25 Apr 2027
Twin share
£9,565pp
Single from £11,720
Escorted tour
Turkey & the Greek Islands: Istanbul to Santorini – 23 Days
Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Kaş, Cappadocia, Athens, Paros, Naxos and Santorini, in a small group of up to 12.
23 days
From £9,565
Tour overview
This 23-day upgraded small-group journey links the highlights of Turkey with the Greek islands of the Cyclades. Groups have no more than 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader in Turkey and another in Greece, plus specialist local guides. You travel by private vehicle in Turkey, take an included flight to Athens and hop between islands on public ferries. You stay in comfortable, well-located hotels, including three nights in a cave hotel in Cappadocia and two in a Cycladic-style resort on Santorini. Breakfast is included daily, with 3 lunches and 10 dinners, and arrival transfers are included in Istanbul and Athens. International flights are not.
The Turkish half follows the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. From Istanbul and its Blue Mosque you head to the Gallipoli battlefields, Troy and Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the world, with a fruit-wine tasting in the hill village of Şirince and a Turkish cooking class. The white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis lead to Kaş, a harbour town of Lycian tombs, where a local family takes you out on their boat for a day of swimming and a seafood lunch. After the ruins of Phaselis and two nights in Antalya, you visit the Mevlana Museum in Konya, home of the whirling dervishes.
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Three nights in Cappadocia allow time for valley walks among fairy chimneys and rock-cut chapels, the underground city of Özkonak, a women's carpet cooperative and a home-cooked dinner, with an optional dawn balloon flight. A final night in Istanbul precedes the flight to Athens and a welcome dinner.
In Greece you take the ferry to Paros for two nights, with a half-day island tour with a local guide, then on to Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades. Here you walk the old town to the marble Portara gateway, visit an olive oil press in one of the oldest olive groves in the world and join a hands-on cooking class with a garden-to-table lunch. The journey ends on Santorini, with a hike along the rim of the volcanic caldera and a winery visit.
The physical rating is medium, with plenty of walking and some long drives. This trip suits travellers who want the best of Turkey and the Greek islands in one comfortable, well-paced journey.
Trip highlights
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Gallipoli, Troy and Ephesus (Days 2–4)
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The travertine terraces of Pamukkale (Day 5)
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A boat day with a local family off Kaş (Day 7)
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Three nights in a Cappadocia cave hotel (Days 11–13)
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Paros and Naxos, with an olive press and cooking class (Days 16–20)
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A caldera hike on Santorini (Day 22)
Your route
17 stops from Istanbul to Santorini
- Istanbul Days 1 & 14
- Gallipoli Peninsula Day 2
- Canakkale Day 2
- Troy Day 3
- Selcuk Days 3–4
- Ephesus Day 4
- Pamukkale Day 5
- Kas Days 6–7
- Kekova Sunken City Day 7
- Phaselis Day 8
- Antalya Days 8–9
- Konya Day 10
- Cappadocia Days 11–13
- Athens Day 15
- Paros Days 16–17
- Naxos Days 18–20
- Santorini Days 21–23
Why choose this tour
Turkey's great sights and three Greek islands in one trip, with the flight to Athens and the ferries included. Special stays in Cappadocia and Santorini, and food experiences in both countries.
Best suited to
- Travellers who want a long, varied journey with everything arranged
- Lovers of ancient history and archaeology
- Food lovers keen on cooking classes and tastings
- Travellers who like a mix of touring and island time
Day-by-day itinerary
23 days from Istanbul, Turkey to Santorini, Greece
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Day 1 · Istanbul Arrive in Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul, the city that straddles Europe and Asia. You are met at the airport if arriving today, and meet your leader and group in the evening for a welcome dinner.
- Hotel
- Fer Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Gallipoli, ANZAC Cove, Çanakkale Gallipoli and Çanakkale
Drive to Çanakkale on the Dardanelles, then tour the Gallipoli Peninsula with a guide, including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, to learn about the First World War campaign fought here.
- Hotel
- Cura Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Troy, Selçuk Troy to Selçuk
Walk the walls of ancient Troy with your leader, where history and legend meet, and see the replica wooden horse. Continue to Selçuk, with lunch on the way.
- Hotel
- Celsus Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 4 · Ephesus, Şirince Ephesus and Şirince
Explore Ephesus, one of the greatest Greco-Roman sites in the world, with its theatre and Library of Celsus. Visit the hill village of Şirince for a fruit-wine tasting, then join a Turkish cooking class and enjoy the meal together.
- Hotel
- Celsus Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5 · Pamukkale, Hierapolis Pamukkale
Travel to Pamukkale, the cotton castle, where mineral springs have built white travertine terraces down the hillside. Explore the terraces and the ruins of the Roman spa city of Hierapolis above them.
- Hotel
- Hierapark Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Kaş Kaş
Drive to the coastal town of Kaş and explore on a walking tour, with Lycian tombs, whitewashed houses and a lively harbour.
- Hotel
- Payam Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Kekova, Kaş Boat day off Kaş
Spend the day on a traditional boat with a local family, cruising among the islands, swimming in clear water and sharing a seafood lunch cooked on board.
- Hotel
- Payam Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 8 · Phaselis, Antalya Phaselis to Antalya
Follow the coast to the ancient city of Phaselis, with time to explore its Roman ruins or swim in the sea, then continue to Antalya for dinner.
- Hotel
- Ruin Adalia Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 9 · Antalya, Kaleiçi Antalya
Visit the Necropolis Museum, built around an ancient burial ground discovered in 2008, then enjoy free time in Kaleiçi, Antalya's old walled harbour quarter.
- Hotel
- Ruin Adalia Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Konya, Mevlana Museum Konya
Drive inland to Konya, an important Roman city and the place where the Sufi tradition of whirling began. Visit the Mevlana Museum, resting place of the poet Rumi.
- Hotel
- Selçuk Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 11 · Cappadocia To Cappadocia
Travel to Cappadocia for an orientation walk, then check in to your cave hotel for three nights among the region's extraordinary rock formations.
- Hotel
- Cave hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Göreme, Cappadocia Cappadocia
Early risers can take an optional hot-air balloon flight at sunrise. Later, walk among the valleys of fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches and visit a women's carpet cooperative.
- Hotel
- Cave hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Kızılçukur Valley, Avanos, Özkonak Valleys and underground city
Walk through the red rock formations of the Kızılçukur Valley, visit the pottery town of Avanos on the Red River and descend into the underground city of Özkonak. In the evening, share a home-cooked dinner.
- Hotel
- Cave hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 14 · Istanbul Back to Istanbul
Return to Istanbul for a last evening in Turkey, perhaps crossing the Bosphorus to the Asian side, followed by a farewell dinner for the Turkish leg.
- Hotel
- Fer Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 15 · Athens Fly to Athens
Take the included flight to Athens, where you are met and taken to your hotel. Meet your Greek leader and any new travellers at 6pm for a welcome dinner.
- Hotel
- Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 16 · Piraeus, Paros Ferry to Paros
Transfer to the port of Piraeus and take the ferry to Paros, a relaxed island of whitewashed villages. In the afternoon, join a half-day island tour with a local guide.
- Hotel
- Hill Mill Paros Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 17 · Paros, Naoussa Free day on Paros
A free day on Paros. You might hike along the coast from a fishing village past some of the island's best beaches, or explore the harbour town of Naoussa.
- Hotel
- Hill Mill Paros Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 18 · Naxos, Portara Ferry to Naxos
Take a short ferry to Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, with its Venetian old town. In the late afternoon, walk through the town to the Portara, the great marble gateway of an unfinished temple.
- Hotel
- Naxos Princess or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 19 · Kaloxylos, Naxos Olive press and cooking class
Visit an olive oil press museum in Kaloxylos, set in one of the oldest olive groves in the world, then join a hands-on cooking class and enjoy a garden-to-table lunch.
- Hotel
- Naxos Princess or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 20 · Naxos Free day on Naxos
A free day for the beach, the island's mountain villages or the Archaeological Museum in Chora, with finds from Neolithic to early Christian times.
- Hotel
- Naxos Princess or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 21 · Santorini, Fira Ferry to Santorini
Take the ferry to Santorini and transfer to your Cycladic-style resort near Fira, with a pool, for two nights.
- Hotel
- El Greco Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 22 · Santorini caldera, Oia Caldera hike and winery
Hike along the rim of Santorini's caldera, formed by a huge volcanic eruption, with views over the sea-filled crater. Visit a winery to taste the island's wines, followed by a farewell dinner.
- Hotel
- El Greco Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 23 · Santorini Trip ends on Santorini
The trip ends after breakfast. Extra nights on Santorini can be arranged when you book.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Istanbul (1 night) Fer Hotel or similar
- Çanakkale (1 night) Cura Hotel or similar
- Selçuk (2 nights) Celsus Hotel or similar
- Pamukkale (1 night) Hierapark Hotel or similar
- Kaş (2 nights) Payam Hotel or similar
- Antalya (2 nights) Ruin Adalia Hotel or similar
- Konya (1 night) Selçuk Hotel or similar
- Cappadocia (3 nights) Cave hotel
- Istanbul (1 night) Fer Hotel or similar
- Athens (1 night) Athenaeum Luxury Hotel or similar
- Paros (2 nights) Hill Mill Paros Hotel or similar
- Naxos (3 nights) Naxos Princess or similar
- Santorini (2 nights) El Greco Resort or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 22 nights in hotels, including a cave hotel in Cappadocia and a resort on Santorini
- Meals 21 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 10 dinners
- Transport private vehicle in Turkey, a flight from Istanbul to Athens and ferries from Piraeus to Paros, Naxos and Santorini
- Turkey Istanbul Old City, Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Şirince, a cooking class, Pamukkale, a Kaş boat day, Phaselis, Antalya, Konya and Cappadocia
- Greece a Paros island tour, Naxos old town, an olive press and cooking class, a Santorini caldera hike and a winery visit
- Arrival transfers in Istanbul and Athens
- Local leaders in Turkey and Greece, with specialist guides
Not included
- International flights to Istanbul and from Santorini
- Departure transfer
- Visas, where required
- Meals not listed and optional activities, such as balloon flights
- Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights to and from the UK included — they are not
- You want most lunches included — 21 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 10 dinners
- You dislike ferries — you take three in Greece
- You prefer a beach holiday — this is a touring trip
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £9,565 per person, twin share, tour only. 10 upcoming departures.
30 May 2027
Twin share
£10,140pp
Single from £12,430
13 Jun 2027
Twin share
£10,120pp
Single from £12,410
15 Aug 2027
Twin share
£10,430pp
Single from £12,975
22 Aug 2027
Twin share
£10,430pp
Single from £12,975
29 Aug 2027
Twin share
£10,730pp
Single from £13,275
05 Sep 2027
Twin share
£10,730pp
Single from £13,275
12 Sep 2027
Twin share
£10,930pp
Single from £13,220
19 Sep 2027
Twin share
£10,930pp
Single from £13,220
03 Oct 2027
Twin share
£10,430pp
Single from £12,720
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Is the flight from Turkey to Greece included?
Yes. The flight from Istanbul to Athens on Day 15 is included, with 15 kg of checked luggage and 8 kg of hand luggage. You travel independently on this flight and are met in Athens.
How do we travel between the Greek islands?
By large public car ferries from Piraeus to Paros, Paros to Naxos and Naxos to Santorini. Luggage is stored on the car deck during the crossing, so keep essentials in a daypack.
Are airport transfers included?
Arrival transfers are included in Istanbul on Day 1 and in Athens on Day 15. The departure transfer from Santorini is not included.
How active is the trip?
The physical rating is medium. Expect walking at archaeological sites and in valleys, a caldera hike on Santorini and some long drives in Turkey.
What meals are included?
21 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 10 dinners, including a cooking class in Turkey, a seafood lunch on a boat in Kaş, a home-cooked dinner in Cappadocia and a garden-to-table lunch on Naxos.
Can I join only the Turkey or Greece section?
This page covers the full 23-day journey. Shorter Turkey-only trips are also available, such as the 8-day Turkey Highlights tour.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary