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From
Constantinople to Santorini
Tour Greece and Turkey Having it all
Istanbul , Ephesus , Athens , Santorini
in 11 Days
What's
your preferred destination around the Aegean Sea? The Classic sites
beckon with the glories of empires past. Thriving bazaars exude the
mystery of the Orient. Hidden coves, sun, beaches and sails seduce you
to a legendary island removed from the everyday world. Which will you
choose?
Fortunately,
you can do it all! On this 11-day adventure, Travel in Style weaves
the great travel adventures of Greece and Turkey into a seamless classic
of its own. You'll gaze in awe at the treasures of Istanbul, and venture
to the cradle of classical civilization in Pergamon, Izmir, Ephesus,
and Kusadasi. You'll ascend to the Acropolis in Athens, and plumb the
pleasures of the Plaka. Then it's away from the madding crowds, to treasure
three full days in a hideaway on the Greek isle of your dreams: Santorini.
Pack your bags, and take off on any day of your choosing, from April
through October. Click
here for the 10 edition Santorini & Istanbul , or Naxos edition-14
days .
Add Crete
DAY
1 - ISTANBUL -Arrive
on any day of your choosing, from April through October
Our local personnel will be on hand when you arrive at the international
airport, to escort you to your lodgings, where a fruit basket awaits.
You'll have time to rest up from your flight, and stretch your legs
as you make your initial discoveries of this capital of Byzantine emperors
and Ottoman sultans, where East and West have long clashed, met, and
blended.
DAY
2 - ISTANBUL (BLD)
We'll visit historic and modern Istanbul today. High points will include
the Hippodrome, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, and the stunning
Blue Mosque. Then it's on to Aya Sophia, whose heritage as both a basilica
and emblem of Islamic architecture neatly sums up the strains that have
created modern Turkey. We'll fit in the fabled Topkapi palace, with
its formal gardens, salons of state and stately boudoirs of the sultan's
harem; as well as the Treasury, whose collection includes priceless
Chinese porcelain. At the Grand Bazaar, there will be occasion to assemble
your own treasure from over 5000 stands, kiosks, and shops, filled with
carpets, leatherwork, and treasures and trinkets from all points eastward.
After a short rest, we'll gather for dinner, accompanied by live music,
and the extraordinary Oriental art form that we know as the belly dance.
DAY
3 - ISTANBUL (BL)
This morning, we'll stretch our legs as we take in the sights, sounds,
and aromas of Istanbul up-close. We'll start off with our guide to re-discover
the Belle Epoque, when Constantinople was the Paris of the East. From
the traditional Karaköy district, where overseas bankers and shipping
companies had their headquarters, we'll ascend via the Tünel-an
antique subway line-up to Istiklal Caddesi, a sedate nineteenth-century
thoroughfare lined with former embassies. We'll stop in at the tekke
of the renowned whirling dervishes. And in keeping with the traditional
surroundings, we'll be hosted to tea at the landmark Pera Palace Hotel.
We'll continue on foot, at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and lunch
in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then it's on to busy Taksim
Square to rendezvous with our coach. We'll venture farther a field in
the afternoon, to Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a refined
little palace south of Yildiz, and the Military History Museum in Harbiye,
arriving in time for the strains of Mehter, the traditional Ottoman
military band.
After
a late-afternoon lunch at a charming local restaurant , we'll venture
into the legendary bazaar and a walking tour of this ancient district
with scenes from " Raiders of the lost Arch".
DAY
4 - PERGAMON. IZMIR (BL)
After breakfast, we'll escort you to the airport, where you'll board
your plane for the flight south, following the shore of the blue Aegean
to Izmir, known also in history as Smyrna. Once we de-plane, we'll proceed
to Bergama-Pergamon in Classic times-where we'll ascend to an impressive
acropolis. Among the features of the site are the Altar of Zeus, the
Temple of Dionysus, and the surviving parts of a library that in its
day held 200,000 volumes and rivaled Alexandria's. Nearby, we'll see
the Asclepion, a clinic where the illustrious Galen tended to his patients.
Our overnight stop will be either Izmir or Kusadasi.
DAY
5 - EPHESUS, KUSADASI (BL)
We'll take advantage of the morning light to ascend Kadifekale, the
commanding hill of Izmir where Alexander the Great erected a fortress.
Then we'll proceed to Ephesus of Biblical times, passing along the way
the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
We'll visit the Basilica of St John the Evangelist, who arrived in this
one-time Mediterranean metropolis from ancient Palestine in the company
of the Virgin Mary. Stops will include the Ephesus museum, and the hilltop
House of the Virgin Mary, said to be Her last home on earth, and declared
sacred by Pope John XXII in 1961.
DAY
6 - IZMIR, ISTANBUL, ATHENS (B)
After
breakfast, we'll call for you and escort you to the Izmir airport, where
you'll board your flight (domestic air fare in Greece and Turkey are
included), fly to Istanbul, connecting to Athens, where our representative
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 7 - ATHENS-Private Tour (BLD)
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Greek capital, today we
have included a half day private tour of Syntagma Square, and the towering
Acropolis. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant.
An evening Greek Taverna dinner with a folk show .
Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide.
DAY
8 - ATHENS , SANTORINI (B)
We'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight over the
blue Aegean to Santorini (Air fare included, Isle of Ancient "
Atlantis ?!", where you'll find a room waiting in a four-star beach
hotel. Or a cliff -side Villa .
Add private tours to Delphi and Argolis: please click here.
DAY
9 - Santorini (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel (or Villa),or venture out,to explore
ON YOUR OWN. Akrotiri,reputedly the site of fabled Atlantis.
Then on to Athinios port to take a boat across to eh dormant volcano,
and ascend through a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater. Visit Thirassia
Island and watch sunset in Oia. Return to your hotel/villa early evening,
the decision is totally yours.
Sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local
Group tour
.
Sample
room with a view : From your private balcony at Dana Apartments Hotel
in Santorini
DAY
10- Santorini-
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 dramatic cliffs,
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.
For
guests who are interested , a complimentary full day Greek cooking class
( available only on Thursdays -except during Easter week):
Advance reservation required, space is limited, must book this at the
time you book your tour package with us
ONE
DAY COOKING COURSE AT "SELENE" RESTAURANT.
Weekly
on Thursday : at 10 30 a.m. we will welcome you at Selene Restaurant
with fresh juice, coffee and traditional Greek cookies. A lecture by
Evelyn Volikas and George Hatziyianakis will give you an introduction
to the cuisine of the Cycladic Islands and particularly of Santorini
.Following the lecture, we will introduce to you the unique local products
of our island. The volcanic eruption that broke the island of Santorini
apart almost 3500 years ago left the dramatic caldera that you see today.
With more than 300 days of sunshine and its rich volcanic soil, the
island yields a bounty of unusual indigenous herbs and vegetables. White
eggplant, capers and caper leaves, fava (small yellow peas), exquisite
baby tomatoes - all grown virtually without water.We will introduce
you to the Santorini wine, to the grape varieties and to the Santorini
vineyard, and you will have the chance to sample four different wines
in the wine tasting we have arranged for you.
Cheeses and sausages from several other Cycladic islands, including
Naxos, Siros, Ios, Tinos, brought especially for this occasion, will
accompany the wines.At about 12.0 the presentation and the demonstration
of four different recipes will take place. You will learn how to prepare
an entire Greek menu: an appetizer,
a salad, a main course, and a dessert.
-Fava
beans with tomato caper sauce or Tomato fritters (tomatokeftedes)
-Eggplant
salad with octopus or Taramosalata
-Rabbit
with egg- cheese sauce or Lamb in grapevine leaves
-Cheese
and honey sweet pastry or Melitinia (traditional Santorini cookie)After
we have prepared the dishes, at about 2.0 p.m. you will be able to enjoy
the fruits of your labors accompanied by a bottle of delicious wine
from Santorini.
The cooking class takes place every Thursday. Web site for the world
famous " Selene" Greek restaurant : www.selene.gr
DAY
11- SANTORINI (B)
Enjoy the views from your villa, discover a black-sand beach, savor
the sea breezes from the terrace of a café, or try your hand
at fishing. Or arrange a winery visit or another excursion. The choice
is yours.
DAY
12 - DEPARTURE (B)
Do your last-minute shopping this morning, or just linger deliciously
in bed. Then we'll call for you and see you to the airport to begin
your journey home. If you wish to extend your stay , please let's know
in advance. Bon
Voyage. Back
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RATE
in US $, per person in double occupancy
Minimum 2 guests
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Tourist
Class: $ 3985.00
First Class: $ 4355.00
Deluxe
: $ 5150.00
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RATE
in US $, per person in double occupancy
Minimum 4 guests
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Tourist Class :
$ 3670.00
First Class: $ 4105.00
Deluxe : $ 4960.00
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Price includes:
- Air
transportation from Istanbul / Izmir/ Athens / Santorini, as
per the itinerary & dates you choose (subject to your availability)
.
- Transportation
between airport and hotels in Greece , always on a private basis ,
- Guided
sightseeing as indicated in ATHENS, including entrance fees .
- preset
menu meals as indicated , please check each day for the code : "B"
for breakfast, " L" for lunch and dinner as indicated "D",
etc .
- Accommodations
with breakfast (B) as indicated
below, or at comparable properties, according to availability:
- Athens:
Divani Palace Acropolis : 5 Stars Moderate .
For upgrade to Category A : Athens
King George Hotel , Gran Bretagne Hotel . St. George Lycabettus Hotel
( Acropolis view room) , or similar please add $ 400 per person in
double to the deluxe rates
Titania , Electra Palace (four stars).
- Istanbul
:
Hyatt, Hilton or Ceylan Intercontinental
or similar for the deluxe, Madison , Arena , Aygun Plaza or similar
for 4 stars
Kusadasi :
Korumar or similar for the deluxe,
or Kismet for boutique Hotels , Adakule or similar for 4 stars
- Sample
Villas/ Apartments in Santorini:
- For
Deluxe rates : Dana Villas with a view of the Caldera
& the sea ( Firostefani)
, "Astra Apartments", " On The Rocks" or Chromata
Apartments with a view of the caldera and the sea (Imerovigli.).
For Katikies please add $ 450 USD per person in double to the deluxe
rate.
- For
first class accommodation in the: "Cliff Side Suites, Volcano
View Villas, Tzekos Villas
Or Rose
Bay on Kamari Beach Hotel (four stars)
Not
Included:
-
International air transportation.
-
Trip Cancellation insurance ( Please ask your own insurance agent
)
-
Optional excursions, such as tours on Santorini, sailing, cruising
Any meal not specifically mentioned, beverages, and personal expenses
Gratuities for local personnel
Compare
with the 12 Day : Istanbul , Athens and Crete
What
other say about our service in Greece :
"
Omar -
We had a perfect vacation in Greece!
Dinner our first night at the rooftop restaurant of the Titania overlooking
the Acropolis as the sun set and the lights came on!
Santorini was magical - though we enjoyed the sunsets from Fira instead
of Oia. We did rent an ATV and got to Red Beach and Oia on day trips.
The ferry to Crete made half the boat sick - but not us!
The Movenpick in Crete was really beautiful - a luxurious place to rest
after a long week.
We were upgraded to executive suites by both the Titania and the Athens
airport Sofitel, you should know. They took good care of us!
We loved the Ouzo, the shopping, the sunsets, the beaches, the colors
of the sea and sky, the friendly waiters, the people at the Tzekos Villas,
the shop owners - we loved Greece!
We WILL return someday, especially to Santorini!
And contacting you via the Internet to arrange it was the perfect way
to set it up.
Let us know if we owe you money - the hotels said everything was pre-paid
though we charged a few things, like bottled water, to our rooms.
Thank you again, Omar, for everything! I've already referred a couple
of other people to you. You do a fine job!
Gratefully,
Jodi and Stan ""
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