Getting to Know Turkey & Greece
Wondering how to take a culturally-rich, yet laid-back vacation? Rick Steves' tours of Turkey and Greece are friendly, foreign and filled with surprises. Check out the details below...along with an eye-opening assortment of online articles and podcasts on all this region has to offer!
To whet your appetite, experience a musical minute of travel through Turkey!
Take a bite of one day...and another...and another
To give you a taste of our four tours in Turkey and Greece for 2011, we've picked one day from each. Go ahead, we have plenty to share!
Day 2: The Ottoman City — Our exploration of Istanbul begins with a tour of the Ottoman Sultans' opulent Topkapı Palace and Harem. This afternoon we'll weave our way through the back streets of the Old Town of Sultanahmet, visiting the lively Grand Bazaar (the world's oldest shopping mall) and the 16th-century Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent. We'll wrap up our afternoon by exploring the exotic and fragrant Egyptian Spice Market — where "Turkish delights" are much more than candy. Taste a little more...
Day 10: Wonderland of Pamukkale — This morning we'll take off for the amazing weekly farmers' market in the town of Korkuteli, where you can assemble your own delicious picnic lunch. We'll then drive to the hilltop overlooking Pamukkale, where we'll get oriented to its spectacularly-calcified cliffs and the impressive ruins of Hierapolis, where Ancient Greeks and Romans considered the thermal springs sacred. During your free time you'll even have a chance to take a quick dip in a natural spring pool amid the remains of Roman columns. Try another nibble...
Day 10: Day-Long Boat Cruise — Let's set sail for the Aegean aboard a private boat. We'll get a look at the little islands around Bodrum, explore coves and inlets along the peninsula, eat a tasty lunch, and take a swim or two off the stern. Tonight we'll dry off and enjoy a farewell dinner, celebrating our time in Turkey together and toasting new friends. Serefe! Mmmm, what else is in this...
Athens & the Heart of Greece in 14 Days
Day 11: Ancient Epidavros — This morning we'll drive from Nafplio to nearby Epidavros. Once the most famous healing center in the Mediterranean, today's star attraction is its ancient theater, large enough to accommodate 15,000 togas. We'll learn about the roots of drama here, before hopping a ferry to the idyllic traffic-free island of Hydra. Tonight we'll share dinner together at the town's oldest taverna — prepared by the family, not a menu in sight — and sleep on Hydra. Here's looking at you, squid...
Listen to our Turkey and Greece tour guides...
Greece at a Glance (Run time: 12:37)
Hear from Greece guide David as he explains how to go beyond Athens to find the real Greece. (Travel with Rick Steves airdate: February 10, 2007)
Turkey (Run time: 25:49)
Turkey guides Lale and Tan give you a vivid introduction — and dispel some common misconceptions — about their fascinating homeland. (Travel with Rick Steves airdate: July 2, 2005)
Thorny Issues — Turkey (Run time: 28:03)
Politically-savvy Turkey guides Mine and Tan discuss some of the trickier political issues facing Turkey today, including its bid to join the European Union and its relationship with Kurds and Armenians. (Travel with Rick Steves airdate: February 16, 2008)
Istanbul City Guide (Run time: 47:17)
Living in a rapidly-growing city, guides Lale and Tan explain how Istanbul retains its intimate character with the echoes of generations still evident in its narrow streets and ornate monuments. (Travel with Rick Steves airdate: May 3, 2008)
Footsteps of St. Paul (Run time: 20:52)
Turkey guide Tan and video producer Tim discuss the places and events where Christianity's most famous letter-writer traveled 2000 years ago. (Travel with Rick Steves airdate: April 11, 2009)
Read all about it...
Turning My Lens on Istanbul
Rick Steves returns to Istanbul with a fresh perspective
Wood Carvings, Ancient Flutes, and Whirling Dervishes
Getting away from the beaten path, and closer to the people
Getting Your Buzz with Turkish Coffee
A gritty cup o' joe you'd never brew at home is something to savor in Turkey
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
It's a traveler's feast of sights, smells and sounds
Exploring Greece's Ancient Past: Delphi, Epidavros, and Mycenae
Three ancient treasures within three hours of Athens
Cock Crow on Hydra
Savoring the dawn on a traffic-free Greek Island