Escapade to the Greek Isles and Istanbul

A Grand 11 day tour . Tour code # 5

Our Aegean tours,This ten-day ( Including 7 day CRUISE ) voyage of discovery includes classical Athens and the islands of the Aegean : Santorini , Mykonos, Rhodes
and even takes you to Constantinople! Stamboul! Istanbul! the fabulous city where East and West have clashed, met, and blended over the centuries

Add : Santorini & Crete , Paris , or Italy , extend your stay in Greece: Compare with the 14 day version . Add Sicily , or Egypt

DAY 1 - ATHENS - Tuesday : Weekly - April - Nov
Our local representative will meet you at Athens airport, assist with arrival procedures, and escort you to your hotel. You'll have time on your own to explore the Greek capital, browse for treasures and curios, and venture to a terrace cafe or a fine meal in the old Plaka district. Or, we'll be pleased to arrange an optional Athens by Night tour, which includes a Greek dinner and musical entertainment.

DAY 2 - ATHENS - Private Tour - Wednesday (B)
A half-day private city tour will orient you to the high points of Athens. We'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city; the Parliament; Hadrian's Arch; and culminate with the Acropolis and its museum. Your afternoon is free for further exploring, shopping, or, perhaps, another visit to 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.
Private air-conditioned vehicle. Private guide. Private Chauffeur .

DAY 3 - DELPHI (BL)- Thursday
Private Air Conditioned Vehicle - Private Chauffeur - Private Guide
Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch is included at a local restaurant . Bottled water / tea or coffee : included with your lunch Delphi or Zemeno (near Delphi)

Tour Delphi, site of the famed oracle, at the foot of Mount Parnassus. During the Mycenaean period, the female deity of Earth was worshipped in the small settlement of Delphi. The development of the sanctuary and oracle though, began in the 8th century B.C. with the establishment of the cult of Apollo. Under the protection and administration of the Amphictyony, the sanctuary continued to be autonomous after the First Sacred War and, as a result, increased its panhellenic religious and political influence. The Pythian Games were re-organized, the sanctuary was enlarged and it was enriched with nice buildings, statues, and other offerings. In the 3rd century B.C. it came under the domination of the Aetolians and later, in 191 B.C., was conquered by the Romans. During the Roman occupation the site was sometimes plundered but was also favoured by some of the emperors. With the spread of Christianity, the sanctuary lost its religious meaning and was permanently closed down with a decree of emperor Theodosius the Great.

We tour the ruins of Delphi and its oracle, sacred to Apollo and Dionysus. Return to Athens in the early evening. The drive from Athens to Delphi is 2:30hrs each way . The distance is 170 kilometers each way.

DAY 4 - ATHENS, EMBARKATION- Friday (BLD)
Your morning in Athens is unscheduled, leaving you the choice of relaxation, meeting up with friends at a cafe, or browsing the shops. In the afternoon, we'll see you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, Private air-conditioned vehicle. Private Chauffeur for your transfer to Piraeus where you'll embark around 04:00 PM on your seven-day cruise.

DAY 5 - ISTANBUL - Saturday (BLD)
Constantinople! Stamboul! Istanbul! Today you reach the fabulous city where East and West have clashed, met, and blended over the centuries. Where to start? We reach Istanbul around 05:00 PM

Choices and optional evening escorted tours (additional $$$ cost) are available on board the ship or through our office to help you take it all in. There's no need to unpack. Your ship serves as your hotel in port.

DAY 6 - Full Day Private tour of Istanbul - Sunday (BL)
We are providing on a complimentary basis , a full day tour , with private car/van/ driver & English speaking guide ( please advise if you prefer other language), visiting Aya Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the bustling and strategic Bosphorus straits. Transfer to Istanbul Port to board your cruise , in time for check in and get ready to sail around 6 PM

DAY 7 - MYKONOS -Monday (BLD)
We reach MYKONOS late afternoon : the fabled isle of windmills, beaches, cliffs, blue seas, and over 350 churches and chapels. Photo opportunities are unlimited, and shopping options are almost as plentiful. Set sail around 11 PM

DAY 8 - PATMOS -Kusadasi -Ephesus -Tuesday (BLD)
This morning we'll drop anchor at Patmos (Using tenders in Patmos) . Here you can visit ( all shore excursions are optional) the Monastery of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written. You'll reboard around 10:30 , as we head to Turkey .
Once again, we'll drop anchor in the Turkish mainland and Kusadasi ( around 2:30 PM) , gateway to ancient Ephesus. Join one of the ships shore excursion (Additional$$$) , or Stroll the streets on your own and stop in at shops filled with leather goods, carpets, and bargains in gold. Or we'll be glad to arrange for a our private basis optional tour takes you to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. We set sail from Kusadasi around 8:30 PM

DAY 9 - RHODES- Wednesday (BLD)
You'll sail into the harbor of Rhodes at first light, 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, we sail out around 06:00 PM.

DAY 10 - SANTORINI, HERAKLION - Thursday (BLD)
We drop anchor in the port of Heraklion / Crete Santorini around 07:00 AM . Explore on your own, or take an optional excursion to the 5000-year-old Minoan Palace at Knossos and the archaeological museum and , reboard in time for lunch , then it is off to Santorini , and drop anchor around 5 PM . ( using tenders to disembark / reboard) . Explore on your own, the lost civilization of Atlantis flourished. Enjoy the outdoor cafes and wander the lanes of Thira, lined with craft and clothing shops and bakeries and cafes. Ride the funicular to the cliff top, or be adventurous, and do it on mule back! . We set sail for Athens at 11 AM.

DAY 11 - PIRAEUS, RETURN HOME - Friday (B)
You'll sail into Piraeus early in the morning (06:00 AM) . Our Athens-based personnel will take you to the airport . Bon Voyage

Rates per person in US$
Double Occupancy Cabins with 2 lower beds

Supplemental charges:

Rate includes:

• Seven-day cruise to Greek Islands and Turkey.
• Two nights at the hotel of your choice in Athens.
• Athens sightseeing tour .
• Breakfast daily at the hotel.
• All meals during the cruise.
• Greeting and assistance on arrival, and transport to hotel, to cruise ship, and back to airport .
• Hotel service charges, taxes, and hospitality services .
• Port taxes .
• Lonely Planet guidebooks

Not included:

• Shore excursions.
• International airfare from/to your home country
• Gratuities Personal expenses.
• Beverages, and meals not specifically listed.
• Travel Insurance, Trip Cancellation Insurance

Greek cruise :
Clothing on shore:

Look forward to warm, even hot weather with some cooler breezes at night.
Especially for shore excursions, we recommend loose, comfortable cottons or other lightweight clothing.

Some of the tours involve long bus rides and/or considerable walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Please bear in mind that shore excursion coaches are air conditioned and you may wish to bring a light sweater.

On tours that include visits to places of worship, shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted.