Turkey and Greek Islands with 4-night cruise

This exciting Turkey and Greece land and cruise tour starts with classic Turkey highlights, visiting Turkey’s most famous landmarks: explore the underground cities of Cappadocia, see rock-cut churches, learn early Christian history from our experienced guide, and visit the best-preserved Roman cities of Hierapolis and Ephesus, with the House of the Virgin Mary nearby. Then, embark on an unforgettable ocean cruise to the Greek islands. Marvelous Mykonos, unspoiled Patmos, medieval Rhodes, Minoan Crete, and tranquil Santorini. And this amazing package is now affordable with Eskapas!

Important travel notes:

This tour is bilingual in English and Portuguese or Spanish. Please check carefully the dates about the language availabilities
English and Portuguese groups are small group tours (max 17) while Spanish guided tours are around 35 travelers.
The packages with cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please be flexible in terms of dates when you make an enquiry. In case there is no availability we have alternative itineraries or dates.

Tour Details

Departure and return location

Istanbul to Izmir

Pick up and drop off time

Flexible

The price includes

Click to expand

Accommodation: 7 nights 4-star hotel accommodation and 4 nights cruise accommodation

Celestyal category IA (private inside cabin)
Istanbul (2 nights) Yigitalp Hotel or similar
Ankara (1 night) Grand Mercure or similar
Cappadocia (2 nights) Perissia or similar
Pamukkale (1 night) Hierapark or similar
Izmir (1 night) Kaya PRestige or similar
Celestyal Cruise (IA Cabin – please consult us for outside cabins during your reservation) 4 nights

Guide: Local English speaking tour guides at each site.
Meals: 11 breakfasts + 6 lunches + 9 dinners (Drinks package during cruise meals)
Transportation: All transfers and transportation as per itinerary.
Others included: Entrance fees mentioned in the program,

The price does not include

Click to expand

International or domestic flights
Shore excursions during cruise program.
Optional tips for guides and drivers.
Port taxes and cruise gratuities will be added during check out. (205 USD per person)

Itinerary

Day 1ISTANBUL | ANKARA (Breakfast, Dinner)

Turkey and Greek Islands with 4-night cruise

Pick up between 12:00-13:00 from your hotels (city centered) Departure to Ankara (450 km) by our deluxe coach passing through the intercontinental bridge in Istanbul. Arrival in the capital of the country. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Ankara Meals: Dinner

Trip Note:

Possibility to book pre-accommodation in Istanbul with day excursions.

Day 2ANKARA | CAPPADOCIA (Breakfast, Dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the capital of Turkey with the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with an exhibition of Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartu remains, etc. and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic. Departure for Cappadocia (290 km). On the way, visit the underground city built by Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab attacks. The underground city preserves the stables, common rooms, meeting room and small rooms for families. Arrival in the Cappadocia region. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 3CAPPADOCIA (Breakfast, Dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to visiting this fantastic region with its spectacular fairy chimneys, unique in the world: Goreme Valley, with its rock churches, with paintings from the 10th and 11th centuries; stop at the troglodyte village of Uçhisar, visit Avcilar which has a spectacular landscape, Derbent Valley with its curious natural rock formations and time for craft workshops such as carpets and onyx-semiprecious stones mounted on silver jewelry. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION | BALLOON EXCURSION
At dawn, possibility of participating in a hot air balloon excursion, a unique experience, over the rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural formations, lunar landscapes.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION | FOLKLORE SHOW
After dinner at the hotel, possibility to go out for a folklore show and belly dance with open bar of local alcoholic drinks. Dancing in characteristic costumes and folk music from all regions of Turkey and the finest performance of belly dance in an amazingly spacious cave hall.

Day 4CAPPADOCIA | PAMUKKALE (Breakfast, Dinner)

Breakfast and departure for Pamukkale (610 km). On the way, stop to visit the Caravanserail of Sultanhan, a medieval Seljuk inn. Continue to Pamukkale. Free time in Pamukkale “Cotton Castle”, unique in the world with its natural limestone thermal pools and petrified travertine waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5PAMUKKALE | EPHESUS | IZMIR (Breakfast, Dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Selçuk-Ephesus (200 km). Arrival and visit to the archaeological area of Ephesus, city dedicated to Artemis. The Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora, the Marble Street and the largest Theatre of antiquity. Visit to the House of the Virgin, supposed last resting place of the Mother of Jesus. Stop at a leather production center and continue to İzmir-Izmir (~85 km.), the third largest city in Turkey. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 6Izmir - Patmos (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, transfer to the port of Kusadasi for embarkation. Sail to Patmos to discover the small Greek island, where St. John the Divine wrote the Apocalypse. The 11th century monastery with its valuable collection of manuscripts is worth a visit.
Overnight: Meals on board: Breakfast – Lunch-Dinner

Day 7Rhodes (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

Dock in Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands and site of the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, a 105-foot statue destroyed by an earthquake in 224 BC. Explore the sites of the historic town with its walls and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights. If sightseeing is not your thing, Rhodes’ sun-drenched beaches and vibrant shopping districts are just a short distance from the port. Depart Rhodes around dinnertime.

Day 8Crete - Santorini (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

Spend the morning in Heraklion on the island of Crete. Just a few kilometres away is Knossos, the centre of the Minoan civilisation from 3000 BC; an optional excursion can be booked. The next port of call (weather permitting) is Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean”. The optional shore excursion will take you to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the most stunning panoramas in the world.

Day 9Athens - Mykonos (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

After breakfast, you will join the half-day excursion to Athens city and the Acropolis (optional). In the afternoon you will sail to Mykonos. Arrival in the evening in Mykonos, granite island and the most typical of the Cyclades. Its white and blue houses, windmills and chapels seem to make the light of the island even more translucent. Spend some time visiting a tavern or simply strolling around the town and enjoying its eternal beauty.

Day 10Kusadasi - Izmir Departure (Breakfast)

After breakfast, you will disembark at Kusadasi Port around 08:00 AM and be transferred to Izmir International for your return flight (can be extended to Istanbul. Please consult us during your booking). End of our services

Turkey and Greek Islands with 4-night cruise

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

Schedule A Meeting