Ancient Worlds of Greece and Turkey Discovery

You arrive in Athens for the first day of your vacation and will spend the afternoon acclimating to the heart of Ancient Greece. Fifth-century BC landmarks command attention, historic districts bubble with activity, and eclectic neighborhoods capture the creative Grecian atmosphere. The capital is a melting pot of ancient culture and modern lifestyle that you will adore from the moment you arrive. Your transfer through the neighborhoods to your accommodation will reveal the charms of Athens cast in the shadows of the Acropolis.

Morning coffee will brew or tea will steep as you wake up to the sounds of Athens springing to life. Locals and visitors gather in town squares, heading off to the little terraces of charming cafés beneath vines that creep across the arches of narrow alleys. You will tour the crumbling columns of the ancient Acropolis citadel. History comes to life from every crack in the columns or fissure in the limestone slabs. While the history of the Acropolis eclipses other monuments, the mysteries shrouding the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion are just as tempting.

Mornings in Athens are magic. The sunlight illuminates the Acropolis, the towns simmer with excitement, and the cafés swing their doors open to serve hungry adventurers waking up early to leave for their next destination. After breakfast, you will collect your belongings and transfer to the Athens International Airport or the Port of Piraeus. You can fly or ferry from Athens to Crete, choosing between seeing the sweeping blue seas or soaring over the water to save some time. Either way, the journey will take you to Greece’s largest and most popular island.

Cretan life is colorful and you will adore your first morning in the bustling city of Chania as a delectable spread of Greek treats arrives at your breakfast table. After tucking into your mouthwatering Mediterranean meal you will join your guide on a tour of the hidden treasures of the former Kissamos province. White-washed churches with ochre roofs riddle the rocky mountains shadowing the coast, olive groves grow among the rough grassland, and vineyards cover slices of the hills in rich green hues. You will explore the culture, from the landmarks to the cuisine, during your travels.

Crete’s port city capital Heraklion is a gateway to the Minoan mysteries that envelop the Bronze Age ruins of Knossos. You will venture to this historic archeological site after breakfast, stopping to view the old Ottoman remains scattered amongst the Venetian structures of Rethymno. The fascinating fabrications and fragmented fortresses will backdrop the stories your guide shares as you continue to Neolithic nods to ancient Minoan civilization and culture at the Palace of Knossos. Each destination displays the distinct influences of Greece’s turbulent past.

You will return to explore more of Heraklion’s Minoan history this morning, starting with the Minoan Palace of Phaistos. The remains, built during the Protopalatial Period, reflect the remarkable creativity of ancient Minoan engineers. Three large terraces form the cornerstones of the old palace, where you can recount vague Minoan memories through scripted tablets, delicate pottery, and ruined shrines. Your tour will then take you to Gortyn, the first Christian city of Crete, notoriously destroyed by the Saracens who left the ruins of the Acropolis and Odeum behind.

Cultures clash in the ancient city of Thessaloniki, a destination that swings around the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman landmarks preserve centuries of influence within the confines of Ano Poli’s winding streets. A tour through the labyrinth of narrow roads will reveal alfresco tavernas, the Vlatadon Monastery, the Church of Hosios David, and more. Colorful frescoes dominate the ceilings, cultural hotspots fortify the heritage, and locals carry their traditions with vibrant performances in Thessaloniki. In the evening you can enjoy dinner by the shore with a glass of Greek wine in hand.

Vergina is a town on the roads that run from Thessaloniki to Meteora. Formerly known as the city of Aigai and recognized as the first capital of Macedonia, Vergina is a treasure trove of history to discover on route to your next destination. The tomb of Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, is a jaw-dropping exhibit that starts your tour to the underground museums of Vergina. You will view ceremonial armor, the illuminated doorway, and archeological findings, before continuing to the holy monastery sculpted into the monumental natural monoliths of Meteora, spending the night nearby.

The charming modern town of Delphi sits in the shadows of the mountains where Pythia, the Oracle of Delphi, would relay messages from the God Apollo to those who made pilgrimages to the ancient religious sanctuary of the same name. You will tour the remains of this spiritual complex, visiting the magnificent monuments and evocative excavations that call forth the mysteries of Ancient Greece, from the ancient theater of Delphi to the Temple of Apollo and more. Your guide will elaborate on the importance of each construct, then take you to a nearby village for dinner under the stars.

After breakfast, you will join your guide and cross the Gulf of Corinth along the Rion-Antirion Bridge, a massive cable-stayed bridge that spans the gulf’s shimmering cobalt waters. You will soon arrive at the archeological site of Olympia, the hosting grounds of the original Olympic Games. Standing in the very stadium where the ancient Olympians competed will take your breath away, while touring temples built in honor of the gods Hera and Zeus will enthrall you. Every inch of this idolized site is dripping with the history that shaped the modern Olympic Games.

You will cross into Argolis within the Peloponnese this morning to uncover the immense history, from Olympia to the coastal town of Nafplion. The ancient Bronze Age archeological grounds of Mycenae are the first stop on your journey across the Argolid Plain. Here you will explore the picturesque landscape and the eminent ruins that once inspired Greek mythology and classical poetry. Many mysteries still shroud Mycenae and your guide will share a wealth of insight into these stories as you explore the main chamber, admire the Cyclopean stonework, and capture images of the lion sculpture poised above the citadel’s entrance.

Having explored Mycenae and the ancient theater of Epidaurus yesterday, you will pack your things and prepare to leave with unforgettable memories of your adventures across Ancient Greece. Your transfer will take you across the Corinth Canal back to Athens, where you will climb onto your plane, bound for Turkey’s Aegean coast. Hemmed into the heart of Izmir, your accommodation is an eyeshot from the antiquity that flows from the city’s archeological sites and bustling neighborhoods. You may indulge in dinner on the seaboard or find a quiet family-run eatery to tuck into your first Turkish meal this evening.

Izmir is full of history and its surrounding Aegean counterparts present deeper connections with ancient Turkish culture for you to discover on a guided tour after breakfast. You will arrive in the old-world city of Ephesus, a destination that presents Greek and Roman empirical architecture, with a dash of Turkish influence. Immemorial stone streets lined with sacred pillars connect the century-old complexes of Ephesus, where decaying temples stand the test of time. Many of these spiritual grounds preserve the worship of gods and goddesses, like Artemis, in symbols and meticulous carvings. Ephesus will prove an inspiring day trip from Izmir.

The modern metropolis of Istanbul, straddling the Bosphorus Strait, needs little introduction to travelers familiar with Turkey’s premier destinations. That said, the city shares so much more than the guidebooks do. Your guide will collect you at the airport and you will cruise through Istanbul’s dynamic cultural districts to an accommodation that is thrust in and amongst the action. Your itinerary will leave the afternoon open for you to explore the city at a leisurely pace. From finding unique Turkish delicacies at historic restaurants to catching the tram through nostalgic neighborhoods, you will adore your afternoon in Istanbul.

Today will represent the last day of your Greece and Turkey vacation, and there will be a wealth to explore before you turn in for the evening. Your guide will escort you to the famous Topkapi Palace Museum and divulge the colorful stories that sing from the embellished monument. The Ottoman-era Blue Mosque is the second stop on your adventure, a vision in sapphire and cyan that preserves centuries of artistic and architectural creativity. A trip through the underground cisterns and the Grand Bazaar will complete your elaborate escape to the classic landmarks of Istanbul.

You may let the lovely Istanbul atmosphere guide you to the vibrant city streets, where the wafting aromas of baked goods and shaved kebab flow freely in and out of the cobbled streets. Colorful buildings, closely intertwined, house boutique stores and charming cafés for you to browse after breakfast. You may chat with locals, find the perfect reading nook, or snapshot some of the cultural scenery before you return to your room to collect your things. Your transfer will wait for you in the lobby, then take you to the airport for you to catch your flight home.