2021 & 2022 Globus Guided Tours - Globus® Vacation Packages

Greek Island Adventure with Istanbul (RNT)

11 days from Athens to Istanbul

2027 Tour Details View 2026 Tour Details »

Calling all adventurous spirits to embark on an odyssey and discover breathtaking sights and ancient legends. Begin where it all began, the ancient city of Athens where the Panathenaic Stadium and the Acropolis proudly preside and where the spirit of athletes and gods, philosophers and poets still fill the air with legendary tales. Set sights on the sea with visits to the islands of Crete, Naxos, and Paros to unveil the mysteries, myths, and marvelous history that awaits you, along with idyllic villages, pristine shores and so much more! You’ll find plenty of island time to wine, dine, and dream in sidewalk cafés and tavernas, creating a few legendary memories of your own. Your tour of Greece and Turkey continues to Istanbul to behold the bold beauty of sacred Byzantine architecture in Istanbul’s mosques and palaces is complemented by the warm people who welcome us to share in the traditions and tastes (think Turkish coffee & Turkish Delight!) in this gateway to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

Special Features Included in this Tour:
• Guided sightseeing in Athens includes an orientation drive to see the main landmarks, plus a visit to the Acropolis
• Guided walking tour in Heraklion, Crete includes the main highlights and a [LF] bougatsa tasting (traditional pastry)
• Guided sightseeing in Naxos includes complementary [LF] citrus spoon dessert
• Guided sightseeing in Paros includes a visit to the Panagia Ekatontapiliani (the “Church of a Hundred Doors)
• Visit to Istanbul’s Spice Market plus Turkish Delight sampling
• Scenic cruise on the Bosphorus River
• Guided sightseeing in Istanbul includes visits to the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Grand Bazaar
• Flight from Athens to Crete, and from Athens to Istanbul
• Ferry crossing between Crete and Naxos, plus Naxos and Athens

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.268.3636
Greek Island Adventure with Istanbul map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

10 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners


Notes:

This tour requires walking on uneven terrain, especially at archaeological sites which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs. Guests are required to manage their own luggage when embarking and disembarking the ferry portions of this tour.

Services of the Tour Director end on day 8. Istanbul portion includes services of a local host.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN ATHENS, GREECE

Welcome to Athens! At 6 pm, meet your Globus Host and travel companions for a welcome drink.

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Day 2 ATHENS–HERAKLION, CRETE

Marvels & Myths Wake-up in Athens for the start of your Greek Odyssey! Guided sightseeing is composed of an orientation drive to see Athens’ main landmarks, including Syntagma Square, the Temple of Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium, plus a visit to the iconic Acropolis. Later, board your flight to the island of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, and enjoy dinner in your hotel.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS Explore the heart of Ancient Greece, in the historic empire where 5th-century-BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, never fail to amaze! See the Panathenaic Stadium, one of the venues of the first modern Olympic Games.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 3 HERAKLION

Saints & Sweets Start your Cretian discovery with a guided walking tour of its capital city – Heraklion. Learn about its importance dating back to the Minoan civilization and admire views of its impressive landmarks such as the Venetian Walls, St. Minas Cathedral, and the Church of St. Titus. Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Taste a traditional bougatsa pastry. The afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore more of the island.

LOCAL FAVORITE
SIGHTS & BITES The bustling capital of Crete boasts over 3000 years of history and multicultural influences. While walking along the narrow streets, see the most famous historic and cultural sites. Join the locals and taste a traditional bougatsa one of the most popular Greek sweet treats.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 HERAKLION–NAXOS

Tempting Traditions This morning, board a high-speed ferry for a ride across the Aegean to the island of Naxos. Enjoy guided sightseeing to see the highlights of Naxos town with its cobblestone alleys and Venetian castles. Then, a really sweet treat! Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Taste the famous citrus spoon dessert at a local kafenio (cafè). Later, enjoy some leisure time to explore more of the island.

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES The “glykó tou koutalioú” or “sweet of the spoon” comes from an old Arabic custom that was later adopted by the Byzantines. A gesture of hospitality offered to welcome guests. They are what the name suggests, a dessert served on a spoon. Normally made from fruit, the concept may sound simple, but there is a lot of pride and tradition involved; recipes are handed down through the generations together with the special presentation silverware.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 5 NAXOS

Mediterranean Magic Enjoy a full day at leisure on this idyllic island, why not admire the stunning scenery of the pristine waters while you relax on one of the beautiful beaches. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to explore further afield.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE of this lush green island. Stroll the charming streets shopping for souvenirs; sample the locally produced olives, grapes, figs, and citrus fruit. Discover more of the ancient Greek ruins; or head to the beach for a refreshing dip in the sparkling waters of the Aegean!

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 NAXOS–PAROS

Sun, Sand & Sea Today, hop on a high-speed ferry to reach the island of Paros. Explore delightful Parikia, the capital of Paros, during a guided sightseeing tour which features a visit to Panagia Ekatontapiliani the “Church of a Hundred Doors.” Enjoy some free time to browse. This evening, enjoy some authentic tastes with dinner at a local restaurant.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Historically known for its fine white marble, used to construct some of the most important Greek structures, including the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, Paros nowadays captures the imagination as an idyllic Greek island - dotted with traditional villages, framed by stunning beaches, and surrounded by pristine waters.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 7 PAROS–ATHENS

Back to Future of Civilization Today, take a ferry back to Athens. Enjoy free time later this afternoon and evening, perhaps
visit a museum or take the tram to the coast. In the evening, enjoy the lively atmosphere of the tavernas in the old Plaka district with its narrow streets and sound of bouzouki music.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with countless ways to enjoy free time in the birthplace of democracy, arts, science, and the philosophy of western civilization! Explore the urban landscapes and lively restaurants in this historic capital and enjoy the sunny slopes of this iconic city. Stroll in the shadow of the Acropolis in the village atmosphere of Plaka. Walk along the narrow cobblestone streets to browse jewelry stores and ceramics shops, then
linger in a sidewalk café or taverna to celebrate your Greek adventure.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 ATHENS–ISTANBUL, TURKEY

East meets West This morning, bid farewell to Athens as you board your flight to the unique and fascinating city of Istanbul. Your first introduction to Istanbul is a visit to the Spice Market, marvel at the vibrant colors of the spices and local produce whilst admiring the stunning architecture. Get a taste for local specialties when you sample some authentic Turkish Delight. Later admire Istanbul from a different perspective when you take a cruise on the Bosphorus River, dividing the city and straddling two continents – Europe and Asia. This evening, enjoy free time to try some typical dishes for dinner.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITIONS Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago and finally called Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century, the city on the Bosporus remains one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as a gateway between Orient and Occident, the Islamic and the Christian worlds, and the Black Sea and the Mediterranean predestined it for a turbulent yet exciting history.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 9 ISTANBUL

The City on Seven Hills This morning, continue your discovery of Istanbul with a captivating, guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Roman Hippodrome and hear about the events held there, marvel at the six minarets of the Blue Mosque and the intricate decoration and blue hues of its interior, stand under the breathtaking dome of the Hagia Sophia, and enter a shopper’s paradise at the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world, spread over 60 streets and location of over 4000 shops! This afternoon and evening enjoy some free time to explore more.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ARCHITECTURAL WONDER Sometimes referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World, mainly due to its magnificent dome, the Hagia Sofia hasn’t had it easy. Since it was first constructed back in the 4th century, it has been destroyed by riots and damaged by an earthquake. Starting out as a Basilica during the times of the Roman Empire, it has also been a mosque and a museum.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 10 ISTANBUL

Inspired Istanbul Enjoy a free day in Istanbul, there’s still plenty to discover. Absorb more history and culture in one of the museums, browse the stores, or try an authentic Turkish coffee experience accompanied by a delicious baklava.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE of Istanbul at the Basilica Cistern, also known locally as “the sunken palace,” an underground cistern built during the Byzantine Empire to supply water to parts of the then city of Constantinople. An incredible structure with 336 pillars holding up a magnificent, vaulted ceiling over an artificial freshwater lake. It can be classed as an early example of recycling as the builders made use of stone structures from earlier temples – one of the most famous “recycled stones,” that can still be seen, is the upside-down head of Medusa.


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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 11 ISTANBUL

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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Breakfast Breakfast

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Crete
Naxos

Crete

Heraklion and its Ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos

Heraklion and its Ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos

Discover Heraklion on this exciting excursion featuring the Palace of Knossos, where the Minotaur roamed through the labyrinth in mythology.

Price Range: $$$$

Naxos

Island of Naxos in Depth

Island of Naxos in Depth

The wonders of Naxos come to life in a remarkable way on this fantastic introduction to the Cycladic Island that has been inhabited continuously since the 4th millennium BC!

Price Range: $$$

 Private Touring

Private Touring: Globus European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Globus tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience.

For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party.

Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $1,337*
18 guests in a party: $314*

Contact Globus or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Globus Private Touring.

* Supplement pricing is per person (CA) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2020 and 2021 travel years. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.



The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.