Turkey & Greece Tour

Today, whenever you arrive at Istanbul airport, our local representative will pick you up, holding a sign with your name on, and then transfer you to the hotel for check-in. If it is still early in the day, you may go out to have the first impression of the city after unpacking. The hotel we choose for you is located in the historical area dotted with many old mosques, public baths, and more. You may take a leisurely stroll around and stop at one of the many restaurants to taste some local delicacies. 

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan

At the appointed time, our local guide will wait for you at the hotel lobby and then lead you to visit some top attractions in the old city area of Istanbul. The first stop will be the Haghia Sophia Museum. It was originally a church and later converted into a mosque, so combines the architectural style of both Christian and Islamic. The next stop will be the Blue Mosque opposite to Haghia Sophia. This landmark of Istanbul is the world's only mosque with six minarets. On its wall, over 20,000 tiles have been used to form beautiful patterns. These tiles are in blue-and-white, hence its name Blue Mosque. Before having lunch, we will also take a stroll in Hippodrome, currently a park whose most eye-catching landmark is an obelisk. 

In the afternoon, the guide will accompany you to visit Topkapi Palace, aka Old Imperial Palace. It was here that the Ottoman Sultans worked and lived for nearly 400 years from 1465 to 1853 before the New Royal Palace, Dolmabahce Palace was built. Located on a slope by the Bosphorus Strait, it is also a great place to look far to appreciate the water views. The last stop of today will be the Grand Bazaar. There are more than 4,000 shops in this indoor Bazaar. The dazzling products such as spices, carpets, dried fruits, gold and silver ware are good gifts for friends and families. There are also many local snacks for you to taste. Afterward, we will go back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan

After breakfast, the guide will escort you to the pier and board a ship to enjoy a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, which will last for about 2 hours. Bosphorus is the geographical division line of Europe and Asia, so you can enjoy the landscapes of European and Asian continents on the cruise ship, including Dolmabahce Palace extending for 600 meters (660 yards) in the Europe side, Bosphorus Bridge spanning over the strait and Camlica Hill from a distance. 

Then, the guide will send you onto the flight to Cappadocia. Once landing, our local driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. The rest time of the day will be your free time. We recommend you to try hot air balloon ride to have a bird’s eye view of this place with moon-like landscapes. And we will be glad to book a seat on your behalf. Please let us know in advance because the tickets are often in high demand. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

We will spend 2 days discovering the charm of Cappadocia: today its northern part and tomorrow the southern part. After breakfast, our local guide will greet you at the hotel lobby and head to the first stop of today, the Goreme Open Air Museum which has more than 30 rock cave churches with exquisite and colorful frescoes. Then we will go on to visit Avanos, a town specializing in making red pottery, where you can enjoy some fine pottery works. The next stop will be the Valley of Monks, where you can see many tall, mushroom-shaped columns. This valley is also known as Fairy Chimney Valley for its magical and playful pillars like chimneys. Next, we will stop by Devrent Valley featured by rocks shaped like animals and Kizilirmak River where the villagers of Avanos collect red clay to make pottery. Today’s sightseeing will end at the Love Valley, where you can take pictures of the spectacular views of Cappadocia in the evening. In the end, the driver will transfer you back to the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

Today's south Cappadocia trip will begin at Uchisar Castle. It is the highest and largest Fairy Chimney in the Cappadocia region with a height of about 60 meters (200 feet), once serving as a defensive fort in ancient times. Next, follow the guide to hike for about 2 hours in Red Valley, which was named for the red color of the land and rocks there. We will also go to visit the nearby Rose Valley and Cavusin village. Then will come today’s highlight, Kaymakli Underground City. It is the largest underground city in the region as deep as 40 meters (131 feet). The various underground caves together can accommodate up to 10,000 people. At the end of the day, also send you back to Cappadocia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

Based on the departure time of your flight back to Istanbul, the driver will transfer you to the airport timely. Landing there, our local driver will offer you the airport-hotel transfer service, then you will be free to explore the city on your own. 

Activities Suggestion: To the northwest of the hotel about 8 minutes’ walking away, Beyazt Tower, originally a high tower warning fire in ancient times, is now a nice spot to overlook the whole city. It is open from 9:00 to 16:30 on working days. Also less than 10 minutes walking away, to the southwest of the hotel, you can find Basilica Cistern, also named Sunken Palace. It was built underground, a clever way to store and protect water in war time in old times. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan

The itinerary in Turkey will draw to an end here. After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, check out from the hotel and then the driver will transfer you to the airport, for you to take the flight to Athens to continue the sightseeing in Greece. The flying time is about one and half an hour. Once landing, our local guide in Athens will welcome you at the airport and escort you to the hotel by private car. The rest time of the day will be left for you to get familiar with the city by yourself. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Athena Pallas or similar

As one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens has a lot to offer to its visitors. In the morning, the guide will firstly accompany you to Panathenaic Stadium, which is the venue of the first modern Olympic Games. Then we'll drive to the Temple of The Olympian Zeus, which was built in honor of the Greek god, Zeus, the father god of all gods. Although only 13 huge stone pillars are left, the carvings on them are still clear after 2,600 years. The following stops will include National Library, the University, Academy of Athens, and the Syntagma Square. Lunch will be arranged at a traditional Greek tavern. 

In the afternoon, we will drive to Acropolis Hill. It gathers the most outstanding ancient architecture complex in Greece, which has been listed as UNESCO world cultural heritage, including the marble gates of Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon, and the Temple of Eechtheion. After the visit, send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Athena Pallas or similar

Today according to the arrangement, our driver will send you to the pier for you to take the ferry boat to Santorini, which is located on the southern side of the Aegean Sea and world famous for its vineyards and wineries. The ferry boat will depart at 07:30 am and arrive in Santorini at 11:45 am. Upon arrival, our driver there will warmly welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. 

The remaining time of the day will be your free time. You may wander through the streets, take photos of those blue domed houses, taste a tipple at Santo's Winery or some local foods.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Aegean Plaza Hotel Santorini or similar

This day, our local guide will accompany you to explore the highlights of Santorini. The first stop will be Akrotiri Archaeological Site, ruins of the Minoan civilization, one of the three greatest civilizations around Aegean Sea. Its first dweller can be traced back to at least 4,000 years ago. Afterwards, follow the guide to enjoy a walk in the medieval village of Emporio. Then, drive to Perissa, the longest beach of Santorini for relaxation. You will have 1.5 hours to have fun in Perissa as you like. Lunch will also be served in a local restaurant there. 

In the afternoon, we will stop over at Monastery of Profitis Ilias for photos, which is the highest point of this island. Then the guide will lead you to a local winery for visit and tasting different wines. The last stop of today will be the famous Oia Village with iconic blue domed churches, scenic pathways and stunning sunset. Situated on the top of a cliff, Oia is also one of the best places to view the Aegean Sea. Enjoy some free time in Oia and the guide will send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Aegean Plaza Hotel Santorini or similar

Today is the last day in Santorini, and we will leave the morning for your own arrangements. You may take a leisurely stroll along the narrow and winding streets, take some nice pictures, or take a seat in one of the cafes to quietly appreciate the blue sea. 

In the afternoon, the driver will transfer you to the port for you to take the boat back to Athens. Upon arrival, our driver based locally will escort you to the hotel in town.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Athena Pallas or similar

This Turkey and Greece tour comes to a perfect end. Please inform us the information of your departure flight, so our driver can transfer you to the airport on time. Wish you a pleasant trip home! If you are interested to further explore Greece, we will also be very glad to serve you! 

Meals: Breakfast