Two countries in three days: Greece-Turkey

Turkey and Greece have been talking friendly these days. They’re more for being good neighbors than holding onto old grudges, and that’s good news for travelers who want to take part in both of these desirable, exotic destinations with one go.

To make the best use of your time, focus on the major cities. You’ll have a larger variety of options with regard to transportation, lodging, etc.

Here are a few ways it can be done:

Athens-Izmir

Plane:
Pegasus Airlines have just launched Izair, offering economical, tri-weekly flights (M,W,F) from Athens to Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir. It is a laid back, progressive city with a long stretch of waterfront, fish restaurants, a fantastic Bazaar, and a hopping nightlife. Hang out or use it as a base for the popular areas of Epheses and Kusadasi, both just over an hour away. It’s advisable to use a travel agent to manage car rentals or tours.

Ferry:
If you’re determined to be back in Athens on a day there is no return flight, your best bet is to take a taxi or bus to Cesme and board a ferry to Chios. There you have access to a small airport or another ferry to Athens. Read more about the other ports connecting Turkey to the Greek islands here.

Athens-Istanbul

Plane:

Olympic Air offers two 90ish minute flights a day to Istanbul International Ataturk airport. For the jackrabbit travelers, you could actually take the tram from the airport into the city, get off near Sultanahmet (the main touristic area) take a ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of the city, eat a balik ekmet (Turkish fish sandwich) by the sea, hop back over and walk the Grand Bazaar before returning to the airport. You’ll be back in Athens in time to go to the bazouki.

Bus (coach):
Riding a bus in Turkey is an experience in itself. Eat simit, watch Turkish soap operas, and have lemon water spritzed on you before arrival. Several carriers that will take you from Istanbul to Thessaloniki (12 hours) or Athens (20-22 hours.) Yes, it’s long, but cheaper than a plane and with better scenery. A train ride is about the same length of time, if not longer thanks to poorly kept rails and badly organized border patrol stops. For best results, book with a travel agent and use one of the larger companies such as Ulusoy or Varan.

Have a real adventure. Mix it like a Greek salad. Shake it like a bottle of Ayran. Whatever you choose, you’ll be helping to build the bridge between two cultures that are trying to overpass history’s troubled waters.