25 Days Istanbul to Athens Tour Package

25 Days Istanbul to Athens Tour Package

Istanbul to Athens Tour Package
Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul
Meal: No Meal
Upon arrival to Istanbul International Airport. You will be picked up by one of our staff at the exit gate of airport arrivals hall & transfer to the hotel. Check into hotel. Today is your first day of your package in Istanbul. Rest of the day. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 : Istanbul Historical Tour
Meal:  Breakfast – Lunch
Breakfast. Pick up from the hotel for Istanbul Historical tour. Your tour will start with a stroll to the Hippodrome, the former heart of Constantinople’s political & sporting life adorned with ancient monuments. Next visit the Blue Mosque with its six minarets, a great cascade of domes & a striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Continue with the Hagia Sophia which is considered the Jewel of Byzantine architecture & once the largest church in the world for 1000 years. After lunch in the afternoon we will complete this historical day by visiting Topkapi Palace, the residence of the legendary Ottoman Sultans, now converted into a museum with its jewel encrusted treasury & elegant four courts. Free time at the Grand Bazaar where you can shop or haggle with local merchants over unusual antiques, colourful spices, beautiful jewelry or carpets, richly textured fabrics & more. Return back to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Istanbul.

Day 3: Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise & Two Continents Tour
Meal:  Breakfast – Lunch
Breakfast at hotel, Pick up from the hotel and a short drive to Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar) heaped with various sweets & spices is one of the world’s largest spice bazaars since 1665. Soon after, we embark on a public ferry for an unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus until the second bridge, the beautiful strait that divides Europe from Asia.
After the lunch break, we drive across the first Bosphorus Bridge & head for the summit of Camlica Hill offering 360° panoramic views of Istanbul overlooking the Sea of Marmara. Continue drive to Beylerbeyi Palace. Beylerbeyi Palace was built by Sarkis Balyan Usta by order of Sultan Abdulaziz in 1865. It is on the Asian coast of Bosphorus, which was constructed, in the same style as the Dolmabahce Palace. It was the summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the HAREM on the ASIAN side. return back to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: Istanbul
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast. Free day at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 5: Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia &  Cappadocia Tour
Meal:  Lunch
Early check out & transfer to Istanbul Airport for Cappadocia flight. Arrival to Cappadocia. Met on arrival at the airport and transfer to Cappadocia center. We start to the North of Cappadocia Tour. We start our day with a gentle hike through orchards, unusual volcanic rock formations, rock-cut houses at Red Valley & Pasabagi where you will find the world known fairy chimneys. Visit the old Christian Village of Cavusin, followed by lunch break & then an excursion to Pigeon Valley. Then continue on to Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock carved churches, monasteries decorated with striking frescoes from early Christianity.
Check into hotel and Overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 6: Cappadocia Tour
Meal:  Breakfast – Lunch
Optional Tour: Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride in this morning for sunrise.

Breakfast at hotel.Pick up from the hotel for full day South of Cappadocia tour. Visiting Red valley and explore the famous rock- cut churches and hike 3,5 km through the Gulludere valley. Then visit Cavusin village. Old Cavusin was abandoned several decades ago due to avalanches. The current village of Cavusin is located on the road. Old Cavusin, with its rock-cut dwellings and stone houses, had several hermitages. The two most important churches in Cavusin are the Great Basilica dedicated to St. John the Baptist (located on the cliff above the village) and Cavusin church or the “Great Pigeon House” commemorating a visit of the famous Cappadocian Emperor Nicephorus Phocas. After lunch drive to the Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli Underground City, where early christians lived in fear and faith. The an- cient name was Enegup. The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city, which is one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia. The underground city was originally carved out as eight floors, however four floors are available to visit. In wartime about 5000 people can refuged in. The tunnels are still used today as storage areas, stables, and cellars. On the way back visit the natural castles at Ortahisar.
return Back to hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 7: Flight from Cappadocia to Antalya
Meal:  Breakfast
Check out from the hotel and transfer to Cappadocia Airport.
Flight to Antalya. Please note that if there is no direct flight on your travel dates than we use connection flight from Cappadocia via Istanbul to Antalya.
Upon arrival to Antalya airport. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. Check into hotel. Free day at leisure. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 8 : Antalya Side – Aspendos & Perge Tour
Meal:  Breakfast – Lunch
Breakfast at hotel. Depart in the morning to visit Perge, an important city of ancient Pamphylia, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. St. Paul visited Perge on his first missionary journey. The theatre stage has finely carved marble reliefs & other carvings from around the city are displayed in the stadium. Then proceed to Aspendos, which bears one of the best preserved Roman theatres in Asia Minor. After lunch by the river, we visit Manavgat Waterfalls before continuing to Side. Side is one of the best-known classical sites in Turkey. It was an ancient harbour, today Side is a pretty resort town with its ancient ruins & two sandy beaches. The magnificent theatre of the ancient city, built on colonnaded arches, is the largest in the whole area. Other monuments include the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, which is situated near the sea, a fountain & Necropolis. Overnight at hotel in Antalya.

Day 9: Antalya –  Kas
Meal:  Breakfast
After breakfast, Check out from hotel & transfer to Kas. You may choose to spend the balance of your day either in Antalya or Kas as the drive is just 2,5 hours. Overnight in Kas.

Day 10: Kas
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast. Free day at leisure. Overnight Kas.

Day 11: Kas to Fethiye
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. Transfer to Fethiye. You may choose to spend the balance of your day either in Kas or Fethiye (Oludeniz) as the drive is just two hour.

Day 12: Fethiye
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast. Free day at leisure. Overnight in Fethiye.

Optional Tour: Pick up from the hotel & transfer to the boat. A lazy day boat cruise leaving from Oludeniz Beach. Board the boat for a day you won’t forget. Swim in the Blue Cave before stepping ashore at Butterfly Valley. For the energetic, a climb up to the Waterfall where you might see a rare Tiger Butterfly is not to be missed. Lunch is served on the boat before we stop at St Nicholas Island where you can climb amongst ruins to the top of the Island for magnificent views or you may swim at ‘Cold Spring Bay’ where fresh water leaks into the sea & is very refreshing. At the evening sail back to Oludeniz Beach & transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 13: Fethiye – Dalyan Kaonus & Iztuzu Tour – Kusadasi
Meal:  Breakfast – Lunch
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. Pick up from the hotel for Dalyan Caunos tour before heading to Kusadasi. Dalyan is an area of outstanding natural beauty & historic interest. Also is the protected breeding ground of the Caretta Caretta, Loggerhead turtle. Here, a covered boat will take us down the meandering Dalyan river delta, twisting & turning through thick vegetation which is overlooked by the 4th century BC Lycian rock cut tombs. We will get off to visit the ancient city of Caunos which stands midway along the channel facing Dalyan. Then the boat will bring us back to a riverside restaurant. After the lunch break, we will visit the mud baths of Dalyan which can only be reached by boat from the harbor.
You continue by bus transportation to Kusadasi. Upon arrival to Kusadasi and check into the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 14: Ephesus Tour
Meal:  Breakfast – Lunch
Breakfast at hotel. Pick you up from the hotel and today we visit the Ancient City of Ephesus which is among one of the best preserved Greco-Roman Cities in the world enabling one to genuinely ‘soak in’ the atmosphere of Roman times. Enter through the Magnesia Gate & begin a slow, downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. After lunch, we depart to visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to be brought here by St. John & have spent the last of her days. We will see the shrine & small chapel which is a pilgrimage sight just recently visited by Pope Benedict. The tour also includes a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple which was one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 15: Pamukkale Tour
Meal:  Breakfast – Lunch
Breakfast at hotel.Pick Up from the hotel and drive to Pamukkale.  You will see the Cotton Clifts. Pamukkale is an extraordinary natural wonder. The calceus waters rise from the ground at a temperature of 35 C and tumble down the mountain from a height of 100 meters, forming a myriad of pools. Cream-colored stalactites are formed as the water overflows from the pools, creating a breathtaking sight unequaled in the world. Also visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica, theater, Roman Bath, and Necropolis.
** Swimming in ancient spring pool of Pamukkale is possible with extra charge if you are planning to swim please bring your swimming suites with you.
At the end of the tour, return back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Kusadasi – Samos Island – Greece
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. Free day at leisure. Kusadasi was the much-frequented place of birds during the seasonal migrations, during Ottoman reign it was named as Kusadasi (Bird Island). Bird island is connected to the mainland with a mole. Centuries ago the island was used for securing the shores & for preventing the attacks from the sea. Today, it is an ideal place to watch the panoramic view of the city & to witness breathtaking sunsets. You can also sip your drink at one of the cafes on the island or stroll around the city which has become very popular among locals from nearby cities for its scenery & numerous restaurants serving local cuisine.
*** Please note that your free day may in Samos Island instead of Kusadasi (depending on ferry schedules).
Pick up from hotel lobby & transfer to Kusadasi Port for 16:00 ferry to Samos Island in Greece. Upon arrival to Samos Island. Check into hotel. Overnight in Samos Greece.

Day 17: Samos to Mykonos
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. Take a ferry from Samos Island to Mykonos Island via Paros. Arrival to Mykonos and check into the hotel. Overnight Mykonos.

Please Note:
This itinerary is subject to change dependant on Greek ferry schedules. Although it is rare, occasionally ferry schedules are changed without notice, and sometimes a scheduled ferry departure may be canceled due to weather conditions. If this occurs the program may need to be adjusted slightly, and at times it may mean you will spend less or more place in one location than originally planned for. This is the nature of Greek Island travel, and we thank you for your understanding in the rare event that something like this occurs.

Day 18: Mykonos
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast. Free day today. Spend the day on the beach, stroll around the town or take a trip to one of the small villages. This Mecca of Ancient Greece is today an island-wide, open-air museum. Overnight in Mykonos.

Day 19: Mykonos to Santorini
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. Take the ferry from Mykonos Island to Santorini Island. Arrival to Santorini and check into the hotel. Overnight Santorini.

Day 20: Santorini
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast at hotel. Early morning departure today for the breathtaking Island of Santorini, where you can soak up the sun and relax on the beach or perhaps explore the picturesque capital, Fira.  Overnight in Santorini.

Day 21: Santorini to Athens
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. Free day at leisure, you may spend the balance of the day either in Santorini or Athens as there are frequent high-speed ferries & flights to Athens. Just use one of them and arrive in Athens. Check into hotel. Overnight in Athens.

Day 22: Athens
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast at hotel. Pick up from the hotel for Hald day Athens tour. Start to the tour with your guide you will criss-cross the centre of the city, taking in its modern & ancient history on foot. We will first make a short visit to the archaeological displays at Syntagma Metro Station, & then you will see the impressive House of Parliament, with the Monument to the Unknown Soldier & the Evzones the presidential guards. Then we cross to the National Gardens to the Presidential Residence & the marble Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. The walk continues to the beautiful neoclassical Zappeion Hall. Then we come to the most famous neighbourhood of Athens (Plaka), the neighbourhood of gods at the foot of the Acropolis & to Lysicrates monument.
Return back to the hotel. rest of the day. Overnight in Athens.

Day 23: Delphi Tour
Meal:  Breakfast – Lunch
After leaving Athens, we drive through Levadia & Arachova. Arriving in Delphi which is situated at the foot of the Parnos Mountain we visit the Ancient Sanctuary of Apollo. We then visit the Delphi Museum where one can see among other archaeological treasures, the unique bronze charioteer, then proceed through the sacred way to the Athenian treasury & the Temple of Apollo. Delphi is one of the national treasures of Greece. Lunch en-route from there we will guide you along the sacred way to the Athenian treasury followed by a chance to visit the unforgettable Temple of Apollo, where the masses flocked to consult the oracle. Return to Athens for the overnight stay.

Day 24: Athens
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast. Free day at leisure. Overnight in Athens.

Day 25: Departure from Athens  & Fly Home
Meal:  Breakfast
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. Free Time. Pick up from the hotel according to your flight departure time and transfer to Athens Airport International. Tour ends.

Kaydet

Kaydet

Kaydet