Classic Turkey & Greek Islands
14 days
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Group Tour
This tour combines ancient Athens and visits to Greece's beautiful Aegean islands with some of Turkey's most impressive and important highlights. Among others, you'll see the extensive Roman ruins at Ephesus, Pamukkale's calcium travertines, underground cities and surreal landscapes in Cappadocia and the bustling city of Istanbul
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Overview
Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
What's this trip about?
This tour combines ancient Athens and visits to Greece's beautiful Aegean islands with some of Turkey's most impressive and important highlights. Among others, you'll see the extensive Roman ruins at Ephesus, Pamukkale's calcium travertines, underground cities and surreal landscapes in Cappadocia and the bustling city of Istanbul
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Details
Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 1 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CitySantorini
End CityAnkara
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- All transport in AC minibus/coach in Turkey and Athens
- Greek island ferry crossings as per itinerary
- Port-hotel transfers on Greek islands
- 24-hour airport arrival transfer service from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens (ATH)
- 24-hour airport departure transfer service in Istanbul (to either Istanbul - Attaturk (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) airports)
- Entrance fees to sites visited in Turkey
- Services of a Greek tour leader from Athens to Samos
- Services of a professional Turkish tour guide from Kusadasi to Istanbul
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (12 breakfasts, 5 dinners)
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Athens, transfer to hotel
This tour starts in the ancient city of Athens. On your arrival in Athens airport (ATH) our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in the centre of the city. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in and have a first look around. Extra nights in the Athens hotel are available on request.
| OVERNIGHT:
Athens - 4-star hotel
| EXTRAS:
Single Room Supplement, Extra night - pre-tour
Day 2: Athens, half day Acropolis tour
We include a half day tour this morning to visit the ancient Acropolis which sits on top of a rocky hill overlooking the city, providing great views. You'll see the temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, which formed a symbolic entrance to the city. You'll also tour...
| OVERNIGHT:
Athens - 4-star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast
Day 3: Ferry from Athens to Santorini, free time
We'll leave Athens this morning and take to the sea for the fast ferry crossing to the volcanic island of Santorini (approx. 5 hours). The present shape of the island was formed after a huge volcanic eruption around 3600 years ago at the time of the height of the Minoan ...
| OVERNIGHT:
Santorini – 4 star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast
Day 4: Santorini, free time & optional tours
Your day is free to spend on Santorini today. You could relax on the beach, or take an optional boat trip into the volcanic lagoon to see the surrounding crater walls. You can also visit the active volcano, take a relaxing and therapeutic mud bath, and swim in the warm waters.
| OVERNIGHT:
Santorini – 4 star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast
Day 5: Ferry from Santorini to Mykonos
You head to sea again today and take the ferry from Santorini to Mykonos (approx. 3 hours), another of the Cyclades group of Greek islands. Mykonos is one of the most popular Greek islands, and for good reason. Mythology suggests that the island was formed by the bodies ...
| OVERNIGHT:
Mykonos – 4 star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast
Day 6: Mykonos, free day & local options
Your day is free to relax or explore Mykonos today, again with the assistance of your tour leader. You could chill on the beach or visit some of the small villages on the island which can feel like a large open-air museum. Worth seeing are the rows of windmills built abo...
| OVERNIGHT:
Ferry - reclining seats
| MEALS
Breakfast
Day 7: Samos to Kusadasi
You arrive in the Greek island of Samos early this morning. Samos is the southernmost island of the Aegean and sits just off the Turkish coast. Later in the day we will transfer you via ferry to Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. Depending on the ferry schedules, you'll have...
| OVERNIGHT:
Kusadasi – 4 star hotel
| MEALS:
Dinner
Day 8: Kusadasi, Ephesus Roman ruins tour
After breakfast we drive to the Roman site of Ephesus. The city at one time housed 250,000 people and is regarded as one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. We visit the Temple of Artemis, and explore the ancient marble streets of this ruined Roman city. This afternoon we visit the fruit wine growing village of Sirince and learn about the history of carpet weaving in Turkey.
| OVERNIGHT:
Kusadasi – 4 star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Drive to Pamukkale and Hierapolis
You can see a display of locally handcrafted leather goods this morning before we travel east to Pamukkale, site of the famous white calcium terraces known as Travertines. Pamukkale translates as ‘cotton castles’ and the naturally occurring geology here has created cloud...
| OVERNIGHT:
Pamukkale - 5 star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Drive the Silk Road to Konya
Travel back in time today as we follow the ancient Silk Road towards Konya. We learn more about the history of this important trade route with a stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai before arriving in Konya where we include a visit to the Mevlana museum – the former home of the original Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes.
| OVERNIGHT:
Cappadocia - 4 star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Cappadocia, full day tour
Today we set out to explore the beautiful and surreal landscape of Cappadocia. Unlike anywhere else on earth, this bizarre setting creates a fairytale view full of improbable rock formations and underground villages. Often described as the jewel of Turkey we have a full ...
| OVERNIGHT:
Cappadocia - 4 star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Cappadocia, drive to Ankara before returning to Istanbul
We leave early this morning for the drive to Ankara, Turkey’s modern day capital city. We visit Anitkabir – mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk before returning to Istanbul by road. This is a long day's drive, and we can arrange an upgrade to an internal flight from Kayseri in Cappadocia if you prefer (please ask for current times & prices).
| OVERNIGHT:
Istanbul – 4 star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast
Day 13: Istanbul, Old City tour
Today's tour of the old city of Istanbul provides an introduction to the history and some of the most important sites in this fascinating city. Straddling two continents Istanbul (or Constantinople as it was previously known) played an integral role in the development of...
| OVERNIGHT:
Istanbul – 4 star hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast
Day 14: Istanbul, departure
transfer to the airport
Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping in Istanbul before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Optional tours are available locally to see more of Istanbul, and we can also add extra nights in the Istanbul hotel if you'd like to spend more time exploring the city.
| OVERNIGHT:
N/A
| MEALS:
Breakfast
| EXTRAS:
Extra day in Istanbul - post-tour
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Dates & Availability
Price From $3,560
Price per day$254
Last Updated: 4/19/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Double Occupancy Per Person
Single Occupancy Per Person
Triple Occupancy Per Person
Spaces Remain
05 Jun 2024
18 Jun 2024
$3,560
OPEN
12 Jun 2024
25 Jun 2024
$3,560
OPEN
19 Jun 2024
02 Jul 2024
$3,560
OPEN
26 Jun 2024
09 Jul 2024
$3,560
OPEN
03 Jul 2024
16 Jul 2024
$3,745
OPEN
10 Jul 2024
23 Jul 2024
$3,745
OPEN
17 Jul 2024
30 Jul 2024
$3,745
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24 Jul 2024
06 Aug 2024
$3,745
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31 Jul 2024
13 Aug 2024
$3,745
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07 Aug 2024
20 Aug 2024
$3,745
OPEN
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Encounters Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
Encounters Travel is an adventure tour operator, based in the UK but with representatives in Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. We run a wide selection of cultural and adventurous tours around the world, each carefully designed to help you get the most out of the country you're visiting.
Our tours range from historical sightseeing and Nile cruises in Egypt, through to long strenuous treks and white water rafting in Nepal or swimming with whales in Tonga. You can join other travellers on a small group departure, or personalise and tailor-make an itinerary for you to enjoy privately.
Whatever your preference, we have a team of experienced travel consultants ready to advise you and help arrange your next great adventure tour!
Why choose us?
- Financial security for your peace of mind througn ATOL & financial failure insurance
- Members of ABTA (Y4447)
- Airport transfers included
- Encounters with local cultures and like-minded travellers
- No local payment as part of tour price
- Tours designed by experts
- Itineraries that don’t cut corners or costs at your expense
- Clear info provided on entrance fees & local costs
- The best industry renowned guides
- Every booking contributes to local projects
- Great value for money!
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International Flights (available on request)
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance (compulsory, available on request)
- Single room supplements (chargeable if a same-sex room share is not available)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Entrance fees in Athens (allow approx. EUR 17 for the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum)
- Greece hotel residence tax (see tour notes)
- Drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Guide & driver tips
- Port or border fees
- Optional tours
- Any other items not mentioned above
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against
unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies.
It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before
or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements.
For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements,
please visit this link
.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
Encounterstraveltourcms-TUSGTG
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