Mediterranean Interlude

Athens, the Greek Isles, and Istanbul in two weeks
Santorini/Crete edition

Private Bungalows are available : $$ supplement applies

The mystery of Istanbul . . . 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? Why, an interlude that includes all three, of course.

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.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL ATHENS- Choose your own dates : Daily April Through October
Our Athens-based personnel meets you at the international airport, assists you with the formalities, and sees you to your charming and comfortable hotel, Grand Bretagne ( Deluxe Room) or King George ( Deluxe Room, subject to availability at the time we receive your booking .
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.
All transfers are always with a private air-conditioned vehicle, for couples, it will be a Mercedes sedan or similar. Private Chauffeur.

DAY 2 - ATHENS - Private Tour (BL)
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. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant.
Private air-conditioned vehicle . Private Chauffeur. Private guide. Afternoon walking tour of the Plaka and tea or coffee stop at one of the local Greek tavernas.

DAY 3 - ATHENS , SANTORINI (B)
We'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight ( business class) over the blue Aegean to Santorini (Air fare included, Isle of Ancient " Atlantis ?! . Your hotel : Dana Villas, Chromata or similar . Always superior rooms. All transfers are always with a private air-conditioned vehicle.

DAY 4 - Santorini (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel , 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 .

DAY 5 - Santorini (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.

DAY 6 - SANTORINI , CRETE (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Crete, Heraklion& your hotel. Elounda Mare top choices as listed below or similar . Flights operate only on Thursday and Saturday, other days, ferry is 5 hours, or flights via Athens .

DAY 7 - CRETE (BL)
Today in Heraklion. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide :
We visit the the three-story Minoan unique palace of Knossos , enjoy lunch in a local tavern, return to your hotel late afternoon

DAY 8 - 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 9 - ISTANBUL (B)
After a leisurely breakfast, we'll pick you up and escort you to board a flight for Athens, and onward travel to Istanbul, always in business class , tax included . Our personnel will be on hand to greet you upon arrival and see you to the Ciragan Palace, The Ritz Carlton Istanbul or one of the Four Seasons Hotels in Istanbul ( Superior Room)

DAY 10 - ISTANBUL (BL)
Full day tour : including the Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, with its Ottoman treasures. The Grand Bazaar with its endless bargains in its 5000 stands, kiosks, and shops. Soak up the atmosphere of a traditional coffee house, complete with bubbling water pipes. Lunch will be included in a local restaurant. Private air-conditioned vehicle . Private Chauffeur. Private guide.

DAY 11 - ISTANBUL (BL)
Today we stroll along the restored 19th-century thoroughfare of Istiklal Caddesi, once known as the Grand Rue de Péra. We'll search for spices and folk remedies in the Egyptian Bazaar. Admire the medieval mosaics in one or two of the city's many Byzantine churches ( all tourist sites do rotate closing one day during the week, we will confirm all details when you provide us with your dates). We will do some window shopping exploring the chic boutiques around Taksim Square, then we climb the Galata Tower, built by the Genoese six centuries ago, for a panoramic view of Old Istanbul. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant before we head back to your hotel.

Day 12 - "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:" (BL)

Morning walking tour : We start with our guide in Karaköy where the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates), and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the famous Pera Palace Hotel.
Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and be picked up for the afternoon tour. In the afternoon the tour visit Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz, and finish up with a visit to the Military History Museum in Harbiye in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon).

DAY 13 - DEPARTURE (B)
Do your last-minute shopping this morning, or just linger deliciously in bed, like Turkish royalty. Then we'll call for you and see you to the airport to begin your journey home. Bon Voyage. Gule gule

RATE in US $ per person in triple : $ 6805. USD
RATE in US $ per person in double : $ 6911. USD
RATE in US $ per person in single : $ 8254. USD

For Katikies Villas and Pantheon in Santorini , please add 20 % supplement to the listed rate.

Price includes:

• Air transportation within Greece in business class , tax included .
  
• Air transportation from Athens to Istanbul , in business class , tax included.
  
• Transportation between airport and hotels in Greece and Turkey, always using a private air-conditioned vehicle. Private chauffeur.
  
• Accommodations with breakfast (B) as indicated below, or at comparable properties, according to availability:
  

• Sample Villas/ Apartments in Santorini: : Dana Villas with a view of the Caldera & the sea ( Firostefani) .Chromata Apartments with a view of the caldera & the sea (Imerovigli.)
  For Katikies and Pantheon : Please add 20 % to the deluxe rate.

• Guided sightseeing as indicated always using a private air-conditioned vehicle. Private chauffeur. Private guide .
  
• Entrance fees for all sites listed in the itinerary.

Crete:

Heraklio / Hersonissos Area: Aldemar Royal Mare


Elounda Area: Hotel Elounda Mare

Lasithi Area:
Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars) : PRIVATE BUNGALOW with private pool

 

Not included:

• International airfare from/to your home country
• Gratuities Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed .
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Optional excursions, such as tours on Santorini, sailing, cruising
• Any meal not specifically mentioned.
• Visa fee for Turkey $20 (in Cash) secured upon arrival, or through the Turkish Consulate.

Compare with the Triangle of Ancient Lands : Egypt Greece Palestine and Israel

Trip Reviews: What other guests say about our services :
Adrian and Melina

-------- Original Message --------
From: "Adrian"
Sent: Monday, September 24,2:04 PM
To: omar@travelinstyle.com,

Subject: We're Back!

We just wanted to let you know we made it back home after our weeklong detour through Italy. Athens was fantastic. The tours were very good, and short of heading out to the islands, I can't think of a single thing we would have rather done while there.



Although we had an excellent time in Athens, Egypt was by far the highlight of our entire trip, including Italy. We just can't say enough
about Ahmed, Isis, Ashraf, and all our drivers. We simply could not have done the trip without their help. Ahmed was very professional, courteous, and helpful, and always went out of his way to make sure we were where we needed to be at the right time. Our Egyptologist guides, Isis and Ashraf, were both very knowledgeable and made our visit so much better with their endless supply of information. We wore out both days long before they did. We will definitely try to come back to Egypt when we have more time to spend.



Thank you so much for arranging the trip, allowing us to customize what we needed to, and putting us in touch with such good people. And please find attached pictures of us enjoying a camel ride. :-)



Adrian & Melina