Istanbul to Athens Explorer

Your exciting two-week voyage begins in Istanbul. This famous city is located at the meeting point of two continents, Europe and Asia. As such, it abounds with captivating cultural, historical, and religious landmarks.

Grand old buildings contrast wonderfully with the cosmopolitan atmosphere. You arrive at the airport and are transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Today we tour the older areas of Istanbul, known as the Old City. We stop at its most important landmarks, including the majestic Hagia Sophia, the famous Blue Mosque, the fascinating Topkapi palace, and the remarkable Hippodrome.

We also have the choice of enjoying a boat cruise on the Bosphorus, the river that separates Europe from Asia. The night is spent is Istanbul.

Today we leave Istanbul and head towards Ankara, the capital of Turkey. We first stop at the tomb of one of the country’s most iconic figures, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. He was the leader during the Turkish War of Independence, and was the Republic’s first president.

Our next destination is Cappadocia. This is one of the main highlights of any visit to Turkey. The scenery is this region is one of a kind and will take your breath away.

Miles of oddly-shaped formations rising out of the rocky landscape have created an otherworldly scene. Cappadocia has become one of the most popular destinations in Turkey, and it’s easy to see why. We spend the night here.

Today we visit a series of unique cultural and archaeological landmarks. First, we tour the Goreme Open Air Museum, where numerous churches and monasteries have been built into the rocky mountainsides. Inside, many colourful frescoes and paintings have been beautifully preserved.

We then make our way to see the fairy chimneys of Pasabag and visit the impressive Uchisar Castle, before stopping off at a carpet village. The art of carpet weaving is historically significant in Turkey, and our visit provides us with a chance to see how the process works. Our day ends off with an optional folklore and belly dancing performance.

Today we visit and explore the Underground City of Kaymakli. We then travel in the footsteps of the travellers and traders of the past. Heading down the famous ancient Silk Road towards Konya, we stop off at the Sultan Hani Caravansary, one of the biggest caravansaries in the world.

Historically, this was a place where travellers would stop to rest during their travels, and we are able to imagine their experiences as we stop to do the same. We continue on our way to Konya, where we visit the Mevlana Museum. This is the resting place of Jalaluddin Rumi, one of the most celebrated poets in the world.

Our last stop today is the Aladdin Mosque, a 12th-century place of worship.

Today we leave Konya and visit the travertines of Pamukkale. This remarkable natural site is made up of white calcium steps that are dotted with bright blue pools and hot springs, creating a magical contrasting landscape.

We then head to the ruins of the city of Hierapolis, which features many temples and other religious sites, earning it the name "The Sacred City". We see its impressive theatre, which is beautifully preserved, as well as the Necropolis, the enormous graveyard.

We continue to the Temple of Apollo. This was built in dedication to the famous Apollo, the Greek god of poetry, music, healing, and medicine. We can also see the beautiful leather goods that are handcrafted by the local people.

Our destination today is Kusadasi, one of Turkey's most popular beach resorts. On our way, we stop to explore the ancient city of Laodicea, which was once the main city of the Lycus River Valley region. Extremely well-preserved, this city was once known as The City of Zeus - Diospolis. In the afternoon we will continue our journey to Kusadasi, where you'll have time to relax by the Aegean sea.

Today we visit the ruins of Ephesus. The remains of this ancient city have been very well preserved, reconstructed, and restored. Visitors can therefore explore the city and experience it as its original residents might have done.

This is a unique and thrilling experience. Leaving Ephesus, we stop at another carpet weaving village, before we leave Turkey. We arrive in Athens, Greece.

Today is spent exploring Athens on your own. Greece’s legendary capital is one of the most culturally and historically significant cities in the world. It was once the historical capital of Europe, and is bursting with religious, philosophical, and mythological sites and landmarks.

Keeping in mind the sites that will be included on the following day’s tour, you are free to explore this intriguing city at your own pace.

Today we get a taste of Athens. All the key landmarks are included on our tour: the iconic Acropolis, the Panathenaic Stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Zeus, the Parnethon, and more.

You will feel as though you have stepped into the pages of a history book or mythology novel. Some of the more modern landmarks of Athens are also included on the tour: its University, National Library, Academy, and Syntagma (Constitution) Square.

Today we make our way to the Pelopponese Peninsula via the Corinth Canal. This canal, one of the world’s smallest, separates the mainland of Greece from the Peninsula. Once on the other side, we head towards Mycenae. This ancient city was the citadel of the Mycenaean civilization, one of the world’s foremost ancient nations.

We are able to appreciate the famous and unique aspects of the city, including the Cyclopean walls, the iconic Lion Gate at the entrance, numerous royal tombs, and the burial site of Agamemnon, who was an eminent King of Mycenae. Our overnight destination is the scenic coastal town of Nafplio.

Today we visit the birthplace of the Olympic Games: the city of Olympia. Here we can see many interesting landmarks, including the Ancient Stadium, where the Games of old took place.

We also visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, which houses a very famous statue known as Hermes of Praxiteles. We then head to the city of Delphi via the Rio-Antirio Bridge, another famous landmark, although this one is much more recent!

Today is spent touring Delphi. This was another key centre of ancient Greece. Its main attraction is the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which is found on the slopes of a magnificent mountain.

We see the Sanctuary of Athena, who was one of the Oracles of Delphi, as well as the Castalian Spring, the waters of which were used for cleaning the temple and cleansing those who came to it. Our overnight destination is the city of Kalambaka, which is reached after a drive though several charming central Greek villages.

We see another captivating natural and archeological spectacle today - the dramatic formations of Meteora which rise impressively into the sky. Old Christian monasteries sit atop and along the cliff faces of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Leaving Meteora, we make our way back towards Athens via Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae. On the way, we stop to see the statue of King Leonidas, the celebrated Spartan king who is remembered for his heroic stand against Persian forces in the famous Battle of Thermopylae.

Our 15-day adventure comes to an end today. After breakfast in Athens, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight home.