Turkey Greece  13 Nights/ 14 Days

Arrival to Istanbul Ataturk airport, where Europe and Asia meets each other. Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city as well as cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. It was also the Former capital of 3 world famous Empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. Istanbul today honors and preserves the legacy of the past while looking forward to a modern future. Upon arrival after you clear the customs and you come out to the Arrivals Hall, you will meet with our representative there who is waiting with your name / company name written on the signboard and after a warm welcome, you will be transferred to your hotel. Early check in is upon availability. Free day in Istanbul. Overnight stay in Hotel at Istanbul.

Full Day Istanbul sightseeing tour including Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar. Haghia Sophia, the most influential church of Byzantium. Originally built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, reconstructed by Emperor Justinian in 6th century and converted into a mosque by the Ottomans in the 15th century, it still stands today as one of the world's greatest architectural marvels. The magnificent interior is testament to the unique eastwest synthesis that is manifest in Istanbul. Shimmering biblical mosaics juxtapose huge plaques bearing the names of Islamic caliphs. Blue Mosque, another of the world's most important religious buildings. Built in the 16th century the mosque is unique for it's 6 minarets and it's celestial interior decorated with the famous blue Iznik tiles. The Hippodrome, scene of chariot races. Although little remains of the great stadium which, in its hey day, is thought to have held 100'000 people, the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine are highlights. Grand Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultan's from the 15th to the 19th century. With its impressive treasury, exquisite harem, attractive courtyards and pavilions housing huge collections of antiquities, Topkapi Palace offers a true insight into the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Then visit Grand Bazaar which is the biggest Covered Bazaar in the world with 4000 shops!! Return to the hotel for overnight. (B)

You will be transferred to Ataturk airport domestic terminal for your flight to Ankara and upon arrival to Ankara, you will be met with representative there. Then you will continue to the city center and visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia and overnight (L, D) * Anatolian Civilizations Museum is under renovation at present and all the sections may not be visited during the visits unless completed until then.

Optional Hot Air Balloon tour: Meet at the hotel lobby in the morning and start full day tour in Cappadocia. Visit to Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Drive to Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak river, the longest river of Turkey. In the afternoon, visit Goreme Open Air Museum (Dark Church is excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee) to visit the churches where the remains of rock-cut and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Various panoramic viewpoints of castles and fairy chimneys such as Esentepe for Goreme valley, Uchisar and its castle, Pigeon Valley. Then to Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City, the place where early Christians hid from persecutors. Returning to the hotel (B, D)

Early morning start for a drive to Pamukkale via Konya .On the way visit to the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai. This fortified structure was built in 1229 (dated by inscription), during the reign of the Seljuk sultan Kayqubad I, by the Syrian architect Muhammed Bin Havlan El Dimaski (Dimaski meaning from Damascus) along the trade route from Konya to Aksaray, leading to Persia (the Uzun Yolu) and arrival in Konya. Visit to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world famous mystic figure and Founder of Whirling Dervishes (Sufis). Then continue on to Pamukkale, Cotton Castle and overnight in Pamukkale. (B, D)

Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Proceed to the hotel in Kusadasi for overnight (B,D)

Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City, impressive structures we will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theatre and Odeon. (Hillside Houses are excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; We also visit the House of the Virgin Mary and Church of St. John. Time for shopping. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D ) * Ephesus Museum in Selcuk is normally closed and no visits are possible when this tariff is released. Once opened, Church of St. John is to be replaced with the Museum.

Free day .Transfer to Izmir airport for a flight back to Istanbul Ataturk airport for your connecting flight to Athens. Meet and assist at International Athens Airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Athens.

Breakfast at hotel. Half Day city tour with Acropolis. In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and start the half-day tour to Athens. 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 where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Presidential residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Free evening. Overnight at your hotel in Athens.

Today after breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Athens and transferred to Piraeus port for your ferry embarkation to Mykonos Island. Mykonos sits amidst the Aegean Sea like a unique jewel handcrafted by time, the Greek sun and an anonymous local craftsman. All that can be said or written about Mykonos would be just too little. For centuries Mykonos existed under the shade of the religious centre of Delos and it had to wait until the 20th century to reach its international status and win a place on the world tourist map. Mykonos, famously called 'the island of the winds' due to the constant wind that blows, is the most popular and cosmopolitan island of the Cyclades and considered as one the most famous islands of the world. The sunlight of Mykonos from its first sunshine of dawn all the way to its last of the sunset is astonishing and supplements an atmosphere of images that seem to have sprung out of a painting. Arrival in Mykonos and transferred at your hotel. Rest of the day is free in order to explore the island. Overnight at your hotel in Mykonos.

Today, after breakfast the day will be free in order to have a tour of your choice or explore the island. Overnight at your hotel in Mykonos.

After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred at Mykonos port for your ferry embarkation to Santorini Island. A thousand sunsets, a thousand memories, a thousand heartbeats, colours of blue red & gold streaking the sky ... this is Santorini island ... Poets have Written about it, artists attempt to capture its beauty. Nothing can quite describe ... the unsurpassed magic of Santorini. This tiny Greek island in the Aegean sea, rich in history & steeped in myth, is situated on the southern east tip of the Cyclades Cluster. Once famous for its seafaring captains & thriving trade from Russia towards England, France & Italy, & even further back in time the biblical volcanic catastrophe of 1500 BC, today Santorini is one of the most popular holiday destinations worldwide. Arrival in Santorini and transferred at your hotel. Rest of the day is yours to spend in order to explore the island and admire the breathtaking view. Overnight at your hotel in Santorini.

Today, after breakfast you will be picked up for a cruise at the caldera and its hot springs. During this tour, you will have the unique chance to visit the active volcano of Santorini, walk on dried lava up to its peak, feel the heat underneath your feet and see the steam of sulphuric gases emerging from the earth bowels. Next, you will sail to the thermal springs where you can dive or step down into the blue waters in order to swim towards the springs (35-36 C). Last you will visit the traditional sister island of Santorini, Thirassia, where you can either swim, go up to the village or simply relax and have something to eat. Return at your hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Santorini.

Today, After Breakfast you will be transferred at Santorini airport for your departure flight via Athens to Mumbai.