Multicountry

 Join us for a magical eleven days touring Turkey and Greece that will include a three day cruise to visit the Greek Islands of Rhodes, Santorini and Heraklion.

 

 

Day 1

ISTANBUL
Arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel. 

 

Day 2

ISTANBUL 
Today explore this splendid medieval city! Visit the Haghia Sophia Church, once the largest Christian Church in the world; the Topkapi Palace, the Imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans, with displays of priceless world-class collections of artifacts, jewelry and rare porcelain. See the Blue Mosque, unique with its six minarets and famous for its blue Iznik tiles and also comprises the tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice; the Hippodrome, where ancient chariot races were held, and then visit the world-famous Grand Covered Bazaar. Overnight.

 

Day 3

ISTANBUL - GALLIPOLI – CANAKKALE (503km/7h)
Continue to Gallipoli - a peninsula, locality in north-western Turkey. Here visit Azac Cove – it became famous as the site of the World War I landing of the ANZAC. Also visit the Lone Pine cemetery, scene of fierce fighting in World War 1. Continue to Canakkale. Overnight. 

 

Day 4

CANAKKALE – TROY (90km/1h30min) - PERGAMUM (160km/3h) – KUSADASI (194km/3h)
Leave Canakkale behind and continue to Troy. Troy today it is an archaeological site and is listed as  a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well.  According to  the Iliad, Homer’s epic poem this is where the legendary Trojan War took place. Continue to Pergamon and have a landmark tour. Drive to Kusadasi for  overnight.

 

Day 5

KUSADASI - EPHESUS – KUSADASI 
Visit the ancient city of  Ephesus , where St.Paul lived and worked with the congregation and apparently organized missionary activity into the hinterlands. See spectacularly restored monuments such as the great Library of Celsus, Agora, Odeon, trajan Fountain, Domitianus Temple, Roman Latrines, Тheater and  the stadium in which St.Paul preached the gospel. Continue with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where she is said to have spent her final years and have a sightseeing of the famous ruins of Ephesus and St. Mary’s cottage. Then in the afternoon proceed with a sightseeing tour of Sardis, the capital of Lydia. Visit the Temple of Cybele which later became a church. Also visit a the famous synagogue from the third century. Return to Kusadasi. Overnight.

 

Day 6    

KUSADASI  – GREEK ISLAND CRUISES
Transfer to the pier and take a cruise ship at Kusadasi for a 3 days trip to the Greek Islands, enjoy amenities and entertainment on board.

 

Day 7

CRUISE - RHODES
Morning arrive in Rhodes - the island of Roses. You will have a full day to explore on your own; you may join an optional sightseeing tour, or simply go to one of the many beaches for a swim in the crystal clear Aegean waters.

 

Day 8

CRUISE - SANTORINI, HERAKLION
Arrive at Santorini, an Island famous for its sunsets and white houses. You can explore the island on your own or you may join an optional tour. Sail to Heraklion, the site of the ruins of King Mino’s Palace and lair of the legendary Minotaur. 

 

Day 9  

ATHENS 
Disembark from the ship at Athens. The rest of the day is free to explore this medieval city on your own. Have some shopping, some fun and some pictures. Overnight.

 

Day 10    

ATHENS 
See the sights of the town, including Syntagma Square (Constitution Square), the Houses of  Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Visit the Panathenaic Olympic Stadium - the stadium that housed the first modern day Olympic Games of 1896. Also see the Temple of Olympian Zeus - only the ruins remain today. The column that has fallen and can still be seen in pieces was brought down during a thunderstorm about a century ago.  Visit the world-famous site of the Acropolis, the Parthenon and Museum. The afternoon is at leisure and you can explore the city on your own. Later, discover Plaka, the old quarter of Athens with its many shops, boutiques and restaurants. Overnight.

 

Day 11    

ATHENS 
Transfer to the airport for a final departure.