Upon arrival into Athens, be met by a tour representative and transferred to the hotel. If it’s too early for check-in, luggage can be stored at the hotel whilst you enjoy some time at leisure to explore this magnificent historic city.

Overnight: Ibis Styles Routes or similar

Meals included: None

After breakfast, enjoy an Athens city highlights tour, including a visit to the world-famous Acropolis. The Acropolis is an ancient citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens. It’s home to several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. Whilst here, enjoy a visit to the new Acropolis Museum.

Overnight: Ibis Styles Routes or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, be transferred to the pier to embark on a cruise to the beautiful Saronic Islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Set sail to the first stop, Hydra, a picturesque little “vehicle-free” island, well-known to the international jet-setter. Explore the little cobblestoned streets and visit the Cathedral at your own pace. Next, is the island of Poros with its clock tower facing the Peloponnese. Then set sail to Aegina, a weekend retreat for many Athenians. Possibly enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride or take an optional visit to the temple of Afea (not included). Make sure to buy some pistachios, as Aegina is world-famous for its production. A buffet lunch will be served on board, and on the way back you will have the opportunity to see and participate in some traditional Greek dances! Disembark at the port and be met by a representative and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight: Ibis Styles Routes or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch

Start your four-day mainland Greece tour heading to the famous Corinth Canal for a short photo stop. Continue to the city of Nafplion, the first Capital of Greece. Enjoy a short walking tour of this picturesque town. Feel the intense Medieval atmosphere, walk around the narrow-paved streets, view Palamidi fortress on top of a hill above Nafplion and marvel at the view of the sea and the small islet with a fortress at the entrance of the port, that was used to protect the town from naval attacks. Driving westbound, passing the towns of Tripolis, Megalopolis and the beautiful west coast of Peloponnese with the emerald beaches before arriving in Olympia (approximately a 340-km day). Check into the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Amalia Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

At the foot of Mount Parnassos lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is there that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world, met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics. Between the sixth and fourth centuries BC, the Delphic oracle, which was regarded as the most trustworthy, was at its peak. It was delivered by the Pythia, the priestess, and interpreted by the priests of Apollo. Cities, rulers and ordinary individuals alike consulted the oracle, expressing their gratitude with great gifts and spreading its fame around the world. Visit the archaeological site and the Museum where one can see among other archeological treasures, the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo. Then continue northbound to Kalambaka for an evening at leisure and an approximately 230-Km day.

Overnight: Kosta Famissi Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, have the chance to feel nature’s grandeur in conjunction with history, architecture and man’s everlasting desire to connect with the divine. From early Christian times, the Meteora vertical cliffs were regarded as the perfect place to achieve absolute isolation, discover peace and harmony and, thus, support man’s eternal struggle for spiritual elevation. Visit two of the most famous Meteora monasteries: Grand Meteoro & Varlaam, before driving southbound and stop at Thermopylae where Leonidas, the 300 Spartans and 800 more Greeks defended the ancient Greek land at 480 BC. Then continue back to Athens for an evening at leisure on this approximately 357-Km day.

Overnight: Ibis Styles Routes or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, check out of the hotel and be transferred to the airport in time for your international flight to Istanbul, Türkiye.

Upon arrival into Istanbul, make your way to Exit 14 (IST Airport) and be met by the tour leader and transferred to the hotel. If you are too early for check-in, your luggage can be stored at the hotel until the room is ready. The rest of the day is yours to explore this vibrant city at leisure. Istanbul was the capital city of Byzantium, Roman Empires and Ottoman State. It is a fascinating city, which crosses two continents: Europe and Asia. Istanbul is full of museums, bazaars, minarets, mosques, churches, palaces and restaurants, catering to everyone’s taste.

Overnight: Mayi Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy an Istanbul City Tour. Visit the Hippodrome, the ancient structure was the scene of chariot races, featuring the three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Continue to the Sultan Ahmet Imperial Mosque, near the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, built in the 16th Century by the architect Mehmet, and known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik Tiles.
The next stop is Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain robes worn by the sultans and their families. Later in the afternoon, after lunch at leisure (not included), head to the famous Spice Bazaar, where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. Browse the authentic gifts, Turkish coffee, herbs, spices and handicrafts.
Please note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. If the tour is affected, it will be replaced with a visit to the Turkish Islamic Art Museum.

Overnight: Mayi Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning depart for Gallipoli to visit the battlefields. Upon arrival in Gallipoli around midday, enjoy some free time for lunch before departing for the battlefields. Visit Ari Burnu Cemetery, Anzac Cove, Beach Cemetery, Conk Bayiri (Chunuk Bair) and Lone Pine. After the tour continue to Canakkale and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure in this approximately 330-Km day.

Overnight: Troia Tusan Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, depart Canakkale for your next adventure on an approximately 447-Km day. On route to Kusadasi, visit the famous archaeological site of Troy, known for the legends of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. After the tour, travel to Pergamon, where you will enjoy some free time before departing for a tour of its magnificent Acropolis. Pergamon’s impressive temples and library once made it a renowned cultural and political centre. Today, the town is famous for its jewellery, stones and silver, so a stop at a jewellery centre is a must. Arrive in Kusadasi this evening and check into the hotel.

Overnight: Palmin Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world. Visit the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, the famous Roman baths, Celsus Library, Grand Theatre and the House of the Virgin Mary. After a lunch break (not included), visit a place that continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Türkiye, a carpet weaving centre.

Afterwards, enjoy a tour of the Turkish village of Sirince, known for its pretty white painted houses. Sirince also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Türkiye - especially fruit wines. Enjoy a visit to a vineyard and learn how to make fruit wine with Turkish winemakers. On the way back to the hotel, visit one of the famous leather production centres of the region.

Overnight: Palmin Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, after breakfast, depart for Pamukkale on this approximately 188-Km-day. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel. Today, enjoy a tour to the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (which means ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish) and the ruins of Hierapolis. Walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of bathing in the waters of the natural hot springs.

Overnight: Pam Thermal Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, travel to Konya, stopping for coffee and a break along the way, in an approximately 650-Km day. Upon arrival, visit the imposing, green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the resting place of the mystic founder of the Sufi sect the ‘Whirling Dervishes’. Afterwards, continue the journey to the magnificent historical region of Cappadocia. Check-in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight: El Puente Cave Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Following breakfast, drive to the Ozkonak underground city, one of Cappadocia’s best preserved underground cities. Afterwards, visit Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia. Next, visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, the ‘Heart of Cappadocia’. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to the 10th Century, describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks. Afterwards, visit a pottery workshop to see how the locals make pottery. Then continue to Pasabagi to see three headed fairy chimneys, a unique natural formation. Next stop is Devrent Valley, also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations. Enjoy some time shopping at a handicraft centre. The last stop is the Three Beauties; three fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. After the tour transfer back to the hotel.

Optional Activity: Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia (book on tour, not included)
Early this morning, why not take the opportunity to join an amazing optional experience? Take a hot air balloon over the spectacular landscape of Cappadocia. Book on tour, not included.

Please note:

• As you can appreciate, Hot Air Ballooning is a highly sought after bucket list adventure and is dependent on good weather conditions. As a result, prices can fluctuate quite dramatically and we recommend researching before you travel so that you can manage your travel budget.
• If you wish to embark on the balloon journey then please inform the tour leader the day prior.

Overnight: El Puente Cave Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy the morning at leisure or take the opportunity to take part in an optional tour. At the appropriate time, transfer to Kayseri Airport for the domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation to enjoy your final evening at leisure.

Optional Tour: Early Morning Jeep Safari
Starting at 06:00, drive to Cappadocia Valley to explore the scenery while all the balloons are up in the air, following their path by land through the Fairy Chimneys. You will return to the hotel just in time to prepare for your flight back to Istanbul.

Overnight: Mayi Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, check out of your hotel and be transferred to the airport in time for your international flight to Cairo - the sprawling capital of Egypt.
Upon arrival, be met by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Pyramids Park or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Your Egyptian odyssey begins at the amazing Great Pyramids of Giza and the nearby Sphinx. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is a breathtaking man-made structure, built from enormous stone blocks with a white limestone covering. Together with the smaller pyramids, the sight of these huge structures is unforgettable. Afterwards, visit the ancient capital of Memphis and the famous Step Pyramid of Sakkara.

Overnight: Pyramids Park or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today enjoy a visit to the 12th century Saladin Citadel of Cairo and the Mohammed Ali Mosque. Afterwards discover the 14th century souk, Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, famous for its handmade crafts. In the afternoon, explore the world-famous Egyptian Museum, home to a staggering number of ancient Egyptian artefacts.

Please note: This visit is to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is not included in this itinerary, but a visit to the GEM can be arranged at your leisure for an additional cost.

Overnight: Pyramids Park or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, transfer to the Cairo Airport for your internal flight to Luxor in Upper Egypt. Upon arrival, explore the fascinating Karnak Temple, dedicated to the Pharaoh Amun, and once linked to the Luxor Temple by the three-kilometre-long Avenue of Sphinxes. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the Luxor cruise port to embark on your four-night Nile River cruise.

Overnight: Royal Ruby, MS Sarah or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

This morning, the ship will cross to the West Bank of the Nile to explore the Valley of the Kings, known as the "Gateway to the Afterlife"; which provides a window to the past. Many of the tombs within the valley were once filled with an abundance of antiquities. Though many suffered at the hands of grave robbers, others thankfully remained unscathed. Next is a visit to Deir el-Bahari, the mortuary temple of ‘Pharaoh Queen’ Hatshepsut. Rising out of the desert sands in a series of terraces, it’s an incredible sight to behold. On the way back to the river Nile, the road passes by the famed Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Overnight: Royal Ruby, MS Sarah or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

This morning visit the magnificent Temple of Horus. The temple was the 'home' and cultural centre of the falcon god Horus of Behdet (the ancient name for Edfu), and remains one of Egypt’s best preserved temples. Once back onboard, continue sailing to Kom Ombo, where you will visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. Dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god, the temple occupies a stunning location overlooking the Nile. In the afternoon, the cruise continues to Aswan. Tonight, experience a galabeya (a traditional Egyptian garment) party on board.

Overnight: Royal Ruby, MS Sarah or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Be ready for an early start this morning to cross the desert to visit the incredible Abu Simbel, which was originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC, as a monument to himself and his queen, Nefertari. The complex was relocated to higher ground in its entirety in 1968 to make way for the Aswan High Dam reservoir. In the afternoon relax on board a traditional felucca (sailing boat) as you cruise down the Nile towards Aswan.

Overnight: Royal Ruby, MS Sarah or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

After breakfast, disembark the cruise ship in Aswan before enjoying a sightseeing tour of the city. See highlights such as the impressive Aswan High Dam, the picturesque Temple of Isis on Philae Island, and the Unfinished Obelisk. Afterwards, transfer to the Aswan airport for your flight to Cairo.

Overnight: Pyramids Park or similar

Meals included: Breakfast