Turkey to Greece Express - 9 days

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9 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

24 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Starts

Istanbul, Turkey

Ends

Athens, Greece

Highlights

Istanbul - Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait between two continents and discover landmarks including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar

Gallipoli - Pay your respects at the WWI battlefields and memorials and visit ANZAC Cove, a famous WW1 landing site

Pergamum - Discover the incredible ruins of this ancient Greek city, including the Acropolis and the Asclepion

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

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

Athens - Spend three nights in the Greek capital, with a guided tour including a visit to the legendary Acropolis

Saronic Islands - Sail to the Saronic Islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina to discover coastal towns, ancient stone streets and a rich culture

Athens - Spend three nights in the Greek capital, with a guided tour including a visit to the legendary Acropolis

Saronic Islands - Sail to the Saronic Islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina to discover coastal towns, ancient stone streets and a rich culture

Itinerary

PARTIALLY GUIDED TOUR: Explore Turkey and Greece in just 9 days on this group tour. Begin in Istanbul with guided sightseeing and a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, which divides Europe and Asia. Pay your respects at the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli, visit the fabled town of Troy and the acropolis of Pergamum. Explore legendary Ephesus before flying to Athens for a guided tour and of course, a visit to the mighty Acropolis. End with a day cruise to the stunning Saronic Islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina.

day 1 - Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul! You will be collected at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

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

Enjoy a full day of included sightseeing in Istanbul, the city that straddles two continents. Take a stroll along Sogukcesme Street, lined with iconic wooden houses that are now landmark examples of Ottoman architecture. Arrive at Topkapi Palace (closed Mondays), including the Harem section, recognized as the largest and oldest existing palace where the Ottoman Sultans resided. Admire the gardens, kitchens, and treasury, as well as the terraces offering views of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Take a photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III and admire the exterior of Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture from the 6th century.

Enjoy an included lunch before visiting the Blue Mosque, adorned with over 20,000 Iznik tiles. Continue to the Roman Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races, then shop for Anatolian handicrafts in the labyrinthine passages of the Grand Bazaar. After the tour, you are free to keep exploring independently, or make your own way back to the hotel.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Istanbul

day 3 - Bosphorus Cruise

Begin today with a stroll along the Golden Horn, the estuary that separates the European section of Istanbul. Enjoy free time at the Egyptian Bazaar, a vibrant market filled with enticing aromas and lively activity, where the streets offer an authentic taste of the East.

Next, we embark on a boat tour along the Bosphorus, the waterway linking the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and dividing the European continent from Asia. As we cruise, we can take in the stunning views of Istanbul's European and Asian coastlines, featuring palaces, fortresses, and charming wooden residences. The excursion finishes at either Taksim Square or Sultanahmet Square and you are then free to continue exploring or head back to the hotel independently. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Istanbul

day 4 - Battlefields of Gallipoli

Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale. You'll be picked up early from the hotel and enjoy breakfast on the road. We're embarking on a day trip to the historic and poignant World War I battlefields of Gallipoli. The tour includes stops at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, as well as original trenches and tunnels.

We will also cross the Dardanelles by ferry and stop for photos at the wooden Trojan Horse from the movie "Troy." We are spending the night in the coastal city of Canakkale.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Canakkale

day 5 - Troy, Pergamum & Kusadasi

Canakkale - Troy - Pergamum - Kusadasi. This morning, we journey back in time as we explore the ancient city of Troy, known for the legendary Trojan Horse (you'll be able to see the modern replica).

Next, we will tour the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum, famous for its impressive temples and library that established it as a renowned cultural and political centre of its era. We will then continue to Kusadasi for the night.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Kusadasi

day 6 - Ephesus to Athens

Kusadasi - Ephesus - Izmir - Athens (Greece). Visiting Ephesus should be on every traveller's itinerary, as it offers an incredible journey through time and a glimpse into life centuries ago. After over 150 years of excavation, Ephesus stands as Europe's most complete ancient city, with its reclaimed and restored structures. During our visit, we'll explore ancient Agoras, temples, streets, and houses in near-perfect condition. Highlights include one of the most magnificent surviving Roman theatres and the famous Celsus Library. Don't miss the Temple of Artemis in Selcuk, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

After our visit to Ephesus, you will be transferred to Izmir International Airport for the included flight to Athens. On arrival at Athens Airport, you'll be greeted and transferred to the hotel, either by minibus or taxi. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Athens

day 7 - Exploring Athens & the Acropolis

After breakfast, we'll meet you at your hotel or a nearby location (to be advised locally) at around 8:45 to begin the included Athens sightseeing tour. Led by a local guide, we discover the Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympic Games. We'll continue by viewing significant landmarks such as the Prime Minister's residence (formerly the Royal Palace) guarded by the Evzones in their colourful uniforms, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament with the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy of Athens, the University, the National Library, and Constitution Square (Syntagma).

A tour of Athens wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Acropolis, a prominent global landmark and a symbol of Western democracy. Here, we'll discover architectural masterpieces from the Golden Age of Pericles, including the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and the Parthenon - a place ancient Greeks believed brought harmony and restored order to the mind.

The final stop is the modern Acropolis Museum, featuring nearly 4,000 exhibits of Hellenism. The tour ends at around 13:30, and the rest of the day is at leisure. Consider a wander through the pretty Plaka district!

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Athens

day 8 - Saronic Islands Cruise

Athens - Hydra - Poros - Aegina - Athens. Pickup for today's cruise is at 7:30, and you'll be transferred by motor coach from Athens city centre to Piraeus Port. Here, you will board a cruise ship to begin a full-day cruise to the three beautiful islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina. Aboard the ship, lunch is included.

Our first stop is Hydra, known for its jet-set appeal, stone mansions, narrow car-free streets, and charming craft shops. Next, we visit Poros, the smallest island, offering serene views and a lagoon-like coastline. The final stop is Aegina, rich in ancient heritage, where you will have free time to explore the island or you may choose from three optional tours: a visit to the Temple of Aphaia and Church of Saint Nektarios, a relaxing beach escape on Moni Island, or a scenic drive exploring pistachio groves, Paleohora, and a local taverna.

The cruise concludes with a return to Piraeus Port at 19:15, from where you'll be transferred back to the hotel in Athens.

Please note: On today's cruise, it will not just be our tour group, up to 100+ passengers will join the cruise for today's excursion. Please also note that the order the islands are visited in is also subject to change.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Athens

day 9 - Athens

Your tour comes to an end today, after breakfast and hotel check out. An included transfer takes you to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

8 nights 3-4 star hotels

Meals

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 2 dinners

Transport

Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 9All relevant transfers and transportation by land & Dardanelles ferry

Others

1 economy class flight from Izmir - Athens (23 kg checked baggage plus 8 kg cabin bag per person)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, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus & AthensSaronic Islands day cruiseNote: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner, and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

Entrance

Entrance fees

What's Excluded

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