14 Day Turkey Anatolian & Greece Combination: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Athens & Santorini Details

Upon our arrival at Istanbul International Airport, your guide will meet, assist and transfer you to the hotel. Istanbul was the capital city of Byzantium & Roman Empires and Ottoman State. It is a most fascinating city, which actually crosses two continents Europe and Asia. It is a city of amalgamation of museums, bazaars, minarets, mosques, churches, palaces, and restaurants catering to every one’s taste, customs and fifteen million people. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
After breakfast, we have Istanbul City Tour. Our first visit will be HIPPODROME. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Than we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Our next see will be HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Today it is a mosque. You can see it from outside.  After that see TOPKAPI PALACE, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. You can see it from outside.    The Basilica Cistern Museum is one of the most important cultural assets where we can trace the traces of glorious Istanbul history. With its 80,000-ton water storage capacity, Yerebatan Cistern is the largest covered cistern in the city and stands out with more reclaimed supporting elements compared to other covered cisterns. Covering an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, this colossal structure has a rectangular shape with a length of 140 meters and a width of 70 meters. You can see it from outside.  After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Dinner at Indian restaurant and Overnight in Istanbul.

If you would like to visit with entrance below sites;

Topkapi Palace Museum Entrance Fee. You pay the door price.
The Basilica Cistern Museum Entrance You pay the door price.

Please Note: Please do not forget to carry Scarf with you because of visiting to Blue Mosque & Haghia Sophia Mosque.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast enjoy BOSPORUS BY BOAT; a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will see the magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat. See Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists, gather every sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. RUMELI FORTRESS (view from boat), Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosporus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALACE (view from boat), is the summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul. Lunch break at the Turkish restaurant. After the lunch we will then take you to the GRAND SPICE BAZAAR, which is a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all naturel olive oil, soaps and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores. After the tour transfer to Istanbul Airport for domestic flight to Izmir. Transfer from airport and check in to your hotel in Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast between 08:30 am, departure from hotel fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world en - route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand theatre. Lunch break around 13:00 pm. After the lunch, we will visit a place, which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet-weaving centre. After lunch, we will do a Turkish Village Tour. Sirince’s construction style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all Orginal with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit wines. We will see the vineyards and it is time to learn how to make fruit wine. In the evening, you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way, we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. On this guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

We depart for Pamukkale at 08:00 am. Upon arrival to Pamukkale we have a lunch break until 13:30 pm. Afterwards we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Denizli/Pamukkale means seaside in Turkish and is located on the Buyuk Menderes River.  It is a growing industrial town, known for its textile industry and outlet shopping. You will visit one of the famous textile factories of Pamukkale. Dinner and Overnight in Pamukkale.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
For our dearest guests who experience the Hot Air Balloon Tour in Pamukkale, we will depart to the area where balloons take-off at 05:30 in the morning. On the the Balloon, you will witness the magnificent and unique view of nature by viewing the morning sunrise over the ancient city of Hierapolis and Cotton White Travertines which is listed as one of the best 7 wonders of the world and registered in the UNESCO heritage list. After the Hot Air Balloon Excursion, we will celebrate our landing with champagne ceremony and return to the hotel for a delicious breakfast.

After breakfast, at 10:00m we depart for Antalya. After 2 hour we will have coffee break, After coffee break then continue to Antalya. Dinner and Overnight in Antalya

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast drive to Antalya Old City ( Kaleiçi ) Marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian's Gate, Broken Minaret, Hıdırlık Tower: Kaleici is a small historic part of Antalyas modern city, also known as the Old City of Antalya. In history it was once the sprawling modern Roman town, then the Byzantine Empire, then Seljuks, and finally the Ottoman Turkish town. The Hadrian's Gate (or Hadrianus Gate or The Three Gates is a triumphal arch which was built in the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian. Antalya's broken wonder is the Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque, which itself was built originally as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD, and thus did not have a minaret at all. Hıdırlık Tower is a landmark tower of tawny stone in Antalya, Turkey, where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. It is believed to be built in Hellenistic era on a square plan and later turned into circular tower in 2^nd century AD and was used as either a fortification or a lighthouse in the past. We have lunch at the hotel and than depart for Duden Waterfalls. All the streams of the region aim at finding their way into the Mediterranean and they pour down the slopes of the Taurus, sometimes overland sometimes underground and reaching their destination, result in lovely waterfalls, of which there are more than twenty. After tour come back to hotel and rest of day is yours. Dinner and Overnight in Antalya.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast early in the morning at 08:00 drive to Konya. 2.5 hour later we have break for coffee and after some rest drive to Konya for lunch at 13:00 pm. After the lunch visit the imposing green - tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). After the Konya Mevlana tour drive to Cappadocia. Arrival to Cappadocia around 18:30 pm. and check into your hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Cappadocia

Please Note: This tour will be done by domestic flight from Antalya to Cappadocia if we can not reach the minimum 6 guests per departure. Kindly note that in that case Antalya to Cappadocia domestic flight is included in given rate and lunch will be excluded.

Please Note: If you wish to join our optional activity of Cappadocia Hor Air Ballooning for tomorrow, please contact with your guide and register because it will take place early the next morning. 

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After breakfast at 09:30 depart for Cappadocia Tour. We will drive you to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the best preserved Underground cities in Cappadocia. After Underground City tour, you visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks. Next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After Cavusin you go to the restaurant in Avanos to have lunch. After lunch, you visit a pottery work shop, to see how to make potteries. Then you go to Love Valley. Love Valley Cappadocia is a hidden valley with scenic formations to say the least. Despite the resemblance to man hood, these amazing rock formations are far from man-made. Next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. Last stop is Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. This tour will end approximately at 18.00 and you will be returned back to your hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Cappadocia.

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast, you will have free time shopping in Cappadocia. Then, we depart for Kayseri airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul. From Istanbul, we will have a flight to Athens. Upon arrival in Athens, you will meet with our local representative at the airport and be transferred to your hotel. Once you settle in, you are free to stroll in the old Plaka district. Overnight in Athens.

(Breakfast included)
In the morning, after breakfast, we will pick you up from the hotel and shall start our sightseeing tour of the center of Athens including The Constitution of Greece (Sintagma). It was created by the Fifth Revisional Parliament of the Hellenes and entered into force in 1975. It has been revised three times since, in 1986, in 2001 and in 2008. The Constitutional history of Greece goes back to the Greek War of Independence, during which the first three revolutionary Greek constitutions were adopted. Afterwards we will visit Old Parliament House. The Old Parliament building which is located at Stadiou Street in Athens, housed the Greek Parliament between 1875 and 1932. It now houses the country's National Historical Museum. In front of the building stands a large equestrian statue of General Theodoros Kolokotronis, cast in bronze. It was sculpted by Lazaros Sochos in Paris in 1900, and erected in its current place in 1904.
Continue our tour, we will go to The National Library of Greece which is situated near the center of city of Athens. It holds 4,500 Greek manuscripts which is one of the greatest collection of Greek scripts. There are also many chrysobulls and archives of the Greek Revolution
Then we will continue driving down Herod Atticus Street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the PRESIDENTIAL PALACE which is the official residence of the President of the Hellenic Republic. It previously served as the Royal Palace, until the abolition of the monarchy by referendum in 1974. On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Hadrian's Arch, visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus. and you will make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium which was refurbished a second time in 1895 for the 1896 Olympics, with completion funding provided by the Greek benefactor George Averoff whose marble statue now stands at the entrance, based on designs by architects Anastasios Metaxas and Ernst Ziller.
Upon arrive Acropolis, we will visit Acropolis Museum which is focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and on its feet, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. It also lies on the archaeological site of Makrygianni and the ruins of a part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens. Also, we will visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the PROPYLAEA, the TEMPLE of ATHENA NIKE, the ERECHTHEION. The last stop before we back to hotel is The Parthenon. The Parthenon is a temple in Acropolis, the harmony between material and spirit, the monument that puts order in the mind. Early evening we will back to hotel, you can relax in the rest of the day. Overnight in Athens.

(Breakfast included)
After picking you up from the hotel upon breakfast, we will drive through the fertile plain of Boeotia, crossing the towns of THEBES which is connected with the tragedy of king Oedipus - LEVADIA and ARACHOVA, we will have a short stop here you can have little time to explore the famous colorful rugs and carpets.  Keep going on our journey, Upon arrival DELPHI, the center of the Ancient world - the Omphalos (Navel) of the Earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of MOUNT PARNASSUS, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the SANCTUARY of APOLLO PYTHIOS.
Visit the TREASURY OF THE ATHENIANS, the TEMPLE OF APOLLO and the MUSEUM containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. We will have our lunch break in the modern village of Delphi. After the tour, we will drive back to your hotel in Athens. Overnight in Athens.

(Breakfast included)
Today, after the breakfast, we will have daily Cruise Tour for visiting the three beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf. After breakfast we will transfer you to the port for embarkation on the one day cruise. The order in which we shall visit the islands is either Poros – Hydra - Aegina or Aegina- Poros- Hydra.
Within 2 hours, we will arrive Poros and we will stay around 50 minutes. Poros is a small Greek island-pair in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf, at a distance about 58 km south from Piraeus and separated from the Peloponnese by a 200-metre wide sea channel, with the town of Galatas on the mainland across the strait. Its surface is about 31 square kilometres. The town of Poros has 4,102 of these inhabitants. The only other inhabited settlement is Agios. The ancient name of Poros was Pogon. Like other ports in the Saronic, it is a popular weekend destination for Athenian travellers. It is an island with rich vegetation as well. Much of the northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy, whereas large areas of old pine forest are found in the south and center of the island.
Afterward we will continue for sailing to Hydra (around 1hour and 15minutes sailing). It is separated from the Peloponnese by narrow strip of water. In ancient times, the island was known as Hydrea which was a reference to the springs on the island. You will have around 1.5hours to explore this island, enjoy the most beautiful walk, a donkey-ride around the town and the crystal clear water.
Continue our journey, the last stop will be Aegina. Around 2 hours sailing we will arrive Aegine. Tradition derives the name from Aegina, the mother of Aeacus, who was born in and ruled the island. During ancient times, Aegina was a rival to Athens, the great sea power of the era.
At the end of the tour, we will sailing back to Piraeus port and transfer you to hotel. Overnight in Athens.

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast, check out your hotel and we will arrange your transfer from hotel to Athens International airport for your flight back home. We hope your cruise was a memorable one and we would like to see you in future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Booking.