DAY 1 Athens arrival

Upon your arrival to Athens airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Stay overnight in Athens. (no meals)

DAY 2 Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour

Pick up from your hotel and depart for a half day sightseeing tour of Athens. We begin the day with visiting the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Proceed to Panathinaiko Stadium cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime’s Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace, (guarded by colourful Evzones) Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall), National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schlieman’s House (Nomismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square, Russian Orthodox Church, Acropolis (visit Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion and Museum of the Acropolis ). Transfer back to your hotel. Stay overnight in Athens. (Breakfast)

DAY 3 Athens – Olympia

CLASSICAL TOUR OF GREECE WITH METEORA (4 Days)

We begin the tour by driving to and visiting Corinth. Then on to Epidaurus to visit the theatre, famous for it’s remarkable acoustics. Our next destination is Nafplion where we will make a short stop. In the afternoon we drive to Mycenae and visit the archeological site and the tomb of Agamemnon. Lastly we finish the day in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. Stay overnight in Olympia. (Breakfast & Dinner)

DAY 4 Olympia – Delphi

Before departing Olympia we visit the archeological site, the Sanctuary of Olympion Zeus, the ancient stadium and the archeological museum. We drive to Delphi through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until the magnificent bridge which crosses over the Corinthian Bay. Stay overnight in Delphi. (Breakfast & Dinner)

DAY 5 Delphi – Kalambaka (Meteora)

In the morning we visit the site and museum of Delphi. We then depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of Meteora, a group of gigantic rock towers with ageold monasteries nestled on top. Dinner in included at the hotel. Stay overnight in Kalambaka. (Breakfast & Dinner)

DAY 6 Kalambaka (Meteora) – Athens

Today you have the opportunity to visit Meteora, these magical Monasteries perched upon the huge rock formations also hold exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. After the tour we will return to your hotel in Athens in the evening via Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylos (Leonida’s monument). Stay overnight in Athens. (Breakfast)

DAY 7 Cruise embarkation

You will be transferred from your hotel in Athens to the port for embarkation. Cruise ship departs at 11am for Mykonos. Between 18.00 & 22.00 visit the island of Mykonos, one of the most beautiful islands known all over the world as the Greek St Tropez. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 8 Rhodes

From 10.00 to 19.00 we enjoy our day on Rhodes, the Island of Roses, combining the cosmopolitan character of a contemporary city with the picturesque of the medieval town, which gives the impression of having been untouched by the passage of time. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 9 Patmos, Kusadasi & disembarkation – Ankara

At 7.00 until 11.00 we have the opportunity to visit the sacred island of Patmos, an island with an austere physiognomy, this is where St John the Evangelist wrote the Apocalypse. In the afternoon you will arrive in Kusadasi (Turkey) and disembark from the cruise ship. Meet with our transfer man and transfer to the airport for your flight to Ankara. Stay overnight in Ankara. (Breakfast & Dinner)

DAY 10 Cappadocia

Today we continue our tour as we travel South to Cappadocia, "The Land of Beautiful Horses". Traveling through this mystifying region you will have the opportunity to view volcanic tufa formations, medieval monastaries, frescoed chapels and villages carved into the hills almost untouched. We visit a pottery and tile manufacturer where you can try your hand at the potter’s Wheel using the ancient kick-wheel technique to create your own masterpiece. In the evening, your guide will take you watch the mystical whirling-dervishes in a Silk Road Caravanserai. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 11 Cappadocia, Konya – Pamukkale

Breakfast is served at the hotel. We make our way to the city of Konya where we visit the Mevlana Museum and the tomb of Mevlana, the founder of the mystical Whirling Dervishes, Karatay Medrese and the Ince Minare, now a museum. After lunch in Konya, we will continue our drive to Pamukkale. Arrive Pamukkale and check into your hotel. Stay overnight in Pamukkale. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 12 Pamukkale – Kusadasi

Today we discover the ancient tourist resort of Asia Minor, Hierapolis, situated above the snow-white terrace basins of Pamukkale. Drive to Aphrodisias to explore the remains of the city where there was a school of sculpture in ancient times. We also will visit the stadium and the Temple of Aphrodite. We arrive in Kusadasi in the afternoon and check in to our hotel. Dinner is served at the hotel. Stay overnight in Kusadasi. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 13 Ephesus

This morning we depart from our hotel ready to explore the ancient city of Ephesus and it’s surrounding environments. Firstly, we visit the House of the Virgin Mary on top of Bulbul Mountain. An important pilgrimage site for people of all denominations. Proceed to the ancient city of Ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. A definite must while in Turkey. After lunch we will make a stop at the Basilica of St. John.Stay overnight in Kusadasi. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 14 Kusadasi – Pergamon, Troy & Canakkale

Today the tour will depart for Pergamon where you will view the Asclepion, a popular health centre during the period of the Greeks and the Romans. As you make your way to the Acropolis, the Red Basilica, originally a temple of Serapis can be viewed. The most spectacular structure of the Acropolis is certainly the theatre, a remarkable piece of engineering built into the steep hillside. After visits to the sites and lunch we depart for Canakkale. Visit the ancient city of Troy before arriving to Canakkale. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Stay overnight in Canakkale. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 15 Canakkale – Istanbul

After breakfast we cross the Dardanelle strait by ferry and visit the memorials and battle fields in Gallipoli. We then return to Istanbul along the shores of Marmara Sea. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Stay overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast & Lunch)

DAY 16 Full Day Old City Tour

Enjoy a full day tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul. Firstly we visit the magnificent Hagia Sofia, Hippodrome and the stadium of ancient Byzantium, where an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi still survive. We then continue on to the Blue Mosque which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior and the world famous Grand Bazaar. After lunch we visit the amazing Topkapi Palace, which from the 15th to the 19th century was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Stay overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast & Lunch)

DAY 17 Istanbul

Free day in Istanbul. Stay overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast & Lunch)

DAY 18 Departure

According to your departure time you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. End of our services. (Breakfast)

INCLUDED SERVICES

Land

• 15 nights accommodation in first class hotels in Greece & Turkey.
• Half day Athens Sightseeing Excursion (group tour).
• 4 day Classical Tour of Greece with Meteora in first class accommodation (group tour).
• All meals stated in the itinerary.
• 10 day Turkey Highlights Tour (group tour).
• Transportation in non smoking, comfortable air-conditioned vehicles.
• All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
• Opportunity to see the ceramic/tile and carpet production centers in Asia Minor.
• All local taxes.

Cruise

• 2 nights accommodation in standard outside cabin.
• All meals while on board cruise.
• Entertainment on board the cruise.
• Port taxes.

PRICES (per person) STARTING FROM