Day-by-Day Itinerary

Please note that the below sample itinerary is not representative of your final itinerary (unless you choose not to personalize it further). The purpose of this itinerary is to provide you with a general idea of what your day might look like. Your actual day-by-day itinerary will be fully customized to suit your trip schedule and specific needs.

Day 1

Get ready for the trip of a lifetime! Today, you’ll board your flight from the United States to Athens, Greece.

Day 2

Upon arrival in Athens, you’ll go through customs and immigration. Please let us know if you’d like a transfer added to your package.

This afternoon, stroll around the elegant Syntagma Square, past the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Keep an eye out for the Changing of the Guard, which happens every hour on the hour. Finish your day along the Archaeological Promenade, where Athenians go for their evening volta (stroll), stopping for dinner or for a glass of wine at the Chocolat Café, before heading back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Day 3

Today, we recommend adding a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour to experience the best of Athens in one day at your own pace. You can travel around by open-top double-decker bus, with the ability to create your own sightseeing itinerary. Learn about Athens’ history from the onboard audio guide and choose from various routes.

Perhaps visit the spectacular Acropolis, the New Acropolis Museum, the Parthenon, or other top sights—you set the pace and choose where to explore on foot. This evening, enjoy ouzo at a restaurant on the slopes of Mount Lycabettus or enjoy a show at Odeon of Herod Atticus.

Day 4

Get up and out for a final day of exploring. Begin your day in Kerameikos, Athens’ ancient cemetery, then head to the Roman Forum to see the Tower of the Winds and Hadrian’s Library. Stop for souvlaki in Thissio or climb Filopappoa Hill to see the Socrates prison.

This afternoon, try out your bartering skills at the old Turkish bazaar around Monastiraki Square and shop along Ermou Street. For dinner, try delicious seafood in the trendy district of Psirri.

Day 5

Continue your adventure today as you fly to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you’ll clear customs and immigrations, then make your way to your hotel for check-in. Please let us know if you’d like a transfer arranged.

Start your afternoon with a quick bite to eat from one of the many food stalls dotted across the city - döner sandwiches are a must-try. We recommend adding a sightseeing tour to your itinerary today to see the highlights of the city.

This evening, head to Galata Tower’s balcony for panoramic views of the city at sunset. Then head up the popular pedestrian avenue of Istiklal Caddesi; halfway down you’ll find Çiçek Pasaji, a perfect place to end your day with beer halls, restaurants and hanging gardens.

Day 6

Wake up early this morning and head straight for Sultanahmet, the Old City, where you will find many of Istanbul's highlights. Begin at the ancient Hippodrome, center of Byzantine public life, where you can see the Egyptian obelisk and the Serpent Column.

Then it's on to the beautiful Topkapi Palace, where sultans once ruled over the Ottoman Empire. If you have time, stop at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum located in Gülhane Park to learn more about the area’s vast history.

Be sure to visit the Grand Bazaar; this massive marketplace is home to thousands of shops and restaurants so be sure to stop for a bite to eat while shopping and browsing its seemingly endless streets.

Day 7

Begin your day at the Edirnekapi (Edirne Gate), part of the ancient Theodosian Land Walls. Pay a visit to St. Savior in Chora, a former monastic church home to some of the finest late-Byzantine mosaics found anywhere in the world.

This afternoon, head to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar (Misir Çarsisi) in the Eminönü quarter to get your foodie fix of dried fruits, nuts, herbs and spices. Cross the Galata Bridge and walk along the upper deck among the fisherman and their catch, making sure to turn around for spectacular views of the hills, minarets and domes of the Old City behind you.

This evening, end your stay with a visit to Ortaköy, one of Istanbul's loveliest seaside suburbs within the Besiktas district of Istanbul. Relax over dinner and drinks at the House Café on the waterfront before saying goodbye to this beautiful city.

Your final day in Istanbul

Sadly, your trip has come to an end. We can arrange a transfer to the airport for you – please just let us know.

Additional Days

Should you wish to add extra days to existing cities/destinations or add new destinations to your pre-designed package, you will be able to do so during the submission process. Note that this will incur additional planning fees per additional day at checkout. Your final package cost will also change depending on how many additional travel components are needed for the extra days.