Turkey & Greece Tour Package: 19 Days with Flights & Islands

The trip through Turkey and Greece starts the moment you land in Istanbul, the city where East and West have met for centuries. You check in to your hotel and settle in before the sightseeing begins.

Your first full day introduces the grand monuments of Istanbul's old city. The Blue Mosque stands out with its fine tile work and six minarets, while the busy Grand Bazaar draws you into its maze of colourful, fragrant lanes.

Highlights of the day:

• Topkapi Palace (optional): the lavish home of the Ottoman sultans, with detailed architecture, precious artefacts and fine views over the Istanbul skyline.
• Blue Mosque: go inside to see the famous blue tiles and feel the calm of this architectural masterpiece.
• Hippodrome: the former centre of Byzantine entertainment and chariot racing, where ancient obelisks and monuments recall the city's past.
• Hagia Sophia (optional): a UNESCO World Heritage Site with vast domes, rich mosaics and a striking mix of Byzantine and Islamic influences.
• Grand Bazaar: among the oldest and largest covered markets anywhere, with winding alleys of colourful stalls full of Turkish goods.

A second day in Istanbul lets you dig further into the city's heritage, with more of its great landmarks and historic sites to discover.

At sunset a Bosphorus cruise takes you out on the calm water for wide views of the skyline.

In the evening you can try authentic Turkish food at a local restaurant and then get a taste of Istanbul's lively nightlife.

Today you say goodbye to Istanbul and take a scenic flight to Cappadocia, a region of strange landscapes and geological wonders, where you check in to your hotel.

The tour usually starts at about 09:00 and finishes by 16:00 at the latest.

Highlights of the day:

• Göreme Esentepe panoramic view: the day opens at the Esentepe viewpoint between Uçhisar and Göreme, looking out over fairy chimneys, the Cappadocian landscape and the small town of Esentepe.
• Zelve Open-Air Museum: once a monastic community and a centre of Christian learning, Zelve has old monasteries, churches and chapels with well-preserved frescoes that tell the story of the region.
• Pasabag (Monks Valley): Paşabağ, also called Pasha's Vineyard, is known for its three-headed fairy chimneys and has some of Cappadocia's most dramatic rock shapes.
• Devrent Valley: a short drive away, this valley looks almost lunar, with small pointed fairy chimneys, some of which resemble animals and mythical creatures.
• Avanos pottery workshop: Avanos has made pottery since 3000 BC, and its craftsmen still shape clay from the Red River. You visit a traditional workshop and watch the potters at work.
• Love Valley: the last stop, where millions of years of erosion have carved cone-shaped pillars, pinnacles and fairy chimneys up to 40 metres tall, making it a favourite with photographers.

You then return to your cave hotel for the night, with breakfast included.

If you wish, you can start the day with an early-morning hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia's unusual landscape (optional).

The tour usually starts at about 09:00 and finishes by 16:00 at the latest.

Highlights of the day:

• Meskendir Valley (4.4 km trek): the day begins with a 4.4 km walk through Meskendir Valley near Ortahisar. On the way you can step inside Meskendir Church, decorated with bold red geometric patterns and a large cross carved into the chapel ceiling, and enjoy the scenery around it.
• Rose Valley: behind Ürgüp, this quiet valley is known for its rock formations and hidden churches cut into the rock. Its paths link small villages through vineyards and gardens, and friendly locals sometimes offer fresh grapes, apples or apricots.
• Red Valley: much like its neighbour Rose Valley, it has impressive rock formations and old cave churches, with a web of trails connecting remote villages and fields.
• Cavusin Valley: Çavuşin ranks among Cappadocia's oldest settlements, a maze of cave houses cut into the rock. It is also home to the Church of John the Baptist, the region's biggest cave church, which dates from the 5th century.
• Underground City: early Christians built 36 underground cities in Cappadocia to escape persecution. You visit the largest and best known of them, which has eight levels, and walk through parts of it, including old wineries, kitchens and living quarters.
• Pigeon Valley: on the edge of Göreme, the valley takes its name from the pigeon houses carved into its cliffs over the centuries. Farmers once used the droppings as natural fertiliser for their fields. Today it is a good place for wide views and photos.
• Uchisar Castle panorama: the final stop is Uçhisar, the highest point in Cappadocia. Its tall rock castle once served as a fortress, and from the top you can see across the whole region to Erciyes Mountain in the distance.

After a full day of walking and sightseeing, you return to your hotel at about 16:00 for the night.

In the morning you set off for Kusadasi. The sightseeing starts at Ephesus, an ancient city that seems frozen in time and ranks among the finest archaeological sites anywhere.

Next comes Pamukkale, where thermal spring water has built terraces of white, mineral-rich pools that shine in the sun. When you reach Kusadasi, you check in to your hotel.

Highlights of the day:

• The Library of Celsus and the Grand Theater at Ephesus.
• The ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Hierapolis ruins: the first stop at Pamukkale is this ancient city, where the remains of large buildings, streets and artefacts show how its people lived.
• Temple of Apollo: a classical temple among the ruins that reflects the city's historic and cultural importance.
• Calcium terraces: walk gently across the white terraces, a cascading natural formation created by hot springs rich in minerals.

Today is for enjoying the relaxed coastal life of Kusadasi. Spend time on its clean beaches in the Mediterranean sun, or browse the local markets for souvenirs to take home.

You can also join an optional tour to the House of the Virgin Mary, an important pilgrimage site and a quiet place for reflection.

The rest of the day leaves room to enjoy the natural beauty and history of the area.

A morning flight brings you to Athens, home of philosophers, playwrights and democracy. After checking in to your hotel you head out to see its historic sights.

Highlights of the day:

• Acropolis: a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you see the Parthenon and other ancient buildings.
• Plaka: the historic quarter of Athens, with pretty streets, traditional architecture and a lively atmosphere.

You continue exploring Athens today, with a meal of authentic Greek food at a local taverna and a chance to try local specialities.

Highlights of the day:

• The Athenian Neoclassical Center: the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the University, Library and National Academy, Ilion Palace, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Gate, and many other monuments and sites of interest.

Today you travel from Athens to Delphi. In ancient times it was a sanctuary sacred to Apollo and the home of the Pythian Games.

You walk among the archaeological remains and artefacts that tell the story of this revered place, with wide views over the surrounding landscape. Delphi's long, layered history lets you follow in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks.

The trip continues to the island of Santorini. Once you reach your hotel, you will see the white-washed towns the island is famous for, simple and charming, with wide views over the Aegean Sea.

The focus here is on relaxing and enjoying island life.

A relaxed day to enjoy Santorini. The volcanic beaches of Perissa and Kamari are good places to unwind, and the island's landscapes are unlike anywhere else.

Santorini also has important archaeology, including Akrotiri, a Minoan Bronze Age town buried under volcanic ash, which kept it intact for thousands of years.

The day ends with a sunset cruise around the caldera.

Next you travel to the lively island of Mykonos. After checking in to your hotel, you explore Mykonos Town with its famous windmills and narrow alleys.

The atmosphere is busy yet pretty, with plenty of shops and restaurants and time simply to enjoy this popular island.

Today is all about the famous beaches of Mykonos. You can visit lively Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach, known for white sand and beach parties.

After sunset the island's nightlife takes over, with beachfront clubs and plenty of entertainment.

The journey moves on to Heraklion on the island of Crete.

Highlights of the day:

• Palace of Knossos: on arrival in the morning you visit this major Minoan archaeological site, whose complex layout and history give a clear picture of the distant past.
• Heraklion Archaeological Museum: a large collection of artefacts covering the long history of Crete.

After these visits you check in to your hotel in Heraklion.

Your time on Crete continues in Chania, a pretty town known for its Venetian harbour and narrow streets. A visit to the Archaeological Museum of Chania adds to your picture of the island's history.

After checking in to your hotel, you have time to wander the winding lanes and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Today you get to know Chania better. Venetian and Ottoman influences meet in this town, giving it a rich mix of history and culture.

After your visit you transfer to Heraklion, where you spend the night.

You fly from Heraklion back to Istanbul. On arrival you check in to your hotel and relax before your departure the next day.

Your trip ends today. Over 19 days the Turkey and Greece Odyssey has combined history, culture, natural scenery and a wide range of experiences to remember.

Optional extras

• Cappadocia hot air balloon (Göreme): $310
• One extra night in an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $65
• Two extra nights in an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $125