Landmarks/POIs Basilica of St. John House of the Virgin Mary Ephesus Archaeological Site - Day 5
Kusadasi/Aydin to Marmaris/Mugla
Start early and visit Lake Bafa to see its natural scenery. From there, drive to Bodrum, a fortified city with Greek origins where you can explore the castle, walk through busy streets, or check out the marina. After lunch, head to Marmaris, a coastal destination with a castle, pier, and fountains. Dinner's included. Some trips may stay in nearby Mugla instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Bafa
Optional Activities
- Explore Bodrum castle
- Explore Bodrum marina
- Explore Marmaris castle
- Explore Marmaris pier
- Explore Marmaris fountains
Landmarks/POIs Lake Bafa Bodrum Castle - Day 6
Marmaris to Rhodes
Board an express ferry early in the morning for about an hour to reach Rhodes. After border procedures, you'll tour the walled city and historic quarter, which shows influences from Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Knights of St. John, Ottoman, and Italian periods. Afternoon free time lets you explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Tour Rhodes walled city and historic quarter
Landmarks/POIs Rhodes Walled City - Day 7
Rhodes
An included excursion takes you around Rhodes island. You'll visit Filerimos monastery on a hilltop with great landscape views, then head to Lindos for its fortress and Acropolis with sea views. Wander whitewashed streets, relax on beaches, or take an optional donkey ride to the Acropolis if you want. After lunch, return to Rhodes city for afternoon free time. An evening flight gets you to Crete with a transfer to your Heraklion hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Island excursion to explore Rhodes
- Visit Filerimos monastery
- Visit Lindos fortress and Acropolis
Optional Activities
- Stroll Lindos whitewashed streets
- Relax on Lindos beaches
- Traditional donkey ride to Lindos Acropolis
Landmarks/POIs Filerimos Monastery Lindos Acropolis - Day 8
Heraklion to Rethymno to Chania
Travel west along Crete's coast. Stop in Rethymno, a Venetian coastal city with a medieval castle, then continue to Chania, a city with an impressive fortress and mansions. You'll learn about how Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians, and Greeks all shaped its history. Return to Heraklion by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Visit Rethymno
- Visit Rethymno medieval castle
- Visit Chania
- Visit Chania fortress
Landmarks/POIs Rethymno Medieval Castle Chania Fortress - Day 9
Heraklion
Visit the Palace of Knossos with included admission and a guided tour exploring Minoan culture that started Greek civilization four thousand years ago. Head south through tall mountains toward the Libyan Sea, arriving at Agia Galini with its winding streets, charming fishing port, and taverns. You'll have time for lunch and an optional swim. Return to Heraklion by evening. Note: November through April you'll visit Matala instead, which has a beautiful beach with caves carved into cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Visit Palace of Knossos with guided tour and admission
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Agia Galini
- Swim in Agia Galini
- Visit Matala (November-April alternative)
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Knossos Agia Galini Matala Beach - Day 10
Heraklion
Travel east along Crete's coast. Visit the small town of Kritsa to see the 13th-century church Panagia Kera with beautiful frescoes, admission included. Arrive at Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque town with a natural port, for time to walk around and have lunch. Next, reach Elounda, a beautiful tourist area, then board a boat to Spinalonga Island to see the ancient Venetian fortress, which later served as a leper colony. Return by boat and head back to Heraklion.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Visit Panagia Kera church with admission
- Boat trip to Spinalonga Island
- Visit Spinalonga Fortress
Optional Activities
- Stroll Agios Nikolaos
- Lunch in Agios Nikolaos
Landmarks/POIs Panagia Kera Church Agios Nikolaos Spinalonga Fortress - Day 11
Heraklion to Santorini
Head to port early and take a high-speed ferry to Santorini, arriving between 9 and 10 a.m. Travel by bus through beautiful landscapes to Oia, the most beautiful town on the island, known for white streets, cliffside views, castle ruins, and windmills. Explore and grab lunch. Then visit Fira, the island's capital. A boat trip to hot springs and sunset from a traditional Mediterranean boat comes recommended.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Visit Oia town
- Visit Fira town
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to hot springs
- Sunset boat trip on traditional Mediterranean boat
Landmarks/POIs Oia Fira - Day 12
Santorini to Mykonos
After breakfast, take a ferry to Mykonos and transfer to your hotel. According to mythology, Zeus battled the Titans here. You'll have the afternoon free to walk through narrow streets, visit Little Venice, and see the iconic windmills.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Transfer to hotel in Mykonos
Optional Activities
- Explore narrow streets
- Visit Little Venice
- View iconic windmills
Landmarks/POIs Little Venice Mykonos Windmills - Day 13
Mykonos
You have a free day to enjoy the island however you like. Visit Delos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and one of ancient Greece's most sacred places, or simply relax on the famous Paradise and Super Paradise beaches.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Optional Activities
- Visit Delos island
- Relax on Paradise beach
- Relax on Super Paradise beach
Landmarks/POIs Delos Paradise Beach Super Paradise Beach - Day 14
Mykonos to Athens
After breakfast, transfer to the port at the designated time and board the ferry to Athens. You'll arrive at the Port of Piraeus around 11 p.m.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Landmarks/POIs Port of Piraeus - Day 15
Athens to Patras
Travel to the Peloponnese with a brief stop at the impressive Corinth Canal, a late 19th-century engineering feat. Continue through mountains to Tripoli, capital of the Arcadia region. Check out the busy Aeros Square with cafes and restaurants. Visit Olympia's Archaeological Site with a local guide, tickets included, where the first Olympic Games started in 776 B.C. See the Temple of Zeus, Stadium, Gymnasium, and Arena. Head to Patras, Greece's third largest city, with a medieval fortress and the country's largest cathedral. Visit the significant pilgrimage church of St. Andrew. Dinner's included.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet), Dinner
Included Activities
- Brief stop at Corinth Canal
- Explore Aeros Square in Tripoli
- Visit Olympia Archaeological Site with guided tour and tickets
- Visit Patras medieval fortress
- Visit Patras cathedral
Optional Activities
- Explore Tripoli cafes and restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Corinth Canal Aeros Square Olympia Archaeological Site Temple of Zeus Patras Cathedral Church of St. Andrew - Day 16
Patras to Athens
Cross the impressive Rio-Antirrio cable-stayed bridge connecting the Peloponnese with the mainland. Stop in Nafpaktos on the Gulf of Corinth, featuring a Venetian fortress overlooking the city. This is where the historic battle of Lepanto took place, where Cervantes lost his arm. Free time to walk the harbor and explore the old town. Continue to Mycenae, a colossal citadel from the 18th century B.C. considered the cradle of European civilization, admission included. Explore the site and have lunch. Visit the imposing Fortress of Acrocorinth with tickets to see ancient temple remains of Aphrodite. Brief stop at Corinth Canal before arriving in Athens in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
Included Activities
- Cross Rio-Antirrio bridge
- Visit Nafpaktos and Venetian fortress
- Visit Mycenae Archaeological Site with admission
- Visit Fortress of Acrocorinth with tickets
Optional Activities
- Stroll Nafpaktos harbor
- Explore Nafpaktos old town
Landmarks/POIs Rio-Antirrio Bridge Nafpaktos Venetian Fortress Mycenae Fortress of Acrocorinth Corinth Canal - Day 17
Athens
You have a free day to explore Athens. Discover new areas and let every corner reveal its own story and character as you wander through the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
- Day 18
Departure
After breakfast, your Europamundo tour ends today, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories from your time across Turkey and Greece.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
