Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll get transferred to your hotel and have time to get settled in. Stop by the information boards at reception in the afternoon to check for details about when your tour kicks off.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Istambul Topkapi)
- Day 2
Istanbul
Begin with a panoramic city tour that takes in Istanbul's blend of European and Asian sides. You'll visit the Süleymaniye Mosque, walk along the ancient city walls, check out the Golden Horn fishing district, and see Hagia Sophia from outside. In the afternoon, head to Taksim where you can explore restaurants, ride the historic tram, or head up Galata Tower.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Istambul Topkapi)
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Istanbul
- Visit to Süleymaniye Mosque
- Visit to ancient city walls
- Golden Horn sightseeing
- Fishing district visit
- Exterior viewing of Hagia Sophia
- Evening transfer to Taksim Square
Optional Activities
- Dine at one of Taksim's restaurants
- Ride the charming old tram
- Visit Galata Tower
Landmarks/POIs Süleymaniye Mosque Golden Horn Hagia Sophia Galata Tower Taksim Square 
- Day 3
Istanbul to Ankara
Start at Topkapi Palace exploring the Ottoman Empire's former center with its courtyards and pavilions. After that, you'll spend about two hours on a private boat through the Bosphorus, passing under the bridges that connect Europe and Asia while seeing palaces and traditional architecture. Get off on the Asian side in Uskudar, then travel to Ankara, arriving in time for dinner included with your tour.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu Ankara)
Included Activities
- Visit to Topkapi Palace with admission included
- Private Bosphorus boat trip (approximately 2 hours) with tickets included
- Passage under Europe-Asia bridges
- Disembarkation in Uskudar district
Landmarks/POIs Topkapi Palace Bosphorus Strait Uskudar District 
- Day 4
Ankara to Cappadocia
Following breakfast, explore Ankara's culture by visiting the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the 8th-century Ankara Castle, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with admission covered. Then head to Cappadocia with a lunch break at Salt Lake and a stop at Hacibektas pilgrimage site. You'll arrive in Nevsehir for included dinner. Keep quiet and respect the dress code at Hacibektas, which holds the mausoleum of a 13th-century Sufi mystic.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (at Salt Lake), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Cappadocia)
Included Activities
- Tour of Ankara
- Visit to Mausoleum of Ataturk
- Visit to Ankara Castle (8th century B.C.)
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with admission included
- Stop at Salt Lake
- Visit to Hacibektas pilgrimage site
Landmarks/POIs Mausoleum of Ataturk Ankara Castle Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Salt Lake Hacibektas 
- Day 5
Cappadocia
Spend the day exploring Cappadocia's unusual rocky landscapes and history. Visit Göreme Valley's open-air museum with rock-cut churches (tickets included), check out Uchisar's natural fortress, explore Kaymacli underground city that once held 30,000 people, and walk through Pasabag with its famous Fairy Chimneys. You'll have some free time before your included dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Cappadocia)
Included Activities
- Göreme Valley open-air museum visit with tickets included
- Rock-cut churches in Göreme Valley
- Visit to Uchisar natural fortress
- Visit to Kaymacli underground city
- Pasabag (Fairy Chimneys) walk
Landmarks/POIs Göreme Valley Uchisar Kaymacli Underground City Pasabag (Fairy Chimneys) Avanos 
- Day 6
Cappadocia to Konya
Walk through Ihlara Valley's cool waters and rock-cut churches and villages. Visit a 13th-century caravanserai and the Mevlana Mausoleum in Konya to learn about the Dervish order. Have included dinner, and if you're interested, there's an optional dervish dance performance at the cultural center in the evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Konya)
Included Activities
- Ihlara Valley visit with rock-cut churches and villages
- 13th-century caravanserai visit
- Mevlana Mausoleum (Rumi) visit in Konya
Optional Activities
- Dervish dance performance at the cultural center in the evening
Landmarks/POIs Ihlara Valley Mevlana Mausoleum 
- Day 7
Konya to Pamukkale
Travel along scenic routes between lakes to reach Egridir, a charming lakeside town known for its historic walls and mosques. Have lunch here, then move on to Hierapolis-Pamukkale to see the Cotton Palace with its mineral-rich waters (tickets included). Your day ends with included dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (in Egridir), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal)
Included Activities
- Journey along scenic lakes route
- Visit to Egridir
- Hierapolis-Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) visit with tickets included
Landmarks/POIs Egridir Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) Hierapolis 
- Day 8
Pamukkale to Kusadasi/Aydin
Travel to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Asia Minor. See the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and explore the Ephesus ruins with admission included, then head to Kusadasi, a busy coastal town. Included dinner wraps up the day. Note: May-October, you'll stay in nearby Aydin instead with a 4:30-7:00 p.m. panoramic tour stop in Kusadasi before heading on.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Bleu)
Included Activities
- House of the Virgin Mary visit
- Basilica of St. John visit
- Ephesus ancient city ruins with admission included
Landmarks/POIs House of the Virgin Mary Basilica of St. John Ephesus Kusadasi 
- Day 9
Kusadasi to Marmaris
Leave early to see Lake Bafa's peaceful natural beauty. Continue to Bodrum, a fortified city with Greek origins where you can explore its castle, walk through lively streets, or visit the marina. After lunch, head to Marmaris, another coastal destination known for its castle, pier, and fountains. Included dinner finishes the evening. During summer, accommodations may be in nearby Mugla rather than Marmaris.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pasabey), Hotel (Tuna)
Included Activities
- Lake Bafa visit
Optional Activities
- Explore Bodrum castle
- Explore Bodrum's lively streets
- Visit Bodrum marina
Landmarks/POIs Lake Bafa Bodrum Bodrum Castle Marmaris 
- Day 10
Marmaris to Rhodes
Depart early and take an express ferry to Rhodes, roughly a 1-hour journey, going through standard border procedures. Explore Rhodes' walled city and historic quarter with its Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Knights of St. John, Ottoman, and Italian influences. You'll have free time in the afternoon to wander around.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Semiramis City)
Included Activities
- Express ferry to Rhodes
- Tour of Rhodes walled city and historic quarter
Landmarks/POIs Rhodes Walled City 
- Day 11
Rhodes
Join an included excursion to see more of Rhodes island. Start at Filerimos on a hilltop where you can visit its monastery and take in the landscapes. Move to Lindos to see its fortress and Acropolis with sea views, or just walk through whitewashed streets and relax on the beach. Donkey rides are available if you want them. After lunch, you'll have free time back in Rhodes city. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Crete, then to your hotel in Heraklion. Direct flights are limited and may happen Friday morning or include an Athens stopover.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Styles Heraklion)
Included Activities
- Rhodes island excursion (included)
- Filerimos monastery visit
- Lindos fortress and Acropolis visit
Optional Activities
- Traditional donkey ride up to Acropolis
- Relax on Lindos beaches
- Stroll through whitewashed streets
Landmarks/POIs Filerimos Lindos Fortress and Acropolis 
- Day 12
Crete
Travel along Crete's coast heading west. Stop at Rethymno, a charming coastal city from the Venetian era known for its medieval castle. Continue to Chania, a city with an impressive fortress and grand mansions with a complicated history involving Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians, and Greeks. Head back to Heraklion at the end of the day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Styles Heraklion)
Included Activities
- Visit to Rethymno
- Visit to Chania
Landmarks/POIs Rethymno Chania 
- Day 13
Crete
Take an excursion to the Palace of Knossos to learn about Minoan culture from four thousand years ago that shaped Greek civilization. Admission and a guided tour are included. Then travel through the island's mountains south to the Libyan Sea, reaching Agia Galini with its winding streets, fishing port, and crowded taverns. Have lunch and maybe go swimming. Return to Heraklion by day's end. November-April visits go to Matala instead for its beach and cliff caves.
- Meals
- Lunch (in Agia Galini)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Styles Heraklion)
Included Activities
- Palace of Knossos visit with admission and guided tour included
- Minoan culture exploration
Optional Activities
- Swimming in the sea at Agia Galini
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Knossos Agia Galini Matala - Day 14
Crete
Head along Crete's east coast. Visit the small town of Kritsa to see Panagia Kera, a 13th-century church famous for its detailed frescoes with admission covered. Continue to Agios Nikolaos, a charming town with a natural port, for shopping and lunch. Move to Elounda, a beautiful tourist area, where you'll board a boat to Spinalonga Island to see the ancient Venetian fortress that later became a leper colony. Return by boat and head back to Heraklion for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (in Agios Nikolaos)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Styles Heraklion)
Included Activities
- Panagia Kera church visit with admission included
- Visit to Agios Nikolaos
- Boat ride to Spinalonga Island
- Fortress of Spinalonga visit
Landmarks/POIs Panagia Kera Kritsa Agios Nikolaos Elounda Spinalonga Island Fortress - Day 15
Crete to Santorini to Athens
Early morning transfer to the port and board a high-speed ferry to Santorini, arriving between 9:00-10:00 a.m. Travel by bus through striking landscapes to Oia, the island's most spectacular town with white streets, cliff views, castle remains, and windmills. Have lunch and take leisurely walks. Visit Fira, the island's capital, where you can go down to the port by cable car or donkey to see cruise ships. Board a high-speed ferry around 3:15 p.m., arriving in Athens near midnight. November-mid-April, you'll fly from Heraklion to Athens instead due to ferry closures.
- Meals
- Lunch (in Santorini)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes)
Included Activities
- High-speed ferry to Santorini
- Bus tour through Santorini landscapes
- Visit to Oia
Optional Activities
- Cable car descent to port from Fira
- Donkey ride descent to port from Fira
Landmarks/POIs Oia Fira 
- Day 16
Athens to Kalambaka
Depart early heading north toward northern Greece. Stop at Kamena Vourla, a charming seaside spot with nice landscapes. Continue to Thermopylae Mountain Pass, the historic battle site. See Kastraki, a pretty village with great valley views, where you'll have free time for lunch. Explore Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with admission to one of its monasteries included. Have included dinner in Kalambaka.
- Meals
- Lunch (in Kastraki), Dinner (in Kalambaka)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia Kalambaca)
Included Activities
- Stop at Kamena Vourla
- Visit to Thermopylae Mountain Pass
- Visit to Kastraki
- Meteora UNESCO World Heritage Site exploration
- One Meteora monastery visit with admission included
Landmarks/POIs Kamena Vourla Thermopylae Mountain Pass Kastraki Meteora 
- Day 17
Kalambaka to Athens
Travel south through the Thessaly region with its beautiful landscapes before reaching Delphi. Explore its archaeological site overlooking the Gulf of Corinth with great views and time for lunch. Visit the Hosios Loukas Monastery, a World Heritage Site known as one of Greece's most beautiful Byzantine monasteries with impressive 11th-century mosaics. Continue toward Athens, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (in Delphi)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes)
Included Activities
- Journey through Thessaly region
- Delphi archaeological site visit
- Hosios Loukas Monastery visit
Landmarks/POIs Delphi Archaeological Site Hosios Loukas Monastery 
- Day 18
Athens
Go on a city tour with a local guide visiting landmarks like the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games happened, the National Library, and busy city center squares. Check out newer neighborhoods built after the 2004 Olympic Games. The tour finishes at the Acropolis, though admission is separate. In the evening, head to Plaka to explore charming Greek tavernas and soak in the Greek culture.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes)
Included Activities
- Athens city tour with local guide
- Presidential Mansion visit
- Panathenaic Stadium visit
- National Library visit
- City center squares visit
- Post-2004 Olympic Games neighborhoods exploration
- Evening transfer to Plaka neighborhood
Optional Activities
- Acropolis visit
Landmarks/POIs Presidential Mansion Panathenaic Stadium National Library of Greece Acropolis Plaka - Day 19
Departure
After breakfast, your 19-day journey through Turkey and Greece comes to an end, leaving you with great memories of the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
