Glories of Türkiye and Greece

On arrival at Istanbul International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check in. This evening there will be a welcome briefing.




Overnight in Istanbul

Enjoy a full day tour of Istanbul, including Topkapi Palace Museum (excluding the harem), built in 1453. For centuries, this was from where the most powerful Sultans ran the Ottoman Empire stretching from the middle of Europe to the western edges of North Africa. The museum houses a priceless collection of jewelry, porcelain, and costumes of the sultans. Legend claims that the ancient rod on display here is that used by Moses to part the Red Sea! John the Baptists gilded arm and Mohammeds beard, finger nails and foot imprint are some of the main attractions, as well as the treasury section which contains jewel-­‐ encrusted thrones, the worlds largest emerald, and the famous Topkapi dagger. The Byzantine Hippodrome with its various monuments, including a 3500-year-old red granite obelisk brought from Egypt and erected here in 390 AD, is also part of the tour. We will also visit the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), built between 1609 and 1616 by Mehmet Aga, a student of the famous Ottoman architect, Sinan the Great. The exquisite Blue Mosque is named after the beautiful Iznik tiles that give the mosque its interior color of striking sea blue. It is one of the architectural marvels of the world with its six slender minarets gracefully greeting the Bosphorus. The original design included a seventh minaret that was later presented to the mosque at Mecca for diplomatic reasons. End the tour with an exploration of the Grand Bazaar, with over 4000 shops spread out in a giant labyrinth of small streets and passages. There are rugs, antiques, gold, silver, leather, traditional clothes, musical instruments, pottery, and much more to tempt you in the worlds largest covered market built between 1455 and 1461.




Overnight in Istanbul

This morning depart for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, named after the acronym from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in World War I. Continue to Lone Pine Cemetery, the location of one of the five memorials on the Gallipoli Peninsula commemorating servicemen killed in the campaign from the former British Empire with no known grave. We will then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale. 




Overnight in Canakkale

Today we visit Troy, famous for its wooden horse, and learn about its pivotal role during the Trojan War. Before arriving in Asclepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional village. We then continue to Pergamum known today as Bergama. Ancient Pergamum was an important cultural center and capital of the Pergamene Empire throughout Classical times. The last king of the Attalides, Attalos III, handed over the city to the Romans, who made a provincial capital of the city. You will see the re-erected structures on the hilltop from far below in the plain as you approach the impressive acropolis of Pergamum. Structures of interest in the acropolis include the famous library, an enormous theater that looks over a deep valley, temples of Trajan, Dionysos, the altar of Zeus (whose massive ornaments are now displayed in the Pergamum Museum in Berlin), and a gymnasium built in three terraces. Then continue down the hill and across town to Asklepeion, an early center for healing; during Roman times it was as important as Epidauros and Kos as a sanctuary and a spa.




Overnight in Izmir

For ancient paganism as well as early Christianity, Ephesus was an important religious center, second only to Athens, and later Jerusalem. The cult of Artemis gave way to Christianity as the Virgin Mary was reputed to have spent her final days nearby, and St. Peter and St. Paul both preached here. Ephesus kept its important standing due to its well-placed port and its religious significance, which the locals were not above exploiting. After Emperor Augustus proclaimed Ephesus the capital of the Asian province in 27 BC, the city became one of the most important in the extended Roman Empire. Most of the buildings you will see date from that era when Ephesus had nearly one quarter million inhabitants. Beginning at the Magnesia Gate, enjoy a leisurely downhill walk along marble streets of the city, pausing at sites along the walk to learn about their importance. You will see the Gymnasium, the Odeon, and the Fountain of Trajan, the Temple of Hadrian, the Upper Agora, the Town Hall, the Byzantine House, the Roman baths, and the surprisingly efficient public bathrooms! One of the most imposing sites at Ephesus is the Library of Celsus built in 135 BC and finely decorated with columns and sculptures. It was erected by a son in homage to his father. Another noteworthy structure only a short walk away is­‐   the amphitheater known for its excellent acoustics, it was here that St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, asking them to give up their worship of Artemis and embrace the Christian faith. Afterwards visit the humble chapel on the site of the little house where the St. Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Despite many controversies, the Vatican has officially sanctioned the site for pilgrimage. 




Overnight in Izmir

After breakfast we drive south along the coast to Bodrum, once a cozy fishing village of only a few thousand people, it has experienced a renaissance in the last half century that has transformed this once sleepy community into one of Türkiye's most popular vacation hotspots. Writers, intellectuals, artists, and musicians have long called this Aegean town home, or second home, attracting a vibrant cultural scene. We will visit the Castle of St. Peter that occupies the tip of the wedge-­‐like peninsula at the center of Bodrum which its massive conglomeration of courtyards, turrets, galleries and sunken gardens and see the collections of the Museum of Underwater Archeology, located within the Castle.




Overnight in Bodrum

After breakfast depart for Marmaris on the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye, where you have the afternoon free to enjoy the lovely weather, long coastline, and outstanding views.




Overnight in Marmaris

This morning we transfer to the port for a hydrofoil trip to Rhodes, Greece. On arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel for the night.




Overnight in Rhodes

Enjoy your day at leisure. You may want to visit the medieval city of Old Rhodes; divided into three parts: the northern part includes the Acropolis of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master while the southern part includes Hora, where the commoners lived. The Jewish Quarter is the third section and the least developed commercially in terms of tourism and is mostly residential, though it also boasts some great bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops.




Overnight in Rhodes

Today you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Santorini, the precious gem of the Aegean. Apart from the fabulous caldera villages, Santorini is also famous for its romantic sunsets, the volcano and its luxurious resorts. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.




Overnight in Santorini

Today is a free for you to explore one of the many picturesque villages of Santorini or enjoy a sun-soaked afternoon on the beach. Spend time exploring the town of Fira with whitewashed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques cling to a steep cliff. The present-day crescent shape of the island is a result of volcanic activity in prehistoric times, Santorini is what remains of the enormous volcanic explosion dating back 3,600 years.




Overnight in Santorini

Today you will be transferred to the pier for a hydrofoil or ferry ride to Mykonos. The island boasts splendid beaches, historic churches and quaint narrow streets laced with whitewashed houses, where artists and jet setters alike can mingle.  Tall, white windmills give an extra romantic touch to his lovely island, which also hosts a plethora of tavernas offering traditional Greek dishes. It is truly a paradise for you to enjoy the sun, the sandy beaches and incredible nightlife. Upon arrival at the port of the island, you will be transferred to your hotel.




Overnight in Mykonos

Your day is free to explore the many beaches and landmarks of Mykonos and absorb the ambience of this Cycladic Island during this day of leisure. You can visit the Mykonos windmills, Little Venice and the Paraportiani, or spend the day in the Archaeological or Aegean Maritime Museum.




Overnight in Mykonos

After a leisurely morning you will be transferred back to the pier to board a ferry to Pireaus where you will be met and driven to Athens, the capital of Greece.




Overnight in Athens

Tour Athens famed Acropolis with its breathtaking view and renowned Parthenon. This tour starts with a visit to the archaeological site of the Acropolis, an UNESCO world heritage monument, you will see the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion with its porch of Maidens and of course the Parthenon. Then a pleasant short walk passing by Herodian and Dionysus Theatre will take you to the Acropolis Museum. Its main attractions are the votines, artefacts of everyday life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon Hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you. On your own after the tour wander down to the Plaka with its open-air taverns and traditional shops. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.




Overnight in Athens

Today you will be transferred to Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos to check in for your onward flight.