Best of Turkey and Greece with 3-day cruise

12 Days Starting in Istanbul and ending in Athens

Visiting: İstanbul, Ankara, Ürgüp, Pamukkale, İzmir, Patmos, Heraklion, Thera, Athens

Tour operator:

ESKAPAS

Tour code:

441662

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

MODERATE

Tour operated in:

English , Spanish

Trip Styles:

Luxury

From: $3245

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Best of Turkey and Greece  with 3-day cruise  is a combination of our favorite places in Turkey and Greece in 12 days with a 3-day Ocean cruise to visit Patmos - Crete and Santorini.    This is a full-service escorted tour with entry fees to the sights as mentioned.We start in Istanbul and discover the highlights: Topkapi Palace, Bosphorus Strait, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar and we will drive  to Ankara, the capital city of modern Turkey then drive to  Cappadocia via Salt Lake to discover land of fairy chimneys with Goreme Valleys. We ill continue to  Pamukkale with its white cascades and thermal waters close Hierapolis. Heading west to Kusadasi to visit Ephesus and Temple of Artemis. We will transfer you to Kusadasi port to take an Ocean Cruise M/V CELESTYAL OLYMPIA to follow best of Greek Islands: Patmos of Dodecanese Islands, Crete (Heraklion) and Santorini. The tour will conclude in Athens. You will have the opportunity to visit the capital of Greece too.We think you will be enchanted with the varied sights, tastes and culture of the region and you will appreciate the nicely paced journey that allows you to discover and enjoy both the best of Turkey and Greece.

Highlights

  • Best of Turkey and Greece  with 3-day cruise  is a combination of our favorite places in Turkey and Greece in 12 days with a 3-day Ocean cruise to visit Patmos - Crete and Santorini

  • This is a full-service escorted tour with entry fees to the sights as mentioned

  • We start in Istanbul and discover the highlights: Topkapi Palace, Bosphorus Strait, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar and we will drive  to Ankara, the capital city of modern Turkey then drive to  Cappadocia via Salt Lake to discover land of fairy chimneys with Goreme Valleys

  • We ill continue to  Pamukkale with its white cascades and thermal waters close Hierapolis

  • Heading west to Kusadasi to visit Ephesus and Temple of Artemis

  • We will transfer you to Kusadasi port to take an Ocean Cruise M/V CELESTYAL OLYMPIA to follow best of Greek Islands: Patmos of Dodecanese Islands, Crete (Heraklion) and Santorini

  • The tour will conclude in Athens

  • You will have the opportunity to visit the capital of Greece too

  • We think you will be enchanted with the varied sights, tastes and culture of the region and you will appreciate the nicely paced journey that allows you to discover and enjoy both the best of Turkey and Greece

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Istanbul Arrival

Location: İstanbul


 Arrival to Istanbul . Meet with English speaking assistant at the airport . Transfer to the hotel for check in . Overnight: Istanbul Meals: N/A 

Day 2 : Istanbul

Location: İstanbul


Breakfast at the hotel . Drive from your hotel to Spice Market for shopping . Free time. Then meet and proceed to take 1,5 hrs Bosphorus Cruise excursion along the bosphorus , that is dividing the 2 continents Asia & Europe . During the excursion you will enjoy the beauty of Istanbul , with its forest , Palaces and wooden old houses built on both continents . Lunch at local restaurant . After lunch visit Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) , Hippodrome and the famous Hagia Sophia . Free time at Grand Bazaar


Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast - Lunch


Day 3 : Istanbul - Ankara

Location: Ankara


Breakfast at the hotel . Departure from the hotel to visit Topkapi Palace ( harem section entrance free is not included ) the house of the ottoman sultans . Departure from the hotel to Ankara – the capital of Turkey . Arrival to Ankara in early evening . Overnight: Ankara Meals: Breakfast - Dinner 


Day 4 : Ankara - Cappadocia (Via Salt Lake)

Location: Ürgüp


Breakfast at the hotel . Visit Anatolian Civilizations Museum where you will see the Neolithic & Paleolithic ruins from Urartu , Hatti, Hittite, Phrygia civilizations, then proceed to Mausoleum of Ataturk , the founder of Turkish Republic. In the afternoon drive to Cappadocia . En route visit the Underground city that is one of the biggest underground city in the region, constructed by the first Christians to protect themselves from the attacks ...We continue to proceed to the Derwish House to attend Whirling Dervishes Ceremony which represents the mystical journey of spiritual ascent of man using love, the search for the truth and get to the "Perfection".


Overnight: Ankara Meals: Breakfast - Dinner


Day 5 : Cappadocia

Location: Ürgüp


Breakfast . Full day visit at Cappadocia . Visit Göreme Open Air Museum - a UNESCO Heritage site , a fantastic region with it’s cave churches located on the valley. Then proceed to Uchisar Village and then the spectacular fairy chimneys. Visit Derbent Valley with and explore the natural rock formations and get a chance to attend the workshops of carpets and onyx-stones . 


Overnight: Cappadocia Meals : Breakfast and Dinner


Optional Tour | HOT AIR BALLOON TOUR


In the early morning departure from your hotel . a chance to live this unique experience, an overlooking to Cappadocia from the sky , see the beauty of the region the rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural formations, lunar landscapes ..


Day 6 : Cappadocia - Pamukkale

Location: Pamukkale


After the breakfast at the hotel , drive to Pamukkale. En route visit Sultanhan Caravansarai that was built during Seljuk Empire and used long years as a stop over for the travellers and merchants.Continue to Pamukkale . Visit Cotton Steps – a UNESCO heritage site that has been believed to have healing thermal water. 


Overnight: Pamukkale Meals: Breakfast - Dinner


Day 7 : Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir

Location: İzmir


Breakfast . Drive to Selcuk – Ephesus . Visit the Ephesus Ruins – the city that was dedicated to Artemis I the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora .Then proceed for Virgin Mary House - has been believed it is the final resting place of the mother of Jesus . Then stop at Leather Production Store . Proceed for Izmir

Overnight: İzmir Meals: Breakfast - Dinner

Day 8 : Kuşadası - Patmos

Location: Patmos


After breakfast transfer to Celestyal Olympia Cruise Ship . Boarding until 11:00 a.m. and departure at 01.00 pm (13:00) Arrival to Patmos Island at 5:45 pm (17:45) and departure from Patmos at 09:30 pm (21:30) for Crete Heraclion


Overnight: Celestyal Olympia Cruise Ship Meals: B, L, D (on the cruise you are all inclusive with beverage package.)


Day 9 : Crete - Santorini

Location: Heraklion


 This morning’s port of call is Heraklion, Crete where you may discover the town on your own or join an Optional: excursion to the Palace of Knossos. Your next port of call is Santorini, where you are free to explore the land of the fabled Atlantis. 


Overnight: Celestyal Olympia Cruise Ship Meals: B, L, D (on the cruise you are all inclusive with beverage package.) 


Day 10 : Athens Arrival

Location: Thera


 After disembarking from the cruise, you are transferred to your Athens hotel. The rest of the day free. Overnight. Athens Meals: Breakfast 


Day 11 : Athens

Location: Athens


After breakfast we will meet you at your hotel or close by, in order to start the morning Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium, home to the first Olympic Games of the modern era, where we will make a short stop. As we continue our trip, we will pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace), guarded by the Evzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy of Athens, the University, the National Library and the Constitution Square (Syntagma). One cannot take a tour of Athens without visiting the Acropolis, one of the world's most prominent sites and a symbol for democracy in the Western world! It is there that you will explore architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Pericles. From the Propylaea, to the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and of course the Parthenon, a place where 'there is harmony between material and spirit', a the monument that 'restores order in the mind', as ancient Greeks used to say. Your last stop will be the modern Acropolis Museum, with nearly 4,000 exhibits of Hellenism housed inside.


Departure approximately at 08:45 - Return approximately at 13:30


Overnight. Athens Meals: Breakfast


Day 12 : Departure From Athens

Location: Athens


 

You will be met by our assistant at your hotel and transferred to the airport by our minibus or taxi driver for your departure flight.

Overnight: - Meals: Breakfast

Request more information

What's Included

Accommodation

9 Nights 4****  Accommodations in hotels , 2 night Ocean cruise accommodation in inside cabin (IA or IB class) with Celestyal Cruise .  Please consult us for outside cabins during your reservation.

Hotels

  • Istanbul  4****  Hotel Yigitalp ou Grand Gulsoy ou similar
  • Ankara 4**** Hotel Point ou Latanya ou Anadolu Downtown ou Green park ou similar
  • Cappadocia 4**** Hotel Dinler Urgup ou Perissia ou Avrasya ou Dinler Nevsehir ou similar
  • Pamukkale 4**** Hotel Colossae ou Richmond ou Adempira ou Lycus River ou similar 
  • Izmir 4**** Hotel Kaya Prestige or Blanca or smilar
  • Athens  3*** Central (standard room) or similar

Meals: 11 breakfasts , 3 lunches , 7 dinners

Beverage package including alcoholic or non alcoholic beverages during cruise meals.

All transfers per itinerary with AC bus

Entrance fees to the Museums mentioned in the program

Local VAT (18%) and Hotel Stay-over taxes(2%)

HER-02: Minoan Palace of Knossos-1st European Civilization Excursion on the ocean cruise ship.

Port Taxes (Mandatory) 205USD


What's Not Included

  • Flights 
  • Meals other than mentioned.
  • Drinks (water , beweages etc) except for mentioned during cruise
  • Personal expenses (mini bar, shopping etc)
  • Tips to the guide and driver 

Please Note

This trip requires Passport ID page copy of each traveler. You can cover your photo on the page with a piece of paper It is required to issue your flight tickets, cruise tickets of ferry tickets.

On the other hand It is always advisable that you get a photocopy taken of your passport’s information page, prior to your travel, for security reasons. This is particularly useful if the trip is international, and the person is far away from their home country. A photocopy of your passport makes passport renewal an easier process, especially in a situation where the passport was damaged, lost or stolen.

Important Notes for Cruise

Cruise itineraries are subject to change or to be cancelled by the shipping company with or without prior notice. The shipping company reserves the right to substitute the cruise vessel with a similar one & also to amend the departure/arrival port at any time with or without prior notice. In Patmos, and Santorini disembarkation will be implemented by tender boats, as long as the weather permits it.

Please make sure your identification cards, passports and multiple entry Schengen visas are valid and up to date. RHO-01: Medieval City - Acropolis of Lindos visit is included in your cruise program.

Cabins available at the Celestyal Olympia: (Your initial cabin will be either IA or IB)

Interiors: IA, IB, IC

Exteriors: XA, XB, XC

Suites: Junior Suite (SJ), Suite with Balcony (SB) and Large Suite (SG) (very limited and reserved at least 6 months ago)

All staterooms are equipped with: shower, WC, air conditioning, radio, TV, hair dryer, safety deposit box, All Suites have refrigerated mini bar.


Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    At Eskapas we have a flexible policy. You must change it until 30 days prior to your departure otherwise any changes mean "cancellation".

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Solo travelers must pay single supplement to have a private room due to hygien reasons.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Eskapas has been established in 2000 in Istanbul

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    All hotels used to accommodate our customers are certified by “Hotel Association of Turkey”; they all are committed to use maximum 50 % capacity

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    COVID-19 RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL RULES Eskapas is committed to fulfill the following regulations to protect its customers from the risk of Covid-19 : 1 – Eskapas will fulfill all safety rules mentioned in the “Safe Tourism Certification” prepared by Turkish Ministry of Tourism; that plan covers all aspects of the journey from the aircraft to the airport, transfers, touring and hotels (tga.gov.tr/abou

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes you can.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your timetable - voucher that will show your itinerary with timing and hotels (30 days before prior to your arrival date)

Reviews of this operator

Yılmaz Tepeli (Google Reviewer)  

Eskapas Travel met all my...

05-Jun-2024

Eskapas Travel met all my expectations, I had a wonderful holiday.

Uncle (Google Reviewer)  

The Eskapas 10 day Anatolian...

24-May-2023

The Eskapas 10 day Anatolian tour of Turkey was by far the best experience for my month stay in Turkey. Most of my trips in the past to countries include too many stories about how things went wrong when traveling and planning trips myself. The Eskapas tour started off great with me being picked up by Eskapas at the Turkey airport exit and ending well with a driver picking me up at the scheduled 2am time to get me back to the airport after the tour. I give Ismail the credit for arranging the airport transfers which took the pressure off me. Reading other Eskapas positive reviews mentioning Ismail’s name and her tour arrangement success was one of the deciding factors for me using Eskapas. Now for the tour, I was not doing too well after drinking Istanbul tap water before starting the tour. Nader, the tour guide found me an open pharmacy on a Turkish national holiday when most pharmacies were closed. I and the tour group appreciate him finding that pharmacy. Nader has been leading tours for over 30 years In Turkey and had informative responses to any and all questions. I learned a lot about the Turkey culture from him that I would have missed had I planned this tour on my own. The quality of hotels we stayed at far exceeded my expectations. It was pleasant to have a conversation with others on the tour discussing if a hotel was a 4 or 5 star. I expect to book a tour next year to Egypt using Eskapas. Lessons learned, don’t drink the public water in Turkey and take an Eskapas tour.

Jan Grapp (Google Reviewer)  

The big question: Is...

31-Jan-2024

The big question: Is it safe to travel to Egypt now? Our answer is YES! There is a significant police presence in downtown Cairo, which the locals say is normal. It is reassuring, because they look like they are ready for anything. We felt very safe even walking around the hotel at night. We booked a 12 day group tour of Egypt with Eskapas. It was fantastic! It turned out we were the only members of the group (my husband and I). The accommodations were excellent (5*), the transportation, drivers and guides were exemplary. From the time we arrived at the Cairo airport until we left Egypt, we didn't have to worry about anything, all arrangements were taken care of. There was someone to take us to our hotel, Steigenberger Tahrir Square, a beautiful hotel in a great location. The staff at this hotel responded quickly and efficiently to all our requests and they could not have been more helpful or pleasant. The included breakfast at this hotel is over the top! We toured all the top sights with amazing guides. Marwa in Cairo was incredibly knowledgeable, personable and always concerned for our comfort and welfare. We had many fascinating conversations about the sights and Egypt in general. Abdelrhman was a delight and managed our transportation and helped us navigate Cairo restaurants and the bazaar. Emad stayed with us for the southern half of our tour and the 5 day Nile cruise. He took care of us completely with all the transportation and tickets for all the sights. He is a wonderful and brilliant man. He went beyond our expectations to help us in many ways. We enjoyed his company immensely. Ismail with Eskapas was very efficient and always responded quickly regarding booking, billing, additional nights and general questions. We took a tour with Eskapas in Turkey in 2021 and it was amazing. I highly recommend this company if you are looking for high quality, worry free travel at a reasonable price.

G. YILMAZ (Google Reviewer)  

Thanks to Eskapas, I had...

05-Jun-2024

Thanks to Eskapas, I had the holiday I dreamed of, everything was perfect.

sezer demirel (Google Reviewer)  

Excellent service, friendly staff, great...

05-Jun-2024

Excellent service, friendly staff, great choice for a holiday in Eskapas.

Omer Kocatürk (Google Reviewer)  

Eskapas is the leading tour...

27-Jul-2024

Eskapas is the leading tour operator specialized in multi-day guided tours around the world for active travelers who enjoy a comprehensive tour, with a lot of activity and local experiences. Our groups are mid-size to give you a better experience but also to offer a competitive price. Eskapas is one of nominees for 2023, 30th World Travel Awards in Leading Tour Operator category. The World Travel Awards is globally recognized as a highly prestigious honors program in global travel and tourism. The awards are voted for by tourism professionals and consumers worldwide. This honor recognizes the brands’ commitment to excellence, with an ultimate industry accolade."

kürşad fikri yılmaz (Google Reviewer)  

Eskapas' professional team made our...

05-Jun-2024

Eskapas' professional team made our holiday perfect, it was great.

Efe Bs (Google Reviewer)  

I was looking for a...

09-May-2024

I was looking for a place to travel, I came across you on Google Maps, I did the best thing by coming across you, thank you.

Emel Tekin (Google Reviewer)  

It was a great holiday....

29-Jul-2024

It was a great holiday. Thanks to you, everything was great. Thank you for everything. We also plan to spend our next holidays with you.

Süleyman Ayaz (Google Reviewer)  

Eskapas offers quality holiday services...

05-Jun-2024

Eskapas offers quality holiday services at affordable prices, we are very pleased.

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    ESKAPAS allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    ESKAPAS allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform eskapas, 61 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    ESKAPAS requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 61 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of eskapas charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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