Classical Greece and Turkey with 3 Days cruise

Arrival at the airport and meet & greet with our English-speaking assistant to help you to transfer to city center Hotel CENTRAL 3*** or similar.  Rest of the day is free at leisure

Overnight: Athens Meals: Not Available

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’, and 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

Afternoon is free at leisure in Athens.  Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast freetime until your transfer to Lavrion Port. We leave at 01:00 pm  the historic and classical capital of Greece and set sail for our first destination, the beautiful island of Mykonos, also known as the Island of the Winds. Take an evening stroll through the atmospheric Old Town with its immaculate whitewashed houses, winding alleys, lovely little churches and delightful restaurants at the water’s edge. You will undoubtedly recognise the picture postcard white windmills sitting side by side, overlooking the sea.

Overnight: Celestyal Oceanic Cruise Meals: Full board on board

We arrive in the colorful Turkish beach town of Kusadasi in the morning. This is the coastal gateway to the Hellenistic ruins of Ephesus, famed for one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Patmos, one of northernmost islands in the Dodecanese and one of all the smallest has a charm all its own. It is famous for being the supposed location of the vision to John the Baptist in the Book of Revelations and where it was written. Most scholars say this was probably someone else, but why spoil such a good story?

Overnight: Celestyal Oceanic Cruise Meals: Full board on board

Welcome to Crete, Greece’s largest island, a place of mystery, myths and legends. There’s the chance to take in the bustling city of Heraklion and some of Crete’s extraordinary archaeology and history. You can also learn more of the art and creativity of the Minoans. We have included a complimentary visit to the Palace of Knossos, once the home of Europe’s oldest civilisation and the setting for the legend of Greek hero Theseus and the Minotaur. Our odyssey continues as we spend an evening in Santorini, whose stunning face is instantly recognisable across the world. We’re sure she will take your breath away, with her soaring landscapes, clusters of whitewashed houses in the capital Fira, and of course the iconic blue-domed church at Oia. Don’t forget to try one of the many restaurants jostling for position at the edge of the caldera.

Overnight: Celestyal Oceanic Cruise Meals: Full board on board

Breakfast and we return to the Greek capital (06:00 am) after a whirlwind few days of adventure and discovery. Transfer to Athens International Airport for a flight to Turkey’s capital city Ankara. Upon arrival meet and greet and transfer to your city Holiday Inn Çukurambar or similar 5****.

Overnight: Ankara Meals: Breakfast - Dinner

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 cities in the region, constructed by the first Christians to protect themselves from the attacks

Overnight at Hotel Dinler 4**** or similar.  Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast – Dinner

Breakfast. Full day visit at Cappadocia . Visit Göreme Open Air Museum – a UNESCO Heritage site, a fantastic region with its 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 – 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.

After breakfast, transfer to Cappadocia airport for a domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and free day at leisure. 

Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast 

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of Topkapi Palace (harem section entrance fee is not included) the house of the ottoman sultans.  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

After breakfast free-time at leisure until your departure time. Transfer to the airport and end of our services.

Overnight: Not Available Meals: Breakfast