Luxury
Private Tour of
Rome and Istanbul
A 12- Day Private Tour of Rome and Turkey :
Istanbul , Ephesus and Kusadasi
Choose your own date. This is a private tour
Tour operates daily - Year Round - Start in Rome or Istanbul
Compare with Italy as
part of a Mediterranean Cruise
Rome in One Day . Rome
and the Amalfi Coast . Arrive
Civitavecchia by sea and on to
tour Rome
Whatever
it is about Rome or Istanbul that intrigues you, fascinates you, tempts
you, or entertains you, you'll find it exactly, because your visit will
be tailored exactly to your desires. Fascinated by the tastes of Roman
or Ottoman cuisine? Your private guide will suggest the best restaurants.
Drawn to the masterpieces of Michelangelo? We'll whisk you to the Vatican
at the best time. Have your heart set on Italian footwear or daring
designs in clothing? Talk it over with your guide-in your own language-and
find out where to shop. AAAAAH
Istanbul and The Turkish Republic, with its dramatic landscapes and
disarmingly friendly people, is a land almost twice as large as California,
located in the same latitudes, but washed by the warm waters of the
Aegean and Mediterranean seas, come and explore the mighty city of the
Sultans and Harem !
DAY
1- ROME ( or Istanbul)
You'll arrive today at Rome's Fiumicino Airport, where your Roman host
will be waiting to greet you in your preferred language, be it Spanish,
Japanese, French, or English. After introductions, you'll be escorted
in a private car to the hotel you've selected. You'll have a chance
to discuss what you'll be doing over the next few days. Your host will
make sure that you're settled in for the evening, after which you'll
have a chance to make your own acquaintance with the Eternal City.
This tour may start any day . This is a private tour. Choose your own
date.
Start in Rome or Istanbul. Tour operates daily . Year round.
DAY
2 - IMPERIAL ROME WALKING TOUR (B)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, until your guide calls for
you to begin your walking visit to glorious Rome of the empire. In just
a few hours, you'll pass through centuries of history. You'll take in
the Colosseum, completed in 72 A.D. by Emperor Vespasian, once the site
of gladiatorial bouts and chariot races, and so solidly constructed
that it still is largely intact. You'll continue to the Forum, the main
public square of the ancient city, site of markets, public ceremonies,
and religious rituals. You'll take in the Monument to the Unknown Soldier
in the Piazza Venezia, and journey back across centuries again to the
Piazza del Campidoglio, the masterpiece city hall square designed by
Michelangelo. And you'll appreciate unforgettable hilltop views of all
of Rome. Spend your afternoon as you choose. Your host will be pleased
to call a taxi to take you to your hotel, or recommend a restaurant
for lunch. Rome offers an endless array of temptations, and your only
problem will be choosing among them: a stroll on the Via del Corso,
shopping on the Via Condotti, browsing the Via delle Carrozze and the
Via della Croce. Of course, there's nothing as Roman as stopping for
a cappuccino at the Antico Caffè Greco in the heart of the Via Condotti.
Indulge yourself! For dinner, we can recommend typically Roman restaurants
near the Forum, the Colosseum, or in other parts of Rome. Your host
will be happy to discuss your preferences and write down some suggestions,
with full directions.
DAY
3 - TREASURES OF THE VATICAN (B)
Your Roman host will once again call for you after breakfast at your
lodgings, to take you on a walking visit (or, as an option, by private
car) to Rome's universal masterpieces of religious art and architecture.
You'll travel together to the Vatican, and on the way, discuss the background
of this unique city-state as patron of the arts, temporal power, and
beacon of faith for millions worldwide. Your morning-and more, for there's
so much to see-will be devoted to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's
Basilica. Count on four hours for the visit. Of course, you'll see the
absolute musts for anyone visiting the Holy See, including Michelangelo's
ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, his Last Judgment over the altar,
and masterpieces by Raphael. You'll continue to St. Peter's Basilica,
the greatest church in the world by any measure, to view its grandeur
as a whole, and its individual treasures, from the Pietà by Michelangelo
to the Papal altar and Throne of St. Peter by Bernini. Afterward, a
horse-drawn carriage will convey you into the heart of Rome, to view
monuments and treasures from all eras, including Castle Sant'Angelo
and the Pantheon of the ancient empire, and the beloved Fontana de Trevi
and the Piazza di Spagna of more recent times. Once again, the remainder
of the day will be yours to spend as you choose, shopping or enjoying
the cuisine and street life of one of the world's most lively cities,
with recommendations by your guide.
DAY
4- Rome - (B)
Breakfast is always included at your hotel. A full day on your own to
explore the city as you wish or ask us for additional touring maybe
to Pompei ?
DAY
5- Rome - Istanbul (B)
Your host will call for you after breakfast for the transfer to Fiumicino
Airport to catch your flight to Istanbul, our rate includes air fare
between Rome and Istanbul, in economy class , tax includes .
Land in Istanbul where you're
met by our local representative, who sees you to your hotel, and answers
any questions you may have about getting to know the city. As you ride
into the great metropolis from the airport, two thousand years of history
are revealed: towering Roman walls, ancient Byzantine churches, slender
minarets framing the bulbous domes of graceful mosques. These ancient
monuments float on the skyline of a bustling modern metropolis of ten
million people.
Welcome fruit basket in your room awaits you with our compliments.
DAY
6 - ISTANBUL (BL)
The center of ancient Constantinople and Istanbul was on Seraglio Point,
framed by the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. We
visit the Blue Mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet III to challenge
the architectural primacy of neighboring Sancta Sophia. We then
walk next door to compare achievements in Justinian's great Sancta Sophia.
Right behind Sancta Sophia is our next stop, sumptuous Topkapi Palace,
the sultans seraglio for centuries, filled with breathtaking exhibits
of priceless jewels, golden thrones, delicate colored tiles, and lavish
court costumes. After lunch in a local restaurant ,we finish up in the
bustling Grand Bazaar, where you can find jewelry, carpets, goat-hair
rugs, hand-painted ceramics, copper and brass in labyrinthine streets
holding nearly 4000 shops.
DAY
7 - BOSPHORUS (BL)
Istanbul's history was formed by the Bosphorus, the winding strait
that separates Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea
of Marmara. Now, as in ancient times, it is a maritime vital link between
the countries bordering the Black Sea and those in the rest of the world.
Today we take a leisurely cruise northward along this historic waterway.
Along its shores are ranged palaces great and small-Topkapi, Dolmabahçe,
Beylerbeyi, Küçüksu, Hünkar Iskelesi. Four
great fortresses rise on the hills, reminding us that to control the
Bosphorus was to control the destinies of nations. Our afternoon cruise
(morning cruise fro Oct-Apr season) of two continents, crossing from
Europe to Asia and back, includes visits to the Navy's Museum (showing
some magnificent boats used by the Ottoman Sultans), the Bosphorus Bridge,
Çamlica Hill lookout, and stupendous Dolmabahçe Palace.
Lunch
is included at a charming local restaurant .
Day
8 - "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:"
(BL)
Morning walking tour : We start with our guide in Karaköy where
the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then
take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish
tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates),
and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the
famous Pera Palace Hotel.
Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in
the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and
be picked up for the afternoon tour. In the afternoon the tour visit
Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz,
and finish up with a visit to the Military History Museum in Harbiye
in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon).
Day
9 - Istanbul - Kusadasi (BL)
Transfers are always on a private basis. Private air-conditioned vehicle,
private chauffeur .
Fly to Izmir ( airfare is always included in economy class , tax included
) , after landing in Izmir , your first stop on this fascinating tour
is at the House of the Virgin Mary. Then, you will continue on to visit
ancient Ephesus, one of the most magnificent and best-preserved ancient
sites in the world. See the Odeion, the Market Basilica, Curetes Street,
Bath, Celsus Library, Marble Street and the Great Theatre with a seating
capacity of 25,000 people. See the
After lunch , we visit the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk and see the
Temple of Artemis, one of the wonders of the ancient world. View Basilica
of St John and Isabey Mosque. En-route to Kusadasi enjoy the scenery
and the local arts , enjoy shopping opportunity.
DAY
10 - Kusadasi (B)
Full day at leisure to allow you time to explore Kusadasi on your own,
or ask us for available optional tours
DAY
11 - Kusadasi (B)
One more day at leisure in this Mediterranean paradise . The city stands
on a bay in the Aegean with the peninsula of Guvercin Ada sticking out
into the sea at one end, and the mountain of Kaz Dagi behind. Explore
the town or take a day gulet cruise, or just simply enjoy the beach,
the choice is yours.
DAY
12 - ISTANBUL (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, head back to Izmir Airport , fly back
to Istanbul , air fare is included in our rate in economy class, tax
included . In Istanbul, and at Istanbul Airport connect on your own
to your onward International flight or ask us for additional hotel stay
in Istanbul . Bon Voyage
RATES per person in US $ :
( Sundays : Add 15 % supplement to the rates )
| Hotel
Category |
Three
Stars
Category C |
Four
Stars
category B |
Four
Stars
Superior
Category A |
| In
Triple Occupancy |
US
$ 5550. |
US
$ 5880. |
US
$ 6650. |
| Double
Occupancy |
US
$ 5680. |
US
$5920. |
US
$ 6765. |
| Single
Occupancy |
US
$ 7010. |
US
$ 7380. |
US
$ 8089. |
We'll
be glad to custom tailor your stay in Rome and Istanbul. Tour may start
in Rome or Istanbul .
Rome Sample Hotels:
Three-star hotels include the Palladium Palace, Isa, Visconti Palace,
and similar establishments.
Four-star hotels include the Capo D'Africa and similar
Four-star deluxe hotels include the InterContinental De La Ville
, Sofitel Rome or comparable hotels.
Istanbul
Sample Hotels:
Category C hotels include the
Ottoman Mansions: Arena , Blue House or similar
Category B hotels include the Hilton-
Swissotel, Hyatt Istanbul , Conrad Istanbul Hotel or similar
Category A hotels include the Four
Seasons or Ciragan Palace
Tour starts : Daily in Rome or Istanbul . Click
here for Day tours out of Naples
Prices
include:
- Rate
includes: Hotel accommodation with tax and service charge.
- Air
fare in economy class with tax between Istanbul and Rome.
- Domestic
air fare within Turkey in economy class , tax included
-
Breakfast daily (B) , pre-set menu lunch in Istanbul as per itinerary
.
- Lodging
tax
- All transfers are always on a private basis, private
air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, Reception
at the airport or train station upon arrival to Rome and escort to
your lodgings and back to the airport or rail station at departure
.
- Airport
arrival transfer will allow for up to
two hour delay , then an additional $ 40 per hour
will be charged ( PER PERSON - minimum 2 guests )
- Services
of a private guide during the visits described.
Not
Included:
- Personal
expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically included.
- Gratuities
for local personnel
- Drinks/beverages
.
- Travel
insurance
- Airport
taxes ( if not already included in the international
air fare.)
- International
air fare from/to your home country
More
choices for your honeymoon in Italy:
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