Mediterranean Interlude
Athens, the Greek Isles, and Istanbul
Crete Edition , all in 12 Days : Athens, Crete , Santorini , Istanbul

Compare with Mykonos Edition- 12 day -Arrive any day : Apr-Oct

The mystery of Istanbul . . . the treasures of Athens . . . the romance of the Greek isles.
Crete and Santorini . What's better than a journey with a cherished companion to one of these prized destination? . Add Rome, or Andalusia and Spain , or extend your stay in Crete .
Click for Istanbul Santorini Edition ( Without Mykonos) .

Mediterranean Interlude
Athens, the Greek Isles, Crete , Santorini and Istanbul: 12 Days
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. You'll be free to linger late in bed with breakfast brought to your room, stroll the romantic old Plaka district of Athens or frequent a seaside café in Santorini, entirely at your leisure.

Your schedule is your own, without planned group activities or tours, though you're free to select these at your whim and fancy, with our assistance. Of course, Travel in Style will see to all the details, from arrival to conveyance to the Isles to settling you into your fine accommodations, leaving you to do nothing but relax and enjoy-in your own style.

Here is a sample itinerary, starting in Athens. Extend your stay in Athens ? Add a foray into Egypt
You may also start in Istanbul, and enjoy this escapade from east to west across the Aegean .
Do you prefer to extend touring into Greece Main Land ? MYCENAE, EPIDAURUS, Meteora & NAUPLIA? Compare with the 14-Day Version . Compare with the 18 Day Version with extended stay in the islands

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS (You may also start in Istanbul)
Our Athens-based personnel meets you at the international airport, assists you with the formalities, and sees you to your charming and comfortable hotel. Check in, relax, then take a stroll through the lively streets. Browse for treasures and curios, savour a coffee or aperitif at a terrace café, or enjoy a fine meal in the old Plaka district. All transfers are always on a private basis. Private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur. Extend your stay in Athens ?

DAY 2 - ATHENS CITY TOUR (BL)
After breakfast, enjoy a day private tour of Athens :
we tour the great Greek capital, including Constitution (Syntagma) Square, Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, and the National Library.

Driving down Herod Atticus street you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniforms and the Presidential Palace.On your way to the Acropolis, you will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch.

Our private tour today also includes : the Temple of Olympian Zeus / Dionissos Theatre/ Ancient Agora/ Roman Agora as well as a stop by the Jewelry museum (LALAOUNIS)

The Acropolis hill, so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city. During Perikles' Golden Age, ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground.
The first habitation remains on the Acropolis date from the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, the rocky hill was continuously used either as a cult place or as a residential area or both. The inscriptions on the numerous and precious offerings to the sanctuary of Athena (marble korai, bronze and clay statuettes and vases) indicate that the cult of the city's patron goddess was established as early as the Archaic period (650-480 B.C.)

Lunch is included at a local charming Greek restaurant.

After lunch ,enjoy the afternoon on your own or join us for a complimentary tour ( no refund , no cash value , should you decide to skip this part of our program : Choose from :
You may choose between : A) Athens local markets , or B) Churches and Museum Tour

A) Athens Local Markets :
Ride the new Athens Subway alongside the locals today ( always escorted with your English speaking Guide) ! We take pride in affording you this experience, entirely by public transportation, with orientation by our English-speaking representative. You'll get to tour Athens fascinating vegetable and fruit markets by subway and/ or taxi. Markets days/dates are subject to change, we may have to change your program in Athens to accommodate such changes.

B) Churches and Museums: Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur

BYZANTINE CHURCHES :
Russian Orthodox Church at Filellinon & Amalias
Athens cathedral (Mitropolis) at Mitropoleos
Kapnikarea at Ermou
Saint Theodore at Klafthmonos



Museum Tour : BENAKI MUSEUM - (closed on Tuesdays)
Covering the history of Greece from Paleolithic (pre-historic, 60000 B.C.) till present.

DAY 3 - ATHENS, Santorini (B)
After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel . then we'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight over the blue Aegean to Santorini , where you'll find a private vehicle waiting for you and transfer to your hotel . Click for sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group tour .

DAY 4 - SANTORINI (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel and linger for as long as you wish. When you venture out, explore the cliff top town of Thira with its winding paths leading from view to spectacular view. Day at leisure.

DAY 5 - SANTORINI (B)
Take a boat across to the dormant volcano, and ascend through a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater. Or savour a soak in hot sulphur springs. Arrange a winery visit, or an outing to Akrotiri, reputedly the site of fabled Atlantis. Click here for more info & Images: Villas on Santorini

DAY 6 - SANTORINI, CRETE (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Crete, Heraklion& your hotel. Flights operate only on Thu & Sat, on other days, it will be the ferry which is 5 hours, or flights via Athens (Supplement applies$ $95).

Day 7 - 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 8 - CRETE (B)
Enjoy another day in this Greek paradise , or join one of the local optional tours , be it on private basis or seat in a coach .

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. Our personnel will be on hand to greet you upon arrival and see you to your Ottoman mansion-style boutique hotel in the Turkish capital. Air fare is always included: Crete Athens Istanbul, in economy class, tax included . Fly Crete Athens ,then when you land in Athens, please proceed and follow the sign for connections and check-in for the onward flight to Istanbul .

DAY 10 - ISTANBUL - Private Touring (BL)
Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur , private guide : Today we tour the Blue Mosque , Aya Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, with its Ottoman treasures. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant , in the afternoon we will enjoy a guided walking tour of the Grand Bazaar offers endless bargains in its 5000 stands, kiosks, and shops. Soak up the atmosphere of a traditional coffee house, complete with bubbling water pipes. And if we still have time, take a cruise on the Bosphorus. Extend to Kusadasi and Ephesus

DAY 11 - ISTANBUL - "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:" (B)

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). Remainder of the day is at leisure on your own .

DAY 12 - DEPARTURE From Istanbul (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. This tour operates daily from Apr through Oct . If you need to fly back to Athens : Please add $ $200 USD , tax included , Turkish Airlines

Based on 5 stars such as :
Divani Palace in Athens , Chromata in Santorini:

Based on Heritage Hotel Category for Athens : Grand Bretagne (Deluxe Room ) , King George .
Katikies ( standard room) , or Chromata ( Superior Room ) in Santorini
Four Seasons ( standard room) or Ciragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul :

Rate includes:

• Air transportation within Greece in economy class , tax included as well as from Athens to Istanbul.
  
• All transfers in Greece and Turkey , always on a private basis.
  
• Guided sightseeing as listed , always on a private basis, with a private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur and private guide.
  
• All entrance fees for listed sites
  
• Accommodations with breakfast (B):
  In 4 or 5 stars based on your choice , as indicated ,or at comparable properties, according to availability:
  
  For deluxe 5 stars Athens: Divani Palace.
  
  Mykonos: Royal Myconian on Elia Beach (deluxe)
  
  Santorini: Chromata, Nikos Villas or Dana Villas .
  
  
  Sample hotel in Istanbul, based on your choice :
  Ottoman-style boutique hotels, such as Arena or Armada, providing intimacy and fine service.
  Or the Inter.Continental hotel, Conrad , Hilton or similar
  Four Seasons or the Ciragan Palace Kempinski

Not Included:

• International air transportation from / to your home country .
• Optional excursions, such as city tours, sailing, cruising
• Any meal not specifically mentioned, beverages, and personal expenses
• Gratuities for local personnel
• Travel insurance ( please ask your agent for details)
• Airport taxes
  
  
  
  
  
  

  General Listing for Hotels In Greece	Athens:	Mykonos	Crete	Santorini
  First class Hotels	Stanley, or Electra Palace	Manoulas Beach	Silva Maris	Chromata , Rose Bay , Astir Villas.
  Deluxe	Divani Palace	Royal Myconian on Elia Beach. Mykonian Imperial Mykonos Grand	Elounda Mare Aldemar Royal Mare , Creta Maris, Candia Maris,Porto Elounda	Dana