Turkey with Troy and Greece (The Eternal City-Athens)

Guaranteed Departures: Fridays and Saturdays (Operating from March 24, 2026 to October 22, 2026)

Minimum 2 people

Day 1 – Istanbul

Arrival and welcome by our representative at Istanbul Airport. Transfer to the hotel.

OPTIONAL: Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Includes dinner, 2 local alcoholic drinks, a folklore show, and a DJ.

Day 2 – Istanbul – Ankara (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to begin the tour, Istanbul between Asia and Europe. Start the day with a visit to the colorful and aromatic Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. It specializes in typical products such as sweets, nuts, and spices. Then, at the Eminönü port, you will board the boat for a cruise through the Bosphorus, the strait that separates the two continents, Asia and Europe. From the sea, you'll enjoy panoramic views of both mainland shores: the beautiful Ottoman villas, the palaces of Dolmabahce, Ciragan, and Beylerbeyi, the Rumeli Hisari fortress, the Maiden's Tower, and more. Arrival in Ankara and transfer to the hotel.

Day 3 – Ankara – Cappadocia (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Tour of Ankara, the capital of modern Turkey. Visit to the Mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic. Completed in 1953, it is an impressive fusion of ancient and modern architectural styles. Visit to the Independence Museum, which houses a wax statue of Atatürk, his writings, letters, and personal belongings, as well as a photographic exhibition and recordings about important moments in his life and the establishment of the new Turkish Republic. Stop for lunch and continue to Cappadocia. We will make a photo stop at Lake Tuz (Salt Lake), a natural formation en route to Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, we visited a pottery workshop. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4 – Cappadocia (B, L, D)

OPTIONAL: At dawn, you will have the opportunity to participate in an optional hot air balloon excursion.

After breakfast, we visited this fantastic region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by lava ejected from the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes 3 million years ago. We stopped in Esentepe to photograph the beautiful Göreme Valley. We continued to the valleys of Amor, Devrent, Avcilar, and Guvercinlik, which boast spectacular scenery of "Fairy Chimneys." We stopped for lunch. Afterward, we visited an onyx and turquoise jewelry workshop. We also visited a troglodyte town, either Uchisar or Cavusin. We stopped in Avanos, famous for its pottery, which has been the town's livelihood. We conclude our tour at a traditional carpet-making workshop to learn the craft of this centuries-old Turkish tradition. Dinner at the hotel.

OPTIONAL: Possibility of attending a folk dance performance, the famous "Turkish Night," in a traditional cave with unlimited regional drinks.

Day 5 – Cappadocia – Pamukkale (B, L, D)

Breakfast. Early departure via Konya. Stop at an ancient 13th-century caravanserai that was part of the ancient Silk Road. After lunch, we continue to Pamukkale, a spectacular and unique place in the world for its dazzling white waterfalls and natural pools. Its name translates from Turkish as "cotton castle." Nearby is Ancient Hierapolis with one of the largest necropolises of antiquity. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6 – Pamukkale – Ephesus – Izmir (B, L, D)

OPTIONAL: Opportunity to take a hot air balloon flight over Pamukkale.

Breakfast. Departure for Ephesus, an ancient Greco-Roman city and one of the best preserved today, where we will visit the Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Trajan, the Theater, the fabulous Library of Celsus, etc. Lunch. Continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent the last years of her life. Opportunity to visit a typical leather factory. Arrival in Izmir. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7 – Izmir – Bursa – Istanbul (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit to the Silk Bazaar or Koza Han, built in 1491 as a center for the city's silk industry. We will also visit the Great Mosque of Bursa, which, with its 20 domes, was the largest mosque in Turkey for over 500 years. Continue to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 8 – Istanbul (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for personal activities.

OPTIONAL: Ottoman and Byzantine Tour: Visiting the old city where the most outstanding Ottoman and Byzantine monuments are concentrated. We will begin with a visit to the ancient Roman Hippodrome, where highlights include the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column, and the German Fountain. Next, we will visit the famous Blue Mosque, the most important mosque in Istanbul and, until 2016, the only one in the world with six minarets. We will continue with a panoramic tour to take photos of the world-famous Hagia Sophia, a symbol of Istanbul and one of the masterpieces of Byzantine art. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 (you will have the opportunity to enter it on your own later). We will also visit Topkapi Palace, the famous and gigantic complex from which the Ottoman Empire was ruled for almost 400 years. Finally, your guide will take you to the Grand Bazaar. Free time for shopping.

Day 9 – Istanbul – Athens (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight (not included). Arrival at Athens International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for personal activities and exploring the city on your own.

Day 10 – Athens – City Tour – Without Acropolis Museum (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, we will take a panoramic tour along the main avenues of Athens, highlighting Panepistimiou Avenue (University Avenue). We will pass by Syntagma Square, the Parliament Building, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which we will admire alongside the colorful uniforms of the Evzones guards outside the Royal Palace. We continue to the Kalimarmaro Stadium, site of the first modern Olympic Games (1896). Then we will travel to the sacred rock of the Acropolis, a pilgrimage to the cradle of Western civilization. Among its many attractions, we will visit the Theatre of Herodes Atticus, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion (Temple of the Caryatids), and the Temple of Nike. A stop at the Acropolis's panoramic tower will allow us to explain everything we see from there, such as the eight hills of Athens (Lycabettus, Pnyx, Philopappos, etc.) as well as the city of Athens itself. We will observe the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament Building, the Zappio, and more. Later, we will make another stop to admire the ancient Theatre of Dionysus. If you wish, you can stroll through the picturesque streets of the Plaka district and return to the hotel on your own. The rest of the day is free, and overnight stay is included.

Day 11 – Athens – Day Cruise (B, L)

Morning transfer from your hotel to the port to embark on your day cruise. We will set sail for the island of Hydra, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Aegean Sea en route to this famous island. Hydra is a beloved muse for artisans, painters, and photographers. Its unique and picturesque character, architecture, crystal-clear waters where locals travel by motorboat, splendid handicrafts and jewelry shops, and folk art combine to create a sense of vivid Mediterranean history. Its capital city features medieval stone buildings with Genoese and Venetian architectural styles. Experience the island by traditional island transport: the donkey – vehicle traffic is prohibited. We then sail to the island of Poros, nestled in the strait between the mainland and the Peloponnese. During the crossing, an excellent lunch featuring Greek cuisine will be served. Poros is called the "Venice of the Saronic Gulf" due to its geographical location, separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow channel of water. The Greek island of Poros is another traditional, rural fishing island. It is surrounded by lush vegetation, nestled among verdant Mediterranean pine forests and delicately fragrant lemon groves. Its beautiful village stands out, with neoclassical houses painted in vibrant pastel colors, narrow alleyways, and a picturesque waterfront promenade that invites exploration. During this stop, you can climb the village's magnificent bell tower for unforgettable views of the surrounding area. From the island of Poros, we set sail for the island of Aegina. From the port side, we will enjoy the sunset over the Peloponnese. On most occasions, our passengers enjoy the orchestra and the large cushion-like mattresses on the upper deck, from where the most beautiful spectacle can be enjoyed. The island of Aegina is known for its rich history, pistachio groves, and picturesque coastal villages. One of these towns is Santa Marina, where you can choose to visit the majestic temple built in honor of the goddess Aphaia. This is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Greece. Another option is to visit the Church of Saint Nectarius, known for its impressive Byzantine architecture and the saint's tomb engraved in silver. Don't miss trying the famous local pistachios. Return to Athens and transfer to the hotel.

Day 12 – Athens (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to explore the city or take an excursion.

OPTIONAL: Full Day to Argolis: in the Peloponnese, visiting the Corinth Canal, the famous theater of Epidaurus, and Mycenae with lunch included; or Full Day to Delphi: with a visit to the famous archaeological site and museum, with lunch included.

Day 13 – Athens – Return (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning to enjoy your last moments, do some shopping, or stroll through the city streets. At the designated time, transfer to the airport for your departure.

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