Amazing Ruins, Istanbul & Cappadocia
Greece & Turkey in 12 Days • 10 Nights in Destination
Natalie
Travel crafter
A captivating sightseeing tour through Greece and Turkey. Tick off all the major archaeological and cultural sights, explore Istanbul and discover the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia!
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Itinerary
Experience the history and culture of Greece & Turkey. Discover the Acropolis of Athens, the sanctuary of Delphi and the gravity-defying monasteries of Meteora. Get lost in the bazaars of Istanbul, cruise along the Bosphorus and explore the amazing fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and the ancient caves of the Goreme Valley.
Ready to dive into the wonders of one of the greatest civilisations of all time and walk in the footsteps of the greats, from Socrates to Aristotle? Head to your departure airport, ready for a flight to Athens *, the Greek capital. Night on board.
* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Touch down in Athens and transfer to the hotel, in the heart of the city where you can soak up the hustle and bustle of the mega-metropolis. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring the vibrant Athenian neighbourhoods and sampling delicious Greek cuisine. Overnight stay in Athens.
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the capital behind as you travel to Delphi, thought to be the center of the ancient Greek world. In Ancient Greece, Delphi was the home of the Pythia, a priestess who had the ability to consult the Oracle in order to tell the future. Visit the archaeological site, home to the Temple of Apollo, the Athenian Stoa and the Treasury of the Athenians, and take in the captivating mountain views. Next, depart to Kalambaka (approx. 3.5 hr journey), home to amazing rock formations and ancient hilltop monasteries. Check-in and get settled at the hotel before enjoy an evening at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Kalambaka.
Please note: At Delphi, the terrain is quite uneven underfoot and includes a number of stairs and steep paths. It may not be suitable for those with reduced mobility.
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day discovering the fascinating heritage of Meteora on an excursion to the floating Monasteries of Meteora.* Perched atop gravity-defying rocky peaks, the monasteries of Meteora are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the 6 remaining monasteries are still active today. Established between the 12th and 16th centuries, the monks chose this isolated and hard to reach location to build their monasteries in order to escape the political and religious upheaval of the Middle Ages. Visit up to two of these ancient sites and enjoy the amazing views across the Plain of Thessaly. Afterwards, depart to Athens and transfer to the hotel (approx. 4.5 hr journey). The evening is free at your leisure to explore the atmosphere of Syntagma Square or enjoy the city's lively nightlife. Overnight stay in Athens.
* Entrance fee must be paid at the destination (approx. 3 euros per person at each monastery).
Please note: At Meteora, the terrain is quite uneven underfoot and you will be required to climb a number of stairs in order to visit the monasteries. It may not be suitable for those with reduced mobility. Modest dress is required to enter the monasteries of Meteora. This includes a long skirt (not trousers) and covered neckline/shoulders for women, and long trousers for men.
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover Athens today with a guided sightseeing tour. Begin with a panoramic tour of the city to see the Parliament Building, the University, National Library and Academy of Arts. Be awe-struck by the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium, carved from marble and famous as the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. Next, pay a visit to the spectacular Athens Acropolis to explore one of the most famous archaeological sites on earth! Walk in the footsteps of the greats and finish the tour with an eye-opening visit to the New Acropolis Museum, home to the most impressive treasures unearthed from the Acropolis and ancient Athens.* The remainder of the day is free at your leisure to soak up the lively atmosphere of the city come nightfall and dine on delicious Greek cuisine. Alternatively, why not opt for an excursion to the amazing Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion?** Overnight stay in Athens.
* If you are visiting the Acropolis in 2022, the entrance fee is not included and must be paid directly at the destination (approx. 30 euros per person). From January 1st 2023, the entrance fee will be included.
Please note: At the Athens Acropolis, the terrain is quite uneven underfoot and includes a number of stairs. It may not be suitable for those with reduced mobility.
** Optional Excursion to Cape Sounion: Set off for Cape Sounion to see the amazing Temple of Poseidon, the ruins of which date back to the Golden Age of Athens. Overlooking the sea, the silhouette of this ancient temple is one of the most picturesque sights in Greece. Entrance fee to be paid at the destination (approx. 10 euros per person).
Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to discover the immense history and incredible landscapes of Turkey! Transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Istanbul. Arrive in the bustling melting-pot of Istanbul, once the capital of Turkey and a city of immense history, wonderful culture and delicious cuisine. Transfer to your hotel, get settled and, if time allows, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure exploring this historic, lively city. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Breakfast at the hotel. Take a day to explore Istanbul at your own pace. Discover its labyrinthine bazaars, colourful city life and eclectic architecture. To make sure you see all the top sights, we recommend an optional full-day city tour!* Overnight stay in Istanbul.
* Optional Full-Day Istanbul City Tour: See the most emblematic sights in Istanbul, beginning with the incredible Hagia Sophia Basilica and the Topkapi Palace, once the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Sultanahmet before continuing with a tour of the outside of the iconic Blue Mosque and the historic Hippodrome. End the afternoon at the bustling Grand Bazaar, home to more than 4000 shops!
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a boat trip on the Bosphorus Channel, which runs through the heart of the city, marking the border between Europe and Asia. Appreciate captivating views of the old palaces of the Sultans and traditional riverside houses as you view the city from a different perspective. Disembark and head to the famous Spice Bazaar, established by the Ottomans and filled with exotic aromas. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the delights of Istanbul at your own pace. We recommend an optional excursion to the Anatolian side of the city to see its more important sights and discover more of Istanbul!* Overnight stay in Istanbul.
* Optional Half-Day Anatolian Istanbul Excursion with Lunch: Explore the Anatolian part of the city! This stunning region is home to some of the country's most beautiful architecture and waterfront attractions. From the iconic Beylerbeyi Palace to the murals adorning the winding streets, you'll be awestruck by the variety and beauty of the sights. Wander the city streets up Camlica Hill, located in the underrated Üsküdar district. Take in the stunning panoramic views from the highest point and soak up the bustling atmosphere from the city below. With its rich history and vibrant culture, the Anatolian part of Istanbul is an unforgettable destination. Enjoy lunch included.
Breakfast at the hotel. Why not start the day with an unforgettable optional hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia*. Mid-morning, discover the fascinating region of Cappadocia, whose landscape was formed by the erosion of soft layers of lava and ash from ancient volcanic eruptions over 3 million years ago! Visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex with beautiful frescoes. Next, explore the Valleys of Avcilar, Pasabagi and Güvercinlik, where the so-called "Fairy Chimneys" are located. End the day with a visit to local carpet workshops. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.
* Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight: Float over Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, tuff valleys and rock-cut churches and experience the sunrise from a unique viewpoint on a 1-hour hot air balloon flight. Enjoy panoramic sunrise views and celebrate with a non-alcoholic sparkling wine and a personalized flight certificate. Minimum age limit for children: 6 years old.
Note: The optional hot air balloon flight depends on weather conditions at the destination and will be confirmed the day before. If the activity cannot take place, it will be refunded upon return.
Breakfast at the hotel. You're returning to Istanbul today. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch a flight back to the city. Arrive in Istanbul, transfer to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. Dive into Turkish cuisine, go shopping in the bazaars or enjoy some last-minute sightseeing! Overnight stay in Istanbul.
* Depending on the flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
Breakfast at the hotel.* After an unforgettable journey through Greece and Turkey, it's time to bring your trip to a close. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US.
* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
** Dependant on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US on the following day.
12 days trip including flights*
11 days and 10 nights in destination
1
NYC - ATH
2
NYC - ATH
Athens
3
Kalambaka
4
Athens
5
Athens
6
Istanbul
7
Istanbul
8
Istanbul
9
Cappadocia
10
Cappadocia
11
Istanbul
12
IST - NYC
* It may change depending of your departure city, departure date and arrival date.
The calendar does not display internal flights, trains or other transportation included in the itinerary.
Accommodation: 10 Nights
*In case the advertised hotels are not available they will be replaced by one of these alternative hotels with the same quality: Achilleas Hotel, Attalos Hotel, Chic Hotel Athens, Dorian Inn, Evripides Hotel, Hotel Katerina, Parnon Hotel.
Included activities
Visit to Delphi Archeological Site
Head to Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Upon arrival, visit the archaeological site, home to the Temple of Apollo and the Treasury of the Athenians.
What's included: Transfer, Professional Guide & Visit to Delphi Archeological Site. Not included: Visit the Museum in Delphi is not included. Meals, tips and any other service not mentioned.
Meteora Monasteries
Established between the 12th and 16th centuries, visit up to two of these ancient sites and enjoy the amazing views across the Plain of Thessaly. Approx. 3 euros per person entrance fee to be paid at each monastery.
What's included: Transfer, Professional Guide & Meteora Monasteries tour Not included: Approx. 3 euros per person entrance fee to be paid at each monastery. Meals, tips and any other service not mentioned
Athens Guided Sightseeing & Acropolis Tour
Discover the sights of both modern and ancient Athens including Consitution Square, the Athens Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium and the Acropolis Museum. Entrance fees (approx. 30 euros per person) be paid at destination.
What's included: The Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum Not included: Meals and any other service not mentioned above
Bosphorus Cruise & Spice Bazaar Visit
Enjoy a boat trip on the Bosphorus Channel, which runs through the heart of the city, marking the border between Europe and Asia. Appreciate the views of Istanbul's old palaces and traditional riverside houses before heading to the famous Spice Bazaar.
Available Activities
Afternoon excursion to Cape Sounion in English
Set off for Cape Sounion to see the amazing Temple of Poseidon. Overlooking the sea, the silhouette of this ancient temple is one of the most picturesque sights in Greece. Approx. 10 euros per person entrance fee to be paid at destination.
Not included: Approx. 10 euros per person entrance fee to be paid at destination.
Full-Day Istanbul City Tour
Begin with a visit to the Santa Sophia Basilica and Topkapi Palace, once the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing with a tour of the outside of the iconic Blue Mosque and the historic Hippodrome.
What's included: Guide, entrance tickets to the sites mentioned, round-trip transfers.
Half-Day Anatolian Istanbul Excursion with Lunch
Explore the Anatolian side of Istanbul including its Beylerbeyi Palace overlooking the Bosphorus Bridge, Camlica Hill and the district of Üsküdar. Lunch included.
What's included: Guide, lunch, entrance tickets to the sites mentioned, round-trip transfers
Ballooning in Cappadocia
Enjoy an exciting 40-minute hot air balloon flight and float over the Cappadocia ‘Fairy Chimneys’, including a toast and flight certificate after landing.
What's included: Transfer to take the hot-air balloon included, 40 minutes hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia.
The price includes
- Included in all our trips. more information
- Departures from main US airports.
- International flights: US - Athens, Athens - Istanbul, Istanbul - US.
- Internal flights: Istanbul - Cappadocia - Istanbul. *more information
- 10 nights hotel accommodation in Charm, Superior & Luxury category hotels.**more informationSee hotels included
- 10 breakfasts and 3 dinners.
- Some transfers included.***more information
- Visits as indicated in the itinerary with an English-speaking guide. ****more informationSee itinerary
- All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
- Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul.
- Guide/s during the excursions.
*The cancellation policy applicable is according to the Terms and Conditions available and agreed at the time of your purchase
Not included
Drinks, entrance fees*, city taxes** and tips (approx. $40 per person) and any other services not mentioned in what's included.
*Please consult the itinerary for details of the entrance fee costs (approx. 52 euros per person).
**A number of Greek cities impose an accommodation tax, which must be paid directly to the hotel (Aprox. 3-4€ per room per night). City taxes must be paid in cash directly to the hotels.
Turkey: In case your flight is arriving/taking off from Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) International Airport, transfers are not included and you could add them for an extra cost during the booking process.
Important: The airport transfer on departure is not included when adding additional nights to the itinerary. If required, a departure airport transfer can be added for an additional cost.
Mandatory tips of $40 per person (for Guides, drivers, porters and waiters) are not included in the price and must be paid at the destination. These are the ONLY mandatory tips you will be required to pay in Turkey. Tipping for the rest of the trip is optional, but keep in mind that tipping is an important part of Turkish culture and that it is commonplace for service providers to ask for tips. In these cases, it is up to your personal discretion whether to tip or not.
Please note that passengers arriving to Turkey from January 15th 2023 onwards must make a tourism tax payment of $5 per person at entry into the country. This payment is imposed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and is mandatory for all passengers entering their country.
** The category of hotels in Greece is not standardized as in other countries. This should be considered when selecting the desired category of accommodation.
*** All transfers are included during your trip, with the exception of airport transfers to/from Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) International Airport (1.5 hrs from Istanbul) which you may add at the next stage of the booking.
**** The order of the itinerary and visits may vary, depending on operational factors and climate conditions.
Turkey: The order of the itinerary is determined based on the days you travel to Cappadocia, which are Tuesday and Friday. Therefore, the 4 nights in Istanbul are distributed accordingly.
Payments at destination with credit or debit cards may be subject to commission and fluctuations in currency exchange. We recommend making all payments in cash.
Please note: Mandatory tips of $40 per person (for Guides, drivers, porters and waiters) are not included in the price and must be paid at the destination. These are the ONLY mandatory tips you will be required to pay in Turkey. Tipping for the rest of the trip is optional, but keep in mind that tipping is an important part of Turkish culture and that it is commonplace for service providers to ask for tips. In these cases, it is up to your personal discretion whether to tip or not.
Please note that passengers arriving to Turkey from January 15th 2023 onwards must make a tourism tax payment of $5 per person at entry into the country. This payment is imposed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and is mandatory for all passengers entering their country.
Greece:
- We recommend taking cash in the local currency with you on this trip, as withdrawing cash at ATMs is not always possible or easy in Greece. City taxes must be paid in cash directly to the hotels.
- We cannot guarantee rooms with a sea view in the Greek Islands.
- The group may be allocated in different hotels depending on group size and hotel availability.
- This itinerary is a semi independent tour. It includes accommodation, some activities and transfers, but you will not be accompanied by a guide throughout the entire trip.
- Hotel ratings in Greece are not governed by the same standards as those in the US, so please keep this in mind when selecting your desired accommodation category.
- Due to the nature of the destination the terrain can be uneven at times, it may require you to walk on a rocky path, and up and down hills.
- For wheelchair users this trip is upon request, please contact us for further information.
- Please note that there is no luggage assistance included throughout the trip. We recommend packing a
- Entry requirementsValid passport or identity card.
- VisaNo visa is required to enter the country for stays less than 90 days.
- CurrencyEuro.
- LanguageGreek.
- Electricity230 V. 50 Hz. Adapter not required.
- HealthThere are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers from the US.
- Time zoneUTC + 02:00.
- Tourist Office websitewww.visitgreece.gr
Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.
Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.
In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.
The extra bed in hotels are fold-out style and smaller in size than a standard single bed. Triple rooms are not bigger or more spacious only because they are occupied by 3 people.
Turkey: The order of the itinerary is determined based on the days you travel to Cappadocia, which are Tuesday and Friday. Therefore, the 4 nights in Istanbul are distributed accordingly.
Payments at destination with credit or debit cards may be subject to commission and fluctuations in currency exchange. We recommend making all payments in cash.
Any hotel mentioned in the offer, whether the main one or an alternative, is as likely as each other to be confirmed. You will find your final hotel confirmation on your updated trip summary approximately 7 days before departure.
If you have reduced mobility/require the use of a wheelchair and prefer to go at your own pace, please contact our customer service team at +1 888-488-0592 or via our contact form.
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