Greece & Turkey: Temples & Tides

First bite of Athens.

Start with a bang: arrive in Athens and head straight to a local tavern where the welcome dinner will be ready and waiting. Your Trip Leader will be on hand to spill the inside scoop on the neighbourhood, share stories of Cycladic artisans who made this hidden corner their home, reveal why locals leave tiny shoes on statues as secret wishes and introduce you to the flavours and tales of your first night in the city. You'll be tucking into classic Greek dishes, full of flavour. This is your chance to dive fork-first into Athens like a local. Stay: Candia Hotel (or similar) (D)

Streets, stories and a splash of adventure.

See it your way: join your Trip Leader for a two-hour guided stroll through Athens, taking in highlights like the Panathenaic Stadium (home of the first modern Olympic Games), Syntagma Square and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Keen to see more after the tour's wrapped up? Meander through Anafiotika, a tiny maze of whitewashed houses clinging to the hillside. Athens is your playground today, so explore it your way.

Overnight adventures: hop aboard the ferry to Rhodes and settle in for a scenic ride. Watch the sun set over the Aegean as you dig into an included dinner, spot tiny islands drifting by and let the gentle rocking of the boat lull you toward an adventurous night's sleep. Stay: Overnight Ferry (B/D)

Knights, narrow lanes and sun-soaked squares.

Step back in time: join your Trip Leader for a stroll through Rhodes Town, weaving down cobbled streets past towering gates, medieval walls and the grand Palace of the Grand Master. You'll hear juicy tales of scheming knights, sneaky pirates and epic sieges that shaped this fortified city.

Go rogue in Rhodes : the rest of the day is yours to play at your own pace. Wander through twisting alleys, pop into tiny cafés in Platia Ippokratous for a sweet Greek treat or track down hidden mosaics and murals in the Jewish Quarter. Want to make the most of your first night in Rhodes? Clamber up the city walls or the Acropolis of Rhodes for rooftop-to-sea views, then treat yourself to a seaside dinner – or something sweet – while the sky puts on its evening show. Stay: Manousos City Hotel (or similar) (B)

Roaming in Rhodes.

Rhodes your way: spend your free day wandering the cobbled streets of the Medieval Old Town, browsing quirky shops and galleries or hunting for hidden street art in the winding alleys. Alternatively, kick back at Elli Beach and let the Aegean sun do its thing.

Snack, sip, explore: hunt out a local trattoria and tuck into tasty local dishes like crispy pitaroudia (chickpea fritters), fresh grilled octopus or sweet melekouni (a traditional Rhodian sweet, made with honey, sesame seeds, almonds and spices). Next up: choose your own adventure – you can opt to whip up your own Greek feast in a cooking class, sip local wines like a pro or escape to Lindos with its iconic white houses and clifftop views. Stay: Manousos City Hotel (or similar) (B)

First taste of Turkey.

From island to coast: hop on the ferry from Rhodes and watch tiny islands drift by, keep an eye out for dolphins and feel the buzz build as the Turkish coast slides into view. After dropping your bags, wander Fethiye's streets with your Trip Leader, weaving through spice-scented bazaars, colourful textiles and quirky little shops. Snap shots of the Lycian rock tombs perched above town, then hunt out a local spot for dinner where you can tuck into traditional Turkish fare like sizzling kebabs, fresh meze and a sweet baklava to finish things off. Bonus points if you find a rooftop with a view of the harbour while you eat. Stay: Ata Park Hotel (or similar) (B)

Fethiye dreams and sun-soaked scenes.

Sun, sea and secret coves: Hop aboard and let the turquoise waters work their magic. Drift past Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley and St. Nicholas Island, cannonball into crystal-clear bays, snorkel among colourful fish or just flop on deck and soak up the sun. Feast on a freshly prepared lunch with the sea as your side dish, then continue chasing hidden coves and secret beaches before sailing back to Fethiye in the early evening, salty, sandy and ready for tomorrow's adventure. Stay: Ata Park Hotel (or similar) (B/L)

Claim your corner of Fethiye.

Canyons and city corners: kick things off with a walk through the dramatic Saklikent Gorge, splashing through shallow streams and marvelling at towering cliffs that feel like something straight out of a film.

Later, your way: the afternoon is yours to do as you please. Wander the marina and snap pics of colorful fishing boats, hunt for quirky souvenirs at the local market, or grab a Turkish coffee and people-watch at a waterfront café. Feeling adventurous? Climb up to the Lycian Tombs for epic views over town. Wrap it up with a leisurely stroll along the promenade as cafés spill onto the streets and the seaside buzz takes over. Stay: Ata Park Hotel (or similar) (B)

Say hoşçakal to travertine terraces and merhaba to turquoise coasts.

White wonders and ancient echoes: Hit the road to Pamukkale, the “Cotton Castle,” where terraces tumble like frozen waterfalls and thermal pools beg for a daring toe-dip. Snap some pics, wander the sparkling slopes and soak up the surreal, otherworldly landscape.

Ruins, roads and seaside beginnings: step into Hierapolis and wander crumbling theatres, colonnaded streets and sacred pools while imagining imagining toga-clad Romans arguing over who gets the best spot at the baths. Then roll on to Kusadasi, where colourful bazaars, lively cafés and a sunset-lit promenade set the stage for your first night on the Aegean coast. Stay: The Palm Hotel (or similar) (B/D)

From sunbathing to stone columns.

Chill or chase history: spend your free day in Kusadasi lounging by the beach or pool or dive into the past with a day trip to the ancient city of Ephesus. Wander the marble streets, marvel at the Library of Celsus, climb the Great Theatre and peek into the Temple of Hadrian – it's a history lesson served in style.

Later, your way: wander the waterfront promenade as the sun sinks into the Aegean, then hunt down a seaside bar for a cocktail, local wine or strong Turkish coffee. Treat yourself to fresh seafood, pide (Turkish flatbread pizza that's as good as it sounds) or gözleme – thin pastry stuffed with spinach, cheese or minced meat – and, if you're feeling curious, explore a night market for quirky souvenirs and handmade treasures. Stay: The Palm Hotel (or similar) (B)

Ancient wonders along the Aegean coast.

Ruins, roads and legendary stories: after breakfast, hit the road north from Kusadasi to Pergamon, once a heavyweight of the ancient world. Wander the Acropolis and marvel at the Trajan Temple, tackle the world's steepest theatre (warning: it's a leg workout) and get that all important photo by the mighty Altar of Zeus.

On the move: refuel with lunch at a local spot before continuing along the scenic Aegean coast. Roll into Canakkale for the evening, check into your hotel and bask in the memories of a day packed with myths, marble and a few rather sore legs. Stay: ANZAC Hotel (or similar) (B)

From Gallipoli to the glitter of Istanbul.

Stories etched in stone: after breakfast, cross the Dardanelles Strait to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a full-day tour of the ANZAC battlefields. Walk through ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, Chunuk Bair and other key memorials, hearing the stories of those who fought here and pause to reflect at monuments overlooking the Aegean.

On the road: after lunch at a local restaurant, continue the drive back to Istanbul. Arrive in the evening, with Ankara's café terraces buzzing and city lights guiding you in for your first night in Turkey's capital. Stay: Antik Hotel (or similar) (B/L)

History, Istanbul-style.

Sultans and skylines: after breakfast, lace up for a full-day wander through Istanbul's Old City. Step into Topkapi Palace and explore the lavish home of Ottoman sultans, peek at dazzling treasures and – if you're curious – sneak a look at the harem where palace secrets once simmered.

Minarets and mosaics: after an included lunch at one of our favourite local spots, head to the iconic Blue Mosque and take in the skyline that's graced a thousand postcards. Stroll the Hippodrome, once a hotspot for chariot races and crowd drama, then wind down with a wander through Sultanahmet Square. Still got energy? Opt for a trip underground to the Basilica Cistern, where hundreds of ancient columns rise dramatically from shimmering waters – moody, mysterious and seriously photogenic. Stay: Antik Hotel (or similar) (B/L)

Souks, spices and the sound of the tracks.

Markets and munchies: after breakfast, join your guide for a stroll through Istanbul's shopping heart. Lose yourself in the maze of the Grand Bazaar – 4,000 stalls of carpets, ceramics, jewellery, leather and enough spices to keep you entertained for hours. Then it's on to the Spice Bazaar, where colourful mountains of herbs, teas and Turkish delight tempt at every turn – and there'll be a few sweet treats to snack on as you go.

From stalls to sleeper cars: tuck into lunch at a traditional spot, then wander the surrounding streets, soaking up the chatter, scents and centuries-old architecture. By evening, it's time to grab some train snacks and board your overnight ride – settle into your cabin, watch the city lights fade and let tomorrow's adventure roll closer with every click of the tracks. Stay: Overnight Train (B)

Golden domes, ancient stones and your first Bulgarian stroll.

Next stop, Sofia: ride the rails into Bulgaria's capital, stash your bags and set off to stretch your legs in style.

City strolls: join your Trip Leader for a walking tour of Sofia's highlights – there'll be the golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman ruins, buzzing boulevards and plenty of street-side cafés to mark the start of your Bulgarian adventure. (D)

Basilicas, boulevards and banitsas: Sofia's got it all.

Sofia served up: wander Vitosha Boulevard for a dose of city life, duck into the Women's Market for local colour or kick back in leafy Borisova Gradina Park. Hungry? Tuck into flaky banitsa pastries, crisp shopska salad piled high with sirene cheese and grilled stews that tastes like pure comfort on a plate. (B)

Soak up the streets.

City strolls: after arriving in Thessaloniki, drop your bags before hitting the streets with your Trip Leader. Wander through the city's lively waterfront, peek at Byzantine walls, and explore bustling squares lined with cafés, markets and street art. Snap photos of iconic landmarks like the White Tower and Arch of Galerius while your Trip Leader shares stories that bring the city's rich history to life. After the tour wraps up, you might hunt down a bougatsa pastry (a traditional Greek custard pie), sink your teeth into a gyro or souvlaki, or get your hands on a trigona panoramatos – crispy, cream-filled triangles. Stay: Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki (or similar) (B)

Greek bites and Byzantine streets – your Thessaloniki, your pace.

Thessaloniki, your way: spend the day wandering the city's highlights, or stroll along the seafront promenade, peek over the Byzantine Walls and get lost in the colourful Modiano and Kapani markets.

Taste it all: optional adventures are on the cards too – join a food tour and enjoy some local eats –perfect fuel for more exploring. Or take to the streets on two wheels with a fun biking tour. Stay: Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki (or similar) (B)

Cliffs, monasteries and one final Greek feast.

Tracks to towering monasteries: after leaving Thessaloniki, watch the Greek countryside roll by as you make your way to Meteora, home to the famous clifftop monasteries.

Evening to remember: after checking in, take a moment to marvel at the dramatic rock formations before gathering for a farewell dinner. Celebrate with local flavours, and swap stories of step-count victories, Turkish-coffee marathons and the moments that made this trip uniquely yours. Stay: Famissi Hotel (or similar) (B/D)

Ruins, rituals and a touch of something sweet.

Hit the road: today it's onwards to Delphi, where you'll be wandering among the ancient ruins, from the Temple of Apollo to the sacred theatre, imagining what it might have been like to consult the famous oracle.

Sweet stop and scenic drive: continue to Itea for a taste of local honey, then soak in the coastal views as you head back to Athens. Pick up a final keepsake or local treat and enjoy the ride home – a perfect finale to your Aegean odyssey. (B)