Alluring Ancient Ruins with Istanbul and Rome Stays, 13 May 2027 (13 nights)

One of the city’s most popular attractions, the Basilica Cistern was built in 532 and is the largest surviving cistern in Istanbul. The number of columns and the impeccable symmetry is a staggering sight and a must see, making a great escape on hot summer days.

Built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I, the Blue Mosque is named for its hand-painted blue tiles on the interior walls, and the blue lights that illuminate it at night. A walk around this impressive structure is truly awe inspiring- don’t forget to adhere to the dress code though.

This magnificent structure took 13 years to build and was the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire. Take a tour of the entire palace or different sections and discover the exquisite decoration (particularly the 4.5 tonne chandelier) and the painting museum.

Often considered the eighth wonder of the world, the Hagia Sophia was actually built three times after being destroyed, with the third and final structure being built 532-537 AD. Now, it is a museum filled with Christian and Muslim art, as well as breath-taking architecture.

Selling countless varieties of Turkish delight, Mısır Çarşısı Market (also known as Spice Bazaar) is a fantastic place to find souvenirs, spices, snacks and stories from warm, friendly vendors. Whether you’re looking to buy or not, exploring the market is a great way to be immersed in the culture and atmosphere of Istanbul.

Sultanahmet Square is where you’ll find the tourist hotspots of Istanbul all in one place. Located in one of the most historical parts of the city, you’ll find the largest cistern, two stunning mosques and numerous places to enjoy authentic cuisine.

Topkapi Palace possesses a colourful history with many sultans living there since 1481. A visit here will give visitors insight into the fascinating stories of the Ottoman Empire, through collections of armour, weaponry, pottery, jewellery and more.

The perfect escape from the heat on a hot day, Adaland Waterpark has something fun for visitors of all ages! Featuring a wave pool, a kids pool, a jacuzzi, rafting, a safari-style ocean pool and more, you’ll be sure to love relaxing, sliding and splashing here.

Founded in 1964, the Ephesus Museum houses artefacts excavated from the Ephesus archaeological site and the surrounding areas, including the Temple of Artemis. Some notable finds include the Ephesus Artemis statue, the head of Socrates and a stamp dating back to 6200 BC.

During the Ottoman Era, Pigeon Island was used for military purposes and features an imposing Byzantine fortress on the rocks known as Pirate Castle. It is now a fantastic place to explore, relax and enjoy freshly caught seafood as well as other Aegean cuisine.

Also known as Artemesium, the Temple of Artemis is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and served as a place of worship to the Greek Goddess Artemis. Although only a few pillars remain in the ruins, the site is a must visit for ancient Greek history buffs.

The Catacombs of Milos are considered to be one of the most important Christian places of worship in Greece. Divided into three major underground galleries, visitors can take a short guided tour to discover the history of this landmark.

To truly understand how the Aegean Islands came to be, a visit to the Milos Mining Museum is a must. Here, you’ll also uncover the history of the many miners who worked in Milos, with photographs, paintings and several authentic tools on display.

Considered to be the best beach in Milos, Paliochori stretches for several kilometres with crystal-clear, warm water perfect for swimming. The unique colouring of the rock formations make this beach a perfect photo stop, while the local tavernas serve delicious cuisine.

With its otherworldly white volcanic rocks and vibrant blue waters, Sarakíniko beach looks like a whole new planet. Admire the amazing shapes made by the waves and wind, discover numerous caves and don’t forget your camera!

Though the journey to this beach is rather adventurous, visitors will be rewarded with a tranquil, secluded experience. With numerous small caves to discover as well as crystal, turquoise water to swim in, Tsigrado Beach is a small slice of paradise.

Home to over 463 ancient works, this museum is rich with fascinating history and culture of Ancient Greece. Featuring exhibits covering the second millennium BC until the 5th century AD, you’ll find pieces that were used throughout the ancient Olympic Games.

Featuring excavations from the Bronze age to the Byzantine era, this huge site provides an impressive insight into the history of Ancient Greece. You'll find sites such as the Ancient Stadium where the Olympic Games were held, the Temple of Hera, and the Temple of Zeus.

The beautiful ruins of The Temple of Zeus is a major historical site. Despite it being destroyed it still is a fantastic portal to the past giving you a major insight into the gods of old.

This fantastic free museum is dedicated to the physicist, engineer, inventor and astronomer, Archimedes of Syracuse. Home to just some of his inventions and reconstructions, it’s well worth a visit, especially for those curious about his expert creations.

Just a short walk from the archaeological site, the Archaeological Museum hosts artefacts that were discovered in Olympia. With over 3,500 years of history to discover, this small but fascinating museum will take you back in time to Ancient Greece.

The Cathedral of Messina was consecrated in 1197 and stands in the Piazza del Duomo. Its peculiarity is the different architectural styles that distinguish it: in fact, Romanesque, Norman, Gothic, Neo-Gothic and Baroque elements coexist.

The Astronomical Clock of Messina is an integral part of the city's Cathedral. It was built in 1933 at the behest of Archbishop Angelo Paino during the restoration of the bell tower and is freely inspired by the one in Strasbourg.

The Piazza del Duomo is one of the central points of Messina: here you can admire the Duomo, the Astronomical Clock and the Statue of the Immaculate Conception, a white marble sculpture created by the sculptor Giuseppe Buceti between 1757 and 1758.

The Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani rises between via Cesare Battisti and via Garibaldi on the remains of a pagan temple. The beginning of the construction dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries and boasts a clear Byzantine style with Arab-Norman influences.

The Regional Museum of Messina was established in 1806 and since then illustrates the figurative art of Messina from the 12th to the 18th century. You can admire the Resurrection of Lazarus, a famous painting by Caravaggio, and several works by Antonello da Messina.

The construction of the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea, also known as the Cathedral of Amalfi, began in the year 987 at the behest of Duke Mansone I. It is said that St. Francis of Assisi went there in 1218 to honour the relics of St. Andrew the Apostle, which are kept here.

The Amalfi Coast was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, due to its incredible natural beauty. It overlooks the Gulf of Salerno and includes the stretch from Positano to Vietri sul Mare, totalling around 50 km.

The Cloister del Paradiso is part of the Cathedral of Amalfi. It was built between 1266 and 1268 as a cemetery for high-standing citizens. The structure, in Moorish style, has an internal garden - probably dating back to the 20th century - and 120 columns.

The Emerald Grotto was discovered in 1932. It is a gorgeous, natural location in which shimmering water sits calmly in an intricate cave. The grotto owes its name to the shades that the water takes on due to the sunlight that filters through from above. It is directly connected to the Tyrrhenian Sea, and can be accessed by sea or by land.

The former paper mill of Amalfi was transformed into today's Museo della Carta in 1969, thanks to Nicola Milano, its owner. You can admire the machinery and equipment, still working, used in the past to make paper by hand.

Villa Rufolo is located in the town of Ravello, about 7 km from Amalfi. The property dates back to the 13th century and underwent a substantial restoration in the 19th century. Today, visitors to the villa will see the Arab-Norman style architecture, and can admire the beautiful gardens. The lower garden hosts the Ravello festival every year.

The Basilica of San Simplicio is the most important place of worship in the north-east of Sardinia. Built between the end of the 11th and the second half of the 12th century, it is dedicated to San Simplicio, the first bishop of Olbia. The style is mainly Pisan Romanesque.

The Castle of Pedres, built in the mid-thirteenth century, is an ancient medieval fort not far from the city center of Olbia. At the time, it defended the territory of Civita, the ancient name of the city, and the borders with the nearby Giudicato di Torres.

The Costa Smeralda is included in the municipality of Arzachena, in the province of Sassari. The renowned tourist region extends for about 50 km, boasts numerous inlets and small beaches and sees its centre in the hamlet of Porto Cervo.

The Tomb of the Giants of Su Mont’e s’Abe is one of the many structures that, in the Nuragic era, were widely distributed in Sardinia and used for collective burial. Dating back to the 2nd millennium BC, it is located not far from the Castle of Pedres.

The Taurine Baths - a Roman archaeological site dating back to the 1st century BC - are located around 4km from the urban centre of Civitavecchia. There is a legend that says the baths came to be after a bull scraped at the ground before a fight, and in doing so uncovered a hot water spring.

Aquafelix Waterpark is ideal for a day of fun with your family and friends. It is the largest water park in central Italy, and boasts areas dedicated to both adults and children.

The construction of the Michelangelo Fort began in 1508 and ended in 1537. The structure of the fortress, in true Renaissance style, has the shape of a quadrilateral with a tower in each corner, and the central tower has an octagonal layout. Its creation was ordered by Pope Julius II, to defend the Port of Civitavecchia against pirates and any other hostile encounters.

The Cathedral of San Francesco d'Assisi is the most important church of Civitavecchia. Dating back to the 17th century and completely restored in 1950, it has a Baroque style and stands on the remains of a previous Franciscan church.