Mediterranean
Grand Fantasy Tour
A 20- Day Grand Tour of : Morocco , Egypt and the Greek
Isles
Exotic Marrakech . Egypt A La Indiana Jones. And the Romance of the
Greek Isles
Explore the two gems of North Africa--Morocco
and Egypt--on this 11-day, tour to Casablanca, Marrakech, Cairo
and Luxor. Then Aaaaah ... The treasures of Athens . . . the romance
of the Greek isles. What's better than a journey with a cherished companion
to one of these prized destination. ! Weekly April - through end of
Oct
This
is a trip tailored to make the most of that special company and unique
occasion, be it an anniversary, a honeymoon, a birthday or a singular
chance to be alone and away. We have selected superior and deluxe hotels
notable for their charm, atmosphere, and, of course, fine service
DAY 1 - OFF TO MOROCCO! - Monday . =Apr - Oct
Weekly departure . Board a comfortable Air France, Swiss, Lufthansa
, British Airways or Royal Air Maroc jet at New York's John F. Kennedy
International Airport for your nonstop flight to Casablanca.
Day
2 - CASABLANCA & MARRAKECH - Tuesday (D)
Our international flight arrives in Casablanca ( or Marrakech) . After
completing customs and immigration formalities, we connect with our
domestic flight which takes us south to mystical Marrakech. Our staff
escorts us to our hotel, where we enjoy a Moroccan-style welcome dinner.
DAY
3 - MARRAKECH - Wednesday (BL)
We board a horse-drawn carriage for a clip-clop tour of this ancient
royal capital, including the Kotoubia, a former royal palace,
and of course the labyrinthine souks (bazaars). Lunch is included
at a charming local restaurant.
Home
hosted dinner, Complimentary
Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals, you may wish to bring token
gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of
your home town):
This evening we'll venture where
few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some
of the people of Cairo l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and
while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about
and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts.
Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're
sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken,
you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common
than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with
your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.
Day
4 - MARRAKECH - Home Hosted Family Dinner - Thursday (BD)
Now that you've got your bearings, today is yours to explore the city
on your own. If you prefer, join one of our optional tours (for an additional
fee): one takes you to a nearby Berber village, another takes you into
the souks for a shopping spree.
This
evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right
into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech ! You'll be invited
to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties,
you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way
of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your
new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background.
Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that
you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may
enjoy dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting
us know your preferences.
Day
5 - BY TRAIN TO CASABLANCA- Friday (BL)
"Getting there is half the fun!" We board the train for our return to
Casablanca, cruising through the lovely countryside past green
fields, fruit-laden orchards, traditional villages and modern towns,
with the lofty Atlas Mountains soaring in the distance.
Lunch
is included in Casablanca. Our tour escort points out interesting features,
and fills us in on Moroccan life and culture. After arriving in Casablanca,
we visit the majestic new Grand Mosque of King Hassan II, second
only to the Great Mosque at Mecca in size. We continue on a panoramic
tour of the city and its souks.
Day
6 - CASABLANCA / CAIRO EGYPT - Saturday (B)
After breakfast , we drive to the airport for
our Royal Air Maroc or Egyptair flight across North Africa to Egypt.
We
arrive in Cairo ,Complimentary visa issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport,
valid only for American, Australian, NZ, Canadian, Mexican & Japanese
citizens. Passports must be valid for 6 month at least at time of arrival.
Visa
will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some
stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops,
at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers.
There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding
a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp
from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport
officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport
as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist
you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting
the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle)
to the hotel.
Day
7 - CAIRO Sunday (BL)
Breakfast at the hotel , morning at leisure .Refreshed,
in the afternoon we visit the Citadel of Saladin and its Alabaster
Mosque, enjoying spectacular views of the city below. We descend from
the Citadel into Khan el-Khalili, the bazaar district, in search
of Egyptian treasures. The rest of the day is yours: lunch is included
at a local restaurant .
DAY
8 - CAIRO Monday (BL)
Today we visit Cairo's most famous monuments: the awesome pyramids of
Giza, the Valley Temple and the timeless Sphinx.
After lunch we drive to Dahshour, the newly opened pyramid field
south of Cairo, where we visit several ancient structures, including
the great pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Lunch is included
in a charming local restaurant.
DAY
9 - LUXOR Tuesday (BL)
Very early breakfast at the hotel. Then we head for our 5 AM flight
to Luxor , from the airport in this Ancient Egyptian capital we cross
the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi
of Memnon. After lunch in Luxor, we tour the stupendous Great
Temple of Amon at Karnak, and visit the Sacred Lake and red
granite quarry with its huge unfinished obelisk. We take a quick look
at the great temple of Amon Ra at Luxor on our way to the airport
for our flight back to Cairo and your hotel
DAY
10 - CAIRO r - Wednesday (BLD)
The world-famous Egyptian Museum, which holds the treasures of
Tutankhamon, is our first stop today, after which we wander the narrow
streets of Old Cairo (once a Roman fort). We go on to the Jewish
Quarter, then the Coptic Christian Quarter, stopping at the
churches of Abu Serghius and Al Molaka, the Coptic Museum, and the Ben
Ezra synagogue. After lunch at a typical local restaurant, we head back
to your hotel
Day
11 - Cairo Athens - Thursday (aB)
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight
to Athens , air fare is included in our rate in economy class, tax included.
Our
Athens-based rep. meets you at the international airport, assists you
with the formalities, and sees you to your charming and comfortable
hotel (private transfer from Athens Airport to your hotel) . Check in,
relax, then take a stroll through the lively streets.
DAY
12 - ATHENS (BL)
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Greek capital, today we
have included a half day ( private tour) tour of Syntagma Square,
and the towering Acropolis. Lunch is included at a charming local Greek
restaurant . private car/driver/guide.
DAY
13 - ATHENS, CRETE (B)
We'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight over the
blue Aegean to Crete (Air fare included, to Heraklion ), and our local
rep will escort you to your hotel.
DAY
14 - Crete (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel,or venture out,to explore ON
YOUR OWN. Maybe join an optional tour .
DAY
15 - Crete(B)
Another day to relax in this Mediterranean paradise ,or to explore ON
YOUR OWN.
DAY
16 - Crete - Own activities(B)
To stay in your lovely hotel and enjoy the beach, the service, and the
amenities, or to venture out to explore some of the , coves, and villages
. . . that is the question! No doubt, you'll mix a bit of both; Relax,
and revisit a favorite café or shop ,sip an ouzo or retsina at a waterside
café, discover a beach or two, pick up a loaf of fresh bread and cheese
and olives, and picnic on a hillside as you look out to sailboats at
sea. Your days will be filled.
DAY
17 - CRETE (BL)
Knossos: (this excursion operates on Wed's & Sat's), other tours
will be used for other days of the week based on your dates : Today
in Heraklion. We visit the unique 5000 year old open air museum, enjoy
lunch is included in a local restaurant , and tour to the three-story
Minoan palace of Knossos. Private air conditioned vehicle, private
guide, private chauffeur
DAY
18 - CRETE (B)
Enjoy your stay at the hotel or explore one of the beaches. Or explore
on your own the Venetian part of the old town , see below more details
on tours in Crete.
DAY 19 - ATHENS (B)
Do your last-minute shopping today , or just linger deliciously in bed.
Then we'll call for you and see you to the airport to fly back to Athens
( air ticket is included in our rate) .
At Athens Airport , proceed on your own to the Airport location hotel
: Sofitel Athens Airport.
DAY
20 - ATHENS (B)
Check-out & proceed on your own to the next door Athens Airport
.
RATES per
person in USD
|
|
Deluxe
Hotels |
First
Class |
Modest
Tourist Class Hotels |
In
Triple
occupancy
|
US$
8360 |
US$
7170 |
US$
6270.00 |
Double
|
US$
8460 |
US$
7240 |
US$
6300.00 |
Single
|
US$
10470 |
US$
8850 |
US$
7380.00 |
Your
tour includes:
-
Round-trip
international airfare from New York City (JFK) to Casablanca and
Cairo in economy class , including tax (Please contact us for add-on
fares from your nearest airport to New York).
-
Air
fare note : May - Sep : Please add $ 350 high season supplement,
this doesn't apply when you handle your own air fare). Air tickets
tax is included.
Click here for a version
WITHOUT air fare from/to USA.
-
Domestic airfares within Greece Morocco and Egypt in economy class
, including tax
-
First-class day train Marrakech-Casablanca , including tax and service
-
All
airport and train station transfers in Morocco and Egypt as described
in the tour itinerary
-
Your hotel room at a carefully-selected deluxe, or first class hotel,
whichever you prefer, including tax & service
-
B
= Breakfast, (or aB, American Buffet Breakfast),
L = Lunch, D = Dinner
and all Egyptian airport taxes.
-
Guided
sightseeing as listed in the itinerary including all entrance fees.
-
US,
Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian , Mexican and Japanese passport holders
need a visa to enter Egypt. You will obtain a visa at the airport
upon arrival in Cairo With our compliments, as long as your passport
valid for at least 6 month . Visas are not required of US and Canadian
passport holders for entry into Morocco.
-
VERY
IMPORTANT NOTE ON LUGGAGE: When flying from JFK on Royal Air Maroc
all the way , then 2 pieces of luggage are allowed to be checked.
For West cost customers, who may fly British Airways into Casablanca,
they will be allowed one piece of luggage to be checked in on board
the ROYAL AIR MAROC flight between Casablanca & Cairo.
Deluxe
Hotels :
In
Morocco
Marrakech
Deluxe Standard 5 stars hotel :
KENZI
FARAH or similar www.kenzi-hotels.com/anglais
Deluxe
Standard 5 stars Riad - RIAD
TIWALINE - www.riadtiwaline.com
In
Egypt : Cairo : Sofitel / Hilton / Sheraton / Hyatt / Conrad/
Inter.Continental
Casablanca
: Royal Info Ada
Or
upgrade to Deluxe Superior ( 10 % supplement applies to the deluxe
rate listed above)
in Morocco :
Marrakech:
Deluxe Superior 5 stars Riad - RIAD KNIZA www.riadkniza.com
Deluxe five stars Superior hotel / Riad :
JARDINS DE LA KOUTOUBIA www.lesjardinsdelakoutoubia.com
Casablanca
: Royal Mansour
In
Egypt : Cairo : Four Seasons Hotel
Athens:
Divani Palace
Acropolis : 5 Stars Moderate - or Similar .
Electra Palace and Stanley Hotel (four stars) - or Similar
.
Crete: Creta Maris
( Hersonissos) for Deluxe & Silva Maris ( Hersonissos) for
First Class - or Similar .
More
Hotel Listing in Crete:
Heraklio
/ Hersonissos Area:
* Creta Maris ( 5 stars)
* Knossos Royal Village (5 stars)
* Royal Mare Village (5 Stars)
* Atlantis Hotel ( 5 stars - Town property)
* Aldemar Royal Mare (5 stars)
Heraklio
/Amoudara Area:
* Candia Maris Hotel ( 5 stars)
Elounda Area:
* Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars):
Supplement $65 per person per night with breakfast & dinner included
(part of the deal, cant delete).
Lasithi
Area:
* Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars) : PRIVATE
BUNGALOW with private pool: Supplement
$200 Per person per night.
4
- Star Properties:
Heraklio
Area:
* Sylva Maris Bungalows hotel ( 4
stars)
* Galaxy Iraklio Hotel ( Town property)
* Asotria Capsis Hotel ( Town Hotel)
* Marina Beach in Gouves area
* Pantheon Palace in Gouves area
Lasithi
Area:
Miramar in Aghios Nikolaos
General
Hotel Listing
| |
Deluxe
Hotel & Cruise |
First
Class Hotels
First Class Nile Cruise |
| Athens |
Divani
Palace
(Upgrade to King George or Grand Bretagne Supplement applies) |
Electra
Palace / Stanley |
| Cairo
|
Hilton
/ Sheraton/ Hyatt
Movenpick |
Shepheard's
/ Oases
Novotel |
| Istanbul
|
Hyatt
, Conrad , Divan |
Aygun
Plaza , Richmond, Arena |
| Aswan |
Mövenpick Aswan
(upgrade to Old Cataract : $ 110 per per person night Nile
View ) |
Basma
|
| Jerusalem
|
American
Colony Hotel |
Notre
Dame Hotel |
| Luxor
|
Sonesta
/ Hilton
Sheraton / Sofitel
(upgrade to Old Winter : $ 110 P. Person P. Night ) |
Novotel
|
| Nile
Cruise |
Monaco
/ Monte Carlo / TiYi / Nile Vision / Mojito |
Nile
Dream / Ruby /
Presidential Nile Cruise |
Private
Cruise ship Shore excursions in Greece & Turkey
The
cruise regular shore excursion are generally a good introduction to
the city, most of the seasoned cruise travelers prefer to go sightseeing
with a private guide.
The
difference between ship organized and private tours is best described
as "package versus tailor-made." Some people may feel all
right joining a large tour group whereas sometimes it is difficult
to hear the guide and the group moves only as fast as its slowest
participant.
Others
may not get their questions answered at all as there may be twenty
other people in the group trying to do the same.
In
contrast, a small tour group with tailor-made program is way more
enjoyable and ensures personal attention for everyone. You will spend
as much time as you want.
Therefore,
if you want to maximize your limited time, the private escorted tour
tailored to your unique wishes and interests is an ideal solution.
All
our private shore excursions tours are carefully designed to give
you the best possible experience. Our knowledgeable, friendly and
qualified tour guide and driver will ensure that your visit ashore
is truly memorable. When you tour with us in Turkey as part of a private
shore excursion , your tour guide will get you into sites without
waiting in lines that is especially valuable given the limited time
you have to spend in Turkey.
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