TURKEY AND GREECE 2X1

Welcome to Türkiye, a country with a unique history and culture, where you will enjoy an extraordinary holiday. A new world of experiences awaits you, where the differences between East and West come together in a single country.

Arrival on an international flight at the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST). Opened in April 2019, it is now the largest airport in Europe and one of the largest in the world. After disembarking, passing through immigration and collecting your luggage, you should head to our meeting point at exit gate 8. Following this, you will meet our drivers for the transfer to the hotel. Arrival and accommodation. Free time to rest.

Note: If you cannot find our representatives at the meeting point, you should contact our emergency number. 

Breakfast. Free day. 

Optional excursion: ‘PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS’ Departure at approximately 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant): Visit the old Jewish quarter in Balat, the Greek quarter in Fener and admire the magnificent views of the ‘Golden Horn’; then visit St. George's Cathedral, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church; continue to the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, which has the largest dome of any mosque in Istanbul. We head to the Spice Bazaar, a place with a special charm due to its colours and aromas, the place par excellence to buy teas, herbs, nuts, traditional sweets and, of course, spices. We will finish with a boat trip across the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will enjoy wonderful views of the Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas and bridges that connect both sides of this city. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: The order of the days of the excursions in Istanbul may be reversed, depending on operational conditions such as number of participants, weather, traffic or days when monuments are closed.

Breakfast. Free day.

Optional excursion: ‘JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE’ (includes lunch at a restaurant serving traditional cuisine): Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) for an excursion to the historic centre of the city, where you can see the remains of the different empires that shaped modern-day Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, the centre of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years, where you can also see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine and the German Fountain; the Blue Mosque, with its more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles brought from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 as an architectural marvel that has served as a church, mosque and museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, which was an astonishing technical achievement in its day and remains one of the largest domes in the world. We continue to the majestic Topkapi Palace, home to the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, where we will visit the beautiful royal gardens, the kitchens, and the royal treasure rooms. Discover the mysterious Harem, where the sultan's wives and children lived, famous for its luxurious decoration. We continue to the Church of Aya Irini, a Byzantine church that was not converted into a mosque, and we will end our tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where haggling is a tradition. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: For admission to Hagia Sophia, please consult the supplement.

Packed breakfast and early departure (approx. 6:00 a.m. - time to be confirmed by the guide) to Ankara for a panoramic tour of the capital of Türkiye and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Republic. On the way to Cappadocia, you will see the Salt Lake, where you will stop to take photographs of this spectacular place, followed by a visit to a Caravanserai, a hostel from the Silk Road era. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. to visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by volcanic lava more than 3 million years ago. Starting with the Göreme Open Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved into volcanic rock and decorated with 13th-century frescoes. Continuing on to the region's impressive valleys with their ‘otherworldly’ landscapes, you will be able to appreciate the views of the symbols of the region's geological formations, the famous ‘Fairy Chimneys’. There will be a stop to enjoy the incredible and extensive panoramic view of some of the famous volcanic rock valleys with spectacular formations. Continue to the underground city of Cappadocia, one of the many impressive engineering works built by ancient local communities to protect themselves from attacks throughout history. At the end of the tour, visit a carpet centre to learn about the artisanal production of these pieces, which are true treasures, and a gemstone centre, featuring jewellery with designs unique to the region. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Optional programmes in Cappadocia: ‘TURKISH NIGHT’ Folk dance performance in a typical cave with local drinks; ‘JEEP SAFARI’ Adventure through the mystical valleys of the region with stops to take the best photos; ‘HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE’ Early morning ride to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

Breakfast. Departure at approximately 6:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) to Pamukkale to visit ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder featuring a giant waterfall, stalactites, and natural pools. The name ‘Hierapolis’ derives from Greek and means ‘sacred city’, referring to the numerous temples and religious sites that existed in the city. One of the most notable aspects of Hierapolis was its famous theatre, which had a capacity to accommodate thousands of spectators and is still largely preserved today. The city gained recognition as a popular spa and healing destination due to its natural hot springs and white limestone pools. These mineral-rich waters created impressive natural terraces and waterfalls known as ‘Pamukkale’, which means ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. Pamukkale and Hierapolis are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their historical importance and natural beauty. The region is also known for its cotton production, and we will have the opportunity to see locally manufactured textiles. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit Mary's House, located on a nearby hill. This place is revered as the final resting place of the mother of Jesus, who, according to Christian tradition, spent her last years in Ephesus under the care of the Apostle John. Today, the house is an important place of pilgrimage for both Christians and Muslims, who consider it a sacred site. We will pass through Selçuk for a panoramic tour of this city with a rich history, taking in the Ottoman castle, the Basilica of St. John and the Temple of Artemis, which has consecrated Ephesus as an important religious and cultural centre of antiquity. We will continue the visit at a showroom specialising in leather goods, where you can see high-quality products made from sheepskin and famous for their lightness. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kuşadasi depending on the season.

Breakfast. The day begins with breakfast at the hotel and free time to enjoy the city depending on your location, whether it be Kusadasi, Izmir or Çeşme. At the scheduled time, you will be transferred without a guide to the corresponding port, with boarding scheduled at 12:00 noon from Kusadasi or at 6:00 p.m. from Çeşme, depending on the date of travel. Once at the port, you will go through immigration procedures and check in on board the Miray cruise ship, where you will spend 4 days and 3 nights with full board. After settling into your cabin, you will set sail for Piraeus (Athens) or Patmos, depending on the assigned itinerary. Please note that cruise schedules and routes are estimates for 2026 and are subject to change. It is also important to check visa requirements for Greece and Turkey. There is no guide on board the cruise, except for optional excursions.

Breakfast. Arrival in Athens at 7:00 am. Optional excursions are available to explore the magical city of Athens, the capital of Greece and the country's largest city, with a population of approximately 4,000,000. The city, home to magnificent monuments venerated by the ancient Greek gods and cradle of ancient Hellenic and Greek culture, was once the centre of economics, politics, social life and philosophy. Athens, named after the most important goddess in mythology, Athena, is known as the first city to establish democracy. Departure at 12:00 noon for Mykonos. Mykonos is an island in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. It is popularly known for its summer party atmosphere. Beaches such as Paradise and Super Paradise have bars where music blares. The huge dance clubs attract famous DJs from around the world and often stay open until after sunrise. Iconic landmarks include a row of 16th-century windmills, located on a hill above the town of Mykonos. Departure for Santorini.

Breakfast. Arrival in Santorini at 9:00 a.m., famous for its spectacular views. Opportunity to take an optional excursion to explore Santorini, the southernmost island of the Cyclades archipelago, located in the southern Aegean Sea. In 1500 BC, the island and surrounding islets were formed as a result of a major volcanic eruption. Plato is believed to have referred to this catastrophe in a monument on the continent of Atlantis. 

The blue-domed churches are the most characteristic features of Santorini. During the additional excursions organised by Miray Cruises (upon request), you can see the whole island from the mountains of San Elías, which is the highest point on the island, visit the unique villages of Oia and Fira, enjoy the sea on the beaches covered with volcanic sand and, in the village of Megalochori, taste wine made from grapes native to the island. Departure at 5:00 p.m. for Kusadasi.

Breakfast. Arrival at the port of Çesme/Kusadasi in Türkiye at 06:00. Disembarkation from the cruise ship and transfer to Izmir Airport (ADB) for departure flight. 

**(FLIGHT NOT INCLUDED - We recommend that if you need a domestic flight after disembarking, it should be booked for after 13:00). You may also consider an extra night in Istanbul; please check the cost with your travel advisor. **