This 19 day tour, starts from Athens, Greece, and ends at Istanbul, Turkey. Starting from Athens, island hop to Santorini and Mykonos before travelling along the Turquoise coast visiting Antalya and Fethiye. We the head inland to central Turkey to the moon-like Cappadocia before heading to magical Istanbul.
Welcome to Greece! You will be transferred to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours, free to explore this ancient city. Tonight a welcome meeting and meet your fellow travelling companions.
This morning you will have half day tour and visit Acropolis, stop at the stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held. Admire the Olympian Zeus and Hadrians Arch. At the Acropolis visit the museum, the towering entrance of Propylaia, the Temple of Nike and the most famous of Greek relics, the Parthenon.
Early morning departure today for the breathtaking Island of Santorini, where you can soak up the sun and relax on the beach or perhaps explore the picturesque capital, Fira.
Take an optional boat trip in the world's biggest volcanic crater above sea level. Visit the active volcano, swim in the warm thermal waters and take a therapeutic mud bath.
Arrive in Mykonos and explore the white-washed town or head for the beach before experiencing the completely outrageous Mykonian nightlife.
Free day today. Spend the day on the beach, stroll around the town or take a trip to one of the small villages. This Mecca of Ancient Greece is today an island wide, open-air museum.
Please Note: In September, the ferry schedules change. The Mykonos - Samos ferry departs Mykonos 21:20 and arrives Samos 02:45. So during September your room will be available in Mykonos until you are transferred to the port for your ferry to Samos. Then you will have a room available in Samos upon arrival.
Today you will catch a mid-day ferry heading towards the island of Samos and then another ferry to Kusadasi, Turkey.
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus a once a bustling trade hub and religious center, Ephesus today whispers of ancient marvels, from site of the Temple of Artemis to the Library of Celsus's grand facade and the grand amphitheatre.
Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
We continue on to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Here we will visit a local vineyard and learn about local production techniques. You will taste 3 local wines from the region at the garden of the vineyard before returning to our hotel.
After a leather shop visit, we will head to Aphrodisias the ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of Beauty, Love and Fertility, also famous for its school of sculpture, we visit the stadium, which is the best preserved in Anatolia, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Tetrapylon, theatre and the Museum. Then, we continue to Pamukkale.
This morning we will explore the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Then we will head to Salda Lake, is known as Turkish Maldives. It is a mountain lake and located in the mountains before we travel down south to Fethiye.
Today, you are free to explore the town at your own pace and there is also optional tours and activities.
Optional tours and activities; 12 island boat trip and Saklikent Gorge tour
This morning we head to Kayakoy. The morning light provides excellent photos of this deserted Greek village. Afterwards we drive to the resort town of Antalya. We will visit the Antalya Museum with its wealthy collection from the ancient cities around the Antalya Province.
We will visit Perge a famous antique site, early in the morning. After Perge we drive to Aspendos which has the best preserved 2nd Century Amphitheatre in Turkey. We return back to Antalya city in the afternoon and the remainder of your day is free.
We will visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi with its accompanying Mevlana museum. We continue along the ancient Silk Road visiting the former Greek village Sille.
Today we head to Cappadocia, visiting Sultanhani Caravansary, an ancient Silk Road stop off for merchants and traders. Later we explore the many levels of an underground city.
After checking into our hotel we visit a traditional Turkish home for dinner. Here you can do a course and help cook if you wish.
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys. We then visit Pigeon and Red Valley, followed by Cavusin village and lastly Avanos town where we will learn about hand-made pottery.
Early morning departure to the nation's capital, Ankara, where we visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul.
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene and the Harem), the Hippodrome and Dolmabahce Palace.
After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends and are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
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