Best of Greece and Turkey with 3-Day Cruise (Small Group)

About this boat trip in Athens

• Live guideEnglish, Spanish
• Duration14 days
• CancellationCancellation Policy Packages with Flights / Cruise
• Activity levelEasy

• Food on board

Timeline: how the party goes

1. Athens Arrival

   Arrival at the airport and meet & greet with our  assistant to help you to transfer to your hotel.  Rest of the day is free at leisure

   Overnight: Athens Hotel 3* Meals: Not Available

2. Athens

   After breakfast we will meet you at your hotel or close by, in order to start the morning Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium, home to the first Olympic Games of the modern era, where we will make a short stop. As we continue our trip, we will pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex Royal Palace), guarded by the Evzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy of Athens, the University, the National Library and the Constitution Square (Syntagma). One cannot take a tour of Athens without visiting the Acropolis, one of the world’s most prominent sites and a symbol for democracy in the Western world!  It is there that you will explore architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Pericles. From the Propylaea, to the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and of course the Parthenon, a place where ‘there is harmony between material and spirit’, and the monument that ‘restores order in the mind’, as ancient Greeks used to say. Your last stop will be the modern Acropolis Museum, with nearly 4,000 exhibits of Hellenism housed inside. Return approximately at 13:30

   Afternoon is free at leisure in Athens.  Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast

3. Athens – Mykonos

   After breakfast, transfer to the Port of Lavrion to embark on your cruise. We leave the historic and classical capital of Greece and set sail for our first destination, the beautiful island of Mykonos, also known as the Island of the Winds. As the ship approaches the island in the late afternoon, you'll be greeted by the dazzling white buildings and iconic rocky coastline. Take an evening stroll through the atmospheric Old Town (Chora) with its immaculate whitewashed houses, winding alleys, lovely little churches, and delightful restaurants at the water's edge in the famous neighbourhood of Little Venice. You will undoubtedly recognize the picture postcard white windmills sitting side by side, overlooking the sea – a perfect spot for that first holiday photograph as the sun begins to set over the Aegean.

   Trip Note: Arrive in Mykonos at 06:00 pm (tender) and depart at 11:00 pm. All shore excursions are optional
   Overnight: Cruise Ship | Meals: Full board on board

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4. Kusadasi - Patmos

   We arrive in the colorful Turkish beach town of Kusadasi in the morning. This is the coastal gateway to the Hellenistic ruins of Ephesus, famed for one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis.

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   After-noon sail to Patmos, one of northernmost islands in the Dodecanese and one of all the smallest has a charm all its own. It is famous for being the supposed location of the vision to John the Baptist in the Book of Revelations and where it was written. Most scholars say this was probably someone else, but why spoil such a good story?

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   Trip Note: Arrive in Kusadasi at 07:00am Leaving Kusadasi at 01:00pm and arriving in Patmos at 04:30pm(tender boat) Leaving Patmos at 09:30pm for Heraklion Crete.
   Please Note: All shore excursions are optional and can be pre-booked
   Overnight: Cruise Ship | Meals: Full board on board 

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5. Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini

   Welcome to Crete, Greece’s largest island, a place of mystery, myths and legends. There’s the chance to take in the bustling city of Heraklion and some of Crete’s extraordinary archaeology and history. You can also learn more of the art and creativity of the Minoans. Our odyssey continues as we spend an evening in Santorini, whose stunning face is instantly recognisable across the world.

   Trip Note: Arrive in Heraklion Crete at 07:00am (Dock) and Leaving at 12:00pm . Arrive in Santorini at 04:30pm (tender) and leave from Santorini at 09:30pm.
   Please Note: All shore excursions are optional and can be pre-booked
   Overnight: Cruise Ship | Meals: Full board on board

6. Athens - Istanbul – Ankara

   We arrive back in the port of Piraeus in the early morning. After one last breakfast on board, surrounded by the memories of three unforgettable islands, it is time to disembark your cruise ship and transfer to Athens International Airport for your flight to Ankara via Istanbul. Upon arrival in Ankara meet with our Turkish team and transfer to the hotel.

   ­Overnight: Ankara Meals: Breakfast – Dinner

7. Ankara - Cappadocia

   Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Anatolian Civilizations Museum where you will see the Neolithic & Paleolithic ruins from Urartu, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygia civilizations, then proceed to Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic. In the afternoon drive to Cappadocia. En-route visit the Underground city that is one of the biggest underground cities in the region, constructed by the first Christians to protect themselves from the attacks

   Possibility to upgrade your hotel to a Cave Hotel

   Overnight at Hotel Dinler 4**** or similar.  Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast – Dinner

8. Cappadocia

   Breakfast. Full day visit at Cappadocia . Visit Göreme Open Air Museum – a UNESCO Heritage site, a fantastic region with its cave churches located on the valley. Then proceed to Uchisar Village and then the spectacular fairy chimneys. Visit Derbent Valley with and explore the natural rock formations and get a chance to attend the workshops of carpets and onyx-stones.

   Optional : Fly Over Cappadocia with Hot Air Balloons

   In the early morning departure from your hotel. a chance to live this unique experience, an overlooking to Cappadocia from the sky, see the beauty of the region the rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural formations, lunar landscapes.

   Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast – Dinner

9. Cappadocia - Sultanhani - Pamukkale

   After the breakfast at the hotel, drive to Pamukkale. En route visit Sultanhan Caravansarai that was built during Seljuk Empire and used long years as a stopover for the travelers and merchants. Continue to Pamukkale. Visit Cotton Steps – a UNESCO heritage site that has been believed to have healing thermal water.

   Dinner and overnight at the Thermal Hotel Ademipira or similar  5*****.

10. Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir

    Breakfast. Drive to Selcuk – Ephesus. Visit the Ephesus Ruins – the city that was dedicated to Artemis I the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora .Then proceed for Virgin Mary House – has been believed it is the final resting place of the mother of Jesus . Then stop at Leather Production Store. Proceed for Izmir . Overnight at Hotel Blanca or similar 4****

    Overnight: İzmir Meals: Breakfast – Dinner

11. İzmir – Pergamon – Troy – Canakkale

    Breakfast. Drive to Pergamon (Bergama) region and visit the ruins of Asclepion which is the first hospital of Asia Minor in human history. Then continue to Troy , visit the famous city that evokes the poetic name of Homer’s Iliad. Continue to Canakkale. Hotel Akol 4**** or similar.

12. Çanakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul

    Breakfast. We will cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry and continue to Gallipoli Peninsula. We will visit one of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli, including Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial,The Nek,Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial.

    Overnight:İstanbul Meals: Breakfast

13. Istanbul

    Breakfast at the hotel. Pick-up at 08:00am. Visit of Topkapi Palace including Harem section. Free time in the Grand Bazaar. (Half day) Rest of the day is free at leisure

    Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast 

14. Istanbul Departure

    After breakfast free-time at leisure until your departure time. Transfer to the airport and end of our services.

    Overnight: Not Available Meals: Breakfast

    
    

    Important Trip Note: In case you depart after 7:00pm or you add an additional night with us, there is also a complimentary tour of Istanbul classics tour.

What’s included

Good to know before you go

Where the boat leaves in Athens

Frequently asked questions