Turkey & Greece Tour (October 2016)

Day 01

ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL

Arriving in Istanbul, transfer to your hotel check in and relax.Enjoy dinner at your hotel or nearby on own. Stay overnight in Istanbul.

Day 02

ISTANBUL CLASSICS & HIGHLIGHTS TOUR (B)

After breakfast at hotel proceed to experience the ancient Istanbul. Old Peninsula Sultanahmet guided city tour. Visit the famous Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque. The beautiful blue Iznik tiles decorating the inner side of the mosque contributes to the origin of its other famous name, the Blue Mosque. Further visit German Fountain, Hippodrome, and Hagia Irene Church (view from outside). After Lunch, visit famous Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi). Lunch & Dinner on our own.

Day 03

SPICE BAZAAR, ISTANBUL CRUISE, DOLMABAHCE PALACE, TAKSIM & GALATA TOWER (B)

After Breakfast,meet guide at the hotel reception for full day tour of Istanbul. Visit most famous bazaar in Istanbul the Spice Bazaar or also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. Further proceed to the Bosphorus Cruise. From the awe-inspiring Dolmabahce Palace to the ancient Walls of Constantine and onto the Topkapi Palace, experience the best views the city has to offer while enjoying a wonderful cruise along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.

After the cruise, proceed to the Besiktas area for the tour of Dolmabahçe Palace. The tour will continue with a walk in Istiklal Caddesi in Taksim, one of the most famous shopping districts in Istanbul. Walk along the countless number of shops and make your way to the see the magnificent Galata Tower from outside. Evening return back to hotel by tram line. Lunch & Dinner on our own.

Day 04

FLIGHT TO CAPPADOCIA & FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR (B, L)

Early morning at 0415hrs transfer to airport for flight to Cappadocia. On arrival at 0735hrs, transfer to hotel check in and relax. After Breakfast at hotel start for full day tour of Cappadocia.Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, animal-shaped rock formations (Devrent), the famous Mushroom Shaped Fairy Chimneys and the striking monk’s cell of Saint Simeon. For lunch proceed to a villager’s house for a delicious home-made Turkish meal with a local family in Cappadocia. After lunch, visit the old Greek Village of Sinasos presently known as Mustafapasa. Then proceed to the underground city of Kaymakli, a cave city carved by the Hittites about 3500 years ago.  Guide will lead you through the narrow passages to the many rooms within, including the stables, wineries and temples. Stay overnight in Cappadocia. Dinner on our own.

Day 05

ROSE VALLEY WALK & HORSEBACK RIDING TOUR (B, L)

Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight at Sunrise!!

Optional sunrise hot air balloon flight is a lifetime experience whilst in Cappadocia!

After breakfast at 1000hrs start for one-hour hike through the unique landscape of the Rose Valley, where you will marvel at the fairy chimneys, tall spires of rock that rise from the valley floor..After hiking visit Cavusin village, then proceed to Avanos for lunch in a local restaurant located by Red River.  After lunch proceed to pottery and Turkish carpet demonstration in the town of Avanos.In afternoon, get ready for horseback riding tour for 2 hours. As you ride the horse accompanied by our English speaking guide, watch the beautiful sunset view of Cappadocia as you gallops into the crimson horizon. Evening transfer back to hotel. Stay overnight in Cappadocia. Dinner on our own.

Day 06

TO IZMIR (D)

Early morning at 0650 hrs transfer to Kayseri airport for your flight to Izmir at 0850hrs. Upon arrival at 1020hrs transfer to hotel in Kusadasi. Lunch on your own. Dinner will be served at hotel. Stay overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 07

APHRODISIAS & PAMUKKALE TOUR (B, L, D)

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to monumental sites of Aphrodisias and Pamukkale.

Pamukkale, the natural formation has been created over time by deposits of calcium carbonate dropped by the flowing water from the natural springs. Walk barefoot on marble white travertine terraces to bathe in the waters of the spring. After the tour transfer to hotel in Pamukkale. Dinner at hotel. Stay overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 08

EPHESUS & SIRINCE VILLAGE TOUR (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to the famous city of ancient Ephesus. Visit Library of Celsus, which dates from around 125 AD. Continue the tour with the spectacular Theatre of Ephesus, which is considered to be the largest outdoor theatre of its time. After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant further proceed to visit the shrine of the Virgin Mary, an extremely important pilgrimage site for Catholics.Visit Sirince village, used to be an old Orthodox village called Cirkince (ugly). The name Sirince was given by an Izmir mayor which means pretty. Enjoy shopping through the narrow streets of Sirince, from the villagers selling kinds of handcrafts, olive oil and wine that is made of several fruits grown in Sirince. Evening drop off to hotel in Kusadasi. Dinner at hotel. Stay overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 09

FLIGHT TO ATHENS (B)

Take breakfast at hotel, Half of the day at leisure. At 1600hrs transfer to Izmir Airport for  flight to Athens departing at 1930hrs.Upon arrival at 2030hrs, transfer to hotel check in and relax. Stay overnight in Athens. Lunch & Dinner on our own

Day 10

HALF DAY ATHENS CITY TOUR (B)

After breakfast proceed for half day city tour of Athens. The establishment of Athens as a city dates back to mythological times. Today’s capital is a result of integration of ancient and medieval history into the contemporary era. Ancient Athens monuments can be found all around the city center, side by side with contemporary construction such as buildings, roads and train stations. Explore the treasures of Athens during your morning sightseeing tour. Visit Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic games of modern times where held in 1896 and continue passing by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian´s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial of the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library and Constitution Square (Syntagma) you will be amazed by the rich heritage and how Athens combines the old and the neoclassical in an astonishing way. Tour will be followed by visit to the Acropolis, the ancient fortified town of Athens, dating back to the Late Bronze Age, the most famous landmark of entire Greece, the eternal symbol of democracy, education and inspiration. You will also be impressed by the Parthenon one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Erectheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. Afternoon at leisure. Stay overnight in Athens. Lunch & Dinner on our own.

Day 11

ATHENS/SANTORINI (B)

Early morning transfer to the port to embark the ferry at 0725hrs reaching Santorini at 1515 hrs. Upon arrival to Santorini, pick up and transfer to hotel.  At leisure for rest of the day. Stay overnight in Santorini. Lunch & Dinner on our own

Day 12

FREE DAY IN SANTORINI ISLAND (B)

Free day in Santorini. Stay overnight in Santorini.  Lunch & Dinner on our own.

Day 13

SANTORINI / ATHENS (B)

Take morning flight to Athens. Then take connecting flight from Athens to Mumbai via Istanbul.