Two places on my Have-to-Visit list are Istanbul and Santorini. Does anybody have any ideas about conveniently combining both in one trip from UK/Ireland? I don't see any direct flights between the two places.

I looked into this last summer and believe you will have to fly to Athens to connect to both Istanbul & Santorini. Unless you could fly out of Gatwick into Santorini, then back to Athens to connect to Istanbul.

Hopefully, the Greek experts will chime in soon. They are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Mykonos is the only Greek island from which you can sometimes find direct flights to Istanbul, and these are only available during high season. Check Onur Airlines, Atlas Jet and Pegasus Airlines. Santorini is about 2.5 hours from Mykonos by highspeed ferry, so it may be possible to get between Santorini and Istanbul in one day depending on timetables. http://www.ferries.gr/hfd/default.htm

Easyjet flies non-stop from Gatwick to both Istanbul and Santorini.

When researching flight and ferry schedules check whether it's possible if you go to Istanbul first or to Santorini first. One direction may work when the other won't.

Thank you BeachGirl247 and Brotherleelove2004.
More research needed. Not a doddle in any event.

I visited both last September and flew back from Santorini to Athens in the early evening, and then to Istanbul from Athens the next morning. You must visit both-they are both spectacular!