Athens, Istanbul & Beach

3 Nights – Athens
3 Nights – Istanbul
8 Nights – Beach Resort (In either Greece or Turkey)

✈️ UK – Athens (3 nights): (If you prefer, you may start your journey with Istanbul) You will take a flight from the UK to Athens, where we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for the following 3 nights. Athens, the capital of Greece, is where it all began, well, at least where Western civilisation was born and as such, it is filled with a plethora of stunning ancient monuments and buildings to explore and discover. You will struggle to find a better view than the one from the Acropolis, which offers a truly breath-taking panoramic view of the city from Athens’s landmark hill. There are many historic buildings on the Acropolis, but undoubtedly the most famous is the Parthenon with its majestic white columns, a dedication to the maiden goddess of Athena. The modern Acropolis museum is the perfect complement to your visit here, with its exquisite exhibits and amazing artefacts, stones and statues from classical history. Athens has a lot to offers besides its ancient monuments. Take a stroll around the old historical neighbourhood of Plaka, with its atmospheric streets filled with cafes, bars and boutiques. Also visit the districts of Monastiráki and Psyrrí, which are home to some great nightlife, shops and restaurants.

✈️ Athens – Istanbul (3 nights): On your final day in Athens, we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you back to the airport for your onward flight to Istanbul. Istanbul was the capital of the Roman Empire and is steeped in history. It also has a unique blend of Asian and European influences, uniquely straddling the two continents by the Bosphorus Waterway. On the historic European side of the city, the Sultanahmet is one of the city’s major sights, with its stunning Blue Mosque adorned with more than 20,000 Iznek tiles, a fabulous example of classical Ottoman architecture. Another of the city’s architectural wonders is the Hagia Sophia, a former church turned mosque, but now a museum which is deemed one of the best surviving pieces of Byzantine architecture. If you like a good haggle, visit the historic Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest in covered markets in the world, selling jewellery, leather, spices and other Turkish wares. For something a little more relaxing, why not take a boat trip down the Bosphorus waterway for a great way to see the city, including its Asian side. Or for a truly authentic Turkish experience, visit one of the Turkish hammam baths for a body scrub and massage!

✈️ Athens/Istanbul – Beach (8 nights): To conclude your holiday, you will take an 8 night break at one of the stunning beach resorts that Greece and Turkey has to offer. We will pick you up from your hotel in Istanbul (or Athens) and take you to the airport for your onward flight. Whether you choose to visit a Greek or Turkish resort, you won’t be disappointed. For a spot of Greek seclusion or romance, visit the beautiful islands of Elounda, or Santorini. For something a little livelier, try Rhodes or Mykonos. If you prefer to choose a Turkish beach resort, there are plenty to choose from including the popular resort of Marmaris, or the old fishing village of Bodrum or the wide sandy beaches of Oludeniz.

✈️ Beach – UK: On your final day at your chosen beach destination, we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you back to the airport for your flight home to the UK.