Turkey & Greece Tour (April 2015)

Take flight from Mumbai to Istanbul. After your arrival to Istanbul airport, private transfer to your hotel in Sultanahmet area (old city).

Stay at Sura Ayasofia Hotel or similar on Bed and Breakfast Basis. Dinner on your own.

Today after breakfast, we will pick you up at 09:00 am, and visit Rustem Pasa Mosque and then walk to the embarkment. We take the boat and cruise for 90 minutes on the Bosphorus. The boat goes by the shores of Bosphorus while your guide specialist on Bosphorus will explain you everything en route. You will see the views of Dolmabahce Palace, Leanders Tower, two suspension bridges, Rumeli Hisarı Fortress, beautiful mansions by the shores of Bosphorus and finally we disembark near the Spice Bazaar. After lunch we continue to Dolmabahçe Palace. Imagine a palace with 285 rooms, 6 baths (hamam), 68 toilets and a ceiling made of 14 tons of gold! Dolmabahce Palace is one such architectural jewel, built by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid between 1843 – 1856, checking out the modern approach to architecture with an essentially French influence. The rich tastes and splendor of the era is evident in every corner and artifact in the decor. You just cannot miss the Bohemian crystal chandeliers, the Crystal Staircase or the largest handmade Hereke rug in the Great Ceremonial Hall. Our guide – expert on 19th century Ottoman history – will take you step-by-step deep to the history of the palace and to its related stories full of legends, myths, and poems. Our last place to visit is Camlica hill on Asian side, which has a top view on Istanbul city. Lunch included in the tour.

Stay at Sura Ayasofia Hotel or similar on Bed and Breakfast Basis. Dinner on your own.

This tour is a must in Istanbul. You will begin the day with Hagia Sophia. Next, you will see the German Fountain – a gift of Kaiser Wilhelm 2. And listen the stories of his liaison with the orient. Hippodrome, where the chariot races were organized by the Romans and Byzantines, Blue Mosque-the only mosque with six minarets and its surroundings will be our next place to visit. Topkapi Museum is the big one…the most important museum of Turkey and the Balkan Peninsula. It is an incomparably rich treasure-chest, brimming with things of historical importance. First, second, third and fourth courtyards; the Audience Hall, Divan-the High Court, Historical Kitchens, Royal Stables, the Treasury, gardens, kiosks…Probably the best commentary on Ottoman History, art and its culture is simply to come direct to the First Courtyard of this amazing Palace. Hagia Irene Church (from outside). To see these things with a great guide…Well, you will never be quite the same again. Following the visits your guide will take you the Grand Bazaar for demonstration of Turkish Handicrafts. Lunch included.

Stay at Sura Ayasofia Hotel or similar on Bed and Breakfast Basis. Dinner on your own

Early in the morning check out hotel, and transfer to Istanbul airport around 05:00 am for your morning flight to Kayseri/ Nevsehir airport. On your arrival your expert guide will meet you at the airport, and private transfer for full day guided tour of Cappadocia. The first stop is Esentepe, the impressive panoramic viewpoint overlooking Goreme history of Cappadocia and the unique rock formations. Then proceed to visit the Rose Valley for an easy one-hour hike through fairy chimneys, orchards and vineyards. Further visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It will be a guided tour with all information of frescoes in the cave churches, decorated with scenes of the Old and New Testaments dating back to the 10th century. The site has been used as a monastery since the first years of Christianity. For lunch we will visit a lovely restaurant in Goreme. After lunch we make several photo stops along the way – including Urgup’s family fairy chimneys (Three Graces), Devrent’s animal-shaped rock formations and Monk’s Valley with the famous mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys as well as St. Simeon’s monk cell carved into the rock. Day one concludes in Avanos, a picturesque town on river that supplies clay for the 4000 year-old Avanos tradition of pottery. A kick-wheel demonstration by a local potter and your chance at trying this ancient custom brings our day to an end. You will arrive back at your hotel around 5pm.

Around 19:30 pm we’ll pick you up from your hotel for Turkish Night Dinner Show/Dance. After show, we’ll transfer you back to your hotel around 24:00 am.

Stay at Fresco Cave Suites & Mansions or similar on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch & Dinner included.

Optional sunrise hot air balloon flight is a lifetime experience whilst in Cappadocia! Every visitor wants to, and should!

Have breakfast at hotel and start for second day full day tour of Cappadocia around 09:30 am. You will visit the amazing Kaymakli Underground City. Carved by the Hittites about 3500 years ago, this multi-level underground city was used by early Christians as a main shelter from marauding enemies during the 6th and 7th centuries. Kaymakli is one of the biggest underground cities in Cappadocia with 8 levels including stables, temples and wineries. After departing Kaymakli, we will drive further south to the magnificent verdant Ihlara Valley. Walk alongside the Melindiz River for about 1 hour which winds its way through the Ihlara gorge, stopping for lunch in a restaurant on the river in the village of Belisirma. After lunch, we continue to the Selime Monastery, the largest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia with large cave cathedral and breathtaking views over the area. On way back to Goreme stop at the spectacular vista point overlooking Pigeon Valley. Lunch included.

Stay at Fresco Cave Suites & Mansions or similar on bed and breakfast basis. Dinner on your own.

Breakfast at hotel, check out hotel till 12:00 pm & transfer to Kayseri / Nevsehir airport for your day flight to Pamukkale connected via Istanbul. Upon your arrival in Denizli airport, our driver will meet you & private transfer to your hotel in Pamukkale.

Stay at Richmond Thermal Sap Hotel on Bed, Breakfast & Dinner Basis; Lunch on your own

Stay at Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel or similar on Bed, Breakfast & Dinner Basis; Lunch on your own.

After breakfast start your tour of Hierapolis Ancient City. It will be a guided tour from northern necropolis to southern necropolis. On the way, you will learn the story of this sacred city and explore its basilica, theatre, temple of Apollo, roman bath, St. Phillip Martyrium and other parts of the city. You will also have a chance to swim in the historical roman pool of Hierapolis. Among these archaeological treasures, the highlight of the excursion will be walking with bare-foot on the travertine terraces.

Stay at Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel or similar on Bed, Breakfast & Dinner Basis; Lunch is included during tour.

Breakfast at hotel, and our representative will meet you at your hotel for your transfer to Denizli airport.

Catch your flight to proceed to Athens..

Arrive in Athens, and Transfer to your hotel in Athens & rest of the day at leisure. Lunch & Dinner on your own.

Stay at Hotel Melia or similar on bed and breakfast basis Lunch & Dinner on your own.

After breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing private guided tour of Athens, visits to Acropolis Museum & Acropolis Hill.

Stay at Hotel Melia or similar on bed and breakfast basis Lunch & Dinner on your own.

After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight to Santorini. On arrival to Santorini proceed to resort in Santorini. At leisure for rest of the day.

Stay at Andromeda Villa or similar on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Breakfast at hotel and proceed for a full day sightseeing guided tour of Santorini including visit to Akrotiri excavations.

Stay at Andromeda Villa or similar on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Breakfast at hotel and proceed for a full day sightseeing guided tour of Santorini including visit to Akrotiri excavations.

Stay at Andromeda Villa or similar on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch and dinner on your own.