Mediterranean
Interlude
Athens, the Greek Isles, and Istanbul in 17 Days
With
all the Greek Isled Gems : Crete , Mykonos , Santorini
then off to Istanbul and Ephesus
. 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 ? an interlude
that includes all these gems , of course. A Grand 17 day Tour
You may arrive any day in Athens : April through Nov
Compare
with the 14-day version
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.
You may also start in Istanbul,
and enjoy this escapade from east to west across
the Aegean .
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS- Daily : April -Nov
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.
DAY
2 - ATHENS - Private Tour (BL)
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Greek capital ( private
air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide ) , including
Syntagma Square, and the towering Acropolis, and the new museum , lunch
is included in a charming local restaurant .
DAY
3 - ATHENS, MYKONOS (B)
Relax, and revisit a favorite café or shop today. Then we'll call for
you and see you to the airport for your flight over the blue Aegean
to Mykonos ( air fare in economy class with tax : included in our rate)
. AAAAAH : Mykonos , the Isle of Windmills.
DAY
4 - MYKONOS (B)
You'll spend these days on Mykonos-enough to when your appetite for
your return!
To stay in your lovely deluxe hotel and enjoy the beach, the service,
and the amenities.
DAY
5 - MYKONOS (B)
Or to venture out to explore some of the 350 whitewashed churches and
chapels, dramatic cliffs, coves, and villages . . . that is the question!
No doubt, you'll mix a bit of both; and with windmills to photograph
and fishermen to watch along the sea, your days will be filled.
DAY
6 - MYKONOS, SANTORINI (B)
Wander into one of the local bakeries to pick up a loaf of fresh bread
and cheese and olives, and picnic on a hillside as you look out to sailboats
at sea. We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your fast ferry/hydrofoil
for Santorini, where you'll find a room waiting in a beach hotel.
DAY 7 - 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 .
Sample
optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group
tour
.
DAY
8 - SANTORINI (B)
Breakfast at the hotel . Full day on your own in this Greek paradise
, or as an optional excursion : take a boat across to the dormant volcano,
and ascend through a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater.
DAY
9 - 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
10 - CRETE (B)
Enjoy your stay at the hotel Or explore on your own .
DAY
11- Crete (B)
Full day at leisure or explore one of the beaches on your own, or ask
our local rep for help with the local optional tours .
DAY
12 - SANTORINI, 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 , (air fare is included
in our rate ) .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.
DAY
13 - ISTANBUL (BL)
Full day private tour: private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur,
private guide
Today we cover the Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, with
its Ottoman treasures. 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. After lunch ( included
) in a charming local restaurant , we will take a cruise on the Bosphorus.
Day
14 - ISTANBUL - CANAKKALE (Breakfast. Dinner )
In the morning proceed through the commercial area passing Ottoman monuments
to the famous Egyptian Spice Bazaar for a short visit. Then take the
local ferry to start an unforgettable excursion between two continents,
Europe & Asia. The cruise takes you along the latest palaces of
Ottomans, The Dolmabahçe Palace and Beylerbeyi, as well as 19th
and 20th century, beautiful wooden Kiosks. Mansions and modern villas
which form the elegant section of the city. Enjoy the scenery. After
lunch, a pleasant drive to the First World War battlefields of Gallipoli.
After a brief visit cross the Dardanelles by ferry boat to Asia. Overnight
and dinner in Çanakkale.
Day 15 - CANAKKALE - Troy - Pergamum - IZMIR (Breakfast. Dinner
)
In the morning depart hotel for the site of Troy, the homeric city.
The short drive to Troy ends with the thrill of standing atop
the ancient walls where beautiful Helen once stood, where the Trojan
Horse brought victory for the invading Achaeans 3300 years ago
Afterwards
a lovely drive to Pergamum, lunch in town. Visit the Acropolis of Hellenistic
Pergamum. Among its buildings are the Altar of Zeus and the temples
of Trojan& Dionysus. Visit the Asclepion, the earliest health center
of Asia Minor. Continue to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
Day 15 - IZMIR - Ephesus - Izmir Airport (Breakfast)
Depart hotel for an hour drive to the magnificent site of Ephesus.
Ephesus
was the seat of the Council of Ephesus ( If you are interested in
visiting the Council of Ephesus, please let's know in advance.
Here
at the great Amphitheater in Ephesus the rioters cried against St. Paul
" Great is the Diana of Ephesians" .
Ephesus is the best preserved of the Greek/Roman cities in Anatolia
and while you are visiting the ancient ruins of this magnificent site
and your guide will bring them alive. You will see the beautiful Celsus
Library, restored and reconstructed according to its original form by
the architect Friedmund Hueber in the 1970's. The most spectacular building
of Ephesus is the Grand Theater, built during the Hellenistic age to
hold 24,000 spectators. It is there that St. Paul preached. Opposite
the Temple of Hadrian are the Hill Terraced Houses, homes of Ephesus'
wealthy citizens. The city was also the hometown of great philosopher
Heraclitus. After a visit to Ephesus Antique Site, you will arrive at
Sirince Village. This old Orthodox Village, 30 km from Kusadasi, was
once "Cirkince"(ugly). Indeed its inhabitants gave this name
on the purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor
to share the beauty of their village. Still after years, visitors understood
that the village was not ugly and called it "Sirince" (pretty).
Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture as
of the 1920's; after the Turkish Independence War, people exchange between
Greek and Turks has occurred and all those typical Greek houses, though
they kept their original outside characteristics, have received the
local layout inside. At Sirince Village you will have chance of seeing
the local life at a village and purchasing some small local souvenirs
and handicrafts.
The
village is also famous for its local grape and other fruit wines. During
the lunch, mingle with the local people of the village as you will be
a guest in their house for a simple lunch of local specialties. Have
a cup of traditional Turkish coffee at the main coffee house of the
village.
Time
permitting , you may wish to check your future !! , a gypsy fortune
teller will be glad to read coffee cup, Your last stop will be the visit
to the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus established in 1929. It displays
very interesting and valuable finds from Ephesus. Afterwards drive to
Izmir international airport . End of our services. Bon Voyage
DAY
17 - Departure From Istanbul
(B)
After a full breakfast,
our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage.
Extend one more day in Kusadasi? please click here .
Rates
are per person in USD
Category
A :
Inter.Continental or similar in Istanbul . Divani in Athens
Deluxe Room at Santa Marina in Mykonos ( www.santa-marina.gr)
Elounda Mare hotel level in Crete
& Superior First Class for the Santorini
USD
$ 6791.
In double occupancy. |
USD
$ 8389.
In single occupancy. |
Elounda Mare properties on Crete
Category
B :
Inter. Continental or similar in Istanbul . Divani in Athens
& Superior First Class for the Greek Isles
USD
$ 6069.
In double occupancy. |
USD
$ 7492.
In single occupancy. |
Category C - Superior First :
Hyatt or Conrad in Istanbul . Divani in Athens. Crete : Silva Maris
or similar
For Islands please see below
USD
$ 5887.
In double occupancy. |
USD
$ 6810.
In single occupancy. |
Rate includes:
- Air
transportation from Athens to Mykonos, from Santorini to Athens,
and from Athens to Istanbul , tax included
- Transportation
between airport and hotel in Athens, Istanbul, Mykonos, and Santorini
Ferry/hydrofoil between Mykonos and Santorini.
- Accommodations
with breakfast (B) as indicated below, or at comparable
properties, according to availability:
Athens: Category A
& B : Divani Palace (5 stars). Category C Electra Palace (four
stars)
Mykonos: Category
A : Santa Marina , Category B Royal Myconian on Elia Beach
(deluxe)
For the Royal Mykonian, upgrade for the total stay of 3 nights in
Mykonos :
To a superior room for $ USD 310 per person.
Santorini:
Category A & B & C : Dana , Nikos ( for Superior apartment
at Nikos please add 250 USD per person ) or Chromata Villas for Superior
First .
For Katikies Villas & Pantheon
, 15 % supplement applies to Category A & B ( subject to availability
, please inquire ), for superior Suite at Katikies , please add $
780 USD per person .
Supplement for a stand alone private villa at the Pantheon with a
free rent a car for the duration of your stay : minimum 2 guests :
Supplement per person $ 1100 USD to be added to the listed rate
Minimum 4
guests : Supplement per person : $ USD 920.00
Istanbul:Category A & B : Inter.Continental Hotel or similar
.
Category C :The Conrad or an Ottoman-style boutique hotels, such as
Arena or Armada.
Not Included:
- International
air transportation.
-
Optional excursions, such as city tours, sailing, cruising (Except
in Cairo where it's included as per itinerary)
- Any
meal not specifically mentioned
- Beverages,
and personal expenses
- Gratuities
for local personnel
-
Travel insurance
- Airport
taxes
More
choices :
|
