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Delve into the depths of Ottoman history and Greek mythology on this land and sea-based odyssey
Combine the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul, classic cities of antiquity and the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia with an island hopping adventure across the Greek Aegean Sea. This is a wonderful Mediterranean mix of antiquity, culture and some of the best cuisine you’ve ever tasted!
- Code
- PEGGC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 1 review
- Ages
- Min 18
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Delve into one the greatest cities on earth as you explore the back streets and alleys of Old Istanbul then spend the night in the classic Legacy Ottoman hotel; designed in 1911 styled as first Turkish national architecture, also called Ottoman Revivalism (your feature stay hotel in Turkey)
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Visit two of the Ancient Wonders of the World; the last column of the Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
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Explore Turkeys most elegant beachside resort town; Bodrum with its white plastered walls and stylish café culture it is the place to see and be seen.
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Step back in time at Ephesus, where the Greco-Roman world still feels very much alive. This is one of the best preserved classical cities in all of Europe and yet to be completely excavated
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Wander through the valleys of the surreal landscape of Cappadocia and visit an underground city
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Step back in time as you explore Vamos, a 12th-century hill village steeped in tradition and medieval history
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Enjoy a sunset picnic overlooking the caldera away from the crowds. Indulge in local cheese, ham and bread, all complimented by a local grape variety and a world-class view.
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Take part in an Athenian feast in the pulsing Psiri neighbourhood in Greece's capital.
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Enjoy three nights of excellent Cretan hospitality at the Halepa Hotel in Chania. This gorgeous neoclassical building was used as the British Embassy in the 1800s
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Take guided hikes through some of Greece most staggering landscapes, such as Santorini's famed caldera
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Stopover at a local tavern in the village of Vamos and enjoy a typical Greek moment with meze, a meal shared around the table, done for centuries by the locals. Clink glasses with the locals and wash it all down with the traditional local white spirit raki.
Is this trip right for you?
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This trip includes an overnight train in Istanbul couchettes are povided on a twin share basis and cabins are first class with wash basins, refrigerators, plenty of storage space and all beding provided.
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Turkey and Greece can get hot in the summer and 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. Activities are planned for early morning and later afternoon but please consider the time of year and your suitability to visiting during that season
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The included flight on Day 9 between Istanbul and Athens in unescorted, transfers are included.
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Nighttime temperatures can be quite cool, particularly in April and October. Not all hotels will have heating so make sure you bring a few warm items with you.
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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.
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Due to the current financial situation, banking services in Greece could become limited at short notice. It's important to carry several different means of payment with you, such as debit cards, credit cards and plenty of Euros in case of emergency or unforeseen circumstances.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Legacy Ottoman Hotel (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque
- Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Istanbul - Basilica Cistern - TRY20
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - TRY30
- Istanbul - Dolmabahce Palace (Excluding Harem) - TRY60
- Istanbul - Whirling Dervish show - TRY120
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - TRY60
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for your welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you are going to be late, please inform your booking agent. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.Optional Activities listed are all entry only. Please note there is an Istanbul Museum Pass available for purchase at most Istanbul Museums. This card is valid for 5 days use and costs 185 TL. This card is not available for entry at Dolmabahce Palace, Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower.
Accommodation
- Manastir Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Bodrum - Bodrum Castle
Optional Activities
- Bodrum- Daily Cooking Class & Market Visit - EUR85
- Bodrum - Mausoleum at Halicarnassus - TRY12
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Manastir Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Bodrum - Gulet/Boat Excursion
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Kalehan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Selcuk - Basilica of St John - TRY15
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Konya Mavi Train (1 night)
Included Activities
- Ephesus - archaeological site
- Overnight Train - Backgammon Lessons (Peregrine Moment)
Optional Activities
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses Entry - TRY30
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
The overnight train is reserved on a first class couchette basis. Cabins are twin share, have individual climatic control for your comfort, a small refrigerator in each couchette and a wash basin. Toilets are available at each end of the carriage. Bedding is supplied. There is a restaurant car available offering basic snacks.Accommodation
- Heybe Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Valley Walk
Optional Activities
- Goreme -Hamam Turkish Bath - EUR25
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Heybe Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
- Goreme - Carpet Demonstration
Optional Activities
- Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Deluxe Flight - EUR250
- Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Regular Flight - EUR195
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Legacy Ottoman Hotel (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Arrive in Athens, Greece’s lively capital. In the evening you will meet your tour leader and fellow travelling companions at a welcome meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but please check for the exact time and place on a noticeboard located near the reception at our hotel), where your tour leader will give you a briefing on what lies ahead on the tour. This evening you will enjoy a group dinner together at a local restaurant in the Psiri neighbourhood of Athens.
Accommodation
- Hotel Hermes or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel Hermes or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Halepa (Feature stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Vamos Village Excursion
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Halepa (Feature stay) or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete - EUR6
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Lato Boutique Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Finikia or Agnandi Villas or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Santorini Sunset Picnic
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Finikia or Agnandi Villas or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Santorini Caldera Hike
- Thira Prehistoric Museum
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today's walking distance is approximately 10km (3 to 3.5 hours). 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.Accommodation
- Hotel Finikia or Agnandi Villas or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Alkistis or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
Please note that due to the island's topography our hotel in Mykonos is built into a slope. This results in there being a number of steps to navigate to get to your room. A staff member will be available to help with your luggage upon arrival and departure, however please keep in mind that steps are an inherent feature of staying on the Cycladic Islands.Accommodation
- Hotel Alkistis or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Delos Archaeological Site
- Boat Tour to Delos Island
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
17 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinnersTransport
Aircon bus, Boat, Ferry, Plane, Private vehicle and Overnight TrainAccommodation
Comfortable Hotel (14 nights), Feature Stay (4 nights)Included Activities
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque
- Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
- Bodrum - Bodrum Castle
- Bodrum - Gulet/Boat Excursion
- Ephesus - archaeological site
- Overnight Train - Backgammon Lessons (Peregrine Moment)
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Valley Walk
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
- Goreme - Carpet Demonstration
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon
- Vamos Village Excursion
- Santorini Sunset Picnic
- Santorini Caldera Hike
- Thira Prehistoric Museum
- Delos Archaeological Site
- Boat Tour to Delos Island
Important notes
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
An optional single supplement is available on this trip. Please refer to your booking agent for further information. Please note: single supplement rooms in Turkey are smaller than double or twin rooms.
ITINERARY
This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
The flight between Istanbul and Athens is unescorted (Day 9)
There in an overnight sleeper train on day 4 of this trip travelling on the Mavi Konya between Izmir and Konya couchettes are provided on a twin share basis at first class fare. Cabins are well appointed and there are western style toilets available in in each carriage
TRANSFERS
A complementary arrival transfer may be available on this departure. For 2019 departures this transfer will be available from both Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) and Istanbul Airport (IST). Please check with your booking agent for further details.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport will be re-locating at the end of 2018. The airport code will remain the same but the name of the airport will change, trip information will be updated when further information is available.
TURKEY
Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - https://www.peregrineadventures.com/travel-alerts

Essential trip information
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