Around the World Series

Greece, Turkey and Japan

The Romance of the Greek Isles, The Ottoman Empire & Serene Japan

Including a stay in a villa in Santorini

21 days . Tour starts weekly on Saturdays in Athens, Apr through Oct
Air fare is included between Athens, Istanbul and Tokyo

Prefer Island Hopping rather than a Greek cruise ? please click here
Add Egypt

DAY 1 - Saturday - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS : Weekly : Apr - thru end of Oct
Our Athens representative will meet you at the airport, assist you through customs and immigration, and escort you to your hotel in the bustling city center. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Stroll, browse for curios and treasures, and perhaps dine at a cafe in the old Plaka district and take in a folklore show.

DAY 2 - Sunday- ATHENS (B)
This morning you'll tour Athens and get to know the high points of the city, especially the towering Acropolis and the adjacent museum. You'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city, and see the Parliament, and guards in colorful traditional outfits. Your afternoon is free for further exploring or shopping, or you could well be drawn back by the charm of the Plaka. Or take advantage of one of our optional tours, such as an afternoon visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, with spectacular sunset view.

DAY 3 -Monday- CRUISE TO MYKONOS (BLD)
A 30 - minute drive (transfer included) will take you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, to embark on your four-day Louis Greek cruise.
You'll sail into the Aegean, and by sunset, reach the jet-set isle of Mykonos. Stroll at your own pace along lanes lined with whitewashed houses, up to the Church of Paraportiani, or along the shore to the island's signature windmills. Enjoy an ouzo or a glass of retsina at a waterside cafe. Prefer Island Hopping rather than a Greek cruise ? please click here

DAY 4 - Tuesday - RHODES (BLD)
Our cruise ship arrives early at the harbor, allowing a full day on the Island of Roses. The compact, cobbled medieval city is perfect for exploring on your own. You'll want to visit the Palace of the Knights of St. John, take a look at the wares in the boutiques, and spend some time in a seaside cafe. We also offer an optional excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos and the Valley of the Butterflies.

DAY 5 - Wednesday - KUSADASI (Turkey) and PATMOS (BLD)
We anchor at 7 a.m. in Kusadasi, on the Turkish mainland, gateway to ancient Ephesus. Stroll the streets and stop in at shops filled with leather goods and bargains in gold. Our optional tour takes you to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. You'll re-board in time for an afternoon sailing. In the late afternoon, your ship will call at the island of Patmos. Here you can visit the Monastery of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written.

DAY 6 - Thursday - HERAKLION (CRETE), SANTORINI (B)
We drop anchor in the port of Heraklion at 7 a.m. You can explore on your own, or take an optional excursion to the 5000-year-old Minoan Palace at Knossos and the archaeological museum. We sail at noon for Santorini, where the lost civilization of Atlantis flourished. You'll disembark for three nights or more in a villa. Sample Villas in Santorini: Dana Villas, in Firostefani with view of the volcano.

DAY 7 - Friday -SANTORINI (B)
You'll take a leisurely breakfast on your private terrace. An optional tour to the archaeological site of Akrotiri is offered. Or, you can spend the day relaxing, and take in breathtaking views of the volcano and caldera.

DAY 8 - Saturday - SANTORINI (B)
The day is yours for relaxing or exploring on your own--or both! You might take a boat across to the dormant volcano, and ascend through a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater. Or savor a soak in hot sulphur springs.

DAY 9 - Sunday - SANTORINI (B)
Enjoy the views from your villa, discover a black-sand beach, savor the sea breezes from the terrace of a cafe, or try your hand at fishing. Or arrange a winery visit or another excursion. The choice is yours.

DAY 10 - Monday - SANTORINI, ATHENS, Istanbul (B)
Our personnel will assure a seamless transfer to Santorini's Airport. You'll catch a flight to Athens, where you'll board your connecting flight to Istanbul .

DAY 11 - Tuesday - ISTANBUL
You're met at the airport by our 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 12 - Wednesday - 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. 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 13 - Thursday - BOSPHORUS (B)
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 of two continents, crossing from Europe to Asia and back, includes visits to the Military Museum, the Bosphorus Bridge, Çamlica Hill lookout, and stupendous Dolmabahçe Palace. Complimentary plate of Turkish Lokoom pastries (Hotel room)

Day 14 - Friday - "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:" Saturday (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 15 - Saturday - ISTANBUL Tokyo(B)
There are many more things to see and do in this fascinating city, but they will have to wait for your next visit. After breakfast, our representative escorts you to the airport for your Tokyo bound , overnight across Asia & the Sea of Japan. Dinner is served on board.

DAY 16 - Sunday - Tokyo(B)
After breakfast on board, we arrive at Narita airport and clear customs and immigration. We've arranged for transportation to your hotel on the airport limousine bus, just as arriving Japanese do. You'll appreciate immediately the small marvels of Japanese urban life: spotless streets, a pace that's fast but always in control, bicycles left unlocked, vending machines dispensing superb hot coffee in cans (or whiskey, if you wish). Everything's the same, but a little bit different. You'll be comfortable in, and fascinated by, Tokyo.

DAY 17 - Monday - TOKYO
This one-day tour of Tokyo puts everything in this busy but orderly city in perspective. You'll visit the Diet (say "dee-yet")! Japan's parliament, and the Meiji Shrine. You'll ascend Tokyo Tower for a view of the metropolis, and walk through the Imperial Palace East Garden, a tranquil anomaly in the very center of the city. Then, for a total change, you'll see the throbbing Ginza, where space is in such high demand that restaurants and stores are on the second and third and fourth floors of every building. After seeing Kushiage, we'll have our lunch at Ginza Isomura. The day continues with a drive by the Imperial Palace, a stop at the Tasaki Pearl Gallery, and a forty-minute boat ride to Asakusa on the Sumida River. We'll stop at the Asakusa Kannon Temple, the famous Nakamise shopping street, and Akihabara, the neighborhood where next year's miniature cell phones, video cameras and avant-garde electronics are on sale right now. This tour operates daily, so you may choose to take it on another day while you are in Tokyo (advance notice is required) : departing at 9 a.m. and returning at 6:30 p.m. Lunch and entry fee to Tokyo Tower are included.

Extend your stay -Onsen /spa in the shadow of Mt. Fuji

DAY 18 -DAY 20 TOKYO  : Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday
You'll plan your explorations with the help of the options we offer. Venture to Kyoto or Mount Fuji as well. Pick up a few Japanese words. You've already learned the essential "arigato" (thank you) on the way over. But you'll also find that many Japanese are eager to try out their English and help you toward wherever you're going. And with maps, ticket machines, and signs that you can read, the subway makes it easy and inexpensive to get around.

DAY 21 - DEPARTURE - Tokyo- Friday
Board the limousine bus , that will take you back to the airport - until next time!

Rates per person in US$,
Greek cruise cabin will be with 2 lower beds

Rate includes:.

• One-way Santorini/Athens airfare .
• One-way Athens/Istanbul airfare.
• One-way Istanbul /Tokyo airfare
• Lonely Planet travel guide books
• 4-day cruise to Greek Isles and Turkey .
• Villa accommodation in Santorini, sample villas that are used:
  For First Class superior , 4 stars accommodation:
  Villa style "Astra Apartments" in Imerovigli, or in a 1 or 2-bedroom apartment villas.
  For 3-star, first class accommodation in the: "Grotto Villas" in Firostefani in a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment.
  
• Hotel accommodation as per itinerary , please note that in Japan we are using only deluxe hotels.
• All meals during the cruise .
• Transfers in Greece, Turkey & Japan.
• Round-trip transfers in Santorini.
• Hotel service charges and taxes
• Port taxes
• Our local hospitality services

Prefer Island Hopping rather than a Greek cruise ? please click here

Not included:

• International airfare from/to USA
• Gratuities Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed .
• Greek cruise Shore Excursions
• Trip cancellation insurance, travel insurance

Sample hotels in Athens :
Deluxe: Divani Palace Acropolis.
First Class : Stanley , Electra Palace.

Sample Villas in Santorini:
Dana Villas, in Firostefani with view of the volcano.
Chromata Apartments, in Imerovigli with a view of the volcano.

For those looking for a different experience
Stay at a Ryokan, the traditional Japanese Inn

Stay with the locals, get to see the real true charming Japan Staying at a Ryokan, the traditional Japanese Inn, is a truly unique experience, affording you a special glimpse of the age -- old customs manners and lifestyle of the Japanese community. Besides the luxuriously refreshing hot springs bathing, dinners at your Ryokan are the singular most compelling attraction, they are a sumptuously prepared and lavishly presented festive combination of the finest Japanese cuisine, intermixed with savory local delights. The typical menu, brought to you dish after dish, offers an incredible variety from Sukiyaki and Tempura to grilled fish & sea food, and in some inns, if you prefer, you may request a Western style substitutes. You will thoroughly enjoy the room's size, its simplicity and its aura of tatami straw matting, sliding screens and Spartan furnishing, all unmistakably Japanese.

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A one week Nile Cruise on a deluxe Dahabiya, Alexandria , Cairo , Giza in Egypt .
Petra and even camping with the Bedouins in Wadi Rum in Jordan .