Archaeology Trips in Europe
Around the Eastern Aegean, from Athens to Istanbul
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Many travelers tend to bypass the islands of the Northeastern Aegean in favor of glitzy party places like Mykonos and Santorini. They don't know what they're missing. The seductive islands hugging the coast of Asia Minor capture the essence of Hellenic culture and history, as well as provide an easy gateway to Turkish destinations such as the ancient Roman city of Ephesus.
- Natural Beauty
- Archaeology
- Food and Wine
- Beaches
- History
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Best Beaches and Ruins of Turkey
europeexpert /Fodors.com member
Many people come to Turkey to see the stunning ruins, while others are drawn by the siren call of the beaches. This itinerary, starting and ending in Istanbul, will satisfy both, and you'll see some of the greatest preserved ancient sites in Turkey. Some happen to be nestled along beaches, and others are just a short detour from a boat ride and sunshine.
- Archaeology
- Beaches
- Architecture
- History
- Natural Beauty
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Classic Trips: Athens to Istanbul
Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Take in the best of Greece and Turkey by following this classic route. Beginning at, well, the beginning—antiquity, that is—you'll explore Athens's classic monuments. From there, traverse the Greek Islands, with stops in picturesque Santorini and glitzy Rhodes, before heading for Turkey's mainland. Ancient ruins and stunning views abound in Antalya and Cappadoccia and lead to your final stop, Istanbul.
- Archaeology
- History
- Natural Beauty
- Museums
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Crete and the Dodecanese
Valeria Titova/iStockphoto
The southern islands of Crete and the Dodecanese are full of superlative experiences: a lost civilization, deep gorges, Crusader's castles, and isolated beaches. This itinerary will take you through all of them, beginning and ending in Athens.
- Natural Beauty
- Food and Wine
- Archaeology
- History
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Road Trip Around Ancient Greece
Istockphoto/ David Lewis
What's better than a road trip to explore a country? In this itinerary, you'll be road-tripping around Greece and criss-crossing from Attica to the Peloponnese to explore some its top ancient sites. You'll see the ruins of sacred Delphi, where the Oracle once uttered its prophesies, the ancient theater at Epidauros that had room for over 14,000 people, and the city which was given to Achilles as a gift.
- Archaeology
- Food and Wine
- History
- Natural Beauty
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Turkey's Crossroads of Faith
Amer Kapetanovic/iStockphoto
Turkey is a cultural crossroads where the world's major three religions (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) have coexisted for centuries. It's not uncommon to see a mosque next to an ancient church or synagogue. On this trip, you'll explore some of the most important religious sites in Turkey. Keep in mind that Turkey's bus network is more comprehensive than its train network.
- Archaeology
- History
- Natural Beauty
