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Map of Premium Turkey & The Cyclades Islands including Greece and Turkey

Experience the best of Turkey and Greece

Dive into the magic of the Mediterranean on a 16-day Premium exploration of Turkey and Greece. Discover stunning islands and a sunken city, explore ancient cities, cruise the Bosphorus in a private boat, and marvel at diverse landscapes, from the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the glittering Mediterranean Coast. Hop across to the storied city of Athens, explore the charming villages of Paros, uncover ancient riches in Naxos and soak up million-dollar views in Santorini. With knowledgeable local leaders and a group of keen travellers by your side, you’re never far away from an unforgettable moment.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Istanbul, Turkey
Finish
Santorini, Greece
Destinations
Greece, Turkey
Style
Premium
Theme
Explorer
Code
ERPIC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

premium accommodation

Our best accommodation and highest level of service.

premium experiences

Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.

premium knowledge

Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

  • Feast your eyes on the best of Turkey and Greece's otherworldly sights, from the marble streets of ancient Ephesus to the psychedelic rockscapes of Cappadocia and the legendary caldera of Santorini.

  • Indulge in iconic Feature Stays in a dreamlike cave hotel in Cappadocia and a whitewashed hotel with spectacular views in Santorini.

  • Get to know the real Turkey during Exclusive Experiences, including a cooking class with a celebrated chef, visit to an empowering carpet weaving cooperative, and traditional dinner at a locals home in Cappadocia.

  • Understand the dazzling variety of Greek produce during Exclusive Experiences, including a kitron tasting, an afternoon of wine tasting in Santorini and a hands-on cooking class with a local in Naxos.

  • Join experienced local leaders as you stroll the ancient streets of Ephesus, uncover the secrets of Sagalassos, explore the legendary ruins of Pergamon and discover the history and charming villages of Paros.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Pickpocketing can be an issue in Athens, especially on public transport. But if you keep your valuables concealed and secure while travelling on the metro or bus, you should have no problems.

  • Summer temperatures in Greece can reach up to 40°C, so you will need to be able to cope with the heat if you're visiting at this time. Please consider the time of year and your suitability to visiting during that season.

Cruise down the Bosphorus Strait, Turkey
The ruins of the ancient city of Pergamon, Turkey
Woman shopping in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey
Aerial view of cave hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey
ZVPI - Woman looking over the whitewashed village coast of Santorini, Greece
Sunset view of Santorini architecture, Cycladic Islands, Greece
ZVPI - Coastal view of Caldera sea village in Santorini, Greece

Itinerary
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Welcome to Istanbul, the first step of our Turkish adventure. On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your boutique hotel in the heart of the Old City. Istanbul is the largest city in all of Europe, it’s a place filled with history, culture and charm. From the magnificent mosques to the bustling bazaars, this place is sure delight you at every turn. On arrival, you might like to stretch your legs, get acquainted with the city and make your way to visit the 1500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage monument, Hagia Sophia. With incredible architectural beauty and varied history, it was originally built as an Orthodox Christian cathedral, then converted into a mosque, then a museum and has now been turned back into a mosque again. After exploring the city, this evening, join your local leader and small group for an important welcome meeting at the hotel. Then, take a short stroll to a local restaurant to enjoy dinner together and be welcomed with richly flavoured Ottoman and Turkish cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Meroddi Barnathan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Istanbul - Welcome Dinner
  • Istanbul - Welcome Meeting
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

After breakfast, join your small group and local leader to explore Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque. With six minarets, 260 windows and it’s iconic, blue-tiled walls (made up of more than 20,000 Iznik ceramic tiles), the Blue Mosque is known as one of the most magnificent in all of Istanbul. After some time to gaze upon its beauty, you'll head out to explore the rest of the city on an orientation walk. Make your way to Sultanahmet (the Old City, formerly Constantinople), where historical sites and backstreets filled with hidden gems intertwine. Explore the hippodrome and the decorative statues and obelisks that remain from a time when this now tree-lined land would hold thousands of chariot racing fans. Then, get into some good-natured haggling with local artisans in the Grand Bazaar, packed with over 3,000 stalls of handcrafted jewellery, textiles and books. After exploring the best this fascinating city has to offer, it’s time to kick your feet back on a private yacht and marvel at the Istanbul skyline from sea. This fairy-tale experience across the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Europe and Asia, features panoramic views from the waterway that’s dotted with artisan palaces, mansions and historic monuments. Sit back and soak up the vistas after a jam-packed day of exploration.
Accommodation
  • Fer Hotel Istanbul or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit
  • Istanbul - Orientation Walk
  • Istanbul - Private Bosphorus Cruise
Optional Activities
  • Istanbul - Topkapi Palace (Excluding Harem) - TRY320
  • Istanbul - Ebru Marbling Workshop - TRY330
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to Istanbul and journey to Kusadasi, with a stop in Pergamon along the way. The ancient city of Pergamon, sitting high above the Bakirçay Plain in Turkey’s Aegean region, is easily accessible by cable car. At the top of the hill, you’ll discover crumbling ruins, large and small. Some of the most fascinating spots to explore include the well-known library that helped put Pergamon on the map, the colossal Temple of Trajan, 10,000-seat Hellenistic theatre and the Altar of Zeus. After some time here, walking in the footsteps of ancient emperors, we’ll continue to Kusadasi. Tonight, get comfortable at your perfectly appointed boutique hotel on the edge of the Aegean Sea – this will be your home away from home for the next three nights.
Accommodation
  • La Vista Boutique Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pergamon - Ancient City Visit & Cable Car
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 7 hours.

After breakfast today, you’ll explore the ancient city ruins of Ephesus. This is one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Eastern Mediterranean and arguably the greatest Greco-Roman site in the world. As you walk in the footsteps of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, you’ll get a glimpse into how the ancient Romans lived. Stroll the marble streets surrounding the ancient theatre and explore the gymnasium, baths and beautifully restored Library of Celsus. From ancient ruins to ancient traditions, next up you’ll be treated to a carpet weaving demonstration and learn about the art of traditional carpet weaving from local social enterprise; Sultanköy. Carpet weaving holds incredible history in Turkey and has been dated back to the early Neolithic age – Sultanköy provides local women with employment while protecting and developing the ancient tradition. After a picnic lunch at Sultanköy, you’ll learn all about Turkish recipes and flavours with a hands-on cooking class. Get to know the local chef as you prepare a traditional meal and feast on your creations together – the perfect end to an incredible day.
Accommodation
  • La Vista Boutique Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
  • Kusadasi - Sultanköy Carpet Demonstration & Picnic Lunch
  • Kusadasi - Cooking Class
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Wake up without an alarm today and enjoy this coastal paradise at your leisure. Kusadasi is the perfect springboard to see some Turkey’s most incredible ruins and natural wonders, you might choose to take advantage of this and book an optional tour to explore Pamukkale & Hierapolis Ancient City. Pamukkale’s mineral springs have become well-known for their magical turquoise waters framed by a snow-white mineral build-up that cascades over the cliffs. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hot springs were believed to hold therapeutic healing properties by ancients Greeks and Romans. After marvelling at the mineral pools and taking in the incredible landscape, discover nearby Hierapolis Ancient City. Explore the ruins of this equally beautiful ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’d rather skip the optional tour and stay closer to town, perhaps, stroll the seafront promenade and grab a bite to eat by the harbour or enjoy a little banter with the locals at the main bazaar area. However you choose to spend your day, you can swap stories with your fellow travellers over your group dinner this evening.
Accommodation
  • Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today, catch a flight to Kayseri and be swept away by the mystical beauty of Cappadocia, where we’ll stay in specially restored cave suites in the Old City centre. After checking in, you’ll be welcomed into a local home for home-cooked Turkish lunch – the best way to start this leg of our adventure. Next up, it's time to explore Goreme Open Air Theatre. Another incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site to check off our list, you’ll find richly decorated rock-carved churches, monasteries and chapels to marvel at. After getting to know Goreme, it’s time to get to know Cappadocia on a panoramic sights tour. Discover the region’s highlights like Imagination Valley where rock formations, known as fairy chimneys, stand majestically amid the orange-coloured landscape. With your local leader by your side, you’ll learn how these unusual formations came to be.
Accommodation
  • Aya Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Izmir - Flight to Kayseri
  • Cappadocia - Home-cooked lunch
  • Cappadocia - Goreme Open Air Museum
  • Cappadocia - Panoramic Sights Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

After breakfast, we make our way to yet another out-of-this-world location to explore the underground cities beneath Cappadocia. It’s believed that these intricate subterranean homes were created in the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. Amazingly, there are roughly 200 them – more incredibly, they were abandoned in 1923 and not rediscovered until some 40 years later. You might spot remnants of subterranean wine cellars, stables and chapels, although it’s believed they were below ground for safety reasons, these city folk seem to have lived their lives to the fullest. Next, visit the studio of a local ceramic master whose family have been in the pottery business for six generations. You’ll learn the history and techniques of traditional Turkish ceramics and discover how the rich clay from the red river is moulded into exquisite pieces. Finally, in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy an easy hike through Red Valley – named for the incredible red hues the rock formations throw at sunset. Watch in awe as the sun sets over the landscape before heading back to town to enjoy our final dinner together with a delicately prepared traditional central Anatolian dish.

There’ll also be time today to take to the skies with an optional hot air balloon ride (at your own expense) if you wish.
Accommodation
  • Aya Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cappadocia - Kaymaklı Underground City
  • Cappadocia - Farewell Dinner
  • Cappadocia - Pottery demonstration
  • Cappadocia - Red Valley Hike
Optional Activities
  • Optional: Hot Air Balloon Ride - EUR255
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that hot air ballooning can only be booked locally. Please speak to your trip leader at the beginning of the tour to organise this.

This morning you'll transfer to the airport for an unescorted flight to Athens, via Istanbul. Your Greek adventure begins in Athens, Greece’s storied capital with a lively cosmopolitan side. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel, where you will meet your new local leader and fellow travellers for a 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, you may like to pay a visit to Athens’ iconic Acropolis, or perhaps take a walk around the gorgeous National Garden. After your meeting, get a taste of Greece’s celebrated cuisine during dinner with the group at a local restaurant in the vibrant Psiri neighbourhood.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Electra Athens or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Athens - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will likely change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary. We suggest you attend, as this is also a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers. It’s important that you attend the welcome meeting as your new group leader will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning you will be transported to Athens' port at Piraeus and board a ferry bound for Paros – a beautiful and relaxed island with a layered history. Ferries are a great way to travel between the islands and are the lifeblood of many remote islands in Greece's multitude of archipelagos. In the afternoon, get to know Paros during an island tour with a local guide. Start off in Parikia, the island’s main town, where you will visit the Ekatontapiliani church, also known as the Church of a Hundred Doors. Explore charming narrow streets and learn about the architecture of the town. Continue with a drive through the island’s mainland, passing by ancient marble quarries, then stop off at the village of Lefkes. Take some time to explore the peaceful village, surrounded by verdant hills dotted with olive and pine trees, then carry on to Naoussa – a delightful village known for its whitewashed alleys, Venetian castle and stunning port. After your tour, enjoy an evening at leisure.
Accommodation
  • Saint Andrea Seaside Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Paros - Highlights of Paros Half Day Island Tour with Local Guide
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s ferry journey is approximately 3.5 hours.

The day is yours to uncover more of Paros’ charms. There’s certainly no shortage of things to see and do on the island. You may like to begin the day with a guided morning hike along the coast – starting off at a lovely fishing village and weaving through some of the island’s most pristine beaches. In the afternoon you will have the option to visit the nearby island of Antiparos – a favourite secret holiday spot for royals and celebrities, this lesser-known island offers a tranquil escape. Or perhaps you’d like to spend the day relaxing on one of Paros’ many beautiful beaches, cooling off with dips in Aegean Sea. Speak to your leader for more information about the activities on offer today and for tips on how to make the most of this spectacular island.
Accommodation
  • Saint Andrea Seaside Resort or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning you will say goodbye to Paros and catch a short ferry to Naxos. The largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos has something for everyone – from glittering beaches to an endearing Old Town and hundreds of years of Venetian history. Take some time to settle in on arrival, then regroup in the late afternoon to discover the wonders of the town with the guidance of your leader. Pay a visit to the Portara, a giant marble doorway and the only remaining part of an unfinished temple of Apollo from 530 BC. Naxos is unique in the fact it is the Cyclades’ only self-sufficient island, meaning all produce is grown and available on the island without imports. Because of this, the cuisine is hyperlocal and differs to the rest of the country. This evening you will enjoy an included dinner and learn about the wonderful regional specialties of the island.
Accommodation
  • Naxos Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Naxos - Old Town Walk & Portara Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s ferry journey is approximately 30 minutes.

This morning you will drive to Eggares, a small farming village set in the region that produces most of the island’s produce. Here you will tour an olive oil press museum to learn about the importance of olive oil to Greek culture and traditional extraction methods. After your visit, you’ll put your new knowledge to good use as you travel to the nearby village of Galini for a hands-on cooking class. Meet with a local who will share her in-depth culinary knowledge with the group, leaving you with wonderful recipes you can cook up at home to bring you back to the island. First you will collect fresh ingredients from your host’s organic garden and learn about cultivation and farming on Naxos, then you’ll be shown how to put the ingredients together to create a marvellous Naxian dish from scratch, enjoying the fruits of your labour for lunch. Pair your lunch with a tasting of local kitron. With a history stretching back to the 19th century and only produced on Naxos, a taste of this citron liqueur will take you straight to the heart of the island’s culture.
Accommodation
  • Naxos Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Naxos - Cooking Class at a Local Home
  • Naxos - Eggares Olive Oil Press
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today is free to explore more of wonderful Naxos. You may like to head to one of the island’s beaches for a day at leisure, or perhaps discover more of the Naxos’ history at a local museum. The Archaeological Μuseum of Naxos in Chora Naxos dates back to the 17th century and houses artefacts from the Neolithic to the early-Christian periods, and the Geological Museum of Apeiranthos digs up the natural history of the island. If you’re after a sweet treat, walnut cake flavoured with local kitron is an excellent regional specialty. Your leader will be on hand to help tailor a day that suits your interests.
Accommodation
  • Naxos Resort or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Depart Naxos in the morning and catch a ferry to the magnificent island of Santorini. Upon arrival in Santorini's capital, Fira, you will be met and transferred to your Feature Stay hotel. A whitewashed building in the traditional Cycladic style, the hotel boasts a magnificent backdrop of the Santorini caldera and volcano. The island’s breezy, laidback atmosphere is translated into this superb hotel, offering tranquillity away from the main town, and where nothing is too much trouble. Here you’ll enjoy spacious rooms, modern amenities, an expansive swimming pool and a prime location for exploring the treasures of Santorini. Enjoy a free afternoon to absorb this veritable paradise. Your leader will be able to offer suggestions on what to see and do. In the late afternoon make sure you view Santorini's world-famous sunset, which has been immortalised in many photos and works of art.
Accommodation
  • Santorini Palace Hotel (feature stay) or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s ferry journey is approximately 1.5 hours.

In the morning, embark on a hike along Santorini’s legendary caldera. The island you see today is what remains from a huge volcanic explosion that destroyed the early settlements and created a geographical caldera. The spectacular natural beauty of this caldera is what makes Santorini such a special place. Your walk begins at your hotel and you will continue along the north-western rim of the caldera, passing steep cliff faces and experiencing breath-taking views along the way. The walk ends in the town of Oia, built on a steep slope inside Santorini’s incredible volcanic caldera. Famous not only for its stunning scenery, Santorini’s microclimate and volcanic soil make it a top spot for wine production. This afternoon you will sip your way around the island during visits to two wonderful family-run wineries, where you will learn about history of wine production, its importance to the local economy, and taste the different varieties yourself.
Accommodation
  • Santorini Palace Hotel (feature stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Santorini - Caldera Hike
  • Santorini - Winery Excursion & Wine Tasting
Optional Activities
  • Santorini - Thira Prehistoric Museum - EUR6
  • Santorini – Black Sand Beach Umbrella and Sun Bed Rental - EUR75
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's walking distance is approximately 12 km (3 to 5 hours). The surface varies between gravel and loose volcanic scree. There are multiple uphill and downhill sections, and there are no shade and no toilet facilities along the way. Please note that in summer the leader may decide to start the hike as the sun rises in order to avoid the heat of the day. Therefore it may be necessary for you to organise a takeaway breakfast, as the hotel will not serve breakfast this early. Please speak to your leader for more details if you have any concerns. As an alternative to the hike you can take a taxi to Oia instead, and meet up with the rest of the group there, or enjoy a beach day (see Optional Activities) and meet up with the group for the wine tasting in the afternoon.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would to spend some more time on Santorini, additional accommodation can be arranged ahead of time (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

15 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat, Plane, Ferry, Taxi

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (10 nights), Feature Stay (5 nights)

Included activities

  • Istanbul - Welcome Dinner
  • Istanbul - Welcome Meeting
  • Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit
  • Istanbul - Orientation Walk
  • Istanbul - Private Bosphorus Cruise
  • Pergamon - Ancient City Visit & Cable Car
  • Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
  • Kusadasi - Sultanköy Carpet Demonstration & Picnic Lunch
  • Kusadasi - Cooking Class
  • Izmir - Flight to Kayseri
  • Cappadocia - Home-cooked lunch
  • Cappadocia - Goreme Open Air Museum
  • Cappadocia - Panoramic Sights Tour
  • Cappadocia - Kaymaklı Underground City
  • Cappadocia - Farewell Dinner
  • Cappadocia - Pottery demonstration
  • Cappadocia - Red Valley Hike
  • Athens - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Paros - Highlights of Paros Half Day Island Tour with Local Guide
  • Naxos - Old Town Walk & Portara Visit
  • Naxos - Cooking Class at a Local Home
  • Naxos - Eggares Olive Oil Press
  • Santorini - Caldera Hike
  • Santorini - Winery Excursion & Wine Tasting

Premium Inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Premium Turkey & The Cyclades Islands trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. This trip includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 15kg for check in luggage and 8kg for carry on. You can store excess luggage at the start point hotel.
4. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.
5. On the ERPIC230604 departure, the Feature Stay in Santorini will be El Greco Hotel, rather than Santorini Palace.

Essential trip information

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