Mediterranean Interlude

Greece and Turkey Mediterranean Tour
Athens, the Greek Isles : Mykonos , Santorini , Crete and Istanbul

A 20 day Mediterranean Fantasy Tour : The treasures of Athens . . . the romance of the Greek isles.

What's better than a journey with a cherished companion or a Family vacation to one of these prized destination? . You may arrive any day in Athens : Apr through Oct
We have even included all the tips

(Elounda Beach properties in Crete ) , choose from semi or private pool : Supplement applies
Add Spain and Andalusia , or add Istanbul the City of the Sultans. Compare with the 16 Day Version with Ephesus , or compare with the 14 Day Version . Add Sicily

This is a trip tailored to make the most of that special company and unique occasion, be it an anniversary, a honeymoon, a family vacation 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 . Do you prefer to extend touring into Greece Main Land ? MYCENAE, EPIDAURUS, Meteora & NAUPLIA?

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
This tour operates daily from May through September.

Private transfers in Athens, private air-conditioned vehicle, private Chauffeur
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. Add an extra day in Athens ?

DAY 2 - ATHENS - Private Tour - Private Guide - Private Air conditioned Chauffeured Vehicle - (BL)
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Greek capital l, including Syntagma Square, and the towering Acropolis. Lunch is included at a local restaurant . Remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 3 - Athens Markets or BYZANTINE Churches (BL)
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 & fruit markets by subway and/ or taxi. Enjoy lunch at a charming local restaurant before we head back to the hotel . Markets days/dates are subject to change, we may have to change your program in Athens to accommodate such changes.

Or if you prefer you may choose instead to tour one of the following tours:

BYZANTINE CHURCHES
Russian Orthodox Church at Filellinon & Amalias
Athens cathedral (Mitropolis) at Mitropoleos
Kapnikarea at Ermou
Saint Theodore at Klafthmonos
They then visited the Jewelry museum (LALAOUNIS) before breaking for lunch.
They used the metro 3 times (because they wanted to).

HISTORICAL INTEREST- Museum Tour :
BENAKI MUSEUM - (closed on Tuesdays)
Covering the history of Greece from Paleolithic (pre-historic, 60000 B.C.) till present. Can easily spend over 4 hours in there. There is also a cafeteria for breaks.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST
Temple of Olympian Zeus / Dionissos Theatre/ Ancient Agora/ Roman Agora

Guests who have been on the organized tour (the day before) can use the same entrance ticket to all the archaeological sites mentioned above.

Above are only suggestions , you may discuss with the guide and modify (add/subtract) according to what you are most interested in. The guide will advise you on what is feasible to cover in a half-day. Or add another half day : additional $$$ apply

DAY 4 - 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 (included in our rate) , Isle of Windmills.

DAY 5   - MYKONOS (B)
You'll spend three 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. Extend your stay in Mykonos

Day 6 - MYKONOS (B)
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 7 - MYKONOS (B)
Spend another relaxing morning. Reserve some time to stroll the cobbled lanes of Mykonos, to sip an ouzo or retsina at a waterside café, to discover a beach or two, 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.

DAY 8 - MYKONOS, SANTORINI (B)
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. Sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group tour .

DAY 9 - 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 10 - 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, or just take in the scenery and enjoy your hotel.

Day 11 - SANTORINI (B)
Another day in this Greek paradise , on your own , maybe arrange a winery visit, or an outing to Akrotiri, reputedly the site of fabled Atlantis.

DAY 12 - 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 13 - CRETE (B)
Enjoy your stay at the hotel Or explore on your own .

DAY 14- Crete (B)
Full day at leisure or explore one of the beaches on your own, or ask our local rep for help with the transfers.

Day 15 - 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 16- Crete (B)
Full day at leisure or explore one of the beaches on your own, or ask our local rep for help with the transfers.

DAY 17 - Athens / Istanbul (B)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Transfer is included in Crete from the Hotel to Crete Airport.
Fly back to Athens, upon arrival , proceed to connect to the connecting flight to Istanbul , air ticket is included and issued in Greece . We'll meet you upon arrival in Istanbul and assist with your transfer to your hotel and check-in . Remainder of the day at leisure.
Secure the visa for Turkey upon arrival ( in cash ) , or secure it prior to your departure from the nearest Turksih consulate in your home country .

Sample Deluxe Hotels : Istanbul: Ottoman-style boutique hotels, such as Arena or Armada, providing intimacy and fine service. or Choose from other hotel style such as the Inter.Continental , Hyatt , Hilton or the Divan.
Or add $ 320 per person to upgrade to the Four Seasons Istanbul Hotel
First class : Aygun Plaza , Senator or similar

In Istanbul ,enjoy the famous
tradition of the Turkish hamam

DAY 18 -- ISTANBUL (BL)

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

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). Then go on a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar.
Breakfast, Lunch.

DAY 19 - ISTANBUL (B)
Experience Istanbul ( on your own) .
You won't want to miss 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. And if you still have time, take a cruise on the Bosphorus.

DAY 20 - DEPARTURE From Istanbul (cB)
After a full breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage.

Elounda Mare properties on Crete ( Deluxe category)

This tour operates daily from May through September.

Rates are per person in USD $

Rate includes:

• Air and ferry transportation within Greece as per itinerary , in economy class, tax included
• Air fare between Greece and Istanbul, in economy class, tax included
• Half day Athens private guided tour as per itinerary.
• Half day Athens private guided tour as per itinerary.
• All transfers in Greece and Turkey , always on a private basis
• Accommodations with breakfast (B) as indicated or similar according to availability:
• We have even included all the tips to : Guides, drivers, porters , etc.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  	Athens:	Mykonos
  Category A Hotels	Stanley, or Electra Palace
  First class Hotels	Titania	Manoulas Beach
  Deluxe Hotels	Suite at the Divani Palace, Deluxe room at Sofitel Athens or upgrade to the King George Hotel or Grand Bretagne for additional $$	Royal Myconian on Elia Beach. Mykonian Imperial Mykonos Grand ( Sea View Room)

Supplements:

Athens : Grand Bretagne
Junior Suite USD $ 220 Per person
Deluxe Suite USD $ 605 Per person
Grand Suite USD $ 1066 Per person

Mykonos :
For Mykonos Grand . For the Suite with a private swimming pool , please add : $ 1795 USD per person for full stay in Mykonos

Santorini :
For Katikies Villas & Pantheon , please add 15% supplement to the deluxe rate.
For a private villa at the Pantheon with a private swimming pool, please add %25 to the deluxe rate listed above.

Chromata
Suite USD $ 675 Per person
Honeymoon Suite USD $727 Per person
Chromata Suite (with pool) USD $ 850 Per person
Master Suite $ USD 1404 Per person

Not Included:

• International air transportation.
• Optional excursions, such as city tours, sailing, cruising
• Any meal not specifically mentioned
• Beverages, and personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Airport taxes