Best of Greece & Turkey

Starting from: $2,595

Group Size: Up to TBD travelers

Duration: 12 Days Journey to Istanbul, Pergamon, Ephesus, Athens, & Greek Island Cruise

Activity Level: Average of 2 to 3 miles of walking per day

Traveler Ratings:

Tour Type: General Tours

       
About This Tour

This tour leads you through Istanbul, Pergamon, Ephesus and Athens. You will also enjoy a 3 Night Greek Island Cruise, which will allow you to explore the beautiful and historically rich islands of Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini. Watch Our Video

What's unique about this tour?
  • We tour all day! (Some tour companies include only half day touring)
  • All Sightseeing and entrance fees are included. Everything is taken care of!
  • Private airport transfer
  • Make new friends while you enjoy the local cuisine.
  • Our licensed guides are the most experienced in the industry.
  • We provide life-changing tour experiences at the most affordable rate.

Tour Starts: Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey

Tour Ends: Sunday in Athens, Greece

Itinerary written by America Israel Tours. Operated weekly with Wednesday departures from the USA / Thursday arrivals in Istanbul, Turkey

1Wednesday | Departure
From the USA to Turkey
  • Our tour starts today as we depart on our way to Turkey. Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight.
Meals on board
On board
2Thursday | Arrive in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey
  • Today you will arrive in Istanbul, the only city in the world built on two continents.
  • Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your Istanbul hotel.
  • The afternoon will be free to spend at your leisure.
Breakfast and Lunch
Istanbul (please refer to the 2 hotel categories offered)
Private arrival transfer included: Complimentary by AIT
3Friday | Explore Istanbul
St. Sophia Museum / Topkapi Palace / Blue Mosque / Hippodrome Square / Grand Covered Bazaar
  • Today we will enjoy a full day historical Istanbul tour.
  • We will visit the St. Sophia Museum, built in the 6th century and once the largest Christian Church in the world.
  • Next we will go to Topkapi Palace. This was once the Imperial Residence of the Ottoman Sultans and displays a priceless world-class collection of artifacts, jewelry, and rare porcelain.
  • We will then see the Blue Mosque, a unique structure famous for its 6 minarets and blue Iznik tiles.
  • Next we will see the Hippodrome Square, where ancient chariot races were held.
  • Then we will finish our tour by shopping at the world famous Grand Covered Bazaar.
Full Buffet Breakfast and Lunch
Istanbul (please refer to the 2 hotel categories offered)
4Saturday | Bosphorus & Asia Tour
Egyptian Spice Market / Bosphorus Boat Tours / Palace of Beylerbeyi
  • After breakfast we will begin our touring with a visit to the Egyptian Spice Market.
  • We will then embark on a Bosphorus Boat Tour, allowing us to see the beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side.
  • After lunch we will visit the Palace of Beylerbeyi, which is considered to be the most elegant of the late Ottoman palaces.
  • After our tour we will proceed to Istanbul Airport four your flight to Izmir.
  • Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Full Buffet Breakfast and Lunch
Izmir (please refer to the 2 hotel categories offered)
5Sunday | Pergamon
Acropolis / Temple of Ahtena / Library / Royal Palaces / Temples of Pergamon / Altar of Zues / Asclepion
  • Today we will enjoy a Pergamon day tour.
  • We will visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena, the famous Library, the Royal Palaces, the Temple of Trajan, the steepest Theater in the world, the Temple of Dionysos, the Altar of Zeus, and the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church).
  • After lunch, we will visit the ruins of Asclepion, the Medical Center of the ancient world.
Full Buffet Breakfast and Lunch
Izmir (please refer to the 2 hotel categories offered)
6Monday | Ephesus
Shrine of the Virgin Mary / Ruins of Ephesus / Archaelogical Museum / Temple of Artemis
  • Today we will explore Ephesus, the veritable cradle of early Christianity. Here you will visit the Shrine of the Virgin Mary, where she was believed to have spent her later days.
  • Next we will proceed to the spectacular ruins from the time of St. Paul, some of which have only recently been excavated. We will see the Odeon, the Bouleterion, the Fountains, the Temples, the Brothel, the Library, the Agoras, the Great Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Gymnasium.
  • After lunch we will visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and enjoy a display on Turkish handicrafts.
Full Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Kusadasi (please refer to the 2 hotel categories offered)
7Tuesday | Patmos | Sail to Rhodes
Monastery of St. John / Grotto of the Revelation
  • Today we will embark on our 3 Night Cruise to the Greek Islands.
  • We will sail for Patmos, Greece at noon and arrive at Patmos around 4 PM. This beautiful and almost mysterious rocky island is where the apostle John was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation.
  • You may explore the island on your own or join an optional tour where we will tour the island and visit the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist. Here we will enjoy a spectacular view of the island.
  • We will also visit the Grotto of Revelation.
  • After some free time for browsing, we will return to the ship and sail for Rhodes at 9:00 PM.
Full Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On Board Cruise Ship
8Wednesday | Rhodes | Sail to Heraklion, Crete
Temple of Athena / Acropolis of Lindos
  • At 7:00 AM we call at Rhodes. This stronghold was built by a Crusading Order, which originated from Palestine, and in older days, it boasted of another achievements of the then known world – The Colossus of Rhodes!
  • Our optional morning half-day excursion takes us to visit the Temple of Athena on the majestic rocky Acropolis of Lindos, with the blue Aegean Sea beneath it and the sophisticated, whitewashed artists’ colony at its foot. Local tradition has it that on his way to Rome, Paul's vessels spent some time here in the small harbor (Acts 21:1).
  • We will have the afternoon free in Rhodes for a most delightful experience.
  • Stroll around the medieval walled city and enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere from one of the elegant cafes in the marina.
  • At 6:00 PM we will sail for Heraklion, Crete.
Full Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On Board Cruise Ship
9Thursday | Crete | Santorini | Sail to Piraeus
Minoan Palace of Knossos / Santorini
  • At 07:00 a.m. we will arrive at Heraklion, Crete (Acts 27:7-13).
  • Our optional excursion will take us from the lively bustling city to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, legendary home of the Minotaur (half bull and half man).
  • We will sail for Santorini at 11:00 a.m., where we arrive at 4:30 p.m.
  • Take a mule or the cable car up to the white-washed town of Thira, perched high on the rim of the ancient volcano, the eruption of which (1,600 BC) literally buried a flourishing Bronze Age town which has now been excavated at Akrotiri.
  • We will sail for Piraeus at 9:00 p.m.
Full Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On Board Cruise Ship
10Friday | Athens
Piraues / Corinth / Arrive in Athens
  • At 7:00 a.m. we will arrive at Piraeus.
  • After breakfast we will disembark, transfer to Athens center and depart to Ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) for a half day tour.
  • It was to this megalopolis where the apostle Paul came and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament.
  • See the ruins of early Christian 5th Century Basilica at the ancient port of Cenchreae before departing to Athens. B
Full Breakfast
Athens (please refer to the 2 hotel categories offered)
11Saturday | Athens
Acropolis / Parthenon / Panathenian Stadium / Temple of Olympian Zeus / Acropolis Museum
  • After breakfast, meet the tour representative at the lobby and transfer to the terminal.
  • Begin your half-day morning tour of Athens, combining many of the cities principal modern and classical sights.
  • Climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. From the Acropolis hill you can see Mars' Hill (Aeropagus) (Acts 17:22) where Apostle Paul delivered his soul-stirring sermon.
  • Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: pass by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library.
  • Also visit the new Acropolis Museum and return to hotel in the afternoon. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.
Full Breakfast
Athens (please refer to the 2 hotel categories offered)
12Sunday | Departure
Athens Departure / Fly Home
  • After breakfast and check out you will be transferred to Athens Airport for your departure flight home.
Full Breakfast
Departure Private Transfer Included: Complimentary by AIT

* In the rare event that a hotel is overbooked, the group will be provided with an equivalent level hotel or higher.

This tour is available weekly for departures between April 18 to October, 7 2018. Departures from the United States are on Wednesdays. Please call us to confirm availability before purchasing airfare. A minimum of 2 passengers is required to book this tour. All of our special rates reflect a 3% discounted rate for cash and check payments. Optional Upgrade to outside cabin $170 per person.

Departs Ends Availability
TBD TBD Call for Info

Traveler Reviews

Average from Customer Reviews

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Best of Greece & Turkey
Star Rating:

I high recommend this tour to Turkey and Greece, the guides were excellent, as well as the hotels, the food and the transportation.

Best of Greece & Turkey
October 28, 2017

Verified Customer
Best of Greece & Turkey
Star Rating:

The best of Greece and Turkey trip was wonderful. The accommodations, guides, drivers, meals and tours were outstanding. We all really enjoyed Turkey. It is on our list to return. So, when you have an Israel/Turkey tour we will go back. In Turkey with just the four of us in the group was outstanding. Better than we could ever have expected. Both guides, Sait and Levant, were fantastic. The hotels at all sites were excellent. Once again you at AIT have exceeded our expectations. Thank you Regan, Paula, and Noam for everything. It was a pleasure to meet you all. This was our second trip with AIT, it will not be our last. Everything was well organized and well done. Fantastic people and experience. We will be returning for a third trip with AIT!”

Best of Greece & Turkey
July 6, 2014

Verified Customer

Join America Israel Tours' exciting and life-changing tours of the Holy Land.

Included in your tour package:

Transfer Remarks:

  • Arrival transfers are provided FREE for travelers arriving at Istanbul Airport on all flights arriving Thursday ONLY.
  • Departure transfers to the Athens Airport are provided for departure flights on the ending day of the tour (Sunday) ONLY.

Not Included:

  • International flights: please call us toll free at (877) 248-8687 to arrange your flights
  • Domestic flight from Istanbul to Izmir
  • Optional shore excursions during the cruise
  • Shuttle bus to Mykonos (on cruise) 4 euro pp
  • $30 per person entry visa to Turkey (for U.S Citizens obtainable at the port of entry upon arrival)
  • Tips to tour guide, bus driver and hotel staff
  • All drinks and any other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance (highly recommended- please call us for travel insurance info

Please note that the above visa and border taxes and fees apply for U.S citizens only. If you are not a U.S citizen, please check with your local consulate/embassy for visa requirements & fees. It is the responsibility of the traveler to confirm with the consulate of each country visited, about any necessary travel documentation and/or visas required to enter these countries. America Israel Tours will hold no responsibility for travelers from any country other than the U.S who fail to fulfill these requirements.

Please note: Visa fees and border taxes are subject to change

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance package to protect your travel investment.

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