From Acropolis to Constantinople

Upon arrival at Piraeus port or Athens’  airport, transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. The sprawling city of Athens is bordered on three sides by Mt Ymettos, Mt Parnitha and Mt Pendeli, and the streets of Athens now merge imperceptibly with the city’s ancient and still bustling port. Take advantage of the time to explore and dine on authentic Greek cuisine.

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour that begins with a scenic drive of the famous sites of Athens, including the Olympic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and Syntagma Square, home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Acropolis. Climb the hill and discover the building that is recognisable throughout the world. Admire the sweeping views of the city below before descending and continuing to Acropolis Museum. The afternoon is free to explore the historical section of the city, known as the Plaka, where most of the streets have been closed to traffic allowing pedestrians to discover restaurants, jewellery stores, tourist shops and cafes. Overnight in Athens. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the port for ferry (aircraft-type seats) to the beautiful  island of Mykonos. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the town or take the island tour at 16:00 and have a full free day the following day. See the famous windmills, Little Venice known for its great sunset, Paraportiani church, the small fishermen port with the Church of Saint Nicholas, and  the Yialos area with many cafés and restaurants. (B)

This morning, we recommend a tour to the famous island of Delos. This afternoon, pick-up from your hotel for the Mykonos Island tour, beginning with a tour of the old town. Continue to Ano Mera Village with free time to explore, visit the local monasteries of Panagia Tourliani and browse at the nearby open-air market. Pass by the beaches of Kalo Livadi, Kalafati and Aghia Anna, then to a well-known spot in order to capture a panoramic Mykonos Town photo. After the tour, drop-off in town or transfer back to your hotel. (B)

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Mykonos to explore the streets of Mykonos Town. This afternoon, transfer to  the port for the hydro ferry to Santorini. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for overnight. Santorini is essentially what remains after an enormous volcanic explosion destroyed the earliest settlements on a formerly single island, and created the current geological caldera.The island is renowned for its beautiful sunsets and black sand beaches. (B)

After breakfast, pick-up from your hotel for a full-day tour of the island. Drive to Akrotiri, the most famous archaeological site, often compared to Pompei. Continue to Red Beach and Perivolas Beach, famous for its black sand, with free time for lunch or a swim. This afternooon, enjoy a guided tour of the traditional villages of Pyrgos and Megalochori, followed by a visit to one of the island's wineries. The last stop is the village of Oia, with its white-washed buildings and narrow cobbled streets. It is the most popular spot to view the famous sunset. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Santorini. (B)

Take advantage of a free day to explore this beautiful island. Wander through the white, cobbled streets of Fira and experience old-world charm blended with modern day comfort. Visit Gold Street and walk a short section of the famous Santorini donkey roads, which were frequently used by the locals to carry their goods. Visit Oia village or catch a local bus and spend a day on one of the island’s famous black sand beaches. In the afternoon take an optional sunset cruise and witness to the famous sunsets from the boat while enjoying the Greek menu with unlimited drinks. (B)

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for the flight to Rhodes (direct or via Athens). Upon arrival in Rhodes, transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in Rhodes. As Rhodes is  one of the largest of the Greek Islands there are many options available. Take an optional day cruise to a nearby island or choose to hire a car. Travel to see the Valley of the Butterflies on the western side of Rhodes Island, approximately 27 kilometres from Rhodes city. Alternatively, spend a day on one of the island’s beautiful beaches of Kallithea, Ladiko, Anthony Quinn or Faliraki. (B)

Learn the secrets of Rhodes Town during this morning's sightseeing tour. Walk toward the old town passing by the Casino of Rhodes, the Turkish cemetery and Mandraki port before entering the medieval city of Rhodes through the moat (Tafro). Continue to stroll along the cobblestone Knights’ Street, lined with 15th and 16th Century buildings, Inns, where knights 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. Visit the Palace of the Grand Master (entrance fee approximately 6 euro, payable locally). The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Rhodes. (B) 

After breakfast, transfer to the port for the ferry crossing to Marmaris in Turkey. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale.  Pamukkale, meaning 'cotton castle'  is a  natural site in southwestern Turkey. The city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale Adem Pira Hotel (B, D)

In the morning visit ancient Hierapolis with its theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis graveyard. See the limestone cascades the area is famous for. Hierapolis means “holy city” and was the ancient Greek city on top of hot springs. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hot springs have been used as a spa since the 2nd century BC, and people came to soothe their ailments, with many of them retiring or dying here. The large necropolis is filled with sarcophagus, including the one of Marcus Aurelius Ammianos. Drive to Selcuk to visit Temple of Artemis ‘’one of the seven wonders of the ancient world’’ then continue to Izmir for overnight at Kaya Prestige Hotel. (B, D)

Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, including the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Hadrian.  Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor. It was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. Lunch in a nomadic tent in Selcuk to taste the Turkish Gozleme. In the afternoon visit the traditional Turkish village of Sirince. Transfer back to Izmir for overnight. (B, L, D)

Early departure for Pergamum, an ancient Greek city, now in modern-day Turkey, to visit the Asclepion Ancient Medical Centre. Founded by Archias, the Asclepion of Pergamum became famous under Galen (131-210 AD), a local physician who pursued his medical studies in Greece and Alexandria, Egypt  before settling as doctor to Pergamum’s gladiators. Drive to Troy the place where the legendary Trojan War took place. Troy was founded in the year 3000 B.C. and was demolished and reconstructed nine times until the year 500 A.D. Continue to Canakkale for overnight at Kolin Hotel (B, D)

After breakfast, cross the Dardanelles by ferry, then continue to Gallipoli. Visit places associated with the Gallipoli Campaign which took place on the Gallipoli peninsula from 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916, during the First World War. A joint British and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Istanbul, and secure a sea route to Russia. The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both  sides. Visit Anzac Cove, Nek, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine, the 57th Regiment Memorial and the War Museum. Overnight at Kent hotel located in the old city of Istanbul. (B)

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of Istanbul. Visit the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans, and currently a Museum reflecting the glory of Ottoman Empire. Tour the Blue Mosque, an impressive structure with its beautiful domes, courtyards and six slender minarets. Continue to the Hagia Sophia, one of the most extraordinary buildings in the history of architecture and the fourth largest Cathedral in the world with its 56-metre-high dome. A visit to the fascinating Spice Bazaar is also included. Overnight Kent Hotel (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Ataturk airport at 9 am or 1 pm. (B)