Guide

•Official English-speaking guides during visits

Flights

International flight Athens to Ankara. (Economy class - Standard allowance 23 kg pp)

Transport

All transfers per itinerary with AC bus or Minivan according to size of the group. (one complementary airport pick and drop off transfer per room)

Others

Entrance fees to the Museums mentioned in the program €75/$80/£65/AU$110 Complimentary Shore Excursion Discount Voucher

Accommodation

11-Night accommodation in the following hotels , 3 night Ocean cruise accommodation in inside cabin (IA or IB class - 4 beds) with Celestyal Cruise . Please consult us for outside cabins during your reservation. Hotels Athens 3*** Hotel Central or similar Ankara 4**** Hotel Point ou Latanya ou Anadolu Downtown ou Green park ou similar Cappadocia 4**** Hotel Dinler Urgup ou Perissia ou Avrasya ou Dinler Nevsehir ou similar Pamukkale 4**** Hotel Colossae ou Richmond ou Adempira ou Lycus River ou similar İzmir 4**** Hotel Kaya Prestige or Blanca or smilar Çanakkale 4**** Hotel Iris or similar Istanbul 4**** Hotel Yigitalp ou Grand Gulsoy ou similar Important Notes for Cruise Cruise itineraries are subject to change or to be cancelled by the shipping company with or without prior notice. The shipping company reserves the right to substitute the cruise vessel with a similar one & also to amend the departure/arrival port at any time with or without prior notice. Please make sure your identification cards, passports and multiple entry Schengen visas are valid and up to date. Cabins available at the Celestyal Olympia: (Your initial cabin will be either IA or IB) Interiors: IA, IB, IC Exteriors: XA, XB, XC Suites: Junior Suite (SJ), (very limited and reserved at least 6 months ago) All staterooms are equipped with: shower, WC, air conditioning, radio, TV, hair dryer, safety deposit box, All Suites have refrigerated mini bar.

Meals

Meals as mentioned in the program : 14 breakfasts , 4 lunches , 9 dinners Beverage package including alcoholic or non alcoholic beverages during cruise meals.

Not included:

Others

Before and after flights Meals other than mentioned. Drinks (water , beverages etc) except for mentioned during cruise. Personal expenses (mini bar, shopping etc) Tips to the guide and driver (Optional) Mandatory Port tax 199Euro Athens stay-over tax to be paid directo to the hotel (2€ per person per night)

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Athens Arrival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Athens Arrival

Arrival at the airport and meet & greet with our English-speaking assistant to help you to transfer to city center hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure

Overnight: Athens Meals: Not Available
Day 2 Day 2: Athens
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Athens

After breakfast we will meet you at your hotel or close by, in order to start the morning Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium, home to the first Olympic Games of the modern era, where we will make a short stop. As we continue our trip, we will pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex Royal Palace), guarded by the Evzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy of Athens, the University, the National Library and the Constitution Square (Syntagma). One cannot take a tour of Athens without visiting the Acropolis, one of the world’s most prominent sites and a symbol for democracy in the Western world! It is there that you will explore architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Pericles. From the Propylaea, to the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and of course the Parthenon, a place where ‘there is harmony between material and spirit’, and the monument that ‘restores order in the mind’, as ancient Greeks used to say. Your last stop will be the modern Acropolis Museum, with nearly 4,000 exhibits of Hellenism housed inside.

Departure approximately at 08:45 – Return approximately at 13:30

Afternoon is free at leisure in Athens. Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Day 3: Athens – Mykonos
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Athens – Mykonos

After breakfast free time until your transfer to Lavrion Port. We leave at 01:00 pm the historic and classical capital of Greece and set sail for our first destination, the beautiful island of Mykonos, also known as the Island of the Winds. Take an evening stroll through the atmospheric Old Town with its immaculate whitewashed houses, winding alleys, lovely little churches and delightful restaurants at the water’s edge. You will undoubtedly recognise the picture postcard white windmills sitting side by side, overlooking the sea.

Overnight: Celestyal Oceanic Cruise Meals: Full board on board (drinks included during meals.)
Day 4 Day 4: Mykonos – Kuşadası – Patmos
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Mykonos – Kuşadası – Patmos

We arrive in the colorful Turkish beach town of Kusadasi in the morning. This is the coastal gateway to the Hellenistic ruins of Ephesus, famed for one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis.

After-noon sail to Patmos, one of northernmost islands in the Dodecanese and one of all the smallest has a charm all its own. It is famous for being the supposed location of the vision to John the Baptist in the Book of Revelations and where it was written. Most scholars say this was probably someone else, but why spoil such a good story?

Overnight: Celestyal Oceanic Cruise Meals: Full board on board (drinks included during meals.)
Day 5 Day 5: Crete - Santorini
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Crete - Santorini

Welcome to Crete, Greece’s largest island, a place of mystery, myths and legends. There’s the chance to take in the bustling city of Heraklion and some of Crete’s extraordinary archaeology and history. You can also learn more of the art and creativity of the Minoans. Our odyssey continues as we spend an evening in Santorini, whose stunning face is instantly recognisable across the world. We’re sure she will take your breath away, with her soaring landscapes, clusters of whitewashed houses in the capital Fira, and of course the iconic blue-domed church at Oia. Don’t forget to try one of the many restaurants jostling for position at the edge of the caldera.

Overnight: Celestyal Oceanic Cruise Meals: Full board on board (drinks included during meals.)
Day 6 Athens – Ankara
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Athens – Ankara

Breakfast and we return to the Greek capital after a whirlwind few days of adventure and discovery. Transfer to Athens International Airport for a flight to Turkey’s capital city Ankara. Upon arrival meet and greet and transfer to your city Holiday Inn Çukurambar or similar 5*****.

Overnight: Ankara Meals: Breakfast - Dinner
Day 7 Ankara - Cappadocia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ankara - Cappadocia

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Anatolian Civilizations Museum where you will see the Neolithic & Paleolithic ruins from Urartu, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygia civilizations, then proceed to Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic. In the afternoon drive to Cappadocia. En-route visit the Underground city that is one of the biggest underground cities in the region, constructed by the first Christians to protect themselves from the attacks.

Possibility to upgrade your hotel to a Cave Hotel

Overnight at Hotel Dinler 4**** or similar. Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Day 8 Cappadocia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cappadocia

Breakfast. Full day visit at Cappadocia . Visit Göreme Open Air Museum – a UNESCO Heritage site, a fantastic region with its cave churches located on the valley. Then proceed to Uchisar Village and then the spectacular fairy chimneys. Visit Derbent Valley with and explore the natural rock formations and get a chance to attend the workshops of carpets and onyx-stones.

Optional : Fly Over Cappadocia with Hot Air Balloons

In the early morning departure from your hotel. a chance to live this unique experience, an overlooking to Cappadocia from the sky, see the beauty of the region the rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural formations, lunar landscapes.

Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Day 9 Cappadocia - Sultanhani - Pamukkale
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cappadocia - Sultanhani - Pamukkale

After the breakfast at the hotel, drive to Pamukkale. En route visit Sultanhan Caravansarai that was built during Seljuk Empire and used long years as a stopover for the travelers and merchants. Continue to Pamukkale. Visit Cotton Steps – a UNESCO heritage site that has been believed to have healing thermal water.

Dinner and overnight at the Thermal Hotel Ademipira or similar 5*****.
Day 10 Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir

Breakfast. Drive to Selcuk – Ephesus. Visit the Ephesus Ruins – the city that was dedicated to Artemis I the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora .Then proceed for Virgin Mary House – has been believed it is the final resting place of the mother of Jesus . Then stop at Leather Production Store. Proceed for Izmir . Overnight at Hotel Blanca or similar 4****

Overnight: İzmir Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Day 11 İzmir – Pergamon – Troy – Canakkale
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

İzmir – Pergamon – Troy – Canakkale

Breakfast. Drive to Pergamon (Bergama) region and visit the ruins of Asclepion which is the first hospital of Asia Minor in human history. Then continue to Troy , visit the famous city that evokes the poetic name of Homer’s Iliad. Continue to Canakkale. Hotel Akol 4**** or similar.
Day 12 Çanakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Çanakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul

Breakfast. We will cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry and continue to Gallipoli Peninsula. We will visit one of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli, including Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial,The Nek,Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial.

Overnight:İstanbul Yigitalp or similar 4**** Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 İstanbul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

İstanbul

Breakfast at the hotel. Grand bazaar and Visit of Topkapi Palace (harem section entrance fee is not included) the house of the ottoman sultans.

Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 İstanbul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

İstanbul

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive from your hotel to Spice Market for shopping. Free time. Then meet and proceed to take 1,5 hrs Bosphorus Cruise excursion along the Bosphorus, that is dividing the 2 continents Asia & Europe. During the excursion you will enjoy the beauty of Istanbul, with its forest, Palaces and wooden old houses built on both continents. Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque

Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast - Lunch
Day 15 Istanbul Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Istanbul Departure

After breakfast free-time at leisure until your departure time. Transfer to the airport and end of our services.

Overnight: Not Available Meals: Breakfast

+12

15 days tour

Best Of Greece And Turkey With 3-Day Cruise

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Best Of Greece And Turkey With 3-Day Cruise

Day 1: Athens Arrival

Day 2: Athens

Day 3: Athens – Mykonos

Day 4: Mykonos – Kuşadası – Patmos

Day 5: Crete - Santorini

Athens – Ankara

Ankara - Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia - Sultanhani - Pamukkale

Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir

İzmir – Pergamon – Troy – Canakkale

Çanakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul

İstanbul

İstanbul

Istanbul Departure

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Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

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