Tour Overview
13-Day Best of Turkey & Greece Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Santorini is planned as a 13 Days / 12 Nights journey linking Countries Covered. The route is designed to combine cultural sightseeing, practical transport connections and time in the principal destinations without compressing the main visits into a single day.
Across the itinerary, the main sightseeing is built around Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, Side, Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus, Cappadocia, Ortahisar Castle, Sobesos, Soganli Valley. Each stop is positioned within the day-by-day route so that the historical, cultural and landscape highlights remain easy to follow from one destination to the next.
Travel logistics are integrated into the program rather than treated as separate arrangements. Depending on the confirmed route, the package includes 4-star hotel accommodation, licensed guided sightseeing, private transfers, domestic flights, ferry connections, 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches. The result is a complete multi-day itinerary with the major visits, overnight stops and travel sectors clearly organized.
Tour Highlights
Itinerary
Welcome to Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul, a unique city where East meets West. Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport or the cruise port, you will be greeted and privately transferred to your hotel.
Hotel check-in is available from 1:00 PM onward. After settling in, a representative will meet you at your hotel to brief you on the upcoming travel program.
The rest of the day is free for relaxation or optional exploration of Istanbul’s lively atmosphere.
Guided Discovery of Old Istanbul
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at approximately 10:00 AM for a full-day exploration of Istanbul’s historic peninsula.
Key highlights include:
• Ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, once used for chariot races and public events• Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and German Fountain• The iconic Blue Mosque with its famous blue Iznik tiles• Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine heritage• Topkapi Palace, former residence of Ottoman sultans• Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with thousands of shops
The tour ends around 4:00 PM, followed by return to your hotel. Evening free at leisure.
Bosphorus Cruise Tour & Flight to Cappadocia
Today begins with a half-day sightseeing experience:
• Drive along the Golden Horn with views of ancient city walls• Visit the vibrant Spice Bazaar filled with aromatic spices and local delights• Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus, sailing between Europe and Asia while viewing palaces, mansions, and historic waterfront architecture
The tour concludes at Sultanahmet around 12:30 PM. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, private transfer to your hotel in Göreme.
Southern Cappadocia Tour
Optional early morning hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia’s valleys.
Between 9:45–10:00 AM, meet your guide for a full-day exploration of southern Cappadocia:
• Ortahisar Castle panoramic viewpoint• Mustafapaşa Village (historic Greek settlement)• Ancient ruins of Sobesos with mosaics• Soganli Valley with rock-carved churches• Traditional village lunch• Kaymakli Underground City, a vast subterranean refuge
Northern Cappadocia Tour / Return to Istanbul
After breakfast, continue exploring northern Cappadocia:
• Uchisar Castle panoramic views• Cavusin Village and Rose Valley• Pasabag (Monks Valley) and Zelve Open Air Museum• Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)• Urgup and Avanos pottery workshops
After the tour, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Istanbul and hotel transfer.
Flight to Athens from Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your international flight to Athens.
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
Athens City Tour
Today you will explore the historical treasures of Athens with a guided tour:
• Panathenaic Stadium• Temple of Olympian Zeus• Hadrian’s Arch• Syntagma Square & Parliament (Changing of the Guard)• National Library, University, and Academy of Athens
The tour ends at the Acropolis, followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum (entry included). Afternoon free for personal exploration.
Athens to Mykonos
Morning transfer to Piraeus Port for ferry to Mykonos. Upon arrival, hotel check-in and free time to explore:
• Mykonos Town (Chora)• Old Port• Little Venice area
Mykonos Leisure Day
A free day to enjoy the island’s charm:
• Walk through whitewashed alleys and narrow streets• Visit traditional blue-domed chapels• See the famous Mykonos Windmills and Paraportiani Church
Enjoy the island’s relaxed yet lively atmosphere at your own pace.
Mykonos to Santorini
Morning at leisure before ferry transfer to Santorini, known for its volcanic cliffs and dramatic scenery.
Arrival and hotel transfer. Later, explore Fira with its cliffside views, volcanic landscape, and iconic blue-domed churches.
Free Day in Santorini
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Santorini. Optional activities include:
• Relaxing on volcanic black sand beaches• Boat trip to Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni islands• Swimming in natural hot springs
End the day with a sunset dinner overlooking the Santorini Caldera.
Santorini to Athens
Morning free for last-minute enjoyment. After breakfast, transfer to the port for ferry back to Athens. Arrival and transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.
Departure from Athens
Depending on your flight time, private transfer to Athens International Airport for departure. End of services with unforgettable memories of Turkey and Greece.
What's Included
Included
- ✈️ Flights Domestic flights within Turkey: Istanbul–Kayseri and Kayseri–Istanbul. International flight from Istanbul (Turkey) to Athens (Greece). Each flight ticket includes 15 kg of checked baggage and 8 kg of hand luggage.
- 🏨 Accommodation 12 nights in carefully selected 4-star hotels on a bed & breakfast basis.
- 🍽️ Meals Daily breakfast throughout the tour. Lunch during the 2 full-day Cappadocia tours, as specified in the itinerary.
- 🏛️ Guided Sightseeing Private Istanbul Old City Tour with an English-speaking licensed guide, transportation, and entrance fees (lunch not included). Small Group Half-Day Bosphorus Cruise Tour in Istanbul. 2 Full-Day Small Group Cappadocia Tours, including an English-speaking licensed guide, transportation, entrance fees, and lunch. Half-Day Small Group Athens City Tour.
- 🚢 Ferry Experiences All inter-island ferry tickets are included: Standard ferry from Athens to Mykonos, High-Speed Ferry from Mykonos to Santorini, and Standard Ferry from Santorini to Athens. Economy Class.
- 🚐 Transportation & Transfers Private airport and hotel transfers throughout Turkey. Private airport and port transfers in Athens. Coordinated shared shuttle transfers on Mykonos and Santorini islands. Comfortable transportation during all scheduled sightseeing tours.
- 🎟️ Entrance Fees Entrance fees to all sightseeing attractions included in the scheduled guided tour program, unless otherwise stated.
- 🤝 Professional Travel Support English-speaking licensed local guides during scheduled sightseeing tours. Local assistance and carefully coordinated travel arrangements throughout Turkey and Greece.
Not Included
- To keep the itinerary flexible, the following items are not included in the tour price: ✈️ International arrival flight to Istanbul. ✈️ International departure flight from Athens.
- 🍽️ Meals and beverages not specifically mentioned under Included.
- 🎟️ Optional tours, activities, and services not mentioned in the itinerary.
- 🧳 Personal expenses. 💰 Tips for guides and drivers.
- 📋 Any services not specifically listed under Included.
