Arrive in Istanbul, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Meals: Dinner

Spend your day delving into Istanbul the only city that straddles two continents, where modern and ancient coexist. Your tour includes a short briefing and the picture stop at the courtyard of the Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior made of blue tiles. Continue to the Hippodrome, an ancient Grecian stadium for horse racing and chariot racing during the Roman period. Then, gain insights into the Ottoman Empire’s power during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace and see the 4th century Egyptian obelisk. Then you may join the optional tour Half Day Istanbul and St. Sophia with lunch (USD$55). This tour’s highlights include the Underground Cistern - water source of the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Then visit St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, it was later converted to a mosque and now serves as a museum. Overnight in Istanbul.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast you may join the full day optional tour in Istanbul: Optional full-day Tour to Bosphorus cruise & Spiced Bazaar & Grand Bazaar (USD$60). Visit the Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas.  Then take the boat cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia. The humble fishing villages and contrasting suspension bridges set against the dramatic outline of the Strait demonstrates the link between the East and West. Then continue to the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop for carpets, jewelry, leather and more. Overnight in Istanbul

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, proceed to the classical city of Troy. Tour this 4000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem The Iliad. See the  symbolic replica of the famous Wooden Horse that the Greeks used to break their siege of this ancient city. We continue to Çanakkale where we dine at our hotel tonight. Overnight in Canakkale.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, drive to Pergamum, apowerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period. You will discover the Ancient City of Pergamon, an important cultural center and the east capital of the Roman Empire. Then visit Asklepion, the ancient Roman spa center. Continue to seaside Izmir, a city believed to be the birthplace of Homer. Dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Izmir or Kusadasi.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast you may join the following Optional tour to Ancient Ephesus  & House of Virgin Mary & Basilica of St John (USD$79), considered one of the greatest ancient cities of the world. Here, you'll meander through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John, the library of Celsius, temple of Hadrian, the theater, and the Odeon. Overnight in Izmir or Kusadasi.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Take a visit to the Leather factory where you can see the popular leather fashion show. Today, transfer to Pamukkale, and visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hierapolis ("Holy City"); a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's hot springs have drawn people since the 2nd century BCE as it is known for its healing and therapeutic properties. Next, you will visit Pamukkale, known as "The Cotton Castle" is best described as a calcium cascade of snowy white stalactites -reminiscent a frozen waterfall. It is recognized as the 8th wonder of the World by Turkish people. Then relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel before dinner. 

Overnight in Pamukkale

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, continue to Konya, a city renowned for its Selijuk architecture also as the home of the " Whirling Dervishes" Here we will gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. Overnight in Konya

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Begin the day very early on an Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride (USD$300)that takes you soaring over the magnificent Cappadocian landscape with its incredible fairy chimney rock formations. The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as we explore its volcanic landscape dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. Visit the Open Air Museum in Goreme. It’s a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings, and one of the earliest centres for religious education. There are at least 10 churches and chapels in the museum area, dating between AD900 and 1200. Later, visit the Ozkonak or Kaymakli Underground City. The city has many strata made up of volcanic granite. Its larger areas are connected to each other by tunnels. Underground city had a built-in communication system of pipes on each of its levels, which have no such systems. Each carved out room had ventilation provided by holes when the city was closed against enemies. Lastly, visit the village of Avanos that is famous for its beautiful old houses, pottery and onyx. We start our visit with a demonstration of how silk cocoons are formed and saw how silk is reeled from the cocoons to make silk threads. Overnight in Cappadocia

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Athens via Istanbul. Upon arrival, meet in the arrival hall at Athens airport & transfer to the city hotel. Overnight in Athens.

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast in the hotel.  Full day free for leisure. Or join an optional saronic cruise tour with lunch(USD$130).  Transfer to the port and embark on the full day cruise to the 3 saronic islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Lunch is included and served on board. At each island, get off the boat to discover each islands own individual character. Aegina: The largest of the saronic islands, famous for pistachio nuts. Poros: a pretty island with chance for shopping. Hydra – an artist’s delight, again with boutiques, shops and cafes dotted around the harbour.  On the return journey back to the port of Athens, enjoy the on board entertainment program.  Meet at the port and transfer to a restaurant for dinner.  Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Athens.

Meals: Breakfast

At designated time, transfer to the airport for flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast