Glories of Turkey and Greece

16 days / 15 nights

Day 1 – Thursday
Istanbul
We’ll greet you at the airport and get you to your hotel – you’ll spend the night in the city that brings together East and West, Istanbul

Day 2 – Friday
Istanbul
There may be no city on earth quite as beautiful – join your expert guide on a tour you’ll remember always….Marvel at the jewel encrusted treasures of Topkapi, tributes paid to the sultans for safe passage east and west, the Emperor Justinian’s Hagia Sophia covered in glorious mosaics, the Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Hippodrome (the bronze snake statue was a monument set up at Plataea to celebrate the Greek victory over the Persians; it’s traveled from Persia to Greece to Rome to here…). You’ll end the day exploring the fabled Grand Bazaar – under this roof, one can find anything from linens to gold…. Later, if you choose, we offer the option of a traditional dinner accompanied by belly and folk dancing. You’re here for another sunset… (B)

Day 3 – Saturday
Gallipoli • Dardanelles • Canakkale
We’ll leave Istanbul and journey to Gallipoli, site of the tragic WWI battle and a pivotal instance in the creation of modern Turkey. You’ll walk the beach at ANZAC Cove, contemplate the cemetery at Chunuk Bair and see the conflict come to life at the Kabatepe War Museum. From here we’ll cross the Dardenelles for Canakkale and the site of a battle far in the past, Troy. We’ll have dinner and spend the night in Canakkale. (B, D)

Day 4 – Sunday
Troy • Pergamon • Izmir
Visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other. Before arriving into Asclepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Centre in Asclepiuon and on to Izmir for an overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 5 – Monday
Ephesus • St Mary’s House • Izmir
Our destination is Ephesus, home to one of the wonders of the ancient world. That wonder, the temple of Artemis, is fugitive, but the site remains one of the grandest in the eastern Mediterranean – the theatre is thought to have held 24,000 citizens. We’ll travel on to the House of the Virgin Mary, long thought a place of refuge for the saint. Continue to regional rug production centre to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. Tonight we’re in Izmir. Optional dinner at a local restaurant (B)

Day 6 – Tuesday
Izmir • Pamukkale
This morning we’ll drive through lush countryside and visit Hierapolis, a source of natural hot springs known for millennia – we’ll stay in neighboring Pamukkale and sample the thermal pools of our hotel – after all, we have the night…. (B, D)

Day 7 – Wednesday
Hierapolis • Marmaris
Morning transfer to south, to the resort city of Marmaris. Your afternoon is free at leisure to explore the area on own. (B, D)

Day 8 – Thursday
Marmaris • Rhodes
Morning transfer to port for hydrofoil trip to Rhodes, Greece. Arrive and transfer to hotel for two overnights. (B)

Day 9 – Friday
Rhodes
You’re welcome to explore the island on your own, but for those who wish, you can take some optional excursions. (B)

Day 10 – Saturday
Rhodes • Santorini
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Santorini. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Santorini (or Thera) is a spectacular sight – 1000 foot volcanic cliffs form a crescent that is all that remains of the volcano that erupted in 1600 B.C. We’ll overnight here for two nights – the sunset is one you’ll remember forever.(B)

Day 11 – Sunday
Santorini
A free day today at your leisure. A bit of breakfast and then hit the road – this island has everything – the day is yours and you might find yourself in the mood for shopping, from local linens to fine jewelry, its all here; you might like a little beach time – there are plenty at the low end of the island. Visit a farm, Santorini makes spectacular wines, especially, sweet dessert wines. A glass of wine, some fresh figs, a little cheese.(B)

Day 12 – Monday
Santorini • Mykonos
Transfer to the pier for a hydrofoil or ferry ride to Mykonos. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. On Mykonos, it’s all about relaxation and pleasure – think beaches, not ruins. The winding streets make for great walks, the windmills and whitewashed homes provide fantastic backdrops for the photographers in the group – for those who want a little art history, the archaeological museum boasts a fantastic pithos (storage jar) that depicts the fall of Troy complete with men looking out from the Trojan Horse! We’ll spend the night here – you might choose to sleep, but for the night owls, Mykonos offers one of the liveliest club scenes in the world…. (B)

Day 13 – Tuesday
Mykonos
The whole day is yours, have some breakfast and explore the island – here, that means beaches. After sunset, the promenade comes alive with strolling visitors and locals – grab a coffee or an ouzo and enjoy the scene. We’ll stay here tonight.(B)

Day 14 – Wednesday
Mykonos • Athens

Day 15 – Thursday
Athens
Tour Athens’ famed Acropolis with its breathtaking view and renowned Parthenon, followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum. On your own, explore the Plaka with its open-air taverns and traditional shops.(B)

Day 16 – Friday
Athens – Return
Relax and enjoy your breakfast, bid good bye to this wonderful city- we’ll get you to the airport in plenty of time for your flight home. (B)

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