(choose your own travel dates - program can be done in reverse order)
DAY - 1 ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
Arrival in Athens International Airport, pick up and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Athens.
DAY 2 – HALF A DAY ATHENS CITY TOUR (B)
08:00 am depart on a half day morning tour of Athens which includes a visit to the Acropolis, its museum and the Parthenon. Also view the House of Parliament, Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, National Library, Evzones in their picturesque uniform, Presidential Palace, the Panatheanic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Hadrian`s Arch. After the morning tour, the afternoon is at leisure for you to further explore Athens on your own. (Optional afternoon tour to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon.) Overnight in Athens.
DAY 3 – FERRY TO SANTORINI (B)
Breakfast, check-out and transfer to Piraeus Port for departure by morning ferry to Santorini. On arrival meet for transfer to hotel with rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Santorini. (Flights between Athens and Santorini are also available.)
DAY 4 – DAY AT LEISURE IN SANTORINI (B)
Free day at leisure to relax on one of the many different beaches of Santorini (gold, red or black sand) or explore the capital, Fira. Overnight in Santorini.
DAY 5 – FERRY TO CRETE / HERAKLION (B)
Breakfast served at the hotel then the day at leisure until late afternoon transfer to the port for departure by highspeed ferry on to Heraklion (Crete). Arrival early evening and transfer on to your hotel. Overnight Heraklion.
DAY 6 – DAY AT LEISURE IN HERAKLION (B)
Breakfast at hotel with the day then free at leisure to explore the city, capital of Crete. Highly recommended is to visit the Knossos Palace ruins & the Archaeological Museum which houses artefacts of Minoan era and many others. Overnight in Heraklion.
DAY 7 – FERRY TO RHODES (B)
Ferry to Rhodes (time TBD). Overnight in Rhodes.
DAY 8 – DAY AT LEISURE IN RHODES (B)
Today is free at leisure for you to explore the "old town" of Rhodes, the Lindos area and other villages of the island or just simply relax on the beach, the choice is yours. Overnight Rhodes.
DAY 9 – FERRY TO MARMARIS / TRANSFER TO KUSADASI (B)
Pick up from the hotel at 8:00 am and transfer to the port. 09:30 am ferry to Marmaris. 11:00 am arriva in Marmaris, pick up from the port and 3 hours private drive to Kusadasi. Arrival in Kusadasi, checkin to the hotel and overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY - 10 EPHESUS TOUR (B-L)
09:15 am pick up from th reception and depart for the tour. Visiting the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Following this, we will make our way to Ephesus which was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient word. Visiting Ephesus ruins, Odeon, Celcus Library and the Theatre which is still in use today for concerts. As we walk through this ancient site you will notice the streets paved with marble which gives a hint to this city`s great wealth many years ago. Our last stop is the House of Virgin Mary where it is believed that she arrived with Saint John 4-6 years after the death of Christ and spent her final days. Return back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 11 - FLIGHT TO CAPPADOCIA (B)
Flight from Izmir to Cappadocia. Depending on the day of the week, you will either fly directly or via Istanbul. Arrival in Cappadocia, pick up and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 12 - CAPPADOCIA TOUR #1 (B-L)
09:30 am pick up and depart for the tour. Visiting Devrent Valley, Monk`s valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world renowned fairy chimneys. After lunch break continue on to the Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock carved churches and monasteries. Tour will end with a visit to Uchisar, a natural rock castle. Transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia.
OPTIONAL TOUR: Hot Air Balloon Ride - $150 per person
DAY 13 - CAPPADOCIA TOUR #2 & FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL (B-L)
09:30 am, depart from your hotel to visit Red valley, and explore the famous rock- cut churches and walk 4-5 km through the Gulludere valley. Then visit Çavusvillage. This village is famous for the houses and churches of the Christian clergymen. After lunch drive to the Pigeon valley. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli underground city where early Christians lived in fear and faith. After the tour transfer to Kayseri airport for an evening flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 14- BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN RELICS TOUR (B-L)
08:15 am pick up from the reception and depart for the tour. Visiting, Haghia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. Tour ends around 4:00 pm. Return back to the hotel and overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 15- DAY AT LEISURE IN ISTANBUL (B)
Free day at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
OPTIONAL TOUR: Circle Istanbul - "See The Real Istanbul"
DAY 16 - GOODBYE (B)
Pick up 3 hours before your international flight and transfer to the airport. Have a safe trip back home!
