Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll get settled into your hotel after arriving and have the rest of the afternoon to yourself. Check the reception desk for details about when your tour officially kicks off tomorrow.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes), Hotel (Skylark)
- Day 2
Athens - Kamena Vourla - Kalambaka
Start heading north through Greece early in the day, stopping at Kamena Vourla, a nice seaside resort area. From there, you'll visit Thermopylae Mountain Pass where a famous ancient battle happened. The village of Kastraki comes next with good valley views, then after lunch you'll get to see the Meteora UNESCO site and go inside one of the monasteries. You'll finish up in Kalambaka for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia Kalambaca)
Included Activities
- Visit Meteora UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Admission to Meteora monastery
Optional Activities
- Free time for lunch in Kastraki
Landmarks Meteora Thermopylae Mountain Pass Kastraki Kamena Vourla 
- Day 3
Kalambaka - Delphi - Athens
Travel south through Thessaly with nice landscapes on the way to Delphi. Walk around the archaeological site there, which has great views over the Gulf of Corinth, then grab lunch. Next you'll see the Hosios Loukas Monastery with its 11th-century mosaics. The drive back to Athens takes the rest of the day, and you'll arrive in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes), Hotel (Skylark)
Included Activities
- Explore Delphi archaeological site
- Visit Hosios Loukas Monastery
Optional Activities
- Free time for lunch in Delphi
Landmarks Delphi Archaeological Site Hosios Loukas Monastery 
- Day 4
Athens - Corinth - Poros - Epidaurus - Nafplio
After breakfast, head to the Peloponnese Peninsula and stop at the Corinth Canal. You'll take a ferry to Poros island with time to walk around and eat lunch there. Back on the mainland, see the Theater of Epidaurus, one of the best-preserved structures from 2,400 years ago. Then continue to Nafplio, a coastal city with a citadel and Venetian fortress for a stroll. Dinner's included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia)
Included Activities
- Stop at Corinth Canal
- Ferry to Poros island
- Visit Theater of Epidaurus with admission included
- Explore Nafplio
Optional Activities
- Free time to stroll and have lunch in Poros
Landmarks Corinth Canal Poros Island Theater of Epidaurus Nafplio 
- Day 5
Nafplio - Tripoli - Olympia - Patras
Cross through the Peloponnese mountains to Tripoli, where you'll have free time at Areos Square. Continue to Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games in 776 BC, and take a guided tour of the archaeological site seeing the Temple of Zeus, Stadium, Gymnasium, and Arena. Later reach Patras, Greece's third-largest city, which sits on a busy port and has a medieval fortress. Dinner's included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Moxy Patras Marina)
Included Activities
- Visit Olympia Archaeological Site with guided tour and admission included
- Explore Temple of Zeus, Stadium, Gymnasium, and Arena at Olympia
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Areos Square in Tripoli
Landmarks Olympia Archaeological Site Temple of Zeus at Olympia Tripoli Patras 
- Day 6
Patras - Nafpaktos - Mycenae - Acrocorinth - Athens
After breakfast, cross the Rio-Antirrio cable-stayed bridge connecting the two regions. Stop in Nafpaktos on the Gulf of Corinth, historically known as Lepanto where Christian and Turkish fleets fought. Walk through the harbor and old town, then head to Mycenae, an 18th-century BC citadel considered the cradle of European civilization. You'll have free time for lunch there. See the Acrocorinth Fortress with its ancient Temple of Aphrodite at the top, then make a quick stop at the Corinth Canal before reaching Athens by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes), Hotel (Skylark)
Included Activities
- Cross Rio-Antirrio bridge
- Explore Nafpaktos
- Visit Mycenae citadel with admission included
- Visit Acrocorinth Fortress with tickets included
- Stop at Corinth Canal
Optional Activities
- Free time for lunch and exploration in Mycenae
Landmarks Rio-Antirrio Bridge Nafpaktos Mycenae Acrocorinth Fortress Temple of Aphrodite at Acrocorinth Corinth Canal 
- Day 7
Athens
You have the full day free to explore Athens however you'd like. Walk around different neighborhoods and check out whatever interests you without a structured itinerary.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes), Hotel (Skylark)
- Day 8
Athens - Ferry to Rhodes
Take a panoramic tour of Athens that includes the Presidential Mansion, Panathenaic Stadium from the first modern Olympic Games, National Library, and downtown squares. You'll see the outside of Hagia Sophia, then enter Topkapi Palace to explore the courtyards and pavilions. Later, transfer to Piraeus Port to board an overnight ferry with nice onboard amenities. You'll stay in a double cabin.
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Athens
- Visit Topkapi Palace with admission included
- See Presidential Mansion, Panathenaic Stadium, National Library
- See exterior of Hagia Sophia
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore near the Acropolis
- Dinner options in downtown Athens
Landmarks Presidential Mansion Panathenaic Stadium National Library of Greece Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Acropolis 
- Day 9
Rhodes - Marmaris
Arrive in Rhodes early morning and take a city tour through the walled citadel and Old Town with layers of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Knights of St. John, Ottoman, and Italian history. In the afternoon around 4:00 p.m., board an express ferry to Turkey, about an hour's journey. You'll reach Marmaris, a popular coastal spot with a castle, marina, and fountains. Get settled and have dinner included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tuna), Hotel (Pasabey)
Included Activities
- City tour of Rhodes including walled citadel and Old Town
Landmarks Rhodes Old Town Rhodes Citadel Marmaris Castle Marmaris Marina 
- Day 10
Marmaris - Dalyan - Antalya
Head to Dalyan, a nice spot along a navigable river. Take a one-hour boat ride to see Lycian Rock Tombs, then continue by boat to a lake with hot springs where you can swim in warm water or try a mud bath. Eat at riverside restaurants, then travel to Antalya, a major coastal city. See Hadrian's Gate, the Ottoman district, and a waterfall that drops right into the sea. Dinner's included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ring Downtown)
Included Activities
- Boat ride to Lycian Rock Tombs in Dalyan
- Visit hot springs and lake
- Explore Antalya including Hadrian's Gate, Ottoman district, and waterfall
Optional Activities
- Optional swim in warm waters or mud bath at hot springs
- Time for meals at riverside restaurants in Dalyan
Landmarks Dalyan Lycian Rock Tombs Hadrian's Gate Antalya Waterfall 
- Day 11
Antalya - Aspendos - Side - Taurus Mountains - Nigde
Leave Antalya heading to Aspendos to see its Roman theater, considered one of the best-preserved in the world. Continue to Side for the Temple of Apollo by the sea and walk through the busy port and streets. Drive through beautiful landscapes crossing the Taurus Mountains with peaks over 3,500 meters that often have snow. Pass by Karaman's fortress and continue to Cappadocia. Dinner's included in Nigde.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Hotel Nigde)
Included Activities
- Visit Roman theater in Aspendos
- Explore Temple of Apollo in Side
- Cross Taurus Mountains
Optional Activities
- Free time to stroll through Side's port and streets
- View Karaman fortress from outside
Landmarks Roman Theater of Aspendos Temple of Apollo at Side Side Taurus Mountains Karaman Fortress 
- Day 12
Cappadocia
Spend the whole day in Cappadocia exploring its unusual landscapes, ancient churches, and troglodyte villages. Start at Gumusler, a 7th-century underground monastery with nice Byzantine frescoes. See the underground city of Kaymacli that once held up to 30,000 people. Visit Uchisar, a natural fortress with great views. After lunch, check out Goreme Valley open-air museum with rock-cut churches. You'll stay in Avanos with dinner included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Cappadocia)
Included Activities
- Visit Gumusler underground monastery
- Explore Kaymacli underground city
- Visit Uchisar
- Explore Goreme Valley open-air museum with rock-cut churches, admission included
Optional Activities
- Free time for lunch
Landmarks Gumusler Monastery Kaymacli Underground City Uchisar Goreme Valley 
- Day 13
Cappadocia - Safranbolu
Travel north through central Anatolia as the landscape gradually becomes greener. Arrive in Safranbolu by early afternoon, a small UNESCO World Heritage Site city that used to be an important stop on ancient caravan routes. Sit down for traditional Turkish tea in the courtyard of a well-preserved caravanserai. Dinner's included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Garden Inn Safranbolu)
Included Activities
- Visit Safranbolu UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Enjoy traditional Turkish tea in caravanserai courtyard
Landmarks Safranbolu 
- Day 14
Safranbolu - Black Sea Coast - Istanbul
Follow the Black Sea coast through lush green landscapes. First stop at Gokgol Magrasi to see a magnificent cave with an underground river and bright colors. In Eregli, a Black Sea coastal town, you'll have time for lunch. Later visit the Cehennemagzi caves and tombs, which have interesting mythology behind them. Reach Istanbul by evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Istambul Topkapi)
Included Activities
- Visit Gökgöl Magrasi cave with admission included
- Explore Cehennemagzi caves and tombs
Optional Activities
- Free time for lunch in Eregli
Landmarks Gökgöl Magrasi Cave Eregli Cehennemagzi Caves and Tombs 
- Day 15
Istanbul
Start with a sightseeing tour of Istanbul. Go inside the Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul's largest. See ancient walls, the Golden Horn, busy fishing districts, and the outside of Hagia Sophia. Enter Topkapi Palace, which was once the Ottoman Empire's administrative center with impressive courtyards and pavilions. You'll have free time in the afternoon to explore, then later go to Taksim, the city's most vibrant commercial area. Find restaurants to eat at and see the charming old tram, or optionally visit nearby Galata Tower.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Istambul Topkapi)
Included Activities
- Visit Süleymaniye Mosque
- Explore ancient walls and Golden Horn
- Visit Topkapi Palace with admission included
- Transfer to Taksim district
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore the city in the afternoon
- Dinner at restaurants in Taksim
- Ride the charming old tram in Taksim
- Visit Galata Tower
Landmarks Süleymaniye Mosque Golden Horn Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Taksim Square Galata Tower 
- Day 16
Istanbul - Bosphorus
Take a two-hour boat trip on the Bosphorus in a private boat just for this tour group. Travel through the strait connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, which divides Istanbul between Europe and Asia. You'll pass under two bridges linking the continents and see Sultan's palaces, traditional wooden houses, and Ottoman architecture with all the boat activity around. Return to central Istanbul with free time to wander.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Istambul Topkapi)
Included Activities
- Bosphorus boat tour on private boat, tickets included
Optional Activities
- Free time in central Istanbul after the tour
Landmarks Bosphorus Strait - Day 17
Istanbul
After breakfast, your tour ends here, and you'll head home with great memories from the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
