The Best of Greece & Turkey

Most of Athens important sights and interesting neighbourhoods border this central square. The square was built in the early 19th century in front of the Old Royal Palace of King Otto of Greece. Walk around to admire the architecture, stop at a café and people watch, or watch the ceremonial changing of the guards called Evzones.

Most of Athens important sights and interesting neighbourhoods border this central square. The square was built in the early 19th century in front of the Old Royal Palace of King Otto of Greece. Walk around to admire the architecture, stop at a café and people watch, or watch the ceremonial changing of the guards called Evzones.

Take a short ferry ride to this Venetian landmark - a medieval castle off the coast of Nafpilo. A visit here offers visitors the chance to explore the castle's rooms, and a great views of the city on shore.

Climb to the top of the Akronofplia fortress tower to enjoy the phenomenal view from the top that looks back over the bay to Argos and out into the Saronic Gulf.

Explore the Palamidi Fortress, built by the Venetians in the late 1600s when they occupied the area for the second time. Climb the 999 stairs from the town to the fortress, or 913 depending on who you ask—either way expect to feel the burn tomorrow. The view over the Argolic Gulf and the city are worth the work to reach the top.

Visit the famous Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and archaeological site with spectacular ruins and a treasury. Once a major settlement of Greek civilization, Mycenae was occupied during the Neolithic period around 4000 BC, and is linked to the mythology in Homer’s epics the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Please note to partake in this optional you will need to take a taxi. The pricing listed does not include the cost of roundtrip transportation needed.

Explore the lesser-known Mycenean site, hidden in the suburbs of Nafplio. Along with Mycenae, Tiryns is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site first excavated in 1831 by German archaeologists.

View St John's Basilica, once a grand basilica in Ephesus. Constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century, it was built in where John the Apostle is said to be buried.

Visit the centuries-old Isa Bey Mosque on the outskirts of Selçuk to see one of the oldest and most impressive works of art remaining in this region.

Visit the Hagia Sophia, one of the most important and breathtaking icons of ancient Byzantine architecture. The domes and buttresses of the mosque punctuate the skyline of Turkey's capital and stand tall as a symbol of national pride.

Visit the atmospheric Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. Built in 1660, this is where many of the spices were originally imported. This market was, and still is, the centre of Istanbul's spice trade.

Built in the early 1800s, the Dolamabahçe Palace is the largest and the most important palace of the Ottoman Empire, after the Topkapi Palace. Marvel at its grandeur.

Explore the fabulous Blue Mosque, admiring the beautiful symmetry and internal tile work of the building. As it is a working mosque, take the chance to learn more about the ceremony behind Islam, the religion of about 98 per cent of today's Turks. Head to the front of the Blue Mosque, to see the ancient Hippodrome. It was once the scene of chariot races, and now houses monuments from various moments in Istanbul’s history.

Climb up the Galata Tower - one of Istanbul's oldest architectural landmarks - for an amazing panoramic view of the city. To get the full experience, time your visit with the call to prayer that happens at sunset.

Take a step back in time with a visit to the Topkapi Palace. Once home to the Ottoman sultans and their harems, it's now a museum hosting a number of collections, ranging from porcelains found in Europe, Asia and China to Ottoman-era weaponry.

Built in 532 AD, the Basilica Cistern is the largest cistern (underground water storage) of Istanbul. Spot the pillar bases carved in the likeness of Medusa.