• 10 Days / 9 Nights
• Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5.0) 162 Reviews
• Istanbul , Ephesus , Santorini , Athens

Greece & Turkey Express: A 10-Day Trip Through Timeless Wonders

For the time-savvy explorer craving depth over duration—this meticulously curated journey blends ancient marvels, surreal landscapes, and Aegean dreams into a whirlwind of unforgettable moments. Travel independently, yet never alone, with seamless logistics and expert-led day tours that unlock the soul of each destination.

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul – Ease Into Adventure

• Welcome & Relaxation: After landing, our team greets you at Istanbul Airport and whisks you to your boutique hotel in Sultanahmet. Settle in, unwind, or explore at your own pace.
  • Flexible Start: No rushed tours! Enjoy a leisurely Turkish breakfast if arrived early in the day – not included (or a sunset meze platter if arriving late) and stroll the cobblestone streets near the Blue Mosque.
  • Evening Tip: Sip pomegranate or apple tea at a rooftop bar overlooking the Hagia Sophia, illuminated like a Byzantine jewel.

Sleep: Boutique hotel in Sultanahmet.

Day 2: Istanbul Unveiled – Guided Treasures of Istanbul

Breakfast at the hotel and pickup at indicated time from hotel. Full-day guided tour now ensures you don’t miss a highlight:

• Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia: Marvel at the symphony of Iznik tiles and Byzantine mosaics.
• Topkapi Palace: Trace Ottoman opulence in the sultans’ harem and treasury.
• Grand Bazaar: Dive into a sensory overload of spices, lanterns, and silk.
• Lunch: Feast on lahmacun (Turkish “pizza”) and baklava in a hidden garden restaurant.

Evening: Optional Bosphorus sunset cruise or night cruise (add-on) or relax at your hotel.

Day 3: Bosphorus Royalty & Cappadocia Bound

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out from your room. You can leave the luggages in hotel reception. Glide past palaces on a Bosphorus cruise, explore Dolmabahçe’s crystal chandeliers, then fly to Cappadocia in the afternoon. Sleep in a cave suite under starry skies.

Day 4: Cappadocia – Dawn Over Fairy Chimneys

Hot Air Balloon Ride Before Sunrise (optional but life-changing): Float above rose-hued valleys as the sun ignites “stone mushrooms” and pigeon-carved cliffs. Post-flight, toast with champagne and after breakfast in your hotel start to explore:

• Devrent Valley: Pose beside camel-shaped rock formations.
• Avanos: Spin pottery on a Hittite wheel by the Red River.
• Göreme Open-Air Museum: Step into Byzantine frescoed chapels hidden in volcanic rock.Evening Tip : Dine on testi kebab (clay-pot meat) under a star-drenched sky.

Day 5: Cappadocia’s Underground Secrets – South Tour of Cappadocia

Hike Red Valley’s crimson ridges to cave churches in Çavuşin Village. Descend into Kaymaklı Underground City, a 3,000-year-old labyrinth where entire communities hid from invaders. Toast farewell with Turkish tea overlooking Pigeon Valley, where birds still nest in carved niches. Say good-bye to Cappadocia and transfer to airport.
Fly to Istanbul: One last night in the city that bridges worlds.

Day 6: Flight to Santorini via Athens – Caldera Magic

Fly to the Cyclades’ crown jewel. Your cliffside suite in Oia or Fira offers infinity views of the Aegean. Wander cobblestone paths to cliffside chapels, then claim a sunset perch:

• Sunset Ritual: Sip a citrusy Assyrtiko wine at Venetsanos Winery or join the applause as the sun dips into the caldera.
• Dinner: Feast on grilled octopus and Santorini fava (yellow split pea purée) at a seaside taverna.

Day 7: Santorini’s Wild Beauty

Rent an ATV to uncover the island’s raw edges:

• Red Beach: Swim beneath rust-colored cliffs.
• Akrotiri: Wander a Bronze Age city preserved in volcanic ash.
• Perissa: Lounge on black sands with a freddo cappuccino.
  Evening: Dance to bouzouki music in Fira’s vibrant alleyways.

Day 8: Aegean Serenity to Athenian Pulse

Sail to Athens on a high-speed catamaran, skimming turquoise waves. Arrive in time for a twilight stroll through Plaka, where neoclassical mansions house tavernas serving saganaki (fried cheese) and ouzo.

Day 9: Athens – Gods & Philosophers

Scale the Acropolis with a historian guide:

• Parthenon: Stand where Pericles once did, awed by Doric columns against azure skies.
• Erechtheion: Admire the Porch of the Maidens, their stone drapery frozen in time.
• Panathenaic Stadium: Channel ancient athletes at this gleaming marble arena.
  Farewell Dinner: Savor moussaka in Psirri, a district buzzing with street art and rebetiko music.

Day 10: Departure – Myth Made Memory

Bask in a final Athenian sunrise from Lycabettus Hill before your transfer.

Includes:

• Flights/ferries, luxury stays, expert-guided tours, and airport transfers.
• Exclusive Perks: Skip-the-line Acropolis access, Cappadocia cave hotel, and a Santorini sunset toast.
  Excludes: Balloon ride ($150–$250 USD —worth every penny), personal indulgences.

Customize Your Journey: Add Ephesus’ marble colonnades, Pamukkale’s cotton-white terraces, or a Mykonos escape. Our team crafts dreams—just ask!

Ready to write your own odyssey? The Aegean’s whispers await—book before the next full moon for a complimentary Turkish coffee set!