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Turkey to Athens & Greek Islands - 18 days
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Highlights
Istanbul - Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait between two continents and discover landmarks including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar
Ankara - Delve into Turkey's history at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and visit Atatürk’s Mausoleum
Cappadocia - Explore the underground cities and cave churches of this UNESCO-listed landscape, including Goreme & Uchisar
Pamukkale - Stroll around the terraced pools and admire the white travertines of this unique destination
Ephesus - Tour the marble ruins of this Roman city which was once the site of the great Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders
Troy - Discover the legendary ruins and see a replica of the famous wooden horse which as the story goes, was used to sack the city
Gallipoli - Pay your respects at the WWI battlefields and memorials and visit ANZAC Cove, a famous WW1 landing site
Athens - Witness the Changing of the Guard, tour many of the city's landmarks and enjoy free time to visit the Acropolis
Mykonos - Lounge on sandy beaches and enjoy the nightlife in this Aegean hotspot for the rich and famous
Santorini - Relax on one of Greece's most beautiful islands, where whitewashed villages perch on rugged volcanic cliffs
Crete - Enjoy a free day in Heraklion, with time to visit the legendary Palace of Knossos, home of the Minotaur
Troy - Discover the legendary ruins and see a replica of the famous wooden horse which as the story goes, was used to sack the city
Gallipoli - Pay your respects at the WWI battlefields and memorials and visit ANZAC Cove, a famous WW1 landing site
Athens - Witness the Changing of the Guard, tour many of the city's landmarks and enjoy free time to visit the Acropolis
Mykonos - Lounge on sandy beaches and enjoy the nightlife in this Aegean hotspot for the rich and famous
Santorini - Relax on one of Greece's most beautiful islands, where whitewashed villages perch on rugged volcanic cliffs
Crete - Enjoy a free day in Heraklion, with time to visit the legendary Palace of Knossos, home of the Minotaur
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What's Included
Accommodation
17 nights 4-5 star hotels
Meals
17 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 6 dinners
Transport
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 & airport departure transfer on day 18All relevant land transportation to/from ports & ferry tickets from Piraeus (Athens) - Mykonos, Mykonos - Santorini & Santorini - Heraklion (Crete)2 economy class flights from Istanbul - Athens & Heraklion (Crete) (20kg checked baggage allowance per person)
Others
Services of English-speaking tour guides for included sightseeing - please note that depending on the make-up of the group, guiding may be bilingual, in another language as well as EnglishGuided sightseeing in Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy, Gallipoli & AthensNote: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner, and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.
Embark on an 18-day journey tracing the footsteps of Odysseus with this specially curated tour of Turkey and Greece. Begin in Istanbul, then explore Ankara, the underground cities of Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Gallipoli and legendary Ephesus. In Greece, explore the ancient treasures of Athens and unwind on the tranquil islands of Mykonos, Santorini and Crete. Experience an extraordinary adventure through ancient times, from the revered steps of the Parthenon to the remarkable ruins of Troy.
day 1 - Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul and meet your English-speaking assistant at the airport. There's an included transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Please note: This tour is conducted in English. However, dependent on the mix of the group, touring may also be bilingual, in one additional language as well as English.
OverNight:Istanbul
day 2 - Exploring Istanbul
Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, we drive from your hotel to the Spice Market for some shopping. Enjoy some free time before embarking on an included 1.5-hour Bosphorus Cruise. This scenic cruise offers views of the Bosphorus Strait, which separates the continents of Asia and Europe. Take in the stunning sights of Istanbul, including its lush forests, palaces, and traditional wooden houses on both sides of the strait.
Following the cruise, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), Hippodrome, and the renowned Hagia Sophia. Spend some leisure time at the Grand Bazaar, before returning to the hotel. The evening is at leisure.
Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
OverNight:Istanbul
day 3 - Istanbul to Ankara
Istanbul - Ankara. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing to visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans (note that the entrance fee for the harem section is not included). After exploring this grand palace, we'll say goodbye to Istanbul and make our way to Ankara, the capital of Turkey. We arrive in the city in the early evening, and dinner is included on arrival.
Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
OverNight:Ankara
day 4 - Ankara to Cappadocia
Ankara - Cappadocia. Begin the day with a visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Here, we explore Neolithic and Paleolithic artefacts from the Urartu, Hatti, Hittite, and Phrygian civilizations. Afterward, we continue to the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
In the afternoon, we drive to Cappadocia, stopping along the way to visit one of the largest underground cities in the region, built by early Christians seeking refuge from attacks. Dinner is included on arrival in Cappadocia.
Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
OverNight:Cappadocia
day 5 - Exploring Cappadocia
Enjoy breakfast before we set off for a full-day tour of Cappadocia. Our first stop will be the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its mesmerizing cave churches nestled in the valley. The journey continues to Uchisar Village, where we marvel at the spectacular fairy chimneys. Next, visit Dervent Valley to explore its unique rock formations and participate in workshops focused on carpets and onyx stones.
An optional hot air balloon tour over the landscape is also available. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
OverNight:Cappadocia
day 6 - Sultanhan Caravanserai & Pamukkale
Cappadocia - Pamukkale. We say goodbye to Cappadocia and drive towards Pamukkale. On the way, we stop at Sultanhan Caravanserai, a historic site built during the Seljuk Empire that served for many years as a rest stop for travellers and merchants.
Arriving in Pamukkale, we explore the famous Cotton Steps and travertines, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its healing thermal waters. After our visit, we continue to the hotel, located in Pamukkale.
Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
OverNight:Pamukkale
day 7 - Ephesus & Izmir
Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir. Today's first destination is Selcuk, where we visit the legendary Graeco-Roman ruins of Ephesus. Ephesus is dedicated to Artemis, featuring remarkable sites like the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, and the Agora.
After our visit, we continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to be the final resting place of Jesus's mother. We also make a stop at a leather production store before continuing to Izmir, where we are spending the night.
Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
OverNight:Izmir
day 8 - Pergamum, Troy & Canakkale
Izmir - Pergamum - Troy - Canakkale. After breakfast and check out, we drive to the Pergamum (Bergama) region, where we will explore the ruins of Asclepion, known as the first hospital in Asia Minor's history.
Next, we proceed to Troy to visit the legendary city immortalized in Homer's Iliad, and to see the replica of the fabled wooden horse. Our final destination for today is Canakkale.
Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
OverNight:Canakkale
day 9 - Gallipoli & Istanbul
Canakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul. We complete our loop of Turkey today, arriving back in Istanbul, the city formerly known as Constantinople that straddles Asia and Europe. Before we arrive back in the city, we have a final stop.
After breakfast, we'll take a car ferry across the Dardanelles Strait to reach the Gallipoli Peninsula. Here, we will visit one of Turkey's most poignant sites: the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli. Our tour will include Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, the ANZAC Commemorative Site, the Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, the Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, the 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, The Nek, and the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. After our emotional visit, we make our way to Istanbul.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Istanbul
day 10 - Fly to Athens
Istanbul - Athens (Greece). After breakfast and check-out, you'll be transferred to the airport for you included flight to Athens. On arrival in the legendary Greek capital, you'll be transported to your hotel by private vehicle. An English-speaking team member will greet you at the hotel, assist with check-in and introduce you to the city.
The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and explore Athens at your leisure.
Please note: Some travellers may be ending their tour in Istanbul, and others may join the group in Athens.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Athens
day 11 - Exploring Athens
You have the morning to yourself - whether you prefer sleeping in, exploring the Acropolis, or relaxing in the hotel. Today's guided sightseeing will allow you to see the Acropolis from various vantage points, but doesn't include entry to the site, so we recommend you fill your morning with a visit!
Meet with your group and guide at Syntagma Square at 15:40 to witness the Changing of the Guards in front of the Hellenic Parliament at 16:00. Soon after, we will begin a panoramic city tour together, providing a comprehensive overview of Athens and its key landmarks.
During the tour, we'll see the Athenian Trilogy (including the National Library, University of Athens, and Academy of Athens), the Presidential Residence, the Kallimarmaro Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium), the Zappeion, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus along with Hadrian’s Gate. There will be short stops to appreciate the sights and capture memorable photos. The tour concludes at Philopappou Hill, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the city.
In the evening, we embark on a guided walking tour through the prettiest districts of the capital, such as Anafiotika, Thissio, Monastiraki, and Plaka.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Athens
day 12 - Athens to Mykonos
Athens - Mykonos. This morning, you will be transferred to the Piraeus Port, where you'll board the ferry to the island of Mykonos. The crossing is scheduled perfectly for you to enjoy the sun on deck and admire the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea. On your arrival, an English-speaking representative will greet you, transfer you to the hotel, and introduce you to the renowned island. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and start exploring this beautiful island, known for its windmills, beaches and nightlife.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Mykonos
day 13 - Mykonos at Leisure
Enjoy a free day to explore the stunning island of Mykonos, a favorite destination for the international jet set. It is renowned for its beautiful beaches, exquisite shops, and lively nightlife. You may wish to consider taking a short ferry ride to the historic island of Delos. According to Greek mythology, Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. This small island, inhabited since 3000 B.C., was a significant cultural centre in ancient times. Spend a second night in the hotel on Mykonos.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Mykonos
day 14 - Mykonos to Santorini
Mykonos - Santorini. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the port to board your onward ferry to Santorini. As the ferry nears the volcanic island, you will be able to see the capital city, Fira, with its distinctive white houses perched on the cliffs, overlooking the volcano.
Disembark and meet a representative who will transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to begin exploring Santorini.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Santorini
day 15 - Santorini at Leisure
Enjoy a free day to explore Santorini's whitewashed villages and black volcanic landscapes at your own pace. The island was named by Venetian nobleman Giacomo Barozzi, inspired by a chapel dedicated to Saint Eirini. Barozzi's descendants stayed on the island until 1576, when it became part of the Duchy of Naxos, prior to the Turkish conquest by Piyale Pasha. Consider a ferry over to the active volcanic caldera or find somewhere to enjoy one of the world's best sunsets.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Santorini
day 16 - Santorini to Crete
Santorini - Heraklion (Crete). At the scheduled time, our team will take you to Santorini's new port, Athinios, where you will catch the ferry to Greece's largest island, Crete, specifically arriving at the port of Heraklion. Upon your arrival, we will greet you at the port and take you to the hotel.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Heraklion
day 17 - Crete at Leisure
Enjoy a full day to discover the amazing city of Heraklion and its surroundings at your own pace. We recommend taking a relaxed walk through the historical centre, and don't miss the remarkable Palace of Knossos, the legendary residence of King Minos and the mythical Minotaur.
Meals:1 Breakfast
OverNight:Heraklion
day 18 - Athens
Heraklion - Athens. After breakfast, our staff will transport you to Heraklion Airport at the scheduled time, where you will catch an included flight back to Athens. Our tour ends on arrival back at the airport in Athens - we recommend you don't book your onwards flight before 13:00 to allow for any delays. Safe travels!
