Istanbul to Izmir & Aegean Cruise

You'll be picked up from your centrally located hotel between 12:00 and 13:00 to begin the journey to Ankara. You can be collected from any city centre hotel but must notify us in advance where you wish to be collected from, so we can make the necessary arrangements. Should you have any issues with collection, please call the Emergency Contact Number on your tour documentation.

We travel the 450km to Ankara by deluxe coach. As we leave Istanbul, we’ll cross the intercontinental bridge linking Europe and Asia. Upon arrival in Turkey’s capital, we check in and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Ankara - Cappadocia. This morning, we explore Turkey’s capital with a visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, home to fascinating exhibits from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian, and Urartian periods. We then visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic.

Departing Ankara, we travel 290km to Cappadocia. En route, we visit one of the region’s remarkable underground cities, built by early Christian communities to shelter from Arab raids. These multi-level structures feature stables, communal rooms, meeting spaces, and small family chambers. We continue to our hotel in Cappadocia for dinner and overnight stay.

At dawn, you have the option of embarking on an unforgettable hot air balloon flight, drifting above the valleys and unique rock formations of Cappadocia (not included).

Back at the hotel, tuck into breakfast before we spend the day exploring the extraordinary landscapes of Cappadocia, known for its surreal fairy chimneys. We visit the Goreme Valley, home to rock-hewn churches decorated with 10th and 11th-century frescoes, and stop at the troglodyte village of Uchisar. In Avcilar, we admire the dramatic scenery, before continuing to Dervent, where the unusual natural rock formations resemble animals and figures. We’ll also visit local craft workshops specialising in traditional carpets and onyx jewellery set in silver.

After dinner at the hotel, there’s the opportunity to enjoy a lively folklore show in a spacious cave, with regional dancing, belly dancing, and an open bar serving local drinks (not included).

Cappadocia - Pamukkale. After breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale, a journey of 610 km through the varied Anatolian landscape. En route, we stop to visit the impressive Sultanhan Caravanserai, a well-preserved medieval inn built by the Seljuks to shelter traders travelling the Silk Road.

We then continue to Pamukkale, known as the “Cotton Castle” for its dazzling white terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal waters. There’s free time to explore this extraordinary natural wonder, where thermal pools and petrified waterfalls create a unique and surreal setting.

Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir. We depart for Selcuk and the ancient city of Ephesus, a journey of 200 km. On arrival, we explore one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean, once dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Highlights of the archaeological site include the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora, Marble Street, and the magnificent theatre - the largest of antiquity.

We also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the final home of the Mother of Jesus. Afterwards, we stop at a local leather production centre before continuing to Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city.

Izmir - Kusadasi - Patmos (Greece). After breakfast, transfer to the port of Kusadasi to board the Aegean cruise.

The cruise sets sail for the small Greek island of Patmos, known as the place where St John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation. The island's peaceful atmosphere and spiritual significance make it a unique destination, and you'll have time to disembark and explore. A visit to the 11th-century Monastery of St John, perched above the harbour and home to a remarkable collection of manuscripts and religious artefacts, offers insight into the island’s rich history and religious heritage.

Patmos - Rhodes. We dock in Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands and once home to the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, a 105-foot statue lost to an earthquake in 224 BC.

You've got free time to head into town to explore the medieval old town, where imposing walls and grand palaces built by the Knights of St John during the Crusades still dominate the landscape. For a more relaxed day, Rhodes also offers sun-drenched beaches and lively shopping streets just a short stroll from the port.

Alternatively, you may choose to join an optional excursion to the whitewashed village of Lindos, home to the ancient acropolis and the Citadel of the Knights. We depart in the evening, continuing our cruise towards Crete.

Rhodes - Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini. You'll wake up in Heraklion, the capital of Crete, with time to disembark and explore. Just a short distance away lies the ancient site of Knossos, once the heart of the Minoan civilisation dating back to 3000 BC - an optional excursion offers the chance to explore this remarkable archaeological complex.

Later, weather permitting, we sail to Santorini, the striking “Black Pearl of the Aegean”. Here, an optional shore excursion takes you up to the famous cliff-top village of Oia, where whitewashed houses cling to the caldera and unforgettable views stretch across the blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

Santorini - Athens - Mykonos. This morning's destination is the coastal Greek capital, Athens. You've got the option to join a half-day excursion to explore the highlights of Athens, including the iconic Acropolis, before we set sail once more.

In the afternoon, we journey to our final Greek island, Mykonos, arriving in the evening. This granite island, one of the most emblematic in the Cyclades, welcomes you with its striking white-and-blue houses, windmills, and countless chapels, all shimmering in the island’s radiant light. There’s time to relax in a traditional taverna or simply wander the charming streets and soak up the island's nightlife.

Mykonos - Kusadasi (Turkey) - Izmir. By the time you wake up this morning, you'll be back in Turkish waters as the cruise arrives back in Kusadasi. Disembark after breakfast at approximately 8:00. An included transfer takes you to the airport in Izmir for your onward flight. If you prefer, a transfer to Istanbul can be arranged on request - please contact us for this.