Highlights of Türkiye and Greece

Discover some of the historical landmarks in Istanbul’s old town area. Begin your tour at the famous Hippodrome, a former public arena where chariot races used to take place. Accompany your guide around the square to see the gazebo-styled German fountain, the bronze Serpent Column of Delphi and the two obelisks. Next, head to the Blue Mosque, named for its colored tiles made of quartz. Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it is a fine example of 17th-century Ottoman religious architecture. After, visit the iconic Hagia Sophia that has served as both a mosque and a church over the centuries. Often called the Basilica of Saint Sophia, this magnificent edifice is decorated with rich mosaic murals and huge columns typical of Byzantine architecture. The last stop on your itinerary is the Grand Bazaar. It has over 4,000 stalls packed with a variety of items including antiques, jewelry and apparel. After the tour winds up, drive back to your hotel in your private vehicle. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees to museums included; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Grand Bazaar is closed on Sun & Blue Mosque is closed on Fri mornings; There may be long queues and crowds at some of the attractions; Please note that when visiting mosques and religious places, men as well as women must wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees; Women must cover their heads with a scarf; You will need to remove your footwear at these sites)

Visit the iconic Topkapi Palace and enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Bosphorus. At the scheduled time, travel by private vehicle to the palace that sits amid beautiful gardens, along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. This impressive walled complex served as the residence of the Ottoman royals for about four centuries, and is now a museum. Your guide will tell you about the different sultans who built this sprawling complex. Browse the collection of Chinese porcelain, weapons and artifacts displayed across the palace rooms. Exhibits include the iconic Topkapi Dagger and the valuable Spoonmaker’s Diamond. See the harem section comprising ornate rooms decorated with murals, stained glass and colorful tiles. Later, board a private motor yacht to sail on the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Asia and Europe. Take in views of majestic palaces, impressive fortresses and opulent waterfront villas as you enjoy tea and coffee onboard. After cruising for a couple of hours, disembark and return to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees to museum and harem section of Topkapi Palace, and cruise included; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Topkapi Palace is closed on Tue; There may be long queues and crowds at some of the attractions; If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking appropriate medication before the cruise)

Descend into a subterranean world in Cappadocia, enroute from the airport. The region is home to a number of underground cities, such as Kaymakli Underground City, Ozkonak Underground City and Saratli Underground City. Your guide will meet you at the airport and you will drive to one of these cities. Which one depends on the location, availability and crowds. Once you reach your chosen city, follow your guide below the earth’s surface. Discover the five levels of the complex that include living quarters, kitchens, wine presses, storage rooms, and even stables. Your guide will tell you how these complexes were carved out of the earth by Early Christians, who wished to avoid invaders during the 6th-9th centuries. After exploring the city, head to your hotel. (En route activity; Duration: half day; Time: flexible; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Entrance fees are included; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable shoes; Please note that steps and tight underground corridors could be a problem if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia)

Soar over Cappadocia’s beautiful valleys on this half day tour. You will be picked up from your hotel early in the morning and driven to the starting point for your hot air balloon ride. Climb into the basket and watch as your balloon fills with hot air and slowly lifts you into the sky. Get a bird’s-eye view of the colorful landscape and rock formations lit by the soft morning light and enjoy the tranquility that comes with floating gently through the air. After spending roughly 45 minutes to an hour in flight, return to earth and celebrate your experience with a glass of champagne. Then, head back to your hotel in time for breakfast. (Duration: half day: Time: Between 0400 & 0500 hrs; Transfer time: 40 mins to 1 hr; Shared activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please note climbing into the balloon basket can be a problem for guests with mobility issues; Please note this activity is subject to weather conditions and could be canceled at the last minute; Min age: 6; Min height: 4 ft 6 in)

Attend a traditional Mevlevi Sema Ceremony which involves Sufi whirling. Sema is the inspiration of the Persian poet and mystic Jalaluddin Muhammad Balkhi Rumi. This 700-year-old rite of communal recitation blends poetry, classical Turkish music, chanting from the Koran and the whirling of the dervishes. It is part of Sufism, the mystical Islamic belief that glorifies God and seeks spiritual perfection. Each participant wears a tall conical hat, black cloak, white shirt and waistcoat. The ceremony starts with a eulogy to the Prophet and is followed by the beat of the drums, symbolizing the Divine Order of the Creator. Then follows traditional instrumental music and the dervishes begin to revolve rhythmically. They throw back their heads and raise the palms of their hands, to represent giving and taking. As the rhythm accelerates, the dervishes whirl faster and enter a trance, to attain union with the almighty. After that, there is usually a reading from the Koran and the ceremony ends with a prayer. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: show starts at 1800 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Travel time to activity: 40 mins to 1 hr; Show tickets are included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy; Please note that the duration of ceremony is one hour)

Immerse yourself in history in Cappadocia on this full day tour. After breakfast at your hotel, drive to the Goreme Open-Air Museum with your guide. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vast complex filled with hundreds of monasteries and churches that contain 11th and 12th-century frescoes. Your guide will show you some of the most important churches, such as the Yılanlı Kilise, the Elmalı Kilise, and the Tokalı Kilise. Then, head to the town of Avanos, which sits on the banks of the Red River whose clay is ideal for pottery. Visit a pottery workshop to see the collections displayed in a vast underground cave complex, meet the artisans, and learn about their work and its heritage. Continue on to Pasabag Valley to view the tower-shaped hermitages, and from there to Pigeon Valley for a photo opportunity at Uchisar Castle Center. Proceed to explore the castle, which is full of towering rock houses typical of the area, before making your way to Uchisar town. There you will learn about the history and art of carpet making, a quintessential Turkish trade that has been passed down for generations, from mother to daughter. (Duration: full day; Time: morning; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Please note that climbing steps, walking uphill & downhill, and tight underground corridors could be a problem if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting one or more of these attractions in Izmir. You could start by exploring Kulturpark, in the city center, which hosts the renowned Izmir International Fair, Turkey’s oldest trade show. Next up is the Agora, an ancient marketplace. Wander through this Greek archaeological site that dates back to the 4th century BC. Pass under the rock arches and go past water channels. After, you could make your way to the Kemeralti Market. This historical bazaar is filled with shops selling fresh produce, spices, home goods, clothing and jewelry. Keep heading downhill, to the Ottoman-style Izmir Clock Tower located in Konak Square. This intricately patterned, 117-year-old timepiece was a gift from the German Emperor Wilhelm II. Then, stop by Konak Mosque before making your way to Konak Pier. On either side of the pier, you’ll come across boutiques, fast food outlets and fine-dining restaurants. End your day with a stroll by the sea to Alsancak, the old Greek-Ottoman quarter. (Duration: half/full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Transfers, entrance fees & meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ephesus, visit the Terrace Houses and enjoy a wine tasting at the Yedi Bilgeler Winery. You will be driven from Izmir to Ephesus, an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia. Your guide will lead you down the Sacred Way, a section of which is covered with marble plates. Occupying a prominent position on the thoroughfare, is the Temple of Hadrian, dedicated to one of the ‘Five Good Emperors’. Visit the Celsus Library, a testament to Roman architectural grandeur and pursuit of knowledge. Next, see the Coliseum-like Great Theater, where gladiatorial games and performances once took place. Stop by the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Within the temple ruins are the Terrace Houses, which give insight into the sophistication and aesthetic refinement of upper-class Roman domestic life. Later, head to Yedi Bilgeler Winery for lunch and a wine tasting. On a tour of the modern winery and cellar, learn about the wines named after the seven wise men of Greece. At the winery’s restaurant, sample five wines, including the popular 7 Bilgeler Bia Prine Reserve Red Blend, before the tour wraps up. (Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: lunch & wine tasting; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Min age: 18 yrs for wine tasting only; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Please be prepared for crowds & hot weather)

Explore the highlights of Athens along with your expert local guide. Start your tour with a visit to the Panathenaic Stadium, built completely out of marble. This stadium hosted the first Olympic Games in 1896. Next up, head to the colossal Temple of Zeus and see the ruins around. Continue to the Greek Parliament at Syntagma Square, across the beautiful National Gardens. Later, make your way up to the main attraction, the Acropolis of Athens that overlooks the cityscape. Spread across the complex, highlights to explore include the Parthenon the Propylaea gateway, and Temple of Athena Nike, which tell stories of Greek history. Admire the stunning architecture of the ancient world. Learn more at the modernist Acropolis Museum. Return to your accommodation while listening to additional insights and local legends. (Duration: Half Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Easy)

Cruise to Hydra aboard a high-speed boat on this day trip. Sail on the Aegean Sea taking in splendid views and arrive at a secluded beach. Swim in the clear turquoise waters, before proceeding to Hydra’s busy harbor lined with superyachts. On this picturesque Saronic Island, you will see scores of mansions with red roofs stretching up into the hills. Begin exploring this pedestrian friendly island at The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It is an Ecclesiastical Museum displaying Orthodox icons, vestments and manuscripts. Then, walk along a maze of narrow cobbled streets lined with whitewashed homes draped with bougainvillea. Along the way, encounter donkeys clip-clopping up and down the town. Your guide will tell you about the history of Hydra and its bohemian ambiance, while leading you to Lazaros Kountouriotis Historical Mansion. Later, browse through the boutiques and stop for coffee at a bistro along the waterfront before heading back. (Duration: full day; Time: 1100 hrs; Seasonal: Mar-Nov; Private activity; No transfers; Starting point: Central Marina, Athens; Entry fees are not included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy; Please bring swimwear, hat, towel & sunscreen; Please wear non-slip shoes; Guests should be able to swim; Depending on the weather condition, the timing and date of this activity may change at a very short notice)

Drive through the Greek countryside, over the Boeotia plains towards Mount Parnassus, to reach the ancient Pan-Hellenic site of Delphi. Explore this mystical sanctuary, spread across lush hillsides, and take in verdant valley views. Walking past the Castalia Spring, linger at the Temple of Apollo, the Theater, and the Athenian treasury. Gaining insights into local legends and sacred rituals, discover the Oracle of Delphi played in Greek history. Later, drop by the Delphi museum, which houses stunning exhibits including the bronze Charioteer of Delphi, and the Sphinx of Naxos. Finally, heading out of Delphi, stop for lunch at a traditional restaurant that overlooks Amfissa olive groves and the native vegetation beyond. Savor a sumptuous meal of artisanal regional specialties including beverages, before returning to Athens. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Lunch included; Driving time: 2.5 hrs each way; Fitness level: Easy)