Premium Turkey & The Cyclades Islands in Depth
Overview
Highlights
- Feast your eyes on the best of Turkey and Greece's otherworldly sights, from the Cotton Castle of Pamukkale to the psychedelic rockscapes of Cappadocia and the legendary caldera of Santorini.
- Indulge in iconic Feature Stays in a dreamlike cave hotel in Cappadocia and a whitewashed hotel with spectacular views in Santorini.
- Get to know the real Turkey during Exclusive Experiences, including a cooking class with a celebrated chef in Selcuk, visit to an empowering carpet weaving cooperative, and traditional dinner at a locals home in Cappadocia.
- Understand the dazzling variety of Greek produce during Exclusive Experiences, including a kitron tasting at a local distillery, an afternoon of wine tasting in Santorini and a hands-on cooking class with a local in Naxos.
- Join experienced local leaders as you stroll the ancient streets of Ephesus, uncover the secrets of Sagalassos, explore the legendary ruins of Troy and discover the history and charming villages of Paros.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Trip includes
- Istanbul - City Tour
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit
- Istanbul - Welcome Dinner
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Gallipoli - Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair
- Troy - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
- Selcuk - Cooking class
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis and Travertines National Park
- Kayakoy - Village visit
- Kas - Leader-led orientation walk
- Kas - Sailing trip with seafood lunch
- Antalya - Leader-led orientation walk
- Antalya - Antalya Museum
- Sagalassos - Archaeological site visit
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Leader-led orientation walk
- Cappadocia - Sunset drinks
- Cappadocia - Valley walk
- Cappadocia - Goreme Open Air Museum
- Cappadocia - Carpet weaving co-op
- Cappadocia - Pottery demonstration
- Cappadocia - Ozkonak Underground City
- Cappadocia - Kizilcukur Valley
- Cappadocia - Home-cooked dinner
- Athens - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Paros - Highlights of Paros Half Day Island Tour with Local Guide
- Naxos - Old Town Walk & Portara Visit
- Naxos - Cooking Class at a Local Home
- Naxos - Eggares Olive Oil Press
- Santorini - Caldera Hike
- Santorini - Winery Excursion & Wine Tasting
Itinerary
Hosgeldiniz! Welcome to Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have all once called home. Enjoy a complimentary transfer to your hotel from the airport. You’re never far from a great meal in Istanbul, so if you a...
Rise and shine for an early breakfast, then begin the drive to Çanakkale, a port city located on the shores of the Dardanelles. Arrive in time to buy yourself some lunch, then head to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Thousands from across the world make the journey here each ...
Drive to Selcuk with a stop en route in Troy, where history and mythology sit side by side. Your leader will take you around the ancient city walls, and there will be time for a photo op with a replica Trojan horse. Learn how the site has confounded historians and arc...
Today, visit one of the best-preserved classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean and arguably the greatest Greco-Roman site in the world – Ephesus. Learn from your leader what life here was like as you tour the amphitheatre, stroll the marble streets once walked b...
After breakfast this morning, travel to the town of Pamukkale. Named after its incredible travertine terraces, Pamukkale means 'cotton castle' in Turkish. This magical and spectacular natural phenomenon was created by deposits from thermal waters that cascaded down th...
Make the journey to the coast, with a stop en route at the ghost village of Kayakoy. Abandoned after WWI and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, this once-thriving village now lies as a sombre reminder of the human cost of war and politics. Spend some time on the eeri...
Set off for an experience like no other – a magical boat cruise around the islands with a local family who use their unique knowledge and love of the local waters to share a distinctly traditional way of cruising and eating with travellers. Cruise to their home villag...
Travel from Kas on a scenic route to Anatalya. Your accommodation is tucked away in Kaleici (the Old City) so settle in when you arrive and then head out on an early evening walk to see Hadrian's Gate, the Old Roman Harbour and plenty of photo-worthy views. Soak up th...
Wake up in beautiful Antalya and start your day with a guided visit though the Antalya Museum. The province of Antalya includes dozens of important ancient Hellenistic and Roman cities, and some of the best artefacts are on display in the museum’s 13 exhibition halls ...
Say goodbye to Antalya and take a morning drive to Konya, an ancient city important in the Roman era where the Sufi practice of 'whirling' was born. On arrival, discover the mystic resting place of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, the 13th-century mystic, poet and theologia...
Depart from Konya and travel to Cappadocia. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk to get to know your new otherworldly surroundings. Check in to your Feature Stay accommodation and discover something truly special. Feel miles away from the ...
Early birds have the option of taking a hot air balloon over the ethereal Cappadocian landscape. The scene at sunrise is sure to take your breath away. After a relaxing breakfast overlooking the valley, step back in time with a visit to the Goreme Open Air Museum. See...
Take a morning walk to see the fascinating rock formations of the Kizilcukur valley. After lunch, head toward the red river of Avanos and descend to Ozkonak, where you’ll explore an underground city hollowed out of tufa rock that dates back to 400 BC. Return to the su...
This morning say goodbye to Cappadocia and return to where it all began – Istanbul. When you arrive, you might like to join your leader for a trip across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of the city. Here you’ll find lively, close-knit communities and jumbles of cute c...
Depart Istanbul and catch a short flight to Athens, Greece’s storied capital with a lively cosmopolitan side. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where a meeting will take place at 6 pm to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next p...
This morning you will be transported to Athens' port at Piraeus and board a ferry bound for Paros – a beautiful and relaxed island with a layered history. Ferries are a great way to travel between the islands and are the lifeblood of many remote islands in Greece's mu...
The day is yours to uncover more of Paros’ charms. There’s certainly no shortage of things to see and do on the island. You may like to begin the day with a guided morning hike along the coast – starting off at a lovely fishing village and weaving through some of the ...
This morning you will say goodbye to Paros and catch a short ferry to Naxos. The largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos has something for everyone – from glittering beaches to an endearing Old Town and hundreds of years of Venetian history. Take some time to settle in...
This morning you will drive to Eggares, a small farming village set in the region that produces most of the island’s produce. Here you will tour an olive oil press museum to learn about the importance of olive oil to Greek culture and traditional extraction methods. A...
Today is free to explore more of wonderful Naxos. You may like to head to one of the island’s beaches for a day at leisure, or perhaps discover more of the Naxos’ history at a local museum. The Archaeological Μuseum of Naxos in Chora Naxos dates back to the 17th centu...
Depart Naxos in the morning and catch a ferry to the magnificent island of Santorini. When you arrive in Santorini's capital, Fira, you will be met and transferred to your Feature Stay hotel. A whitewashed building in the traditional Cycladic style, the hotel boasts a...
In the morning, embark on a hike along Santorini’s legendary caldera. The island you see today is what remains from a huge volcanic explosion that destroyed the early settlements and created a geographical caldera. The spectacular natural beauty of this caldera is wha...
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would to spend some more time on Santorini, additional accommodation can be arranged ahead of time (subject to availability).
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Finish point
- Santorini Palace Hotel
- Firostefani, Fira
- Santorini
- GREECE
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