Turkey to Athens & Greek Islands - 18 day tour

Arrive in Istanbul and meet your English-speaking assistant at the airport. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Overnight stay in Istanbul. Meals: Not included.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, drive from your hotel to the Spice Market for some shopping. Enjoy some free time before gathering for a 1.5-hour Bosphorus Cruise excursion. This scenic cruise offers views of the Bosphorus Strait, which separates the continents of Asia and Europe. Take in the stunning sights of Istanbul, including its lush forests, palaces, and traditional wooden houses on both sides of the strait. Following the cruise, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), Hippodrome, and the renowned Hagia Sophia. Spend some leisure time at the Grand Bazaar before returning for an overnight stay in Istanbul. Meals provided: Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight: Istanbul

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing to visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans (note that the entrance fee for the harem section is not included). Later, depart from the hotel to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, arriving in the early evening. Overnight stay in Ankara with breakfast and dinner included.
Overnight: Ankara

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before visiting the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Here, you'll explore Neolithic and Paleolithic artifacts from the Urartu, Hatti, Hittite, and Phrygian civilizations. Afterward, continue to the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. In the afternoon, drive to Cappadocia, stopping along the way to visit one of the largest underground cities in the region, built by early Christians seeking refuge from attacks. Overnight stay in Cappadocia. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Overnight: Cappadocia

Enjoy breakfast before setting off for a full-day tour of Cappadocia. Your first stop will be the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its mesmerizing cave churches nestled in the valley. Continue your journey to Uchisar Village and marvel at the spectacular fairy chimneys. Next, visit Derbent Valley to explore its unique rock formations and participate in workshops focused on carpets and onyx stones. You'll spend the night in Cappadocia. Meals included are breakfast and dinner. For an optional adventure, consider a hot air balloon tour. Departing early in the morning from your hotel, this unique experience offers a breathtaking aerial view of Cappadocia, showcasing the beauty of its rock formations, fairy chimneys, and lunar landscapes.
Overnight: Cappadocia

After breakfast at the hotel, head towards Pamukkale. On the way, stop at Sultanhan Caravanserai, a historic site built during the Seljuk Empire that served for many years as a rest stop for travelers and merchants. Proceed to Pamukkale and explore the Cotton Steps, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its healing thermal waters. Overnight stay in Pamukkale. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.

Start your day with breakfast before driving to Selcuk to visit Ephesus. Explore the Ephesus Ruins, a city dedicated to Artemis, featuring remarkable sites like the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, and the Agora. Afterwards, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to be the final resting place of Jesus's mother. Make a stop at a leather production store before continuing to Izmir. Spend the night in Izmir. Meals include breakfast and dinner.

Enjoy breakfast before driving to the Pergamon (Bergama) region, where you will explore the ruins of Asclepion, known as the first hospital in Asia Minor's history. Next, proceed to Troy to visit the legendary city immortalized in Homer's Iliad. Continue your journey to Çanakkale. Overnight stay in Çanakkale, with breakfast and dinner included.
Overnight: Canakkale

After breakfast, we'll take a car ferry across the Dardanelles Strait to reach the Gallipoli Peninsula. Here, we will visit one of Turkey's most poignant sites: the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli. Our tour will include Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, the ANZAC Commemorative Site, the Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, the Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, the 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, The Nek, and the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. We will spend the night in Istanbul. Meals provided: Breakfast.
Overnight: Istanbul

Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport for your flight to Athens (flight ticket included). Upon arrival in the legendary city, you'll be transported to your hotel in one of our private vehicles. An English-speaking team member will greet you at the hotel, assist with check-in, provide trip details, introduce you to the city and its daily life, and answer any questions you might have. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and explore Athens at your leisure. Overnight stay in Athens. Meal: Breakfast.
Overnight: Athens

After enjoying breakfast, you have the morning to yourself—whether you prefer sleeping in, exploring nearby areas, or relaxing—before meeting your assistant at Syntagma Square at 15:40. There, you will experience the Changing of the Guards in front of the Hellenic Parliament at 16:00.­ Soon after, we will begin a panoramic city tour together, providing a comprehensive overview of Athens and its key landmarks. During the tour, you'll see the Athenian Trilogy (including the National Library, University of Athens, and Academy of Athens), the Presidential Residence, the Kallimarmaro Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium), the Zappeion, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus along with Hadrian’s Gate. There will be short stops to appreciate the sights and capture memorable photos.­ The tour concludes at Philopappou Hill, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the city. Here, our assistant will offer suggestions for those wishing to continue exploring independently, such as visiting the Acropolis, discovering Monastiraki, or dining in Plaka.­ The tour is scheduled to end around 19:30, giving you time to relax before heading to Monastiraki for the Athens by Night Walking Tour, where you can experience the city's nocturnal charm.­ Overnight stay: Athens Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Athens

In the early morning, your assistant will accompany you to Piraeus port in one of our private vehicles, where you'll board the ferry to the vibrant island of Mykonos. The crossing is scheduled perfectly for you to enjoy the sun on deck and admire the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Upon your arrival, an English-speaking representative will greet you, transfer you to your hotel, and introduce you to the renowned island. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and soak in the leisurely lifestyle of the locals. Overnight stay: Mykonos Meals: Breakfast.
Overnight: Mykonos

Enjoy a free day to explore the stunning island of Mykonos, a favorite destination for the international jet set. It is renowned for its beautiful beaches, exquisite shops, and lively nightlife. Overnight in Mykonos with breakfast included. Eskapas Tip: Consider taking a short ferry ride to the historic island of Delos. According to Greek mythology, Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. This small island, inhabited since 3000 B.C., was a significant cultural center in ancient times.
Overnight: Mykonos

After breakfast, we will pick you up at the scheduled time in one of our private vehicles to transport you to the port. From there, you will proceed to your next destination—the inspiring island of Santorini. As the ferry nears Santorini, you will be able to see the capital city, Fira, with its distinctive white houses perched on the cliffs, overlooking the volcano. Once you disembark, one of our English-speaking representatives will greet you, assist with your hotel check-in, and introduce you to some of the island's remarkable attractions. You will have the rest of the day to explore the charming narrow streets and immerse yourself in the island's unique atmosphere. Overnight stay in Santorini. Meals: Breakfast.
Overnight: Santorini

Enjoy a free day to explore this enchanting island at your own pace, often regarded as the lost continent of Atlantis. The island was named by Venetian nobleman Giacomo Barozzi, inspired by a chapel dedicated to Saint Eirini. Barozzi's descendants stayed on the island until 1576, when it became part of the Duchy of Naxos, prior to the Turkish conquest by Piyale Pasha. Overnight stay in Santorini, with breakfast included.
Overnight: Santorini

At the scheduled time, our team will take you to Santorini's new port, Athinios, where you will catch the ferry to Greece's largest island, Crete, specifically arriving at the port of Heraklion. Upon your arrival, we will greet you at the port and take you to your hotel. Overnight: Heraklion Meals: Breakfast

Following breakfast, you will have a full day to discover this amazing city at your own pace. We recommend taking a relaxed walk through the enchanting historical center, and don't miss the remarkable Palace of Knossos, the legendary residence of King Minos and the mythical Minotaur. Overnight stay: Heraklion Meals included: Breakfast 
Overnight: Heraklion