Day 1: Arrive in the Athens (Greece)

Arrive at the Athens International Airport. Overnight at Athens hotel.

Day 2: Athens

Half Day city tour with Acropolis and Museum (SIC Basis).

Start the half-day tour to Athens. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Presidential residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma).

On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and finally “The harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts the order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum.

Note: Due to certain restrictions on the visiting hours of the new Acropolis museum the order of the program can be changed. Later return to the hotel for a free afternoon.

Overnight at Athens hotel.

Day 3: Athens – Santorini

Transfer to the port of Athens for your ferry trip to Santorini Island. A thousand sunsets, a thousand memories, a thousand heartbeats, colors of blue red & gold streaking the sky this is Santorini island. Poets have written about it, artists attempt to capture its beauty. Nothing can quite describe the unsurpassed magic of Santorini. This tiny Greek island in the Aegean sea, rich in history & steeped in myth, is situated on the southern east tip of the Cyclades Cluster. Once famous for its seafaring captains & thriving trade from Russia towards England, France & Italy, & even further back in time the biblical volcanic catastrophe of 1500 BC, today Santorini is one of the most popular holiday destinations worldwide. Arrival in Santorini and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend in order to explore the island and admire the breathtaking view.

Overnight at Santorini hotel.

Day 4: Santorini

Morning at leisure for shopping or individual activities and later proceeds to see the sunset in Oia & traditional Santorini villages (SIC Basis).

This tour will take you first to the oldest church on the island PanagiaEpiskopi, built during the rule of Emperor AlexiosKomninos (11th century AD). Next, we visit Mesa Gonia, the ghost village, where you will be offered one tomato ball and one glass of wine, and then drive to the village of Pyrgos. A traditional village with Cycladic architecture, Byzantine churches, and a Venetian castle.

On our way to Oia, we stop at the village of Imerovigli to enjoy the most wonderful view of the caldera. There we also find Skaros, a grand rock, the remnant of the most important castle. Our last stop is the breathtaking Oia village. Oia is famous for being the place of gathering artists, who are inspired by the beauty of the landscape and the magnificent purple sunsets. The tour ends 30 minutes after sunset.

Overnight at Santorini hotel.

Day 5: Santorini – Crete

Transfer to the port to take your ferry to Crete. Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest one in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you can admire the remnants of brilliant civilizations, explore glorious beaches, impressive mountainscapes, fertile valleys, and steep gorges, and become part of the island’s rich gastronomic culture. Crete is, after all, a small universe teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably need a lifetime to uncover!

Arrive in Crete and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend in order to explore the island.

Overnight in Crete hotel.

Day 6: Crete

The tour starts with the bus transfer from the pick-up point to the Port of Athinios. From there it continues with the boat King Thiras to the lava island Nea Kameni where the boat will make a stop to give the explorers the opportunity to walk up the ascending soil path and approach the crater of the still active Volcano. (SIC Basis). After seeing the crater you will walk back down the dirt path to the boat which will bring you to the second lava island Palea Kameni, where you will find the hot Springs. The boat makes a stop around 50 meters from the opening and you can swim in the green sulfur waters of the hot springs, wet your feet, or just enjoy the view.

The tour continues after the hot springs to Thirassia Island which was once part of Santorini before the big Explosion of the Volcano. There you will stay for two hours and you will have the opportunity to do some activities like swimming on the beach of Thirassia.

On the way back to Athinios port where the tour ends you will cruise with King Thiras under Oia where the best pictures can be taken of the amazing cliffs and the breathtaking scenery. Once you arrive at the port the bus will be waiting to bring you back to the point you started from.

Overnight in Crete hotel.

Day 7: Crete – Athens

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Athens. Upon arrival in Athens transfer to your Hotel. Rest of the day free on your own.

Overnight in Athens hotel.

Day 8: Athens – Istanbul(Turkey)

You will be transferred to the Airport for your onward flight to Turkey. On arrival in Istanbul, you will be transferred to a hotel. Rest of the day free on your own to explore the vibrant city.

Overnight in Istanbul hotel.

Day 9: Istanbul

Full-day Bosphorus and new Istanbul tour (Pvt Basis). Visit the spice bazaar, and get the taste of Turkish coffee or tea. Then drive to port and board the Bosphorus tourist boat and sail between Europe and Asia continents. From the sea, you will see Dolmabahce and Ciragan palaces, Leander’s tower, Rumeli fortress, Bebek, Ortakoy, Military school ( Kuleli ), Ottoman wooden houses, Bosphorus bridge, and more.
Afterward visit Taksim, Istiklal street, Pera, Galata area, Galata tower, Balık pazari ( fish market ), Cicek papaji ( flower market ), St. Antuan church, and French passages. Photoshop in front of a nostalgic tram line ( red old one ) on Istiklal street and Galata tower.

Overnight in Istanbul hotel.

Day 10: Istanbul

The old city, historical peninsula, Ottoman and Byzantine relics tour (Pvt Basis). Depart for the Hippodrome of Constantinople, Byzantine columns, German fountain, Sultanahmet square, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, (jewelry and leather shops, rug weaving show), and the architectural wonder Blue mosque. Later stop for a photo shoot in front of Hagia Sophia and then proceed to Topkapi imperial palace, home of Ottoman Sultans. After visiting the palace you will visit Caferaga Madrasah to learn about Islamic arts. You will also visit Suleymaniye mosque, watch Istanbul from the 5th hill and visit Sultan Suleiman and his wife Hurrem Sultan’s tombs. Optional; Turkish night show with a belly dancer available for an extra fee.

Overnight in Istanbul hotel.

Day 11: Istanbul

Full Day Prince’s islands tour (Pvt Basis). You will be transferred to the port of Eminonu or Karakoy and take a ferry to Buyukada ( Big Island ) which is a nice island where many people live throughout the year.
Leaving the Golden Horn by ferry, you will round Sarayburnu (Seraglio Point), the headland on which the domes and minarets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque can be seen. We will pass four islands with their charming old Ottoman houses and finally reach Buyukada, the largest of the islands. Upon arrival on the island, you will see the lavish Ottoman mansions and other beautiful Victorian summer villas around the island.

We will take a tour of the island by Phaeton (horse car) and will pass elegant old wooden mansions and beautiful natural scenery. Afterward, free time to relax and for shopping. This island is one of Istanbul’s residents’ favorite summer retreats. Return by ferry to the mainland and drop off at your hotel.

Overnight in Istanbul hotel.

Day 12: Istanbul – India

Transfer to the Airport for your return journey