Tour made up of a Turkey coach tour, Greek Island Cruise, and Athens mini-stay.
Guaranteed Min 2 pax
2020 Departure Dates:
Apr 16, 23, 30 ; May 07, 14, 21, 28; Jun 04, 11, 25; Jul 09, 23; Aug 06, 20; Sep 03, 10, 17, 24; Oct 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
Highlights:
- Experience the moving sites of Gallipoli – Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine Cemetery, and ANZAC Cove
- Explore Greek islands with ease in the comfort of a cruise
- Discover the antiquity of ancient Greek sites such as the Acropolis
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Itinerary
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Accommodation
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Important Information
Day 1: Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. On arrival please clear customs and immigration. In arrivals area you will be met by a representative of our local agent and then transferred to your tour hotel. Remainder of day at leisure. Tonight meet your tour companions on your Turkey - Greece Highlights coach tour at a welcome briefing. Your accommodation is reserved for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2: Istanbul (B)
Start your discovery of Istanbul with a visit to Topkapi Palace (excluding harem), residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1453 to 1852. Visit the Hippodrome which was once the centre of life, where chariot racing and other public events took place. Continue to the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616 and famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next see St. Sophia, a church converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, now a museum, and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets.
Tonight optional dinner with belly dancing. (Supplement applies)
Day 3: Istanbul - Gallipoli - Dardanelles – Canakkale (BD)
Today visit Troy famous for it's wooden horse. Before arriving into Asclepion, have lunch with locals in a traditional local village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Centre in Asclepion and continue to Izmir for two nights.
Day 5: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Izmir (B)
Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus an important cultural centre of the ancient world and explore the 2000 year-old marble streets, the theatre, the library of Celsius, and Hadrian’s Temple. Continue to St Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years, accompanied by St John.
Optional: Dinner at a local restaurant (Supplement applies)
Day 6: Izmir - Greek Islands Cruise (BD)
After breakfast transfer to the pier and embark on a cruise ship at Kusadasi for 3 days on the Greek Islands.
Day 7: Cruise - Rhodes (BLD)
An early morning arrival in Rhodes, the island of roses. You have a full day to explore on your own; you may join an optional sightseeing tour or simply take a taxi to one of the many nearby beaches for a swim in the crystal clear Aegean waters.
Day 8: Cruise - Heraklion - Santorini (BLD)
Early morning arrival into Heraklion, Crete. Here you may discover the town on your own or join an optional excursion to the Palace of Knossos. Your next port of call is Santorini where you are free to explore the land of the fabled Atlantis.
Day 9: Santorini - Athens (B)
Arrive in Athens and after breakfast disembark from the cruise, then you will be transferred to your Athens hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover this ancient city.
Day 10: Athens (B)
A morning city tour includes the famed Acropolis with its dominating views of the city and the site of the renowned Parthenon followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Athens.
Day 11: Athens (B)
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
TOUR INCLUSIONS:
- First Class Accommodation with Private Facilities during the coach tour
- 3 night Celestial Cruise in a Category XA outside cabin
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Air conditioned transportation and transfers
- All transfers
- Licensed guides throughout the land tours within Turkey
- Local taxes and service charges
- Travel Notes – Issued by Innovative Travel
TOUR EXCLUSIONS:
- International airfares
- Optional tours and excursions
- Port Taxes and Turkey embarkation fee total US$189 per person
- Porterage
- Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
- Personal Expenses
- Departure taxes
- Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
- Visas (unless specified)
- Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above
Notes:
This programme is a combination of a coach tour cruise and mini-stay in Athens. The Group size will vary and some passengers will only participate in a portion of the tour.
Airport transfers are included on days of the tour excluding Istanbul Ataturk Airport, a surcharge will apply for transfers to or from Sabiha Gocken Airport. If you are arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival and departure days of the tour, transfers will not be included in the price of the Coach Tour. However if pre or post tour accommodation is booked, transfers to Ataturk airport are included.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Porterage for one suitcase is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity the single bag should not exceed the dimensions of 30”x18”x10” and not weigh more than 50lbs (23kg). A charge of US $4 per travelling day is collected by the tour director for each additional piece of baggage, or if the suitcase exceeds established weight and/or dimension limitations. Alternatively you might leave your luggage at your Istanbul Hotel storage.
The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only
Istanbul
W Hotel Istanbul
Canakkale
Kolin Hotel
Izmir
Swissotel
Greek Islands Cruise
Celestyal Cruise Line Cabin Category: XA (standard outside)
Athens
Electra Hotel
Dress Codes Modest dress is required for entrance to holy sites – Men: Long pants, Women – skirt or long pants and shoulders covered.
Hotels On coach tours, hotels in regional areas (i.e Pamukkale) can be of a slightly lower standard than the other hotels on the tour.
Sightseeing All sightseeing tours require a moderate amount of walking around historical / cultural sites. This is particularly true in Cappadocia where walks can be up to 1 or 2 km long and where a good level of fitness will ensure you get a maximum enjoyment from your visit. On some tours you may visit a carpet or handicraft shop where the locals will show how their crafts are made. There is no obligation to buy any products at any of these places.
Transfers Transfers are operated by drivers and are not guided. Some drivers may only have a basic command of English.
Optional Tours Optional tours offered during coach tours may not be guaranteed (even if pre-booked ex New Zealand) as they are subject to a minimum number of participants.
Private Sightseeing tours (if booked) If a private sightseeing tour is booked it is important that you discuss the days arrangements with the guide as the touring programmes have a degree of flexibility. It is important to discuss with the guide so that any specific requirements can be met or addressed at the time.
Istanbul airport transfers: For coach tours: airport transfers are included on days of the tour ex Istanbul Airport, a surcharge will apply for transfers to or from Sabiha Gocken Airport. Transfers from the hotel to the Airport may be on scheduled shuttles. Late Evning or early morning flights may require private transfers at a supplement.
For independent / private tours: if included, airport transfers are applied ex Ataturk Airport, a surcharge will apply for transfers to or from Sabiha Gocken Airport.
Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.
