Watch the sun set over the ornate Ottoman palaces, water-side mansions and modern villas that line the European and Asian banks of the Bosphorus while you dine on local delicacies aboard a luxury yacht for a dinner cruise.
That’s just the beginning on this premium trip that delivers a wide range of lavish experiences. You’ll also take a private tour of Istanbul and its divine collection of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture; visit the Byzantine Hippodrome where chariot races were once held; and stroll among the 4000 stalls that make up the world’s largest covered bazaar. In Athens, visit the architectural masterpieces of the ancient empire including the Parthenon and Temple of Olympian Zeus, and depart for Santorini where you’ll encounter ancient volcanoes, panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and charming villages adorned with white-washed houses and steep cobble-stoned streets.
From indulging in an aroma massage in a private spa suite to dining in a typical Greek tavern among dancers and folk musicians deep in the old town of Athens, this trip expertly contrasts the best of modern-day luxury with an authentic taste of the old world. You’ll stay in an impeccable collection of world-class hotels and your team of expert local guides and private drivers will ensure a seamless experience.
Enjoy a personalized vacation that best suits your needs, developed by one of our experienced destination experts. Relax during your trip with our 24/7 support and expert local guidance.
Highlights:
- Istanbul
- Bodrum
- Athens
- Santorini
Day 1: Istanbul
A private vehicle with an English-speaking driver and an assistant will provide a transfer between the airport and the city or your hotel.
A welcome package with a city map, e-tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.
Enjoy a Bosphorus River cruise with dinner on a private yacht this evening. You will cross the Bosphorus by driving on the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge to go over to the Asian side of Istanbul. While sailing up the Bosphorus, you will see Ottoman palaces, waterside mansions, and modern villas that line the European and Asian coasts. The panoramic view of Istanbul by the Bosphorus at night will both be memorable. After the cruise you will be brought back to your hotel. A meat meal with unlimited drinks is included. Please lets your Sales Advisor know if you prefer a seafood meal.
Accommodation: Four Seasons Bosphorus (5-star)
Meal: Breakfast
Day 2: Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour of Istanbul and see the most important sights. Visit the Hagia Sophia, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture, the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles, Byzantine Hippodrome, where chariot races were once held, and the Grand Bazaar, the worlds largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. Afterwards, visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans.
Accommodation: Four Seasons Bosphorus
Meal: Breakfast
Day 3: Istanbul - Bodrum
A private vehicle with an English-speaking driver will provide a transfer between the airport and your hotel. Board a flight in Istanbul with service to Bodrum. The flight duration is approximately one hour. A private vehicle with an English-speaking driver will provide a transfer between the airport and the city or your hotel.
Accommodation: Marmara Bodrum (4 star)
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4: Bodrum
Enjoy a full day tour of Ephesus with a private vehicle, driver, and guide. Your private guide will take you to Selcuk, to visit the world-famous Antique City of Ephesus, including the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celcus Library. At the end of the tour you will be driven back to Bodrum and dropped off at your hotel. Lunch and entrance fees are included.
Accommodation: Marmara Bodrum (4-star)
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5: Bodrum - Athens
A private vehicle with an English-speaking driver will provide a transfer between the airport and the city or your hotel. Board a flight in Bodrum with service to Istanbul. The flight duration is approximately one hour. Flight is required, currently not included in the quote. Please contact your Travel Adivisor if you are interested in adding this service to the itinerary. Enjoy an airport transfer with a driver and assistant. For your added comfort, your representative will help you to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation. A welcome package with a city map, ferry tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.
Meet your private guide and driver for a night out on the town in Athens. Begin with a scenic panoramic drive through the city, where the vibrant city awakens nightly for a festive evening. Archeological monuments are lit up against the night sky, with the illuminated Acropolis a stunning beacon standing guard over the city. Continue to Plaka, and stroll through the old historical neighborhood before settling in for a relaxing typical Greek dinner in a traditional tavern to the tune of folk music and dancers. At the end of the evening, return back to your hotel by private vehicle.
Accommodation: Electra Palace
Meal: Breakfast
Day 6: Athens
Athens has long been a draw – with stunning monuments dating back to Antiquity, the city is one of the world’s oldest and a fascinating place to discover. Meet your private guide for a half-day orientation tour of the city, taking in the sites and neighborhoods that have shaped the unique character of Athens over several millennia. Visit the outside of the Greek House of Parliament, a neoclassical structure overlooking the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where the traditional Changing of the Guard takes place. Pass by Syntagma Square, the Academy, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the National Library and Iliou Melathron, the former home of the celebrated archeologist Heinrich Schliemann, noted as one of the most beautiful buildings in Athens.
After your orientation tour of the city center, drive to the base of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Acropolis and climb up a series of steps to reach this iconic sacred rock. At the top, pass through the Propylea, the stately entrance to the magnificent structures inside, and enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the city and the entire basin of Attica before you. Explore the Parthenon, the best known and most awe-inspiring of structures of the Acropolis citadel. Visit the Erechtheion, whose temple is graced with the porch of the Caryatids. At the end of the visit, drive back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Electra Palace
Meal: Breakfast
Day 7: Athens - Santorini
Meet your driver for a private port transfer. Board a high-speed ferry for a transfer from Athens to Santorini. Approximate ferry duration is 5 hours. Meet your driver for a private port transfer.
Accommodation: Canaves Oia Hotel (B) (Junior Suite)
Day 8: Santorini
Santorini’s picturesque countryside is best experienced in the late afternoon and early evening, as the waning daylight gives way to the “golden hour” and offers a striking visual contrast against the iconic whitewashed backdrop of Oia. Meet with your private guide and driver and head into the Santorini countryside to discover the island’s picturesque villages. Start with a visit to Mesa Gonia, a village of rolling vineyards and a major wine producing region. The village is home to the majestic Byzantine church of Panagia Episkopi. Continue to Pyrgos, a hilltop town that served as the island’s capital until the early 19th century. The village offers panoramic views of the island in every direction and has charming medieval architecture.
Next, visit Imerovigli, a village guarded by the enormous Skaros rock at the entrance to the village. A fortress used to sit atop Skaros rock, protecting the village from pirates but was destroyed by years of earthquakes. End your evening with a visit to the village of Oia, set upon the caldera’s cliffs. Oia marks the dramatic backdrop to a world-famous sunset. Its narrow passageways throng with people each evening to catch a glimpse of the sun going down. The most popular spot to watch the sunset is by the Kastro walls. At the end of your visit, return to your hotel by private vehicle.
Accommodation: Canaves Oia Hotel (B) (Junior Suite)
Day 9: Santorini
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Accommodation: Canaves Oia Hotel (B) (Junior Suite)
Day 10: Santorini
Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard)
