Turkey
Tours & Tickets in Turkey
Tours & Tickets in Istanbul

Best of Turkey and Greece with 2-day cruise (Small Group)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Istanbul
Duration
12 days
Languages
English and Spanish
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum age
6 years

Description

Embark on a 12-day journey that will take you through the historical and cultural wonders of Turkey and Greece. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of ancient history, vibrant markets, stunning landscapes, and serene cruises. From the bustling city of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, the thermal waters of Pamukkale to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, every day brings a new adventure. The tour also includes a cruise to the enchanting Greek islands of Patmos, Crete, and Santorini, and a comprehensive tour of Athens, the cradle of Western civilization. With comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and expert guides, this tour promises an unforgettable travel experience.

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Included

Entrance fees to the Museums mentioned in the program

€75/$80/£65/AU$110 Complimentary Shore Excursion Discount Voucher

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11 breakfasts , 3 lunches , 7 dinners

Beverage package

including alcoholic or non alcoholic beverages during cruise meals.

vegetarian, halal, meat

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7-Nights 4***** Accommodations in Turkey, 2 night Ocean cruise accommodation in inside cabin (IA or IB class) with Celestyal Cruise .  2-night 3*** accommodation in Athens,

Please consult us for outside cabins during your reservation.

Hotels

Istanbul  4****  Hotel Yigitalp ou Grand Gulsoy ou 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

Athens  3*** Hotel Central  or 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. In Patmos, and Santorini disembarkation will be implemented by tender boats, as long as the weather permits it.

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), Suite with Balcony (SB) and Large Suite (SG)

(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.

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All transfers per itinerary with AC bus (one complementary airport pick and drop off transfer per room)

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An official English speaking guide during visits.

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Destinations

Δήμος Πάτμου - city in GreecePatmos
Photo of Selcuk town and ruins panorama as seen from citadel, Turkey.Selçuk
Pamukkale
Touristic sightseeing ships in Golden Horn bay of Istanbul and mosque with Sultanahmet district against blue sky and clouds. Istanbul, Turkey during sunny summer day.Istanbul
AthensAthens
Photo of Sultanhani caravansary on the Silk Road, Kayseri, Turkey.Sultanhanı
View of Ankara castle and general view of old town.Ankara

Map

Attractions

Zelve Open Air Museum, Aktepe, Avanos, Nevşehir, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeyZelve Open Air Museum
Sultanahmet Square, Binbirdirek Mahallesi, Fatih, Istanbul, Marmara Region, TurkeySultanahmet Square
Photo of Acropolis Museum is archaeological museum focused on findings archaeological site of Acropolis of Athens in Greece.Acropolis Museum
photo of Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara ,Turkey.Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
SALT Galata, Arap Cami Mahallesi, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Marmara Region, TurkeySALT Galata
Devrent (Imaginary Valley), Ortahisar, Ürgüp, Nevşehir, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeyImagination Valley cappadocia souvenir
photo of Celsus Library is one of the most beautiful structures in Ephesus in Izmir, Turkey. It was built in 117 A.D. Celsus Library was a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus.Library of Celsus
Santo Wines, Thira Municipal Unit, Municipality of Thira, Thira Regional Unit, South Aegean, Aegean, GreeceSanto Wines
Cihanoglu Tower, Koçarlı, Aydın, Aegean Region, TurkeyCihanoglu Tower
photo of Hagia Irene or Hagia Eirene or St. Irene (Aya Irini in Turkish), a Greek Eastern Orthodox church located in the outer courtyard of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.Hagia Irene
Grand BazaarGrand Bazaar
Hagia Sophia Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, full viewHagia Sophia
Twin Fairy Chimneys
Photo of the Temple of Olympian Zeus (considered one of the biggest of the ancient world), Greece.Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Topkapı Palace surrounded by a garden under the sunlight in Istanbul, Turkey.Topkapı Palace
Column of Julian
Selime Cathedral, Güzelyurt, Aksaray, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeySelime Cathedral
Priene Ruins, Söke, Aydın, Aegean Region, TurkeyPriene Ruins
Heraklion Lighthouse, 1st Community of Heraklion - Central, Municipality of Heraklion, Heraklion Regional Unit, Region of Crete, GreeceHeraklion Lighthouse
Özkonak Underground City, Özkonak, Avanos, Nevşehir, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeyÖzkonak
Uchisar Castle, Uçhisar, Nevşehir merkez, Nevşehir, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeyUchisar Castle
Photo of the Panathenaic Stadium also known as Kallimarmaro is a multi purpose stadium in Athens, Greece.Panathenaic Stadium

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

  • Istanbul - Arrival day
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Welcome to Istanbul, a city where two continents meet. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by an English-speaking assistant at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Rest and rejuvenate for the exciting journey ahead.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Istanbul

  • Istanbul
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  • Sultanahmet Square
  • SALT Galata
  • Hagia Irene
  • Grand Bazaar
  • Hagia Sophia
  • İstanbul Boğazı
  • More

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to the vibrant Spice Market for some shopping. Next, we'll embark on a 1.5-hour Bosphorus Cruise, where you'll marvel at the beauty of Istanbul, its forests, palaces, and old houses on both continents. After a local lunch, we'll visit the iconic Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), the Hippodrome, and the famous Hagia Sophia. We'll end the day with free time at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: From Istanbul to Ankara

  • Istanbul
  • Ankara
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  • Topkapı Palace
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Start the day with a hearty breakfast before we visit the Topkapi Palace, the grand residence of Ottoman sultans. After exploring the palace, we'll depart for Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Arriving in the early evening, you'll have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the city at your own pace.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Ankara to Cappadocia

  • Ankara
  • More
  • Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
  • Column of Julian
  • Özkonak
  • More

After breakfast, we'll visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, where you'll see the ruins from various ancient civilizations. Next, we'll proceed to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. In the afternoon, we'll drive to Cappadocia, visiting one of the region's largest underground cities en route. This city was constructed by the first Christians to protect themselves from attacks.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Discovering Cappadocia

Day 5: Discovering Cappadocia

  • Zelve Open Air Museum
  • Imagination Valley cappadocia souvenir
  • Twin Fairy Chimneys
  • Uchisar Castle
  • More

Today, we'll explore the magical region of Cappadocia. We'll start with the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO Heritage site, where you'll see cave churches carved into the valley. Then, we'll proceed to Uchisar Village and marvel at the spectacular fairy chimneys. We'll also visit Derbent Valley to explore the natural rock formations and attend workshops of carpets and onyx-stones. An optional hot air balloon tour in the early morning offers a unique perspective of Cappadocia's stunning landscapes.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Cappadocia to Pamukkale

  • Pamukkale
  • Sultanhanı
  • More
  • Selime Cathedral
  • More

After breakfast, we'll drive to Pamukkale, stopping en route at the Sultanhan Caravansarai, a historical inn from the Seljuk Empire. Upon arrival in Pamukkale, we'll visit the Cotton Steps, a UNESCO heritage site known for its healing thermal waters.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Pamukkale to Selcuk and İzmir

  • Pamukkale
  • Selçuk
  • More
  • Library of Celsus
  • Cihanoglu Tower
  • Priene Ruins
  • More

Today, we'll drive to Selcuk to visit the Ephesus Ruins, an ancient city dedicated to Artemis. We'll also visit the House of Virgin Mary, believed to be the final resting place of Jesus' mother. After a stop at a Leather Production Store, we'll proceed to İzmir or Kuşadası for the night.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: İzmir to Patmos Island

  • Patmos
  • More
  • Çeşnigir Camii
  • More

After breakfast, we'll transfer you to the Celestyal Olympia Cruise Ship. Enjoy the serene journey as we sail towards Patmos Island, arriving in the late afternoon. Explore the island at your leisure before we depart for Crete in the evening.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Patmos Island to Heraklion and Santorini

Day 9: Patmos Island to Heraklion and Santorini

  • Santo Wines
  • Heraklion Lighthouse
  • More

Today, we'll dock at Heraklion, the capital of Crete. You're free to explore this charming city on your own. Our next stop is the picturesque island of Santorini, where you can wander through its beautiful streets and enjoy the stunning views.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Santorini to Athens

  • Athens
  • More

After disembarking from the cruise, we'll transfer you to your hotel in Athens. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the city or simply relaxing at your hotel.

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Day 11

Day 11 – Day 11: Exploring Athens

  • Athens
  • More
  • Acropolis Museum
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus
  • Panathenaic Stadium
  • More

Today, we'll embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens. We'll visit the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Acropolis, one of the world's most prominent sites and a symbol of democracy in the Western world. Our last stop will be the modern Acropolis Museum, home to nearly 4,000 exhibits of Hellenism.

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Day 12

Day 12 – Day 12: Departure

  • Athens - Departure day
  • More

After breakfast, we'll transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. As this memorable tour comes to an end, we hope that you've enjoyed this journey through Turkey and Greece and will join us again in the future.

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