Day 1: Istanbul
Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel according to your chosen category. Accommodation.
Day 2: Istanbul
Istanbul - Suleiman the Magnificent (Breakfast)
Breakfast. Departure to visit the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent located on the third hill of Istanbul with one of the most well-known panoramic views of the city, by order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent was built by the famous imperial architect Sinan. After the visit Free time to discover the city on your own. Or optionally hire a full day visit to the Historical part of Istanbul where you can see Hagia Sophia (exterior) culmination of Byzantine art, and the pearl of Istanbul, the famous Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries. Enjoy a typical lunch in a local restaurant in the Sultanahmet area, Contemplate the Blue Mosque, a prodigy of harmony, proportion and elegance; and the Hippodrome that preserves the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, the Fountain of Emperor William and the Egyptian Obelisk, at the end of the afternoon visit the famous Grand Bazaar where we will enjoy free time to get lost among its 4 thousand shops. Accommodation.
Day 3: Istanbul
Istanbul - Bosphorus Walk - Spice Bazaar (Breakfast)
Breakfast. Departure for one of the most famous activities in Istanbul, a boat trip on the Bosphorus, the canal that separates Europe and Asia. During this journey you will appreciate the palaces of the Sultans, old and typical wooden houses and enjoy history in a different way. Next, we will make one of the star visits, the spice bazaar, established by the Ottomans 5 centuries ago and used since then. Our Included visit ends at the bazaar where you can enjoy its atmosphere and variety of shops. In the afternoon you can optionally visit with lunch to the Asian side of the city visiting the palace of "Beylerbey" located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Former summer residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, we will also be able to contemplate the famous Bosphorus suspension bridge that connects the European part with the Asian part of the city, after lunch we will visit the underrated district of Üsküdar located on the Asian side and then head to the Camlica Hill, one of the city's seven hills and the highest point in Istanbul. At 268 meters above sea level, Camlica Hill offers panoramic views of both sides of the city. At the end of the day return to the hotel. Accommodation.
Day 4: Ankara
Istanbul - Ankara (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast. Departure en route to Ankara passing through the Bolu Mountains, After arrival we will take a panoramic tour with our coach to the capital of the Turkish Republic and the second most populous city of Turkey (Ankara), a modern and cosmopolitan city steeped in history and ancient culture. Visit the Anitkabir Mausoleum, symbol of Ankara, as it is the place where the founder of the Turkish Republic lies. At the end of the afternoon Arrival at our hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Cappadocia
Ankara - Cappadocia (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast. Departure to Cappadocia. On route we will see the second largest lake in Turkey, The Salt Lake and a 13th century caravanserai (medieval inn). Arrival in Cappadocia.
Optionally you can hire a Cappadocia Jeep Safari tour, one of the most exciting adventures in Cappadocia that will allow you to explore the region in an all-terrain vehicle, where you can reach unique landscapes of the formations and valleys of this region. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Cappadocia
Cappadocia (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of this fascinating region and original landscape, formed by the lava spewed by the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes 3 million years ago. We will visit the Göreme Valley, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex made up of rock-cut churches with beautiful frescoes. Next, we will visit the Avcilar Valley and Gόvercinlik where you can admire the best view of the volcanic forms called "fairy chimneys" We will visit the typical workshops of carpets and stones of Onyx and Turquoise. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 7: Pamukkale
Cappadocia - Pamukkale (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to Pamukkale. Arrival and visit to Hierapolis, an ancient Hellenistic city that today stands in ruins. Visit to the famous Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of gigantic white waterfalls, stalactites and Natural Pools formed over the centuries by the passage of waters loaded with calcareous salts from hot springs. Arrival at the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Kusadasi
Pamukkale - Ephesus - Kusadasi - Izmir (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure in the morning to Ephesus, Greco-Roman city, ancient capital of Asia Minor and one of the best preserved of antiquity, where the Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Trajan, the theater and the Library of Celsus are located. Visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where he spent the last years of his life. Next, we will visit a leather goods gallery where we will learn about the famous production of lambskin garments of this region, at the end of the afternoon we continue to Kusadasi/or Izmir. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.
(During the summer months of May - October, the accommodation could be Izmir and its surroundings instead of Kusadasi).
Day 9: Patmos
Kusadasi - Patmos (Breakfast and Dinner) (Greek cruise islands)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the port of Kusadasi to embark on the Greek Islands Cruise, departure to Patmos known as the Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea. Patmos is the sacred island where St. John wrote the revelations. Optionally you can take an excursion to visit the Monastery and the Grotto. Dinner on board. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment. Night on board.
Day 10: Rhodes
Rhodes (Breakfast and Dinner) (Greek cruise islands)
Breakfast. Arrival in Rhodes, known as the island of roses. Optional excursion to the south of the island to visit the town of Lindos, which has its ancient Acropolis on the mountain and below it the beautiful bay of St. Paul. In the center of medieval Rhodes, you can see the Citadel of the Crusaders of the Knights of the Order of St. John, who at the time left behind his domains to fight against Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 11: Santorini
Crete - Santorini (Breakfast and Dinner) (Greek cruise islands)
Breakfast. Departure to Heraclius (except in March and November), the capital of Crete, the largest of all the Greek islands. Possibility of optionally taking an excursion to visit the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. The elaborate Palace, believed to be the mystical labyrinth of King Minos according to the legend of the Minotaur and the seat of the Minoan civilization. In the afternoon, arrival at the wonderful island of Santorini, from the top of the island you can appreciate the view is the most impressive of all the Greek islands and perhaps of the world. Possibility of an optional excursion to Oía. Departure from the island in the evening. Dinner on board. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. Night on board.
Important Note: For departures in March and November the cruise ship does not visit the Island of Crete.
Day 12: Athens
Athens (Breakfast)
Breakfast. Disembark at the port of Lavrio and transfer to the hotel. Free day to discover the corners of a city full of history and art. Daytime hours coincide with the hustle and bustle of the countless cafes, taverns and shops that crowd the colourful streets. Ideal place for shopping. Possibility of taking a guided walk and dinner with show in the afternoon. Accommodation.
Day 13: Athens
Athens (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a panoramic tour of the city center of Athens: Parliament, University, National Library and Academy of Arts, Neoclassical Mansions, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Gate, Pan-Athenaeum Stadium and many other mythical monuments. After the panorama, visit the spectacular Acropolis. Free afternoon in the city. Accommodation.
Day 14:
Athens (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel and at the indicated time transfer to the airport.
