Depart for Turkey

Arrive at Istanbul airport, meet our representative. Proceed to pre booked hotel. Check in at hotel. Later in the evening we will be proceeding for famous Bosphorus cruise tour. It is one of the most popular, unique and fantastic forms of entertainment on your Istanbul visit. It is also one of the best ways to discover and enjoy the most beautiful sights and sounds of the city over the sea. Complimentary drinks and canapés are provided while you sail, find out about the history of Istanbul’s landmarks from your on-board guide, a cruise for all seasons. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Around 8.00 – 8.30 AM we will pick you up from your hotel and you'll start to explore around Istanbul's iconic heritages of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires with your English-speaking guide.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SITES HAGIA SOPHIA: Hagia Sophia is a 1400-year-old Byzantine cathedral that is a true source of architectural inspiration. After a thousand years, Hagia Sophia is still seen as one of the world's most important architectural monuments.

BLUE MOSQUE: Blue Mosque as known as Sultanahmet Mosque has built during the reign of Sultan Ahmet I. Blue Mosque is the only mosque in Turkey that has 6 minarets. With its fascinating hand-dyed tiles it has been named Blue Mosque.

HIPPODROME SQUARE: Centre of old Byzantine civic life and backdrop of chariot races. Also, Hippodrome Square has 2 more of our stopovers

TOPKAPI PALACE: Residence of early and mid-era Ottoman Sultans. It was the centre of administration of the Ottoman Empire for centuries.

THE GRAND BAZAAR: The Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the World with more than 58 streets and over 1200 shops. It has many options for jewellery, pottery, spice, and carpet shopping. After your tour ends around 16 / 17 PM you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.

Breakfast at hotel (depends on your flight timing) and transfer to the airport to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, as per the timing proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum Tour: Tour starts in the morning from the hotel. Firstly, you will visit to DEVRENT Valley has various types of fairy chimneys. Among these are those with caps, cones, mushroom like forms pillar and pointed rocks. We will take a walk through this amazing valley. Then, you will visit PASABAGLARI (Monk’s Valley) where you will see many fairy chimneys with multiple stems and caps can be found here, this style being unique to this area. A chapel dedicated to St. Simeon and a hermit's shelter is built into one such fairy chimney with three heads. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

In the early morning Hot Air Balloon Tour (optional) and then Kaymakli Underground City Tour: Tour starts in the morning from the Hotel. Firstly, you will have a hiking tour from RED Valley to Çavuşin Village, one of the old Greek villages in Cappadocia. This village is famous for the houses and churches of the Christian clergymen. Then, we will have lunch in a local restaurant. After having lunch, you will visit Ortahisar Castle which resembles Uchisar Castle in style. In this small village, you will also chance to see storage places. The inhabitants of Ortahisar earn their living by storing fruits yearlong in the caves cut from the volcanic rock. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli Underground City where early Christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back visit PIGEON Valley where you will see where the Pigeons and hear of how they were used to help the people. Some examples were to send messages and to fertilize the grapes. Also, you will see a wonderful panoramic view. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Proceed to airport, fly to Izmir and meet our representative at airport, later we proceed to Kusadasi, Enroute we will visit ancient city called Ephesus. Walk on the ancient roads of the Roman City and learn the history of early Christians in the region. After lunch (own account) proceed to Kusadasi. Late evening Arrive and check in at hotel.

After pickups from hotels, you will drive to Pamukkale. Along the way, feast your eyes on the beautiful Turkish Villages. After a 2-hour drive, you will arrive at Pamukkale, located in the province of Denizli. This natural wonder is comprised of terraces and travertine formed by hot springs and streams depositing carbonate minerals. Pamukkale has gained eminence for its waters which are believed to have curative powers and been used as a thermal bath for centuries. Located near to Pamukkale, Hierapolis was established in 200 BC by Eumenes II in dedication to the Amazon Queen Hiera. The city which fell under the rule of the Turks in the 9th century still preserves its value and significance, welcoming thousands of visitors to its ancient monuments and natural wonders every year. Overnight at Kusadasi.

Transfer to Izmir airport for a flight to Athens via Istanbul. Greece, the land of ancient history and breath-taking scenery. Arrive at the airport, your transfer is waiting to greet you. Olive groves outside of the city. Check- in to the hotel and overnight stay at Athens.

After breakfast proceeding to explore Athens. Athens is the capital of Greece. It was also at the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple. Today’ sightseeing includes Parthenon, Acropolis & Acropolis Museum. The Acropolis is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon.

Today after breakfast (as per the ferry timing), transfer to ferry terminal in Piraeus port for your ferry to Santorini. Board the ferry to Santorini. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Santorini.

Breakfast at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore your own the mysterious and majestic Santorini, It is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption. It is famous for dramatic views, stunning sunsets from Oia town, the strange white aubergine (eggplant). Overnight stay in Santorini.

Breakfast at the hotel. You will be transferred to the airport in Athens for your flight back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing Shiloh Holidays.