Flavours of Turkey and Greece -III-

Flavours of Turkey and Greece -III-

11 Days Starting in Istanbul and ending in

Visiting: İstanbul, Ankara, Ürgüp, Pamukkale, İzmir, Athens

Tour operator:

ESKAPAS

Tour code:

702670

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

10 - 18

Physical rating:

EASY

Age range:

6-80

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English , Spanish
From: $2035

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

Travel to the Turkey(7 nights) and Greece(3 nights)  and explore the common past and future of these two unique  lands. So close but so different at the same time. You will stroll Istanbul and, visit all iconic locations Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque , get listed all in the UNESCO Heritage List than continue to Cappadocia via Ankara to visit the famous Anatolian Civilisations Museum and the symbol of Turkey independence , The Mausoleum of Ataturk.Before discovering Cappadocia enjoy the complimentary ceremony of Whirling Dervishes. Discover Cappadocia Goreme Open Air Museum (Unesco World Heritage List) , Uchisar, Avcilar, Dervent, largest underground city. Do not forget to book in advance your Hot Air Ballon Ride over Cappadocia in the sunrise. (See options)Drive to Pamukkale to visit white cascade and the city of Hierapolis (Unesco World Heritage List) and enjoy your time in thermal pools of your hotel. Continuation to Ephesus one of the best restorated "whole antique city" in the world (Unesco World Heritage List) . You will be connected to Athens with an international flight which is included in your package . You will visit the capital city , Acropolis (Unesco World Heritage List) with the new museum. Enjoy a full day cruise to Saronic Islands close to Athens.It is an epic adventure for Turkey and Greece ! Don't miss it...

Highlights

  • Travel to Turkey and Greece and explore the common past and future of these two unique lands

  • Stroll through Istanbul and visit iconic locations like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, and Blue Mosque

  • Enjoy a complimentary ceremony of Whirling Dervishes in Cappadocia

  • Discover the Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar, Avcilar, Dervent, and the largest underground city in Cappadocia

  • Visit Ephesus, one of the best-restored ancient cities in the world

  • Drive to Pamukkale to see the white cascade and the city of Hierapolis, and enjoy thermal pools

  • Visit the Acropolis in Athens and explore the new museum

  • Enjoy a full-day cruise to the Saronic Islands near Athens

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: Istanbul 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.

Overnight: Cappadocia 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 - 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 . Book early this experience.

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 and Hierapolis

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 : Izmir - Athens

Location: Athens

After breakfast transfer to Izmir Adnana Menderes Airport (ADB) to flight to Athens (during winter times it is via Istanbul) . Upon arrival to Athens meet and transfer to your hotel in the city center.

Day 9 : Athens City Tour

Location: Athens

After breakfast we meet you at your hotel or close by, in order to start the morning Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour. Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast

Detailed Itinerary:

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

Day 10 : Saronic Islands Cruise

Location: Athens

Pick up at 07.30 a.m. Transfer by motor coach from Athens center to Piraeus Port to embark on the cruise ship in order to start the full day cruise to the 3 beautiful Islands of Hydra-Poros-Aegina, which are nearby Athens (lunch on board is included). Return to Piraeus port at 7.15 p.m. and transfer back to your hotel in Athens.

Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast, Lunch on board

Detailed Itinerary

Departure is at approximately 08.00 a.m. heading to the three beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf. After departure, our guide and the hostesses will ask you to assemble in one of the main lounges of the ship to get acquainted and give you all the information concerning the ship, the program of the cruise and the islands. The order of the island visits may be changed with no prior notice.

Hydra (apprx. 2 hours)

The favorite island of the jet set, whose old traditional stone houses and mansions have over the years housed the enfant gâté of the art world. The narrow stone-paved streets await for you to explore them on foot or by saddled donkey, as the island belongs to a niche group of places that do not allow motorized vehicles. Captivating walks along the old seaside promenade crystal clear waters and radiant fine craft shops create an incredible amalgamation of two different worlds!

Poros (apprx. 1 hour)

Although it is the smallest of the three islands we will visit, its narrow strait offering a most enchanting view of the town of Poros, is a site to behold. The island is extremely close to Peloponnese, with a 200m (650ft) strip of water separating it from the mainland. That gives Poros a unique coastline, as a big part of it is almost lagoon-like.

Aegina (apprx. 2 hours)

During ancient times it was a rival of Athens, the great sea power of the era. As such, the island is, to this day, full of archaeological sites and historical points of interest. Apart from its harbor, there are optional organized tours by air conditioned busses visiting the Temple of Aphaia (archeological site) or the Church of Saint Nektarios, whose relics are on display. These tours are optional and are sold on board the ship. On our way back to Marina Flisvos, a traditional Greek folk show with singers and dancers will entertain you up to the final moment as the ship arrives at Marina Flisvos.



Day 11 : Athens Departure

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. End of our services

Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast

What's Included

Accommodation

10 Nights accommodations

In Turkey 7 Nights accommodation in superior or deluxe class hotels as mentioned below (local standards) or similar

  • ISTANBUL          Yigitalp or Grand Gulsoy or similar 4**** hotels in old city center
  • ANKARA            Point ou Latanya ou Anadolu Downtown ou Green park ou similar 4**** hotels
  • CAPPADOCIA     Dinler Urgup ou Perissia ou Avrasya ou Dinler Nevsehir ou similar 4**** hotels
  • PAMUKKALE       Colossae ou Richmond ou Adempira ou Lycus River ou similar 4**** hotels
  • IZMIR                 Blanca ou Kaya Prestige ou similar 4**** hotels
  • In Greece 3 Nights accommodations in Tourist Class Hotels as mentioned below
  • ATHENS             Athens: 3-star Attalos (standard balcony room) or similar


Flights

  • The "in-between" flight Turkey to Greece is included.,


Guide

  • English speaking cultural tour guide throughout the tour days


Meals

  • 10 breakfasts and 2 lunches and 5 dinners


Additional Services

  • Entrance fees to museums
  • 1 bottle of water 0,5 lt on the coach ( between days 3-7  )
  • Free WiFi on the bus ( between days 3-7 )


Transport

All  transfer per itinerary and  transport during visits & excursions with deluxe A/C coach

What's Not Included

  • Flights (Before/After)
  • Travel insurance, Visa fees, Personal expenses (drinks, etc)
  • Tips to the guide and driver
  • Athens stay-over taxes (to be paid directly to the hotel 2-3€ per person / night)

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.

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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