Best of Turkey & Greece with Greece Mainland Extension

On arrival transfer from Istanbul airport to hotel. Tonight you have a welcome meeting. Overnight at Double Tree By Hilton Piyalepasa or similar.

After breakfast commence a full day guided tour including visits to: Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome Square – the place of the Roman Races and Blue Mosque. Continue to Hagia Sophia, unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great, its immense dome rises 55m above the ground. This building has been a Cathedral, Catholic Church, Mosque and now Museum. Tour concludes with a visit to Spice Bazaar. Overnight at Double Tree By Hilton Piyalepasa or similar. (B)

Morning departure to Gallipoli, visit Anzac Cove, Nek, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine and the 57th Regiment Memorial. Cross the Dardanelles, formerly known as Hellespont, a narrow strait in northwestern Turkey connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Overnight in Canakkale at Kolin Hotel. (B, D)

Travel to Troy, founded by Ilus the son of Tros in 3000 BC. Today at the site there stands a symbolic wooden horse that was built to commemorate the legendary war, cross the legendary Mount Ida and continue to Pergamum to visit the Acropolis. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi at Elite World Hotel. (B, D)

This morning take a short drive to Ephesus, the most famous archaeological site in Turkey. See 2000 year old marble streets, Hadrian’s Temple, Library of Celsus and gymnasium. Continue onto the village of Sirince to experience one of the most beautiful villages in Turkey. Return to Elite World Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

After breakfast, drive through the meandering plains and cotton farms. Arrive to Pamukkale to enjoy the beauty of the amazing lime cascades. Continue the day with a visit to Ancient Hierapolis before driving to Marmaris for overnight at Ada Julian hotel. (B, D)

After breakfast transfer to the port for ferry to Rhodes. On arrival transfer to hotel. Historically, Rhodes was famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Overnight at Semiramis Hotel or similar. (B)

Today join us for morning 2 to 3 hour orientation walk of Rhodes town. Admire the main sites on the way as well as gain local knowledge about restaurants, bars, transportation, tours and secrets known to locals only from our representative who will escort. This walk starts at the lobby of hotel Mediterranean; walk towards to old town passing by the Casino of Rhodes, the Turkish cemetery and the Mandraki port before entering the medieval city of Rhodes through the moat (Tafro). Continue stroll along the Knights’ Street, a cobble stone street lined with the ‘Inns’, 15th and 16th century buildings, where the knights have lived divided according to their nationalities. Travel back in time and experience the medieval character of the beautiful old town, declared a World Heritage site. To complete the day, enjoy sweets and coffee tasting in a traditional Kafeneio of the old town. Rest of the day free to explore Old town, the Palace of the Grand Masters or for shopping at the bazaar at Socrates Street. (B)

After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Santorini. Upon arrival transfer to Hotel El Greco or similar for overnight. Rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore the island. For afternoon we recommend optional Sunset cruise to witness the unforgettable while sipping wine and enjoying barbeque dinner after a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. (B)

Full day coach tour of the island including hotel transfers. First stop is a vsit to the Red Beach, followed by the black sandy beach of Perivolos. Free time for swimming or lunch. Afterwards, the guide will lead you through the narrow streets of the most traditional villages of Megalohori and Pyrgos. Tour includes visit to a winery for the opportunity to taste the local wines. Finally last stop is Oia for sunset viewing before returning to your hotel. (B)

After breakfast, say a personal goodbye to Santorini and transfer to the port for a hydrofoil boat to Mykonos. Upon arrival transfer to Vienoulas Garden Hotel or similar. Relax and enjoy your afternoon at your leisure. Enjoy the beach or lounge by the pool. Make sure you enjoy a traditional Greek meal in one of the local taverna’s or enjoy a drink while admiring the gorgeous sunset. Overnight Mykonos. (B)

Morning free. Afternoon approx. at 16:00 pick up for and island tour. Visit the famous Hora of Mykonos with little Venice and windmills. Drive to picturesque small port of St. Ioannis and visit in the church. Continue to Ano Mera Village a quiet little village where you can explore another side of Mykonos. Next the local monasteries of “Panagia Tourliani”, also take a glimpse at the nearby open air market. Continue passing by beaches of “Kalo Livadi”, “Kalafati” and “Aghia Anna” for a photo stop. Proceed to a very well known site in order to capture a panoramic Mykonos Town photo. After the tour drop of in town. Overnight in Mykonos. (B)

Morning free in Mykonos. Afternoon transfer to port for ferry to Athens. On arrival transfer to Athenian Callirhoe Hotel or similar. Fill the rest of your day with a visit to Plaka, the old historical neighbourhood of Athens to have some food, shop or discover a little more about the city. (B)

Today enjoy a morning sightseeing tour which begins with visit to the Acropolis. Climb the hill and discover the building standing atop which is recognisable throughout the world. Admire the sweeping views of the city below before descending and continuing on. Other sites visited during this coach tour with English speaking guide are: the site of the first modern Olympics, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, Acropolis Museum and Syntagma Square, home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Afternoon free to explore the historical section of the city known as the Plaka. (B)

Morning pick up from your hotel to depart for the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive to Epidaurus and see its acoustically superb Ancient Theatre. Continue to the first capital of modern Greece - Nafplion, and drive through the plain of Argos. Arrive to Mycenae and visit the Palace of Agamemnon. In the afternoon depart to Olympia for overnight. (B, D)

Today we will visit the Olympia archaeological site where the first Olympic Games were held. We will also see the Sanctuary of Zeus, Olympic Stadium and Museum. Continue the day with a drive through Patras and Rion, cross the Corinth Gulf and continue to Delphi via city of Nafpaktos. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain villa of Arachova. Dinner and overnight in Delphi. (B, D)

In the morning visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi featuring the bronze statue of the Charioteer amongst many other ancient treasures. Drive through the Central Greece towns of Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka. Overnight stay in Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of majestic grey rocks and crowned by the Meteora Monasteries. (B, D)

Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora, which seems to be suspended in mid-air. Visit the famous monasteries precariously perched on large monolithic rocks. Inside two of them see samples of Byzantine art. Return to Athens passing the monument of the heroic Leonidas at Thermopylae. Overnight Athenian Callirhoe hotel or similar. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to airport. (B)