Wonders of Turkey & Greece

16 day Group Tour

from $2990

About this trip

Wonders of Turkey & Greece Tour

  • 15 nights/ 16 days cultural group tour
  • Scenic land and sea journey
  • Guaranteed Tuesday departures from Istanbul
  • Prices starting at US$2990
  • Accommodation in standard / superior hotels and and Full Board Cruise with Classic Drink Package based on double occupancy.
  • Guided sightseeing
  • Includes all breakfasts, 5 dinners at hotels and all inclusive basis at cruise
  • Transfers and tours by private A/C motor coach
  • Highlights: Istanbul - Cappadocia - Konya- Pamukkale- Ephesus - Kusadasi- Patmos - Rhodes- Crete- Santorini - Olympia - Delphi- Athens

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey. Meet your greeter and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul

Day 2: Full Day Istanbul Tour (B)

09.00 a.m. After breakfast pick up from hotel and our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - it's three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known, Byzantine and Ottoman. We visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping . Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: Istanbul to Cappadocia by flight - Cappadocia Tour (B)

Early morning pick up from hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for flight to Cappadocia . Arrival to Cappadocia. Our Tour guide will meet you at the airport and start for Cappadocia tour. First meeting with Cappadocia, visiting Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup which are the most popular and seen on advertisements. That's why people carved some pigeon houses to keep them in certain places. You will see that the houses for the pigeons are like the houses for the people. Then we descend into the center of the earth in the Ozkonak Underground City one of the largest and the deepest of 200 others in Cappadocia. After the tour program transfer to your hotel

Day 4: Full Day Cappadocia Tour (B)

Optional Hot Air Balloon Experience. In the morning, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; a journey in the past with its troglodyte houses, visit to Pasabag "fairy chimneys" where the voice of wind mixes with the "songs of fairies" near Zelve. Lunch break in Avanos, center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. After the tour program transfer to your hotel. Stay overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 5 : Cappadocia - Konya - Pamukkale (B, D)

Early departure for Pamukkale. Arrive in Konya and visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic. Drive to Pamukkale and overnight in a Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale. Swim in thermal pools till 22.30

Day 6 : Pamukkale - Kusadasi (B, D)

In the morning visit the famous white travertine cascades and the ancient Hierapolis with the Theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis, the graveyard. Then drive to Kusadasi and overnight.

Day 7 : Kusadasi - Ephesus (B, D)

First visit the Artemis Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Continue to Ephesus, Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them The State Agora, Odeon, Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, , Polio Fountain, Curetes Street, The Trajan Fountain, The Baths of Scholastica, Hadrian Temple, Latrina, Celcus Library, the gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora and The Grand Theater are two of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Grand theatre was built in 3rd century B.C and it was later expanded to 24.000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D.After Ephesus, Visit House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here. After Ephesus tour return to hotel for overnight.

Day 8 : Kusadasi - Greek Islands Cruise - Patmos (B, Cruise Full Board + Classic Drinks)

You will be transferred to the pier to embark on a 3 day Greek Island cruise. First stop is Patmos. This island is known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire.

Day 9 : Cruise -  Rhodes (Cruise Full Board + Classic Drinks)

Morning arrival in Rhodes, the island of Roses. Tour of Acropolis of Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights is included with the cruise group.

Day 10 : Cruise – Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini( Cruise Full Board + Classic Drinks )

This morning’s port of call is Heraklion, Crete. Optional excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Your next port of call is Santorini, where you are free to explore the land of the fabled Atlantis.

Day 11: Cruise - Santorini - Athens (B)

After disembarking from the cruise, you will be transferred to your Athens hotel. The rest of the day is free. Overnight: Athens

Day 12: Athens - Epidaurus - Olympia (B, D)

After breakfast transfer to terminal to join your group. We’ll drive to Corinth Canal (short stop). Then drive to Epidaurus and visit the Ancient theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Proceed to Nayplia (short stop) and through the plain of Argos arrive to Mycenae. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon (optional stop for souvenirs) depart for Olympia, the birth place of the Olympic Games, through the cites of Tripolis and Megalopolis (short stop). Overnight stay in Olympia.

Note: Some hotels in Athens are situated on a narrow street where tour buses can't enter. You might have to walk 3-4 minutes to reach the meeting point.

Day 13: Olympia- Delphi (B, D)

Today visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum. Depart via Patras (short stop) to Rion, cross the Corinthian bay by the new bridge to Antirion. Pass by the city of Nafpaktos and from there on, along the coastal road to Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Overnight stay in Delphi.

Day 14: Delphi - Athens (B)

Visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi. A couple of hours free time in Delphi before departing. In the afternoon return to Athens through the picturesque mountain village of Arachova. Approx arrival at 6:30 pm. Overnight: Athens

Day 15: Athens City Tour (B)

After breakfast transfer to terminal to join your group. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight: Athens

Note: Some hotels in Athens are situated on a narrow street where tour buses can't enter. You might have to walk 3-4 minutes to reach the meeting point.

Day 16: Athens - Departure (B)

Breakfast and transfer to airport.

End of Services


Price

2024 Departures

Guaranteed departures from Istanbul. You can join the tour upon your arrival in Istanbul airport.

All rates are in US$ per person in Dbl Room. Single room supplement is available and starting from $1490

2024 DEPARTURES

HOTEL CATEGORY

PRICE PER PERSON IN DBL ROOM

Mar 19-26

Superior Hotels & Full Board Cruise

$2990

Apr 02-09-16-23-30

Superior Hotels & Full Board Cruise

$3190

May 07-14-21-28

Superior Hotels & Full Board Cruise

$3390

Jun 04-11-18-25

Superior Hotels & Full Board Cruise

$3390

Jul 02-09-16-23-30

Superior Hotels & Full Board Cruise

$3390

Aug 06-13-20-27

Superior Hotels & Full Board Cruise

$3390

Sep 03-10-17-24

Superior Hotels & Full Board Cruise

$3590

Oct 01-08-15-22

Superior Hotels & Full Board Cruise

$3390

Excludes port taxes: $199 (to be charged before arrival)

OPTIONAL
Upgrade to 4 star hotels in Greece and Cruise outside cabin: $490 per person

Accommodation

Hotels as below or similar

CITY

# OF NIGTHS

HOTELS

Istanbul

2

Yasmak Sultan or Celal Sultan

Cappadocia

2

Zeydem Cave or Yunak Cave or Meleklerevi Cave Hotel

Pamukkale

1

Pam Thermal or Collosae

Kusadasi

2

Efe Boutique or Neopol hotel

Greek Islands Cruise

3

Celestyal Cruise -inside cabin- (optional upgrade to outside cabin)

Athens

1

Pan Hotel or Similar (optional upgrade to Amalia Hotel)

Olympia

1

Ilis Hotel (optional upgrade to Amalia Olympia Hotel)

Delphi

1

Hermes or Olympic (optional upgrade to Amalia Delphi Hotel

Athens

2

Pan Hotel or Similar (optional upgrade to Amalia Hotel)


What's Included

Package Includes

  • 15 nights accommodation in standard / superior hotels and Full Board Cruise
  • All airport transfers (on scheduled tour dates)
  • All breakfasts, 5 dinners at hotels and full board on Cruise
  • Classic Drink Package on cruise (only during meals), including beers, house wines, non-alcoholic cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, exotic teas and coffee, and a special variety of delicious Greek beverages.
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned non-smoking vehicles
  • English speaking professional group guides
  • Entrance fees per itinerary
  • Istanbul - Cappadocia flight including taxes
  • Local taxes and service charges
  • Hotel city taxes (Greece only) to be paid directly to hotels (€1,5 per room /per night in 3*, €3 per room/per night in 4*).
  • Santorini one-way cable-car ticket: 6 Euro per person/per way to be paid directly in cash at the cable-car ticket booth.

Not Included: Any international airfare, departure & airport taxes and fees if any, cruise port taxes, Passport and visa services & fees, Beverages with meals, Meals other than mentioned above, Tips to drivers, guides and tour escorts, Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, taxi, excess baggage etc. Travel insurance, Optional tours


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