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

Minimum 2 paxs

Day 1: SATURDAY – Istanbul

Arrival and meet and greet by our representative at Istanbul airport. Transfer to the hotel.

OPTIONAL: Bosphorus Night Cruise: Includes dinner, unlimited local alcoholic beverages, folklore show and DJ

Day 2: SUNDAY – Istanbul – Ankara - Cappadocia (B, L, D)

Breakfast. Departure to Ankara, capital of modern Turkey, passing through the Bolu Mountains. Arrival and visit to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, 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 Ataturk, his writings, letters and personal items as well as a photographic exhibition recording important moments of his life and the continuation of the new Turkish Republic. Lunch. Departure to Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia we will visit a pottery factory and then go to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 3: MONDAY - Cappadocia (B, L, D)

OPTIONAL: At dawn you will have the possibility to participate in an optional Hot Air Balloon excursion.

Breakfast, after breakfast visit this fantastic region for its fascinating and original landscape formed by the lava thrown by the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes 3 million years ago then we will make a stop in Esentepe to photograph the beautiful valley of Goreme where we will then visit its numerous monasteries, churches and chapels carved into the rocks. Visit to the valleys of Love, Devrent, Avcilar and Guvercinlik, which have a spectacular landscape of the "Fairy Chimneys". Then we will visit one of the onyx and turquoise jewelry workshops. Lunch. Visit to a troglodyte city, Uchisar or Cavusin. Stop in Avanos, famous for its clay works which have been the livelihood of the city. We finish in one of the typical carpet workshops to learn how to make this centuries-old Turkish tradition. Dinner at the hotel.

OPTIONAL: Possibility of attending a folkloric dance show, the famous “Turkish Night” in a typical cave with unlimited regional drinks.

Day 4: TUESDAY – Cappadocia - Pamukkale (B, L, D)

Breakfast. Early departure via Konya. Stop at an ancient caravanserai from the 13th century that was part of the ancient silk route. Lunch and continue to Pamukkale, a spectacular and unique place in the world for its dazzling white waterfalls and natural pools. Its translation from Turkish is “cotton castle”. Next to it is the Ancient Hierapolis with one of the largest necropolises of antiquity. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 5: WEDNESDAY – Pamukkale – Ephesus - Izmir (B, L, D)

OPTIONAL Opportunity to take a balloon flight over Pamukkale.

Breakfast. Continue to 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 Theatre, the fabulous Library of Celsus, etc. Lunch at the restaurant of the train museum, which can be visited. Continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent the last years of her life. Opportunity to visit one of the typical leather factories. Arrival in Izmir. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 6: THURSDAY – Izmir – Troy - Canakkale (B, L, D)

Breakfast. Panoramic visit to Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. The icons of the city are the clock tower and the promenade called “kordon”. Lunch. In the afternoon visit to Troy, the legendary town in Homer's Iliad and the Wooden Horse. Accommodation and dinner in Çanakkale, on the coast of the Dardanelles.

Day 7: FRIDAY – Canakkale - Istanbul (B)

Breakfast. Departure and arrival in Istanbul. Lunch in a typical restaurant on the banks of the Bosphorus. Visit to the colorful and aromatic Spice Bazaar. At the port of Eminonu we will take the boat to cruise through the Bosphorus, the strait that divides Istanbul between Asia and Europe. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 8: SATURDAY - Istanbul (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for personal activities

OPTIONAL: Ottoman and Byzantine Tour: Visiting the old part where the most outstanding Ottoman and Byzantine monuments are concentrated. We will begin with a visit to the ancient Roman Hippodrome where the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column and the German Fountain stand out. Afterwards, visit the famous Blue Mosque, the most important in Istanbul and, until 2016, the only one in the world with 6 minarets. We continue with a panoramic tour to take photos of the famous Hagia Sophia, symbol of Istanbul. One of the masterpieces of Byzantine art. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 (which you can enter on your own later). We will also visit the Topkapi Palace, the famous and gigantic complex from where 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: SUNDAY - Istanbul – Athens (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport, to take the flight (Not Included). Arrival at Athens International Airport. Transfer to your hotel, meeting with our assistant who will give you all the necessary documentation and information. Rest of the day free for personal activities and exploring the city on your own.

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

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will take a panoramic tour of the main avenues of Athens, highlighting Panepistimiou Avenue (University). We will pass by Syntagma Square, the Parliament, the monument to the unknown soldier which we will see next to the colorful uniforms of the Evzones guards outside the Royal Palace. We will continue to the Kalimarmaro Stadium, home of the first Olympic Games of the Modern Age (1896). Then we will move on to the sacred rock of the Acropolis, a pilgrimage to the cradle of Western civilization. Among its many attractions, we will visit the Theater of Herodes Atticus, the Propylaea, the Parthenon temple, the Erechtheion temple or Temple of the Caryatids and the small Temple of Nike. A stop at the panoramic tower of the Acropolis will help us to explain everything we see from here, such as the eight hills of Athens (Lycabettus, Pnix, Filopapou, etc.) as well as the city of Athens. We will see the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, Parliament, the Zappion, etc. Later, a new stop to see the ancient theatre of Dionysus. If you wish, you can stay and stroll through the picturesque streets of the Plaka district and return to the hotel on your own. Rest of the day free and accommodation.

Day 11: TUESDAY – Athens - Day Cruise (B, L)

Morning transfer from your hotel to the port to embark on the day cruise. We will head to Hydra Island, while enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Aegean Sea on the way to this famous island. Hydra is the beloved muse of artisans, painters and photographers. Its unique and picturesque character, its architecture, its crystal-clear waters where its inhabitants move by boat, its splendid crafts and jewelry shops, and its folk art, combine to create a sense of vivid Mediterranean history. Its capital of medieval stone buildings of Genoese and Venetian architecture stands out. Try to get to know the island with the traditional island transport: the donkey, vehicle traffic is prohibited. We set sail to the island of Poros which rests in the strait between Poros Island and the Peloponnese.

During the crossing you will be served the excellent lunch based on Greek cuisine. 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 greenery, nestled between lush Mediterranean pine forests and delicately scented lemon groves. Its beautiful village stands out with neoclassical houses painted in bright pastel colours, narrow streets and a picturesque promenade that invites you to explore. During this stop, you can climb the magnificent bell tower of the village for unforgettable views of the surroundings. From the island of Poros we set sail for the island of Aegina (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 mats on the upper deck from where they can enjoy the most beautiful spectacle. The island of Aegina is known for its rich history, pistachio groves and picturesque coastal villages. One of these villages is Santa Marina, where you can choose to visit the majestic temple built in honour of the goddess Aphaia. This is one of the best preserved ancient temples in Greece. Another possibility is to visit the church of Saint Nectarios, known for its impressive Byzantine architecture and the saint's tomb engraved in silver. Be sure to try the famous local pistachio. Return to Athens and transfer to the hotel.

Day 12: WEDNESDAY - Athens (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to walk around the city or go on an excursion.

OPTIONAL: “FULL DAY TO ARGOLİDA” (in the Peloponnese visiting the Corinth Canal, the famous theatre of Epidaurus, Mycenae with lunch included) or “FULL DAY TO DELPHI” (with a visit to the famous archaeological site and museum, with lunch included).

Day 13: THURSDAY - Athens - Return (B)

Breakfast at the hotel, free morning to make the most of the last moment, shopping or strolling through the streets of the city. At the indicated time, departure transfer.

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