HIDDEN GEMS OF TURKEY & GREECE TOUR
Day 1: Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. After visa and luggage claim, you will meet your driver and private car, will be ready to transfer you to the hotel. A welcome package with your tour vouchers, a tourist map, and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your hotel. There is no plan for this day unless you are interested in experience the traditional Turkish bath nearby your hotel.
Meals: No Meals
Day 2: Istanbul
Today you will have a full day tour of visiting St Sophia Museum, the pride of the Byzantine architecture, Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik tiles; and enjoy shopping in the world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops, is known as Grand Bazaar. After lunch, you will visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour) and see the Treasury, royal gardens, Sultan’s kitchen and Sacred Relics.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 3: Istanbul - Izmir
In the morning a visit to the Spice Market, where locals still shop for herbs and spices coming from all over the world. Then, embark on a cruise by boat on Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport with your private car and driver. You will take a direct flight from Istanbul to Izmir which is about 1 hour. Upon arrival, you will meet with your driver and driven to your hotel. You can enjoy your diner on your own. With Izmir being by the sea, you can be sure to find plenty of fish and seafood dishes within the city's restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4: Pergamon - Kusadasi
Enjoy a visit to Pergamon where the Pergamenes invented the “Parchment” and see the ancient library, Greek Temples and The base of the Great altar, which was believed dedicated to Zeus. After lunch visit Asclepion of Galen and drive to Kusadasi via Izmir, historically Smyrna, is the third most populous city of Turkey. Stay overnight in Kusadasi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Ephesus
Enjoy a full day tour to Ephesus with our organized tour. Drive to Selcuk and see the gigantic Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Then stroll in the world-famous Ancient City of Ephesus, including the Arcadian Way, the Roman Baths, Temple of Hadrian, the Celcus Library and the Antique Theater. In the afternoon visit the Shrine of Virgin Mary, where she lived her last years. Drive back to Kusadasi, popular port for the cruise ships. Enjoy dinner at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Izmir - Athens
Pick up from your hotel in Kusadasi and transfer to the airport with your private car and driver. You will take a direct flight from Izmir to Athens which is about 1 hour. Upon arrival, you will meet with your private car and driver. Transferred to your hotel in the heart of Athens. You can enjoy your afternoon at leisure or might take a walk in Plaka.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Athens City Tour (4 Hours)
Depart for Panathinaikos Stadium cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace (guarded by colorful Evzones) and Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall). Proceed passing by Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus. Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian's Arc, St. Paul's Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schlieman's House (Nomismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church and finally Acropolis (visit Propylae, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Continue with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater in order to visit the New Acropolis Museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you. Enjoy your afternoon in Plaka with shopping or leisure at a Greek cafeteria.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Corinth - Olympia
Begin your tour with a drive around the coast to the renowned ancient cities of Corinth, Mycenae and Epidaurus, each rich in the millennia of history. End the day in Olympia where you will learn the story of Olympia, the original home of the Olympic Games. Highlights of the tour will be Corinth Channel, Theatre of Epidauros and the Tomb of Agamemnon.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9: Olympia - Delphi
Explore the village of Olympia contains a rich collection of tourist shops, cafes, restaurants and a Historical Museum of the Olympic Games. You will visit the Archaeological Site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until the magnificent bridge which is crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive in Delphi,known for the oracle at the sanctuary that became dedicated to Apollo during the classical period.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10: Delphi - Kalambaka
Today you will visit to the Museum in Delphi with its Spectacular finds including the World famous Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos and the Ancient Sanctuary of the Greek God Apollo. Then drive through Lamia to reach Kalambaka is surrounded by the majestic, towering rocks known as Meteora.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 11: Meteora
Enjoy Meteora and take visits to Monasteries were built by the Orthodox monks. You will be amazed by their life conditions and the exquisite specimens of Byzantine art, used to decorate these unique architectures. These can be hardly realized among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air. (Please note that ladies need to wear a skirt and the gentlemen need to wear long trousers during visits.). You will be driven to Athens via Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae. On the way, you will take a brief visit to the Leonida's Monument,the hero of Sparta, recently movied as “300”.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 12: Athens
After breakfast at the hotel, Enjoy an airport transfer with private car and driver.
Meals: Breakfast
We do not have an online booking system because most of our services are personalized and different conditions may apply for specific requests. You can call us, send an email, or complete a tour request form so that our Turkey travel specialists can help you to select the best tour for your travel needs. When you submit our tour contact form, one of our specialists will contact you within 24 hours to confirm availability.
What do you need from me to begin a proposal for a customized Turkey tour?
Fill out a customized tour request form that provides us with useful insight on how to design a trip that will suit your travel needs. If you are interested in customizing one of our tour packages, you can email us the name of the tour package and estimated date you have chosen to start the tour.
Can TSC design a customized trip for our group’s interests?
We will gladly work with you to offer a Turkey tour package tailored to your group’s interests. For this, you need to provide us your group details, interests, and travel needs.
Is airfare included in programs? Can I book my international flight through you?
Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point. You can purchase your airfare tickets through the internet or a wholesaler. By booking your own flight, you have more flexibility and control of your choices - in real time.
What type of accommodation do we use?
TSC Travel use hotels situated at excellent locations and close to all amenities. Room types range from double rooms to junior suites, depending on the package of choice. Amenities and facilities may differ from those in South America, North America, Australia or Malaysia.
What type of transportation is used on tours?
TSC Travel utilize a variety of transportation methods including public and private minivans, cars, coaches, trains, flights, ferries, boats, etc. We use whichever method provides travellers with the safest and most efficient transportation option.
Do you cooperate with travel agents?
If you are a registered travel agency with a wish to co-operate in business, please fill out our contact form.
Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We require a deposit payment at time of booking to secure your reservation. The deposit payment is payable by credit card or bank transfer.
Credit Card: For your protection, we need you to sign the credit card payment form upon receipt and return it with verification of legal identification (e.g. copy of your passport or driver’s license) after your credit card has been charged. We will inform you in advance of purchase of any credit card fees that may apply.
Bank transfer: Payment can be sent to our company bank accounts. Our representative will send you detailed information for the booking process including bank transfer details. Please note our rates do not include the transfer costs of your bank or their agents. Please be sure that all costs paid additionally!
What is your cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be made in writing directly to TSC Travel. No responsibility is taken for cancellations of airfare, hotel bookings, or any other extra services which have been made directly by the client.The following scale of charges will apply when cancellation is notified for all land packages, tours and programs;
Prior to arrival:
Charge 60 days or more: 10% of selling price (Administrative Fee)
59-46 days: non-refundable deposit 35% of selling price
45-21 days: 50% of selling price
20-0 days: 100% of selling price
* Special conditions apply for canceling of tailor-made tour programs.
The following scale of charges will apply when cancellation is notified for tours that include a Cruise program:
Prior to arrival:
Charge 60 days or more: 10% of selling price (Administrative Fee)
59-46 days: 35% of selling price
45-21 days: 50% of selling price
20-8 days: 75% of selling price.
7-0 days: 100% of selling price.
* Special conditions apply for cancellation.
If you have to withdraw from a tour after it has begun for reasons such as illness, be sure to obtain a medical certificate in support of any insurance claim. We are unable to make refunds for absences from a tour, including but not limited to missed meals or entrance tickets.
Flight/ferry/train/bus tickets are not included in the above cancellation policy. Once your program is confirmed and the tickets are purchased, any changes to the dates of the program will incur a change fee or in case of cancellation, (this is additional to the service fee), 100% cancellation fee for the tickets will be incurred regardless of the above cancellation policy. For further information, please read our Terms and Conditions page.
When and How I will receive my tour documents?
Travel documents and electronic flight tickets are usually sent 21 days prior to departure. However, you will receive tour vouchers, maps, ferry, bus or train tickets and other required information upon arrival in Turkey. This will be included in a welcome package waiting for you upon arrival at your hotel.