Hide Away in the Greek Isles

with a Foray Across the Mediterranean to North Africa

Greece & Egypt Tour : Athens, Santorini & Cairo in 10 -Days

Compare with the 2 weeks version * Click for the Mykonos / Santorini edition, add Paris

Athens & Santorini in 4 days * Simply Santorini : One week or two weeks stays

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?

This is a trip tailored to make the most of that special company and unique occasion, be it an anniversary, a honeymoon, 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.
Tour starts Daily in Athens : April- Oct - Map & Maris Hotel - Crete * Weather Crete

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
Our Athens-based personnel meets you at the international airport, assists you with the formalities, and sees you to your charming and comfortable four-star hotel, your base for the next two nights. Check in, relax, then take a stroll through the lively streets. Browse for treasures and curios, savor a coffee or aperitif at a terrace café, or enjoy a fine meal in the old Plaka district. Combine Egypt & Athens :
Special air fare add on : Athens / Cairo / Athens : $290

DAY 2 - ATHENS (BD)
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Greek capital, today we have included a half day tour of Syntagma Square, and the towering Acropolis. An evening dinner with a folk show at the ancient Plaka district. Add an extra night in Athens? Click here

DAY 3 - 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 .

DAY4 & DAY 5 - Santorini (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel (or Villa),or venture out,to explore ON YOUR OWN. Some suggestion that you may wish to consider (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 :)

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DAY 6 - 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. Your days will be filled.

For those 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 7 - SANTORINI, Cairo (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Athens ( free upgrade to business class subject to availability). In Cairo upon arrival, we escort you to your comfortable hotel. Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival for the following nationalities; American, Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian , Japanese, Mexican, S. Korean and Singaporean , your passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond date of arrival.

DAY 8 - CAIRO- Sailing on the Nile - (cBLD)
Today we see Cairo's major sights: the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummies Room. We'll continue to Royal Manial Palace of former Crown Prince Mohamed Ali , on to the Coptic Museum, and the Church of Abu Sergha, and the Beni Ezra Synagogue. We'll see where,according to the legend, Moses was found along the banks of the Nile. We'll take our lunch at a local restaurant.
Enjoy a 30 minute felucca sailing on the Nile to see Cairo from a different angle before we head back to your hotel. Dinner Cruise with a belly dance and folk dance

DAY 9 - DAHSOUR - HOME HOSTED MEAL Wednesday (cBLD)
After breakfast, we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to the mysterious Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. The museum of the Royal Barge of Cheops The museum is built over the rectangular pit that housed the Royal Barge for thousands of years , the wooden boat was readied for the king's daily journey with the sun god, Ra . Discovered in 1954, in a completely dismantled state, the 43-metre (140-foot) cedar boat is a rare window on the Royal boats used by the kings of Ancient Egypt.

Those who are fit and adventurous enough may wish to penetrate into the heart of the Great Pyramid, to the King's Chamber your ticket is included with our compliments (or the interior of Kephren Pyramid). Taking a camel ride (Included) is entirely your own choice!

Continue to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structure:

The "Discovery" of Dahshour:
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is still in place.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant or at your hotel.

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 10 - DEPARTURE (B)
A very early morning breakfast before we'll call for you and see you to the airport to begin your journey home.

Compare with Italy edition . Bon Voyage.

Inclusions :

• Air transportation from Athens to Santorini, Crete , and back to Athens, and on to Cairo in economy class , based on the itinerary & dates you choose.
  
• Visa fee for Egypt. Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival in Cairo for the following nationalities; American, Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian , Japanese, Mexican, S. Korean and Singaporean , your passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond date of arrival.
  
  
• Transportation between airport and hotels in Greece and Egypt
  
  
• Accommodations with breakfast (B) as indicated below, or at comparable properties, according to availability:
• Guided sightseeing as indicated in each of : ATHENS, CRETE, & ISTANBUL, including preset menu lunch as indicated "L".
• Entrance fees for all sites listed in the itinerary.
  
• Athens:
  Divani Palace Acropolis : 5 Stars Moderate
  Electra Palace (four stars).
  
• Cairo : Grand Hyatt , Hilton , Sheraton for deluxe, or for First Class : Oases, Novotel or similar
  
  
• Sample Villas/ Apartments in Santorini:
• For Deluxe rates : Dana Villas with a view of the Caldera & the sea ( Firostefani) .
• First Class Superior accommodation:
  " Sun Rocks ", in Firostefani" , "Astra Apartments", " On The Rocks" or Chromata Apartments with a view of the caldera & the sea (Imerovigli.)
• For first class accommodation in the: "Grotto Villas" in Firostefani . Or Rose Bay on Kamari Beach Hotel.
• For Katikies Villas & Pantheon , please add 15 % supplement to the deluxe rate.

Not Included:

• International air transportation.
• Optional excursions, such as tours on Santorini, sailing, cruising
• Any meal not specifically mentioned.
• Beverages, and personal expenses
• Gratuities for local personnel
• Travel insurance (please inquire about flyer).
• Airport taxes.