The Romance of a Greek Honeymoon

Greece and Turkey Grand Tour
Start in Istanbul

Including a stay in Mykonos and a villa in Santorini- A 16 Day Tour

The 16 day edition combines the best of travel in the Eastern Mediterranean :
A stay in Istanbul . And in Greece: classical Athens, a cruise through the Aegean, a beach stay in Mykonos and a hideaway villa on Santorini. Weekly on Sundays in Istanbul . Apr-Oct * Click here for the 14 -Day shorter version , or the 17-day with an extended stay in Istanbul . Prefer Island Hopping in Greece rather than doing the cruise , please click here

DAY 1 -- ISTANBUL , Sunday
Our staff meets your flight and escorts you to your hotel :Hyatt , Conrad or similar for Deluxe or Aygun Plaza for First class , or similar

DAY 2 -- ISTANBUL, Monday (BL)
We dive right into this fascinating city with visits to its top sights: Topkapi, the palace of the Sultans for centuries; Hagia Sophia, the greatest church in Christendom for a thousand years; the Blue Mosque, with its exquisite blue tiles; the Byzantine Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and gladiator combat; and the eerie Sunken Palace cistern beneath it. Then a drive through modern neighborhoods brings us to the ancient city walls and the Kariye Museum (Chora Church), filled with brilliant Byzantine mosaics. Breakfast, Lunch at a local restaurant.

DAY 3 -- ISTANBUL, Tuesday (BL)
After breakfast we board a ferryboat, help ourselves to fresh Turkish coffee or tea, and cruise northward along the Bosphorus, the strait which separates Europe and Asia. Disembarking at a fishing village, we enjoy a seafood lunch at a local restaurant, then drive south to go on a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar.
Breakfast, Lunch .

DAY 4 --Athens, Wednesday (B)
Our local rep will assist you with the transfer to the airport escort you to Istanbul airport for your flight to Athens . Breakfast is included at the hotel.
ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
Our Athens representative will meet you at the airport, assist you through customs and immigration, and escort you to your hotel in the bustling city center. :Stanley hotel for First class or Divani Palace for Deluxe, other upgrades are available upon request. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Stroll, browse for curios and treasures.

DAY 5 - ATHENS Thursday (B)
This morning you'll tour Athens and get to know the high points of the city, especially the towering Acropolis and the adjacent museum. You'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city, and see the Parliament, and guards in colorful traditional outfits. Your afternoon is free for further exploring or shopping, or you could well be drawn back by the charm of the Plaka. Or take advantage of one of our optional tours, such as an afternoon visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, with spectacular sunset view; or the Sound and Light show at the base of the Acropolis.

DAY 6- ATHENS To MYKONOS Friday(B)
A 30 - minute drive (transfer included)will take you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, to embark on your ferry heading for Mykonos and by sunset, reach the jet-set isle of Mykonos. And transfer to your beach hotel.

DAY 7- MYKONOS Saturday (B)
For two days soak in the sun, Stroll at your own pace along lanes lined with whitewashed houses, up to the Church of Paraportiani, or along the shore to the island's signature windmills.

DAY 8- MYKONOS Sunday (B)
One more day in Paradise soak more sun or enjoy an ouzo or a glass of retsina at a waterside cafe.

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DAY 9 - CRUISE From MYKONOS Monday(BLD)
Drive (transfer included)will take you to the local port , to embark on your four-day cruise. You'll sail into the Aegean,

DAY 10 - KUSADASI (Turkey) and PATMOS Tuesday (BLD)
We anchor at 7 a.m. in Kusadasi, on the Turkish mainland, gateway to ancient Ephesus. Stroll the streets and stop in at shops filled with leather goods and bargains in gold. Our optional tour takes you to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. You'll re-board in time for an afternoon sailing. In the late afternoon, your ship will call at the island of Patmos. Here you can visit the Monastery of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written.

DAY 11 - RHODES Wednesday (BLD)
Our cruise ship arrives early at the harbor, allowing a full day on the Island of Roses. The compact, cobbled medieval city is perfect for exploring on your own. You'll want to visit the Palace of the Knights of St. John, take a look at the wares in the boutiques, and spend some time in a seaside cafe. We also offer an optional excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos and the Valley of the Butterflies.

DAY 12 - HERAKLION (CRETE), SANTORINI Thursday (B)
We drop anchor in the port of Heraklion at 7 a.m. You can explore on your own, or take an optional excursion to the 5000-year-old Minoan Palace at Knossos and the archaeological museum. We sail at noon for Santorini, where the lost civilization of Atlantis flourished.
You'll disembark for three nights or more in Santorini .
Sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group tour .

Sample Villas in Santorini:
Dana Villas, in Firostefani with view of the volcano.
Chromata Apartments, in Imerovigli with a view of the caldera

DAY 13 - SANTORINI Friday (B)
You'll take a leisurely breakfast on your private terrace. An optional tour to the archaeological site of Akrotiri is offered. Or, you can spend the day relaxing, and take in breathtaking views of the volcano and caldera.

DAY 14 - SANTORINI Saturday (B)
The day is yours for relaxing or exploring on your own--or both! You might take a boat across to the dormant volcano, and ascend through a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater. Or savor a soak in hot sulphur springs.

DAY 15 - SANTORINI Sunday (B)
Enjoy the views from your villa, discover a black-sand beach, savor the sea breezes from the terrace of a cafe, or try your hand at fishing. Or arrange a winery visit or another excursion. The choice is yours.

DAY 16 - SANTORINI, ATHENS, Monday (B)
Our personnel will assure a seamless transfer to Santorini's Airport. You'll catch an early morning flight to Athens
( Included) , where you'll board your connecting flight, if your connection is too early in morning from Athens, then you are better of flying into Athens on Day 12, spend the night at Sofitel Athens Airport.

Rate includes:

• All airport / hotel transfers in Greece & Turkey on a private basis. Private Air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur.
• Lonely Planet travel guide 4-day cruise to Greek Isles .
• Sample Villas/ Apartments in Santorini:
• For Superior First :Dana Villas with a view of the Caldera & the sea ( Firostefani) .
• " 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 25 % supplement to the deluxe rate.
  

• Hotel accommodation in Athens (Sample hotels: Stanley for First, Titania for the first Superior, and Divani for deluxe) ,(Mykonos: Petassos, Royal Myconian ). Istanbul : First : Aygun Plaza, Superior First : Arena Ottoman Mansion Boutique Hotel, Deluxe : Conrad or similar.
  
• Breakfast daily at the hotels.
• Half day guided coach tour of Athens as per itinerary including all entrance fees.
• All meals during the cruise .
• Airport greeting and assistance.
• Transfer to hotel in Athens, and and from hotel to the cruise in Piraeus.
• Ferry ticket Piraeus / Mykonos
• Round-trip transfers in Santorini & Mykonos.
• Hotel service charges and taxes
• Port taxes
• Our local hospitality services
• One-way Istanbul/Athens & Santorini/Athens airfare in economy , tax included

Rates per person in US$, Double Occupancy, Cabins with 2 lower beds

Not included:

• Shore excursions
• International airfare from/to your home country
• Trip cancellation /travel insurance
• Gratuities Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed .
  
• Car rental on Mykonos is available and stars from $150 for 3 days.

* The cruise itinerary may vary, depending on the ship