Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day to settle in. Check the information board at reception in the afternoon to pick up details about when your tour officially starts.
- Day 2
Istanbul
Join a guided tour of Istanbul's main sights, starting with the Süleymaniye Mosque and the ancient city walls along the Golden Horn. You'll see Hagia Sophia from outside, then head to Topkapi Palace where admission is included and you can walk through its courtyards and pavilions. The afternoon is yours to wander around before being transferred to Taksim for dinner. If you're interested, you can check out the old tram or head up Galata Tower.
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Istanbul
- Visit Süleymaniye Mosque
- Explore ancient walls
- View Golden Horn
- Explore fishing district
- View Hagia Sophia exterior
- Guided tour of Topkapi Palace with admission included
- Transfer to Taksim Square
Optional Activities
- Visit Galata Tower
- Dining at restaurants in Taksim
Landmarks/POIs Süleymaniye Mosque Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Golden Horn Galata Tower Taksim Square - Day 3
Istanbul
Take a private boat trip on the Bosphorus for about two hours, cruising between the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara. You'll pass under the two bridges connecting Europe and Asia, seeing Ottoman palaces, traditional wooden houses, and other architecture along the way. After returning to central Istanbul, the rest of the day is free to do what you'd like.
Included Activities
- Private boat trip on the Bosphorus with admission included
- Pass under Europe-Asia bridges
- View Sultan's palaces
- View traditional wooden houses and Ottoman architecture
Landmarks/POIs Bosphorus Strait - Day 4
Istanbul to Kusadasi
Head out early from Istanbul and travel through Turkey's interior. You'll arrive in Ephesus around lunchtime, one of Asia Minor's best-preserved ancient cities. Walk through the archaeological site, visit the Basilica of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary with admission included. Then continue to Kusadasi, a lively coastal town with a castle, where you'll stay overnight with dinner provided.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Basilica of St. John with admission included
- Visit House of the Virgin Mary
- Guided tour of Ephesus archaeological site with admission included
Optional Activities
- Explore Kusadasi castle
- Explore Kusadasi commercial life and quaint streets
Landmarks/POIs Basilica of St. John House of the Virgin Mary Ephesus - Day 5
Kusadasi to Marmaris
Depart early to see Lake Bafa, one of Turkey's natural treasures. From there, head to Bodrum, a fortified city with Greek roots where you can explore its castle, walk through busy streets, or check out the marina. After lunch, continue on to Marmaris, a coastal town known for its castle, pier, and fountains. Dinner is included at your accommodation.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Bafa
Optional Activities
- Explore Bodrum castle
- Explore Bodrum's lively streets
- Visit Bodrum marina
- Explore Marmaris castle
- Visit Marmaris pier and fountains
Landmarks/POIs Lake Bafa Bodrum Castle - Day 6
Marmaris to Rhodes
Travel to Greece and board the express ferry to Rhodes, which takes about an hour with standard border procedures. Once you arrive, join a guided tour of Rhodes' walled city and old quarter, which reflects influences from Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Knights of St. John, Ottoman, and Italian periods. The afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Included Activities
- Ferry transfer from Marmaris to Rhodes with admission included
- Guided tour of Rhodes walled city and historic quarter
Landmarks/POIs Rhodes Old Town - Day 7
Rhodes
Take an included tour covering the rest of Rhodes island. Visit Filerimos up on a hill to see its monastery and surrounding landscape. Then go to Lindos to explore its fortress and Acropolis with sea views, walk through the whitewashed streets, relax on beaches, or take a traditional donkey ride up to the Acropolis if you'd like. After lunch, return to Rhodes city for free time. In the evening, you'll be transferred to the airport for a flight to Crete and hotel transfer to Heraklion.
Included Activities
- Excursion to explore Rhodes island with admission included
- Visit Filerimos monastery
- Visit Lindos fortress and Acropolis
- Flight Rhodes to Crete with transfers included
Optional Activities
- Traditional donkey ride up to Lindos Acropolis
- Beach time in Lindos
Landmarks/POIs Filerimos Monastery Lindos Acropolis - Day 8
Heraklion to Chania
Travel west along Crete's coast. Start in Rethymno, a Venetian coastal city with a medieval castle to explore. Continue to Chania, a city with an impressive fortress and historic mansions that has been shaped by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians, and Greeks over time. Head back to Heraklion by evening.
Included Activities
- Visit Rethymno
- Visit Chania
Optional Activities
- Explore Rethymno's medieval castle
- Explore Chania fortress
- Explore Chania's stately mansions
Landmarks/POIs Rethymno Chania - Day 9
Heraklion
Visit the Palace of Knossos with a guided tour and admission included, where you'll learn about the Minoan culture that started Greek civilization thousands of years ago. Travel south through Crete's mountains toward the Libyan Sea, arriving at Agia Galini, a quiet town with winding streets, a small fishing port, and local taverns. You'll have time for lunch and an optional swim before returning to Heraklion.
Included Activities
- Visit Palace of Knossos with admission and guided tour included
Optional Activities
- Swim in the sea at Agia Galini
- Lunch at taverns in Agia Galini
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Knossos Agia Galini - Day 10
Heraklion
Head along Crete's eastern coast. Stop in the small town of Kritsa to visit Panagia Kera, a 13th century church with beautiful frescoes and admission included. Reach Agios Nikolaos, a quiet town with a natural port where you can walk around and grab lunch. Continue to Elounda, a popular tourist spot, then take a boat to Spinalonga Island to see the old Venetian Fortress, which later became a leper colony. After returning by boat, head back to Heraklion for the night.
Included Activities
- Visit Panagia Kera church with admission included
- Boat ride from Elounda to Spinalonga Island with admission included
- Visit Fortress of Spinalonga
Optional Activities
- Explore Agios Nikolaos
- Lunch in Agios Nikolaos
Landmarks/POIs Panagia Kera Agios Nikolaos Spinalonga Island Fortress - Day 11
Heraklion to Athens
Early morning transfer takes you to the port for a high speed ferry to Santorini, arriving between 9 and 10 a.m. Travel by bus through scenic landscapes to Oia, the island's most famous town with white streets, cliff views, castle ruins, and windmills. Break for lunch and take a leisurely walk. Later, visit Fira, the island's main town, where you can go down to the port by cable car or donkey if you want to see the cruise ships. Board the high speed ferry around 3:15 p.m., arriving in Athens around midnight.
Included Activities
- High-speed ferry from Heraklion to Santorini with admission included
- Visit Oia
- Visit Fira
- High-speed ferry from Santorini to Athens with admission included
Optional Activities
- Cable car descent to port from Fira
- Donkey ride descent to port from Fira
- Admire cruise ships from port
Landmarks/POIs Oia Fira - Day 12
Athens
In the morning, take a panoramic tour of Athens to get a feel for the modern city. You'll see the Panathenaic Stadium and the Royal Palace. After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore whatever interests you.
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Athens
- View Panathenaic Stadium
- View Royal Palace
Landmarks/POIs Panathenaic Stadium Royal Palace - Day 13
Departure
After breakfast, your tour ends, leaving you with lasting memories of your journey through Turkey and Greece.
- Meals
- Breakfast
