Itinerary

Day 1 Istanbul, Turkey

Your magical journey starts in Turkey, Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, enjoy a seamless travel to your Istanbul accommodation.

Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2 Istanbul - Cappadocia, Turkey

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Istanbul airport to catch your flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, you'll be picked up from the terminal to start your green tour. The first stop in this tour is Kaymakli Underground City. It is the first and most popular underground city in Cappadocia. After Kaymakli you will drive to Goreme for panaromic tour and you will learn about the geological formation of Cappadocia. After departing Goreme, we will drive further south to the magnificent verdant Ihlara Valley. We will walk alongside the Melendiz River for about 1 hour which winds its way through the Ihlara gorge, stopping for lunch in a restaurant on the river in the village of Belisirma. Then, after we will drive for another panoramic tour to Yaprakhisar and we will see the lovely Pigeon Valley. After the tour you will be drop-off to your hotel. 

Unique Stay: Cave Hotel in Cappadocia  
Tafoni Houses Cave Hotel or similar

Day 3 Cappadocia, Turkey

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up from the hotel to start your Red Tour. Our first real encounter with Cappadocia's almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent valley, where the rock formations are amazing. A walk through the Zelve Open Air Museum is a journey into the past, with its troglodyte houses. This is one of the earliest inhabited and latest abandoned monastic settlements in Cappadocia. After Zelve, we visit Pasabag's "fairy chimneys", where the voice of the wind harmonises with the songs of the fairies. We stop at the Esentepe vista viewpoint, located between Uchisar and Goreme. This stunning panorama provides breathtaking views of the town of Esentepe and the surrounding landscape of fairy chimneys. After lunch, we will drive to a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. After the tour, you will be drop-off to your hotel. 

Unique Stay: Cave Hotel in Cappadocia  
Tafoni Houses Cave Hotel or similar

Day 4 Cappadocia, Turkey

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. The day is yours to relax or explore independently. In the late afternoon, prepare for an exciting Cappadocia Jeep Safari Adventure, offering thrilling off-road experiences and stunning views of the unique landscape. In the evening, immerse yourself in local culture with a Traditional Turkish Night. Enjoy a delicious dinner accompanied by folk dances, belly dancing, and traditional music. After the evening's entertainment, you'll be dropped back at your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel. 

Unique Stay: Cave Hotel in Cappadocia  
Tafoni Houses Cave Hotel or similar

Day 5 Cappadocia - Istanbul, Turkey

Early in the morning, enjoy your one-hour balloon ride at sunrise. After the balloon flight, return to your hotel for breakfast. Following breakfast, transfer to NevÅŸehir Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will then embark on a half-day walking tour through Istanbul's historic Old City, Istanbul's historic Old City, visiting up to three iconic sites such as Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern. This tour offers a rich cultural experience, allowing you to explore some of the city's most significant landmarks at a comfortable pace. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. O

vernight in Istanbul

Day 6 Istanbul, Turkey

After breakfast and hotel check-out, you will be transferred to the Istanbul cruise port, where your luxury journey to Turkey's coasts & Greek Isles starts. 

Embark on a European and Asian adventure packed with a wealth of charm and cultural diversity. Roam the 'blue' mosque of Sultan Ahmet, the Grand Bazaar, opulent Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia or sink into a serene Turkish Bath experience. Embrace the city's vine-shaded homely district where ladies shop for butter-soaked baklava and freshly picked olives. Explore further to haggle for gold jewellery, linen and oriental antiques. Dine in the atmospheric old city or take a ferry to Asia for street-served food. Feast over rich platters of meze, moist grilled bluefish and succulent kebabs. Heighten your senses even further in the spice bazaar with enticing aromas and vibrant, colourful displays. After such a sensorial feast, indulge in a restorative raki, whichever continent you're in. By night, parties don't start until late, but expect to dance till dawn. Join the late crowd spilling into the streets overlooking the Bosphorus. Sway at European rooftop bars, shimmer by ferry over to the Asian suburbs or remain ensconced in old-fashioned folk venues. An eclectic fusion of east and west, this city is conservative at heart with a truly modern soul.

Day 7 At Sea

Day 8 Marmaris

Day 9 Bodrum, Turkey

Imagine an old-world fishing town with high society appeal. Explore breathtaking sights on the sunlit Peninsula of the turquoise coast. Soak up the town’s buzzing energy; shop, eat, relax and explore. Pay respect to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, savour fresh fish and meze and sip coffee of toe-tingling strength. Delve into captivating landscapes bursting with nature; the Bafa Lake, olive groves, bougainvillea and hundreds of different bird species. Feel the wind in your hair on a private gullet as you voyage to crystal clear coves of the Aegean. Lasting memories abound.

Day 10 Patmos, Greece

A tiny island with a big reputation. Voyage to this discreet island where few go. Famed for being the discerning guests’ paradise; sun-kissed beaches, clear waters shielded by protective coves and undeniably warm local hospitality. Classically Greek with beautiful, mountainous views of perfectly positioned white houses dotted high into the hills. Known as the Land of Legends, St John was said to have written his Book of Revelations here. Quiet but with a powerful energy, you’ll understand why this island was named "Letois", after the goddess and huntress of deer, Artemis, daughter of Leto. It was believed that Patmos came into existence thanks to her divine intervention.

Day 11 Santorini, Greece

Dreamily sail into Santorini when others leave. Romantic, exuberant and pure; roam one of the world’s most enchanting islands as you enjoy breathtaking scenery, rock-set whitewashed houses, paved paths, sugar white sand, black beaches and terracotta cliffs. Experience the many geological and architectural delights; blue-domed churches, an active volcano, excavate with experts and cover the caldera between cliff-hanging Oia and Fira. Glide through sapphire seas in a catamaran, taste local wine, eat freshly-caught seafood, break plates and shop elegant boutiques. Then settle in for a slow moonlit dinner high on a hilltop, just in time for the world-famous sunset.

Day 12 Mykonos, Greece

If you start early, you’ll have Mykonos to yourself. Stroll narrow streets famous for Cycladic architecture and getting lost; white-washed cubed buildings, alluring boutiques, orthodox churches and traditional windmills. Join glitterati guests at elegant events on iconic beaches, sink into saltwater pools, tour vineyards and dance at bars where beats evolve in tempo (and volume). When the heat of the day dies down, drop into the sacred isle of Delos to explore remarkable ruins; amphitheatres, temples, public squares, marketplaces and shrines to Greek Gods. Take a table in central Chora for perfectly-cooked, local dishes with generous views; mounds of flaky filo, Greek salads, halloumi and sea urchin, washed down with freddo. When the sun sets, head for a signature sundowner with views across the ocean. After dark, follow the fun to legendary bars and clubs. Progressive and profoundly beautiful.

Day 13 Piraeus

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions apply: All prices are quoted in Australian dollars, based on per person double occupancy unless stated otherwise, and inclusive of all taxes and discounts. All prices & itineraries are current as of 11 January 2026 & subject to change without notice. Prices are subject to change due to availability, currency fluctuations, fuel price, and tax increases. Oceanview and Balcony cabins may have obstructed views, please check with your consultant. Price includes any stated bonus nights, upgrades & package savings, if applicable. All passports, visas, travel permits, and vaccinations are the responsibility of the travelling passenger to secure prior to travel. Airfares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice, based in economy class from Sydney and are subject to the carriers' flight schedules and conditions. Seasonal and flight routing surcharges may apply. Airfares are based on the lowest available fare, which comes with strict conditions i.e., non-refundable, or non-changeable. Please ask your consultant for pricing on flexible fare options that allow cancellations and/or amendments at a fee. Please call us for prices from other airports. Travel packages advertised may include multiple products provided by several suppliers to provide a travel itinerary. Each component of the package will be treated independent of each other, and the specific terms & conditions of each product supplier will apply. Hotels may charge resort fees, or a security bond not included or mentioned in this package, payable direct upon check-in. Any guests who make a new booking with Explora Journeys between 5th January 2026 at 06:01 GMT and 29th January 2026 at 06:00 GMT on select Journeys*. Ocean Terrace Suite (OT2) at the fare of the lower category (Ocean Terrace Suite – OT1)​, Reserve a Deluxe Penthouse (DP) at the fare of the lower category (Penthouse – PH)​. Suite categories not included in the above upgrade list will receive up to 30% savings on the Journey fare. All eligible bookings benefit from a 10% Reduced Deposit. Turkey tour: Non-refundable deposit required. Minimum 2 guests required for the tour to operate. Hot air balloon is subject to weather conditions. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty.