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From
Istanbul to Santorini
The 12 -Day Honeymoon Wishes with The Greek Island of Crete
Istanbul , Athens , Crete
and Santorini
Dana Villas in Santorini
Ultra Deluxe Edition :
Staying at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel or Istanbul Four Seasons
Hotels .
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? All air fare in Business Class .
Fortunately,
you can do it all! On this 12-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. 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 full days in a hideaway
on the Greek isles of your dreams: Santorini and Crete . Pack your bags,
and take off on any day of your choosing, from April through October.
Prefer
to have a more relaxed itinerary? Maybe then focus on Istanbul , Athens
and Crete only ?
Click here for the 11 day Ephesus
edition . add Naxos ,
or
compare with the 18
day with Rhodes Mykonos and Western Turkey - Add
Anatolia Cappadocia
DAY
1 - Start in ISTANBUL
or in Athens
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.
Transfers
are always with a Private car and private chauffeur,
our local rep. will escort you to your lodgings, where a fruit basket
awaits.
Choice of Hotels
Category A: Kempinski Ciragan Palace or the Four Seasons ( Standard
Room)
Category B : Inter.Continental , Hyatt, Conrad , Hilton
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) Private
car / driver/Guide
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. 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.
Four
Seasons Hotel in Istanbul
DAY
3 - ISTANBUL (BL) Private
car / driver/Guide
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 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.
DAY
4 - Istanbul (B)
Breakfast at the hotel , remainder of the day at leisure to explore the
city on your own.
DAY
5 - ISTANBUL , ATHENS (B)
After
breakfast, we'll call for you and escort you to the airport, Private
car / driver , where
you'll board your flight (Domestic air fare in Greece and Istanbul/Athens
are included in our rates, always in business class ).
Fly to to Athens, where our representative assist you through customs
and immigration, and escort you to your hotel in the bustling city center.
Private
car / driver.
The
rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Stroll, browse for curios
and treasures.
Category
A: Grand Bretagne Room. King George - Standard or classical Room
Category B : Hilton , Marriott, Divani Palace ( Suite)
DAY 6 - ATHENS (BD) Private
car / driver/Guide
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. Private car/driver and guide
An evening dinner with a folk show at the ancient Plaka district.
Add
private tours to Delphi and Argolis: please click here.
DAY
7 - ATHENS , SANTORINI (B)
Private
car / driver
We'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight over the
blue Aegean to Santorini (Air fare included in economy class. Isle of
Ancient " Atlantis ?!", where you'll find a room waiting in
a four-star beach hotel. Or a cliff -side Villa .
DAY
8 - 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
.
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
9- 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.
Upgrade
to Suite accommodation in Crete and private pool
DAY 10 - SANTORINI, CRETE (B)
Private
car / driver
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Crete, Heraklion
and your hotel. Flights operate only on Thu & Sat, on other days,
it will be the ferry which is 5 hours ( economy class ) , or flights via
Athens (Supplement applies$ $95).
DAY
11 - CRETE (B)
Today in Heraklion. Explore on your own , or ask for an optional tour
maybe to visit the unique 5000 year old museum, enjoy lunch in a local
tavern, and tour to the three-story Minoan palace of Knossos.
Enjoy your stay at the hotel or explore one of the beaches. Or explore
on your own the Venetian part of the old town , click more details on
tours in Crete.
DAY
12 - DEPARTURE (B) Private
car / driver
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.
Air fare is included in economy class back to Athens
Bon
Voyage.
Category
A : Rate in US $, per person in double occupancy : $ 6360
Rate
in US $, per person in triple occupancy : $ 6140
Category
B : Rate in US $, per person in double occupancy : $ 5840
Rate
in US $, per person in triple occupancy : $ 5520
Children
10 years and younger sharing with 2 adults : % 30 discount
Price includes:
- Air
transportation from Istanbul to Athens , in business
class , tax included , as per the itinerary & dates you
choose (subject to your availability) .
- Air
transportation Athens / Santorini / Crete / Athens , in
economy class , tax included , as per the itinerary & dates
you choose (subject to your availability)
- Transportation
between airport and hotels in Greece and Turkey , always private basis
- Private
guided sightseeing as indicated in ATHENS and Istanbul , including
entrance fees & preset menu lunches and dinners as indicated "L",
" D".
- Accommodations
with breakfast (B) as indicated
below, or at comparable properties, according to availability:
- Athens:
Athens King
George Hotel , Gran Bretagne Hotel . St. George Lycabettus Hotel (
Acropolis view room) , or similar
- Istanbul
: Kempinski Ciragan Palace , the Four Seasons or similar
- Sample
Villas/ Apartments in Santorini: Dana
Villas with a view of the Caldera & the sea ( Firostefani),
or Chromata Villas
- Crete:
Heraklio / Hersonissos
Area:
* Knossos Royal Village (5 stars)
* Royal Mare Village (5 Stars)
* Aldemar Royal Mare (5 stars)
Elounda Area: Hotel Elounda Mare
With breakfast & dinner included (part of the deal, cant delete).
Lasithi Area:
Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars) :
For PRIVATE BUNGALOW with private pool: Supplement
$250 Per person per night.
Not
Included:
-
International air transportation.
-
Trip Cancellation insurance , please check with your local insurance
agent.
-
Optional excursions, such as tours on Santorini, sailing, cruising
- Any
meal not specifically mentioned,
- Beverages,
and personal expenses
- Gratuities
for local personnel .
Dana
Villas Swimming Pool-Santorini |
Tour
of the Topkapi's Harem's Quarter is included in Istanbul
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