Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to begin the tour: Istanbul between Asia and Europe.
The day starts with a visit to the colorful and aromatic Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. It specializes in typical products such as sweets, dried fruits, and spices. Then, at the Eminonu port, board the boat for a cruise along the Bosphorus, the strait that separates the two continents, Asia and Europe. Enjoy the panoramic view of both shores, including the beautiful Ottoman villas, the Dolmabahce, Ciragan, and Beylerbeyi Palaces, the Rumeli Hisari fortress, the Maiden’s Tower, and more. Return to the land and transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Ottoman and Byzantine Tour with lunch: Visit the old part of the city, where the most prominent Ottoman and Byzantine monuments are concentrated. We will begin with a visit to the ancient Roman Hippodrome, featuring the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and the German Fountain. Next, visit the famous Blue Mosque, the most important in Istanbul and, until 2016, the only one in the world with 6 minarets. We continue with a panoramic visit to take photos of the world-renowned Hagia Sophia, a symbol of Istanbul and one of the masterpieces of Byzantine art. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 (you can visit it later on your own). We will also visit the Topkapi Palace, the famous and enormous complex from which the Ottoman Empire was ruled for nearly 400 years. Finally, the guide will take you to the Grand Bazaar, where you will have free time for shopping.

Breakfast. Depart for Ankara, the capital of modern Turkey, passing through the Bolu mountains. Arrival and visit to the Ataturk Mausoleum, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Completed in 1953, it is an impressive fusion of ancient and modern architectural styles. Visit the Independence Museum, which houses a wax statue of Ataturk, his writings, letters, and personal objects, as well as an exhibition of photographs and recordings about important moments in his life and the establishment of the new Turkish Republic. Stop for lunch, then continue on to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, we will visit a pottery workshop. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

At dawn, there will be an optional hot air balloon ride excursion.
After breakfast, we will visit this fantastic region, known for its fascinating and unique landscape formed by lava ejected by the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes 3 million years ago. We will make a stop in Esentepe to photograph the beautiful Göreme Valley, where we will later visit its numerous monasteries, churches, and chapels carved into the rocks. We continue to the valleys of Love, Devrent, Avcilar, and Guvercinlik, which feature spectacular views of the “Fairy Chimneys.”
A stop for lunch will follow. Next, we will visit one of the onyx and turquoise jewelry workshops. Then, we’ll explore a troglodyte city, either Uchisar or Cavusin. A stop in Avanos, famous for its clay work, which has been the city’s livelihood, follows. We will end the day with a visit to one of the typical carpet workshops to learn about this centuries-old Turkish tradition. Dinner at the hotel.
You can attend the famous “Turkish Night,” a folkloric dance show in a typical cave with unlimited regional alcoholic beverages.

Breakfast. Early departure via Konya. Stop at a 13th-century “caravansaray” that was part of the ancient Silk Road. After lunch, we continue to Pamukkale, a spectacular and unique place in the world with dazzling white waterfalls and natural pools. Its name in Turkish translates to “cotton castle.” Nearby, you’ll find Ancient Hierapolis, home to one of the largest ancient necropolises. Dinner and overnight stay.

Optional hot air balloon ride over Pamukkale.
Breakfast. Departure to Ephesus, an ancient Greco-Roman city and one of the best-preserved in the world. We will visit the Temple of Adrian, Temple of Trajan, the Theatre, the fabulous Celsus Library, and more. Lunch. Then we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent the last years of her life. You will also have the chance to visit a typical leather factory. Arrival in Izmir. Dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Silk Bazaar, or Koza Han, built in 1491 as a center for the city’s silk industry. We will also visit the Grand Mosque of Bursa, which, with its 20 domes, was the largest mosque in Turkey for over 500 years. Continue to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Athens. Arrival at Athens International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in the city center, where you will meet our assistant who will provide all the necessary documentation and information. The rest of the day is free for personal activities and exploring the city on your own.

Breakfast at your hotel and pick-up in the morning for a half-day city tour of Athens in regular service, including a panoramic city tour and a guided visit to the Acropolis (without the museum).
Pick-up from your hotel and return to your hotel. Duration is approximately 3 hours.
Description:
We will begin with a panoramic tour of the main avenues of Athens, highlighting Panepistimiou Avenue (University). We will pass through Syntagma Square, the Parliament, and the Unknown Soldier monument, where we will also observe the colorful Evzones guards in front of the Royal Palace. We will continue to the Kalimarmaro Stadium, the site of the first Modern Olympic Games (1896). Then, we will head to the sacred rock of the Acropolis, a pilgrimage to the cradle of Western civilization. Among its many attractions, we will visit the Theater of Herodes Atticus, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion or Temple of the Caryatids, and the small Temple of Nike. A stop at the panoramic tower of the Acropolis will allow us to explain what we see from here, such as the eight hills of Athens (Lycabettus, Pnyx, Filopappos, etc.) as well as the city of Athens. We will also observe the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Arch of Hadrian, the Parliament, the Zappeion, etc. Later, we will stop at the ancient Theater of Dionysus. If you wish, you can stay and stroll through the picturesque streets of the Plaka neighborhood and return to the hotel on your own.
The rest of the day is free for personal activities. Overnight at the hotel.

At the scheduled time, transfer to the port of Piraeus to embark on the ferry to Mykonos. Arrival, disembarkation, and transfer to your chosen hotel. Rest of the day free.

Free day in Mykonos to enjoy the sea and the beautiful, famous beaches, as well as the lively nightlife, which is a meeting point every summer for the international jet set. The island is small, less than 90 km², but globally known for its beaches and entertainment. Naturally, the main economic activity is tourism, and there are excellent facilities for this purpose, such as hotels, restaurants, and beach infrastructure, all while respecting traditional construction to preserve the island’s aesthetic.
Nightclubs along the beach and electronic music are synonymous with summer in Mykonos, which is why it’s often called the “Ibiza of Greece.” But Mykonos also has quiet, peaceful corners, with secluded beaches away from the busier ones to enjoy the calm of rural life. Alternatively, you can take a trip back in time by visiting the nearby island-museum of Delos, just 20 minutes by boat from Chora, the capital of the island. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

At the scheduled time, transfer to the port to embark on the ferry to Santorini. Arrival on the island and transfer to your chosen hotel. Rest of the day free.

Free day on the volcanic island of Santorini, known for its unique sunsets. In the capital, Fira, perched on the cliff and accessible by cable car or donkey, you can admire the whitewashed houses, narrow streets, outdoor cafes, and the famous sunset.
Santorini is a spectacular stop for many vacation cruise ships and hundreds of sailboats that anchor in its small coves, at the foot of the steep slopes, within the natural harbor formed by the sunken caldera of the ancient volcano. The large number of visitors from all over the world has created a free and international atmosphere. Many foreigners have settled on the island, creating small shops selling crafts, jewelry, and art. The island also offers numerous bars and restaurants, making the nights of Santorini lively and fun.
Due to its volcanic soil, the island is very fertile, and the quality of Santorini’s agricultural products is well-known worldwide. One of the island’s specialties is its wine. The grapevines are organized in a way that can only be seen in Santorini, with branches arranged in a basket shape to protect them from strong winds. Other agricultural products in which Santorini specializes include fava (a small vegetable similar to a pea), a unique cherry tomato that only grows in Santorini, and “kapari,” a vegetable the size of a pea used in the famous Greek salad. Santorini also produces a goat’s milk cheese called “cloro.”
Optional excursions in regular or private service are suggested, including visits to the volcano and the beaches of Nea Kameni or Palea Kameni.

Enjoy your last breakfast on the island and transfer to Santorini airport. Flight to Athens. Upon arrival, board your international flight to New York.