Best of Greece and Turkey

(WED) Enjoy a relaxing overnight flight to Istanbul.

(THU) You are greeted upon arrival and escorted to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure before a welcome briefing by your tour director. (Your arrival transfer is included only if you arrive on the actual day the tour commences. For customers arriving earlier an individual transfer can be organized at an additional cost.)

(FRI) Enjoy a full-day tour of Istanbul including Topkapi Palace (excluding harem), the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia and the Grand Bazaar. Consider an optional dinner with belly-dancing entertainment. (B)

(SAT) En route to Gallipoli, visit Anzac Cove, the Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair. Cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale. (B,D)

(SUN) Visit Troy’s legendary walls this morning before you continue your tripto Pergamum for a visit to the ancient medical center of Asklepion. Enjoy lunch with the locals at a traditional village. Arrive in Izmir in the evening. (B,L,D)

(MON) Today tour the ruins of Ephesus and explore the 2,000 year old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, and Hadrian's Temple. Take a short drive to see the Virgin Mary's cottage. Continue to a regional rug production center to have firsthand experience of this unique art form. In the evening consider having an optional dinner at a local restaurant. (B)

(TUE) You will be transferred to the Kusadasi pier to embark on a 3-night Greek Island cruise. At 1:00 pm depart for Patmos. Arrive in Patmos at 4:00 pm. You will have time for an optional tour or explore this island on your own. The ship departs from Patmos at 9:00 pm for an overnight cruise to Rhodes. (B,L,D)

(WED) Arrive in Rhodes, the Island of Roses, at 7:00 am. You have the option to explore the Old Town or visit idyllic Lindos. Taxis await to take swimmers to nearby crystal clear Aegean beaches. The ship departs from Rhodes at 6:00 pm for an overnight cruise to Crete. (B,L,D)

(THU) Arrive in Heraklion, on the fabled island of Crete, at 7:00 am. You will have time to explore the town on your own or join an optional excursion to the Palace of Knossos. At 11:30 am proceed to the island of Santorini. Arrive in Santorini at 4:30 pm. Explore idyllic villages or enjoy local wine at a restaurant with a magnificent caldera view (optional), before an overnight cruise to Piraeus, Athens. The ship departs from Santorini at 9:00 pm. (B,L,D)

(FRI) Early morning (6:00 am) arrival in Lavrion to disembark the ship. You will be transferred to your Athens hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

(SAT) Enjoy a morning panoramic city tour including the famed Acropolis with its breathtaking view and renowned Parthenon. The afternoon is at your leisure. Stay overnight in Athens. (B)

(SUN) Begin a 2-day Delphi or 3-day Delphi/Meteora Tour (optional) or transfer on your own to the airport. (B)