Fly, Stay & Tour: Turkey Highlights and the Greek Cyclades

Europe
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SAVE up to $1,600*

Availability

27-Sep-25

What's included

International and internal flightsEconomy flights from Sydney to Istanbul, Istanbul to Mykonos, and then Athens to Sydney.
19-day Ultimate Aegean Odyssey Embark on a journey through the heart of Turkey and across the Aegean to island hop the Greek Cyclades.
8-day Intrepid Turkey Highlights Tour Hit the hotspots of Turkey, from cosmopolitan Istanbul to the whimsical Cappadocia.
3 nights accommodation in Athens at the 4-star Melia Athens.
4 nights accommodation in Santorini at the 4-star Notos Therme and Spa hotel.
4 nights accommodation in Mykonos at the 4-star Livin Boutique Hotel Mykonos, adults only.
Economy Hydrofoil ferry tickets from Athens to Santorini and Santorini to Mykonos.
PLUS add Travel Insurance and SAVE $500* per booking in-store with Bundle + Save.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Istanbul. Welcome to Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all once called home. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 1 pm, followed by a guided tour of the Old City with your expert leader. Visit the scene of many a chariot race in the ancient hippodrome, check out the Blue Mosque, take a walk past the wares of the Grand Bazaar and marvel at the architectural masterpiece that is Suleymaniye Cami. If you're not too exhausted after all the exploring, join your new friends for dinner and bask in the beauty of a real Turkish kebab. While you might be familiar with the shaved meats and pita bread sensation that you may have come across at 2 am, nothing beats the kind they wrap up in Istanbul.
  • Day 2 Canakkale. After breakfast this morning, hit the road enroute to Canakkale - a port city on the southern shore of the Dardanelles. You'll stop along the way to explore Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events and history embedded in this area. Your guide will take you to ANZAC Cove and major memorial sites like Brighton Beach and ANZAC commemorative Site. You'll also take in the views across the Dardanelles Strait and the Gallipoli Peninsula. This evening, we'll spend the night in Canakkale with free time to grab dinner and get ready for tomorrow's adventures.
  • Day 3 Selcuk. This morning, we'll drive to Selcuk with a stop in Troy - where history and mythology sit side-by-side - along the way. You'll wander the ancient city walls with your group leader and even get a chance to enjoy a photo op with a replica Trojan Horse. You'll learn more about how this place has confounded historians and archaeologists alike before continuing on to Selcuk. After arrival in the town, on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings - you'll follow your leader on an orientation walk, passing Isa Bey Mosque and the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress.Then drive out to the nearby picturesque village of Sirince and taste some locally produced fruit wines. This authentic Greek Ottoman village seems to have been overlooked by modern development and the unique local architecture nestled in the hills make for a photographer's dream. Return to Selcuk and the evening is yours.
  • Day 4 Ephesus to Overnight Train. This morning, take a private minivan to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus - one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman classical cities in the world. Once the capital city of Roman Asia Minor, the city has a fascinating history, which really comes alive with a local guide to enhance your experience. Considering their age, the ruins are in incredible shape, and it's not difficult to imagine them in their full glory over 2000 years ago, equipped with running water, public toilets, a medical institute, and Roman baths. The theatre is well preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but it's perhaps the magnificent library that is the most striking. Then enjoy a lunch after the tour and don't miss out the chance of peeking into their kitchen where the local ladies make the delicious gozleme. You'll some free time later before being transferred to Izmir in the early evening - an overnight train, will be waiting to transport you through the night to the central Anatolian city of Konya.
  • Day 5 Konya to Cappadocia. Wake up in Konya, a traditional Turkish city that's closely linked with the whirling dervish sect of Islam developed in the 13th century by Celaleddin Rumi, considered one of Islam's greatest Sufi mystics. Visit the Mevlana Museum and stretch your legs in town before hitting the road to Cappadocia. Keep an eye out for the fairy chimneys, the hallmarks of Cappadocia's otherworldly landscape, as you drive across the Anatolian plains. Stop enroute at one of the underground cities that once provided a safe haven in times of war or persecution. Arrive in the Cappadocian town of Ugrup in the late afternoon and take a sunset valley walk before settling in for the evening. This evening, you'll be treated to a stay in a local cave hotel that Cappadocia is famous for here.
  • Day 6 Cappadocia. This morning you have the option to take a hot air balloon flight, a once-in-a-lifetime experience during which the sun illuminates a skyline dotted with balloons. Later this morning, enjoy a guided walk through one of the nearby valleys, possibly the Valley of Love, which features fairy chimneys, deserted rock-cut homes and churches. Your leader will know a number of fantastic scenic routes, and a good walk is by far the best way to experience this unique environment. In your free time today, maybe visit the UNESCO-listed Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings cut into the soft cliff face, or check out the Dark Church. This evening you'll be warmly welcomed into a local home where the family will prepare a special home-cooked dinner for you and your group. Sit down to a feast made with passion, enjoy a friendly chat with your affable host and perhaps top off the night with some Turkish delight.
  • Day 7 Cappadocia to Istanbul . Wave goodbye to Cappadocia and transfer to the airport for a flight back to Istanbul (expect to arrive between 1 pm and 4 pm), and get transferred to your hotel. Meet up with your travel buds in the evening and take a stroll to one of the city's trendiest neighbourhoods, a place of contradictions where tool-selling tradesman share space with chic cafes and galleries - this is the place to be seen. Perhaps, try a local favourite, balik ekmek (fish sandwich), for dinner, then cleanse the palate with a baklava. Maybe check out a few of the bars, or simply enjoy a farewell cay (Turkish tea) overlooking the Bosphorus.
  • Day 8-12 Istanbul to Athens. Your Turkish adventure comes to an end after breakfast. Head to the airport and fly from Istanbul to Mykonos. This trendy island has a bit more of a lively reputation than Santorini but offers something for everyone. Whether you wish to explore the famed nightlife, dine in one of the many restaurants offering Greek Cycladic cuisine, or shop in the streets of Mykonos Town.
  • Day 12-16 Santorini. After Mykonos, you will travel by hydrofoil ferry to the idyllic island of Santorini. This romantic island is a great place to unwind and relax, and with a four-night stay at the Notos Therme you can relax and recharge after your time in Athens. If you wish to explore further, why not travel up to Oia or Fira - the main towns on Santorini - or look into doing a Santorini Wine Tasting experience to sample the local wines?
  • Day 17-19 Mykonos. Once you have arrived in Athens, explore one of the most ancient, and culturally important cities in Europe. Whether you spend your time seeing the sights - such as the Acropolis, the temple of Hephaestus, and the Ancient Agora - or by shopping and dining in the Plaka district, Athens is a place which captivates the senses and inspires the mind to end your time in Greece on a high.
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