Duration
13 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Start city
Athens
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
Dear Traveler: thank you for choosing us to perform this Tour! We hope you enjoy your trip.
Here we give you a guidance on their tour with the information that we believe may be of your interest. The information is indicative, may exist variations on designated hours.
TRANSFER from the airport, if you have it included or purchasing. Our transfer will be waiting for you with a poster on behalf of Europamundo or its name to the output of the custom (after collecting your luggage)..
Remember to inform us by phone if you lost your connection flight or expected delay of their arrival, in your VOUCHER figure the phone of the transfer.
IMPORTANT: If you had additional nights upon arrival the hotel will have your reservation, but his travel guide normally will not be until the night before the start of the tour.
IMPORTANT: Please note that hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00 p.m. If you need early room access, consider booking an additional night at the start of your trip.
If you have booked additional nights, your room will be prepared upon arrival, but your trip guide will generally only contact you when the scheduled activities begin. At reception, you’ll find a sign with contact details and assistance hours for our staff. Until the tour begins, your schedule is free, and the hotel staff can assist with any inquiries.
Optional activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. We recommend booking these activities well in advance through the Europamundo app or your "My Trip" link to ensure availability. Last-minute bookings may result in limited availability (e.g., tickets, coach seats).
Note: The timings in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust schedules as needed to make sure you have the best experience.
-Overnight on board. For your comfort, we recommend packing a small bag with essentials, as you can leave your larger suitcase in the ferry´s hold. Please bring your passport, as it may be required when boarding.
-Depending on the number of passengers, your guide may not accompany you on board. If that´s the case, a new guide will meet you upon arrival on the island.
08:00 a.m. - In the morning, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Athens with a local guide. We´ll see the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium—site of the first modern Olympic Games—the National Library, and the bustling downtown squares. The tour will end near the Acropolis. While admission to the Acropolis is not included, our guide will inform you of anything you’d wish to know. You’ll have free time afterward.
In the afternoon, we will head to the Port of Piraeus to board the overnight ferry, equipped with amenities similar to those found on cruise ships. Accommodation will be in a double cabin with a private bathroom. You will spend the night on board.
Ferry departure times are subject to change. The scheduled departure time is at 6:00 p.m. We recommend enjoying the ship´s deck while sailing, dining in the onboard restaurant, and relaxing during the crossing. Please note that breakfast is not included.
-The ferry from Rhodes to Marmaris may be subject to schedule changes, which might require adjustments to your itinerary. This could include taking a flight from Athens to Rhodes on Monday afternoon to ensure you visit all the planned destinations. Depending on the number of passengers, your assigned guide may not accompany you on the ferry trip. A new guide will be waiting for you upon arrival in Marmaris.
-Remember that we are entering Turkey, so please bring your passport. You will need to carry your luggage on the ferry.
We’ll arrive in Rhodes early in the morning. Enjoy a tour of the city, including its impressive walled citadel and Old Town, showcasing influences from various cultures such as Greek, Roman, Byzantine, the Knights of St. John, Ottoman, and Italian. The tour will last approximately two hours and will be led by a local guide. Afterward, you´ll have free time to explore this marvelous and vibrant tourist city.
Around 4:00 p.m., we’ll transfer back to the port for border formalities. Our ferry is scheduled to depart at 5:00 p.m., although the schedule may be subject to change. The crossing takes approximately one hour. Upon arrival in Turkey, we’ll go through customs and border formalities.
06:00 p.m. - Marmaris, a beautiful coastal tourist destination featuring a castle, marina, and fountains. Accommodation will be in this region and dinner will be included.
Note: On certain dates, especially during the summer, due to high hotel occupancy, our accommodations may be in Akyaka or another nearby town close to Marmaris.
Scenery: A mix of coastal views and high mountain landscapes, offering striking contrasts.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Marmaris.
09:30 a.m. - Dalyan. This incredible location sits beside a beautiful, navigable river. Enjoy some free time for coffee at one of the many riverside restaurants. We’ll also include a one-hour boat ride to see the Lycian Rock Tombs.
11:30 a.m. – Departure from Dalyan. We’ll continue our journey through scenic mountain terrain, with a stop for lunch along the way.
04:15 p.m. - Antalya. We’ll take a brief tour of this vibrant coastal city, home to over a million people. Highlights include Hadrian’s Gate, the Ottoman district, and a stunning waterfall that plunges directly into the sea. Dinner will be included.
Scenery: Stunning contrasts, from coastal seascapes to high mountains with snowy peaks, and the arid landscapes of Anatolia.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Antalya.
09:00 a.m. - Aspendos. We’ll visit the Roman theater, widely regarded as the best-preserved in the world.
09:45 a.m. - Departure from Aspendos.
10:30 a.m. - Side. This small, lively tourist town is bustling with shops and activity. You’ll have free time to explore. Be sure to visit the Greek Temple of Apollo by the sea and take a stroll around the port and lively streets.
12:30 p.m. – Departure from Side. As we travel through stunning landscapes, we’ll cross the Taurus Mountains, with peaks that rise over 3,500 meters and remain snow-covered for most of the year. We’ll stop for a meal at a charming rest area in the mountains.
05:00 p.m. - Karaman. This city has an oriental charm. We’ll make a brief stop to view the exterior of the fortress.
05:45 p.m. - Departure from Karaman. We’ll journey across the vast arid plains of southern Anatolia.
08:00 p.m. - Nigde. We suggest taking a stroll through the bazaar, the ancient mosque, and the fortress. Dinner will be included.
Scenery: Landscapes with spectacular shapes and picturesque villages.
Notes: Comfortable shoes are a must today as we continue exploring Cappadocia.
09:00 a.m. – Departure from Nigde. We’ll spend the entire day exploring the fascinating region of Cappadocia. Our first stop will be Gumusler, an incredible 7th-century underground monastery, home to some of the finest Byzantine frescoes in Turkey. Next, in Kaymacli, we’ll visit Cappadocia’s impressive underground city. Its tunnels once sheltered up to 30,000 people. We’ll then head to Uchisar, where you’ll get to see the 60-meter rock filled with houses carved into caves. After a break for lunch, we’ll explore the Göreme Valley, visiting its the remarkable open-air museum featuring over 30 churches carved into the rocks, some adorned with stunning frescoes
We’ll stay in Avanos, a delightful town in the heart of Cappadocia. In the evening, after dinner, we suggest attending the optional "Turkish Night" show.
Scenery: We’ll continue through the stunning landscapes of Cappadocia, followed by arid and flat regions.
Note: Comfortable shoes are a must today as we continue exploring Cappadocia. In Konya, we’ll visit sites that are considered sacred by the Dervish order, so please wear appropriate clothing.
07:30 a.m. - Departure from Nevsehir. We’ll travel along scenic, less-traveled roads, venturing into areas that aren’t as crowded with tourists.
09:45 a.m. - Ihlara canyon. We’ll enjoy the cooler air by the river as we explore churches carved into the canyon’s rocky walls.
11:45 a.m. - Departure from Ihlara canyon.
01:00 p.m. - Arrival at Sultanhan. Here, we’ll visit one of the most beautiful caravanserais, a magnificent structure that recalls the great camel caravans that once traveled these lands. You’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch.
02:45 p.m. - Departure from Sultanhan. We’ll pass lands with large herds and arid plains.
04:15 p.m. - Konya. We’ll visit the Mevlana Mausoleum, a sacred place for the Dervish order, a Sufi fraternity known for its whirling "trance" dances. Afterward, you might want to take a stroll through the lively bazaar. Dinner will be included.
In the evening, we recommend attending a dervish dance performance at the cultural center.
Scenery: A mix of mountain landscapes and serene lakes, with a breathtaking view of the "cotton mountain" at the end of the day.
Notes: We recommend bringing shoes that are easy to take off and carry for walking in Pamukkale. If you’d like, pack a swimsuit to enjoy the thermal waters.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Konya. We’ll continue our journey through the heart of Turkey.
11:15 a.m. - Egridir. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll in this charming town, nestled by a lake of the same name, with ancient walls and mosques.
01:30 p.m. – Departure from Egridir.
04:15 p.m. - Pamukkale. Admission included. At the "cotton mountain," our coach will drop you off at the summit, where you can explore Roman-era ruins before descending on foot through the natural hot springs and baths. The sunset colors are truly spectacular. Our coach will pick you up at the base. Later, you’ll have time to relax in the hotel’s thermal pools. Dinner included.
Scenery: Varied, with coastal views as we approach the end of the day.
Note: Comfortable shoes are recommended for the Ephesus visit.
08:30 a.m. – Departure from Pamukkale.
11:30 a.m. - Ephesus. We’ll explore an incredible complex of Roman ruins. Two thousand years ago, this city was home to a quarter of a million people. Our guided tour will include the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and the impressive Ephesus ancient city ruins (admission included). Free time for lunch after.
04:00 p.m. – Departure from Ephesus. We’ll continue toward the Aegean coast.
04:30 p.m. - Kusadasi. Arrival in this lively coastal town, bustling with shops and a vibrant nightlife. We’ll visit a leather goods gallery to learn about the region’s renowned lambskin garments. You’ll have free time to explore the bazaars and visit the castle. Dinner will be included.
Note: During the high season, from the beginning of June to the end of September, accommodation will be provided in a town near Kusadasi.
Scenery: The Anatolian interior, featuring impressive suspension bridges spanning the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus Strait.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Kusadasi.
09:30 a.m. – Izimir. We’ll take a brief guided tour of the third most populous city in Turkey, where our guide will lead a brief tour of this vibrant metropolis, known for being the most westernized and modern in the country.
10:45 a.m. – Departure from Izmir. We’ll continue traveling through the interior of Turkey, with a stop for lunch along the way.
04:00 p.m. - Bursa. Arrival in Turkey’s fourth-largest city, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the traditional commercial districts, mosques, religious schools, public baths, and the renowned Green Mosque.
06:00 p.m. – Departure from Bursa.
08:15 p.m. – Istanbul.
07:30 p.m. - As the afternoon draws to a close, we´ll arrange a transfer to Taksim, the city´s most vibrant commercial district. Here, you´ll have time to dine at one of the many restaurants. You can also enjoy a ride on the old tram that traverses the area or visit the nearby Galata Tower. We´ll return to the hotel around 10:00 p.m.
Important: Please note that during your stay in Istanbul, services may vary, potentially including a boat ride on the Bosphorus on the first day and a panoramic visit on the second day.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You can go shopping in the Grand Bazaar, visit Hagia Sophia, and discover numerous other attractions in this magnificent city.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.