Day 1 Thu: Istanbul

• Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing.

 

Day 2 Fri: Istanbul (B)

• Enjoy a full-day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding Harem). 

• Visit the Hippodrome, once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place.

• Tour the Blue Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles.

• An optional visit to St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, still functioning as a mosque today and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders.

• Your last stop is the Grand Bazaar. 

• Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. 

 

Day 3 Sat: Gallipoli – Dardanelles – Canakkale (B,D)

• Depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWI. 

• Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair, then overnight in Canakkale.

 

Day 4 Sun: Troy – Pergamum – Izmir (B,L)

• Visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other. 

• Before arriving into Asklepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local village. 

• Continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Center in Asklepion and then continue to Izmir for overnight.

 

Day 5 Mon: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Izmir (B)

• Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000-year-old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium, and Hadrian’s Temple.

• Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. 

• Continue to a regional rug production center to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. 

• Overnight at the hotel in Izmir.

 

Day 6 Tue: Izmir – Bodrum (B)

• After breakfast, drive to Bodrum to visit the castle of St. Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum that was awarded the best Underwater Museum of the World in the 2000s.

• Overnight in Bodrum.

 

Day 7 Wed: Bodrum - Marmaris (B)

• After breakfast,depart for Marmaris. Overnight in Marmaris

 

Day 8 Thu: Marmaris - Rhodes (B)​

• Morning transfer to port for hydrofoil trip to Rhodes, Greece. Arrive and transfer to hotel for overnight.

 

Day 9 Fri: Rhodes (B)​

• A day of leisure; you may visit Old Rhodes or taken an optional tour to Lindos.

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Day 10 Sat: Rhodes- Santorini (B)​

• Transfer to the airport for a flight to Santorini. Arrival and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

 

Day 11 Sun: Santorini (B)​

• A free day to visit one of the many villages of Santorini, perched on top of the volcano, or enjoy a sun-soaked afternoon on the beach.

 

Day 12 Mon: Santorini - Mykonos (B)​

• Transfer to the pier for a hydrofoil or ferry ride to Mykonos. Arrival and transfer for your jotel. Enjoy the nightlife of Mykonos

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Day 13 Tue: Mykonos (B)​

• Explore the many beaches of Mykonos and absorb the ambiance of this Cycladic

 

Day 14 Wed: Mykonos - Athens (B)​

• Morning is free. Board on a ferry to Athens. Arriva and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy an Optional dinner with folklore dancing, or visit the quaint Plaka area.

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Day 15 Thu: Athens (B)​

• Tour Athens’ famed Acropolis with its breathtaking view and renowned Parthenon, followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum. On your own, explore the Plaka with its open-air taverns and traditional shops.

 

Day 16 Fri: Athens - Return  (B)​

• A Neon Tours representative escorts you to the airport for the flight home.

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Meal Codes:

- B: Breakfast

- L: Lunch

- D: Dinner

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