Turkey & Greece 18 Day In-Depth Tour

Tour Highlights in Turkey:

* Travel from Istanbul to Ankara by air to save long haul driving time
* A relaxing In-Depth tour to Midwest region, West Coast area along Aegean sea, Anatolian Plateau, Ankara- the capital and Istanbul for diverse culture and amazing scenery.
* Top attractions: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Cappadocia. Provide comfortable accommodations and ample time to explore historical sites in Istanbul: St. Sophia Church, Blue Mosque & Topkapi Palace
* To Ephesus— well preserved ancient Greek ruins
* Take Bosphorus Cruise for panoramic view of castles, grand palaces and villas along European Side & Asian side
* Sultanhani Caravansarai—a roadside inn for trade routes travelers to rest at night in the past
* Tuz Golu: One of the largest hypersaline lakes in the world, a unique landscape in Turkey
* To Aspendos Theater: a well preserved Roman theater in Aspendos
* Accommodate you in cave hotel in Cappadocia for two nights

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey:

1. Cappadocia (1985)
2. Pamukkale (1988)
3. Troy (1998)
4. Istanbul (1985)

Tour Highlights in Greece:

* Comfortably travel to all cities and islands. Enjoy Greek leisure lifestyle.
* Buffet breakfast throughout the tour. Arrange dinner with tastes of Greek culinary culture
* Arrange 2 nights stay on Santorini to enjoy island leisure lifestyle.
* Tour UNESCO World Heritage Site in Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Temple of Athena.
* Santorini: Most popular island out of the Cyclades. To Oia－the town beloved by artists. Enjoy beautiful scenery of Aegean Sea.
* To Greece’s most important historic cities, known for the cradle of European civilization and listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Acropolis in Athens (1987), Meteora (1988), Delphi (1987)
* Provide one bottle of mineral water per person per day on the coach
* Provide headset service for 15 and more guests per group

★ Entrance Fee Included  

Today take overnight flight to Istanbul Turkey, arrive the next day.

Upon arrival, transfer to restaurant for dinner and then to hotel and check-in.

Meal: Dinner / Local Cuisine
Hotel:Wyndham Istanbul Old City or similar

After breakfast, city tour will follow: ★Topkapi Palace, home of Ottoman sultans from 15th-19th century A.D., we will visit the 3^rd courtyard ★treasury collections. Then to ★St. Sophia church is the grandest red dome structure of Byzantine art. Continue to ★Blue Mosque, an Ottoman architecture. We will travel to Ankara by air this evening.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western Cuisine
Hotel: Crowne Plaza or similar

After breakfast, we will visit ★Museum of Anatolian—they have many priceless collections from Mesopotamian, Hittite Empire, Greek, Roman and Byzantine era. Continue to ★Mausoleum of Ataturk, which serves as a tribute to the founder of modern Turkey. You will see ★Ataturk’s tomb and ★museum. Later, depart for Cappadocia via Tuz Golu— One of the largest hypersaline lakes in the world. This evening, enjoy wonderful Turkish folk music and belly dance.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western Cuisine
Hotel: Uchisar Kaya Hotel or similar

Early morning you can take hot air balloon tour at your own expense (about USD200 per person), watch sunrise and rock formations. Later visit ★Goreme open air museum: Medieval orthodox Christian monks carved the cave from volcanic stone and decorated with elaborate Byzantine frescoes. Continue to ★Kaymakli Underground City, where people of Kaymakli built their living spaces, kitchen, storage rooms, cellars, stable etc. under the hill thousands years ago. Cappadocia is an area in central Turkey known for its unique moon-like landscape. We will explore Mushroom Valley, Camel Rock, Uchisar Castle, and Hunting Valley. Later, a brief stop at Turkish carpet studio and jewelry store.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western Cuisine
Hotel: Uchisar Kaya Hotel or similar

This morning we will drive through hilly region to Konya (the old capital of Turkey, birthplace of Whirling Dervishes dance) via Sultanhani Caravansarai. After lunch, visit ★Mevlana Museum and ★Alaeddin Mosque. Later depart for Antalya.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel       Lunch / Local Cuisine         Dinner / Western Cuisine
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Antalya or similar

After breakfast, depart for Duden Falls near Antalya. Upon arrival, take ★ boat ride to tour Duden Falls. Continue to Aspendos, we will visit ★Roman Theater and ★Aqueduct. Afternoon, continue our tour to Pamukkale also known as “Cotton Castle”. It is a natural terrace made of travertine deposited by water from hot springs. Tonight enjoy a thermal bath at hotel (Don’t forget your swimsuits).

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western Cuisine
Hotel: Doga Thermal Hotel or similar

After breakfast, city tour will follow: to ★Hieropolis. Continue to★Ephesus, famous for its spectacular temples, library, and amphitheater. Later, brief stop for a ★leather show. Tonight, we will overnight in Kusadasi—a popular vacation destination in Turkey.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western Cuisine
Hotel: Le Bleu Hotel or similar

After breakfast, we will visit Artemis Temple, a Greek temple dedicated to goddess Artemis and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temple was destroyed, only foundations and sculptural fragment remain on the site today. Continue to ★Troy, explore mythical site of homer’s Iliad, Helen and the giant Trojan horse. Later depart for Canakkale and overnight here (Canakkale is popular town with limited hotel accommodations, if not available, we will overnight in Ayvalik).

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Western Cuisine
Hotel: Kolin Hotel or similar

After breakfast, travel by ★ferry through Dardanelles Strait to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we will visit ★Dolmabahce Palace.   Continue our tour by taking ★Bosphorus cruise for panoramic view of castles, grand palaces and villas. After returning from cruise, city tour will follow: ★Roman underground cistern with interesting weeping column. Later, to ★ Grand Bazaar for shopping spree (It is the largest covered market in Turkey with over 3000 stores).

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Local Cuisine           Dinner / Farewell Dinner
Hotel: Wyndham Istanbul Old City or similar

This morning, transfer to airport for flight to Athens. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and check-in.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel       Dinner /Local cuisine with Greek folk dance performance
Hotel: Radisson Blu Park Athens or similar

After breakfast, city tour will follow: Syntagma Square, ◎The Parliament Building, ◎Memorial monument, ◎University of Athens, ◎Athens Academy, Panathinaiko Stadium that held the first Olympic Games in 1896. Continue to ★Acropolis: visit ★ the Parthenon, ★The Temple of Athena, Tonight, enjoy dinner with Greek folk dance performance.

Meal: Buffet Breakfast at hotel               Dinner / Chinese Cuisine, 8 dishes & 1 soup
Hotel: Radisson Blu Park Athens or similar

Today, travel to ★Santorini by air. Santorini is full of lively colors of white Cycladic houses and blue painted windows contrast stunningly black volcanic rock rising from the sea. Late afternoon, arrange excursion to ◎Oia located in north-west of the island, known as an artist paradise, stroll between the alleys and enjoy stunning sunset view.

Meal: Buffet Breakfast at hotel                 Dinner / Santorini Seafood menu
Hotel: El Greco Resort Hotel or similar

Today is at leisure; you can relax and explore the island on your own pace. Either to Fira-the capital of the island or take cable car(at your own expense) or riding donkey through narrow alleys.(Lunch & dinner are not included).

Meal: Buffet Breakfast at hotel                               Dinner / Arranged by yourself
Hotel: El Greco Resort Hotel or similar

After breakfast, ★travel to Athens by air. Upon arrival, depart for ◎Delphi, known as “World Center”. In Mythology, Delphi was the meeting place of two eagles sent by Zeus in opposite directions. They met in Delphi indicated the center of the earth. Delphi is also known as the worship center for the God Apollo. We will visit ★Delphi Museum to view famous” navel of the earth”.

Meal: Buffet Breakfast at hotel                           Dinner / Local Cuisine with Greek Stuffed Tomato Menu
Hotel: Hotel Amalia Delphi or similar

After breakfast, depart for Kalambaka for brief stop, then continue to ◎Meteora located in Thessaly plains, massive gray colored rocks rise towards the sky and monasteries perched on top of enormous rocks. These breathtaking landscapes were sculpted by wind and water over thousands of years. In 14th century, a monk from the north amazed by these natural beauty and hand-built the first monastery. There were total of 24 monasteries before, now only 6 turned into museums for visitors, we will tour the most famous ones—★The great Meteoron and ★Roussanou Monastery.

Meal: Buffet Breakfast at hotel                       Dinner / Western Cuisine at hotel
Hotel: Hotel Amalia Kalambaka or similar

After breakfast, depart for Athens. Upon arrival, some free time for you to relax. Then to old town, you will find many boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

Meal: Buffet Breakfast at hotel                           Dinner / Local Cuisine with Greek Stuffed Grape Leaves menu
Hotel: Radisson Blu Park Athens or similar

After breakfast, depart to airport for homebound flight to US and ends this unforgettable journey.

Meal: Buffet Breakfast at hotel