[Arrival in Istanbul]

Today we arrive in Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and assisted by Sunlight Tours staff for our transfer from the airport to our hotel. After settling in, we gather for a welcome dinner. Overnight in Istanbul at Hotel Lamartine. (D)

[Istanbul]

After breakfast, we begin with the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar). The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. Then we continue to take a tour by the Bosphorus on boat, a traditional excursion along the channel that separates Europe from Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. After lunch, we visit the Suleiman Mosque (Soliman) or Süleymaniye Mosque. This is an Ottoman imperial mosque located on the third hill of Istanbul. It is the largest in the city and has a magnificent panoramic view of the Golden Horn. Our last stop is the Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul at Hotel Lamartine. (B, L)

[Istanbul]

After breakfast, we depart to visit the old city. We will visit Sultanahmet’s Mosque which is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration with blue Iznik tiles. We then visit the ancient Hippodrome, which was the scene of chariot races and with the three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. After, we will arrive at the famous Hagia Sophia. This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. After lunch in a typical Turkish restaurant, we continue to the Topkapi Palace, the residence of the ottoman sultans. Overnight in Istanbul at Hotel Lamartine. (B, L)

[Istanbul/ Cappadocia]

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to take a flight to Cappadocia. Upon arriving in Cappadocia we will visit an underground city. These cities were built as refuges by the Christians of the time and are made up of several underground floors, ventilated by chimneys. Here, you can admire the common bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms. Our evening concludes with dinner together. Overnight in Capadocia at Hotel Perissia. (B, D)

[Cappadocia]

Today, you will have the option to start your day with a beautiful early morning Hot Air Balloon Ride (pricing and more information to come). Then the entire day is dedicated to discovering this fascinating region! Unique in the world, you’ll explore this fantastic lunar landscape with its beautiful and strange lava formations from the eruption of Mount Erciyas. Here, we will find countless small towns and churches carved into the rock. We will also visit the Göreme Valley, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex made up of churches excavated in the rock with beautiful frescoes, the troglodyte villages of Paşabağ, and the natural fortress of Uçhisar, Ortahisar. Then we pass through the artisanal center of semi-precious stones of Cappadocia, followed by the fairy chimneys of Ürgüp, which are stone cones crowned by flat rocks. We then visit Avanos, a village of artisan centers and weaving. We end the day with a visit to a handmade carpet workshop. Dinner together to follow. Overnight in Capadocia at Hotel Perissia. (B, D)

[Cappadocia/ Izmir/ Kusadasi]

Today, we transfer to the airport to take a flight to Istanbul with a subsequent connection to Izmir. Once we arrive, we head to our hotel and dinner together. Overnight in Kusadasi at Hotel Ramada. (B, D)

[Kusadasi/ Ephesus/ Kusadasi]

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Meryemana and visit the House of Virgin Mary. We then continue to Ephesus, the Roman Capital of Asia Minor. Here, we visit the ruins of Odeon, Hercules Gate, the temple of Hadrian, the magnificent library, Agora and fantastic Greco-roman theatre. After lunch, we visit St. John’s Basilica. We end our day with a visit to a leather workshop and dinner together. Overnight in Kusadasi at Hotel Ramada. (B, D)

[Kusadasi/ Patmos]

Today, we transfer to the port to board our cruise and sail to Patmos. At Patmos, we will tour the cave of St. John and the St. John Monastery. We return to the ship for the evening and set sail for Rhodes. (B, L, D)

[Rhodes]

Our next stop on the cruise is the Island of Rhodes. With an optional excursion, you will have the opportunity to visit the medieval Rhodes and the acropolis of Lindos, with the ancient temple of Athena built in 300 BC. Then, in the city of Rhodes, you will have the opportunity to go through the Porta d'Amboise and to walk along the street of the knights. Or you can choose to wander on your own through the city for the day. We return to the ship for the evening. Information and pricing for cruise excursion options are available closer to the trip dates. (B, L, D)

[Santorini]

On this day, we stop on the famous island of Santorini, which was formed by the half-submerged crescent of a volcanic caldera. Perched atop high cliffs, we reach the island's breathtaking view of Santorini. Here, you’ll have the choice to take an optional organized excursion or just explore the island on your own. We return to the ship for the evening, heading towards Athens. Information and pricing for cruise excursion options are available closer to the trip dates. (B, L, D)

[Athens]

After breakfast and arrival at the port, we disembark in Athens. We then travel directly to the center of Athens to start our half-day panoramic city tour of Athens. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. We then continue by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis, we visit the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally the Parthenon. After the tour, we return to our hotel and then join together for our our farewell dinner on the rooftop. Overnight in Athens at Hotel Stanley. (B, D)

[Athens/ Departure or Trip Extension]

Breakfast is at the hotel. As you depart according to flight schedule, a private transfer to the airport with English speaking assistant will be provided. (B)

**Optional Trip Extension is November 15-16, 2025, $390 ($590 for single occupancy)**

[Athens/ Corinth]

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for a full day tour to Ancient Corinth, the famous city that was the center of trade for many centuries. Along the way, we will stop at the famous channel, called Isthmus, to photograph the place where the Peloponnese and central Greece meet, as well as the Aegean and Ionian seas. In Ancient Corinth, we will see amazing artifacts, some of which date back to 6000 B.C. The remains of the city, which include the agora (market) and the temple of Apollo (6th century BC) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in antiquity. On our way back to Athens, we will make a brief stop at the site of the ancient port of Cehries, where Saint Paul disembarked from Thessaloniki. For Christians, the community in Corinth are written about in the New Testament. At the end of the tour, we return to Athens for a food tour in one of the city neighborhoods. Overnight in Athens at Hotel Stanley. (B, D)

**Optional Trip Extension is November 15-16, 2025, $390 ($590 for single occupancy)**

[Athens/ Departure]

Breakfast is at the hotel. As you depart according to flight schedule, a private transfer to the airport with English speaking assistant will be provided. (B)

*Registration Deadline is June 1, 2025

*Note about activity levels: While we make every effort to accommodate mobility needs, please note that this tour includes walking tours on uneven surfaces and stairs, standing for extended periods of time, bus tours on uneven roads, travel by boat/cruise rides, etc. For more information or questions regarding activity levels and mobility, please contact us.

*We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights arrive in Istanbul Airport (IST) and depart from Athens Airport, Greece (ATH). If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

*Travel insurance highly recommended and is required for trips connected with Rams Travel. As a way to help protect your trip experience, both Sunlight Tours and Rams Travel offer travel insurance options through their trusted travel partners. Free quotes are available. Please contact us with any questions.

*A non-refundable deposit required for this trip: $500

Other payments due: first half payment is due by May 3, 2025 and final payment is due by August 3, 2025. If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

*Cash/Check/Credit Cards accepted.