Legends of
Turkey , Greece and Egypt
A Grand 18-day Mediterranean Fantasy Tour
: Exploring
"Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque" : Istanbul
Plus Greece and a Nile Cruise in Egypt
You may add extra days in Istanbul and /or Cairo
Among the most treasured memories of many travelers are a trip to
Istanbul
the Greek Isles and a journey on a Nile steamer . In this trip you
will experience them all
Compare with the Four Seasons Ultra Deluxe Edition
.
Add Rome ,
or add
Capadoccia and Ephesus
DAY
1 -- ISTANBUL - Start Weekly on : Wednesday - March - Nov
Tour starts weekly in Istanbul. Our staff meets your flight and escorts
you to your hotel.
Private
chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while
you are in Greece, Turkey and Egypt with us
.
This
tour starts weekly in Istanbul, yet please keep in mind that we keep
the right to substitute some site based on the following: Topkapi Palace
is closed on Tuesday. Ayasofia is closed on Monday. Kariye Museum is
closed on Wednesdays. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
DAY
2 -- ISTANBUL- Thursday (BLD)
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. Dinner is included at a charming
local restaurants - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner .
DAY
3 -- ISTANBUL - Friday (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
4 - Istanbul - Athens - Saturday (B)
Our local rep will assist you with the transfer to Istanbul airport
for your flight to Athens . Breakfast is included at the hotel .
Air
fare is included in our rate Istanbul Athens in economy , tax included
.
Private
chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while
you are in Greece, Turkey and Egypt with us
In Athens Our local personnel meets you at the airport and escorts
you to your hotel. Sample
Athens hotels : Deluxe: Divani
Palace Acropolis. First : Titania . Electra Palace
. Tourist : Stanley
Athens is yours and you may wish to cover on your own the high
points of the city, especially the towering Acropolis and the adjacent
museum. Welcome
fruit basket awaits you in your hotel room in Athens
DAY
5 - Sunday- Private Tour of ATHENS (BL)
A half-day private city tour will orient you to the high points of Athens.
You'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city; the Parliament;
Hadrian's Arch; and culminate with the Acropolis and its museum. Private
chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle, private guide.
Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant.
Your afternoon is free for further exploring, shopping, or, perhaps,
another visit to 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.
DAY
6 - Monday - Group Tour - MYCENAE, EPIDAURUS , NAUPLIA (BD)
We set forth from Athens to tour classical Greece, passing Corinth and
its steep-walled canal as we go. We stop at Mycenae, center of ancient
Mycenaean civilization (2800-1100 BC); and Epidaurus, site of the temple
of Asclepius. We spend the night in Nauplia.
First class hotels : Amalia or similar . Tourist class
: Victoria or similar
DAY
7 - Tuesday - Group Tour - OLYMPIA (BD)
We pass by Tripolis and Megalopolis on our way to Olympia, ancient site
of the Olympic games. We visit the great Temple of Zeus, one of the
Wonders of the Ancient World, and tour the museum. First class
hotels : Europa or similar . Tourist class : Ilis or similar
DAY
8 - Wednesday - Group Tour - DELPHI (BD)
We drive through Rion, Antirion and Nafpaktos and along the Corinthian
coast on our way to Delphi, site of the famed oracle, at the foot of
Mount Parnassus. First class hotels : Amalia or similar . Tourist
class : Hermes or similar
DAY
9 - Thursday - Group Tour - DELPHI - ATHENS (B)
We tour the ruins of Delphi and its oracle, sacred to Apollo and Dionysus.
In the afternoon, we drive via the lovely village of Arachova to the
Byzantine monastery of Ossios Loucas, then on to Athens.
DAY 10 - Friday - ATHENS, CAIRO (B)
You'll sail into Piraeus early in the morning. Our
Athens-based local rep. will take you to the airport to catch your flight
for Cairo . Air fare is included in economy class Athens Cairo with
tax included .
Our
local representative greets you at Cairo Airport and whisks you to your
hotel. Visa may be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited
number of citizens such as : American, EU , Canadian , EU Singaporean
and Japanese citizens. For Americans , please pay the $ 15 USD fee in
cash upon arrival . You are responsible for having your passport in
order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in
Cairo. Our local rep. meets with a sign that carries your name you after
you clear the passport and customs formalities . After exiting the terminal,
our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel
:
Sample Deluxe Hotels :
Ramses Hilton , Nile Hilton , J. W. Marriott, Cairo Conrad , Grand Hyatt
or similar .
Sample First Class Hotel : Sonesta Hotel or similar
Sample Tourist Class Hotel : Novotel or similar
Private chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your
airport transfers while you are in Greece and / or Egypt with us .
DAY
11 - Saturday - CAIRO (BLD)
Today,
you'll explore the wonders of the Egyptian Museum, with its treasures
of the ancient pharaohs: mummies, statuary, precious stones and metals.
Travellers have long come to Cairo just to gaze on these sights, but
your day has just started. You'll also see the Citadel of Saladin and
the alabaster mosque of Mohammed Ali. Lunch is included at Naguib Mahfouz,
then we tour the new Al-Azhar Park ( hadaik El-Azhar ) El Darb El-Ahmar
. Muizz LedeenAllah Street and Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
Dinner is included at La Bodega restaurant.
DAY
12 - Giza - Sunday (BLD)
Today, we drive to the edge of Cairo and reach Giza, on the edge
of the desert, you'll gaze in awe at the mysterious Sphinx and the Pyramids,
for those interested a complimentary ticket is included for entry to
the King's chamber inside the Pyramid, you must be physically fit to
be able to climb. Lunch is included at the Mena House. Afternoon tour
of Memphis and Sakkara including the Step Pyramid and the Nobles Mastabas
and tombs, on the way back to Cairo , we stop at the Haraniya girls
Kleem/ rugs village . Possible evening folk performance
at Wekalet El Ghouri ( subject to their own scheduele). Dinner at Zeitouni
at the Four Seasons.
The
Great Pyramid of Cheops . . . Are You Up to the Adventure?
A journey into the heart of the Great Pyramid
is a real-life Indiana Jones adventure. But it can also be a taxing
and frightening one.
You'll follow claustrophobic passages cut into the heart of the pyramid,
feel the pull of the mass of stone directly above. For better or worse,
you have placed yourself in the hands of the engineering expertise of
the ancients.
As
you continue along the unventilated passages, the oxygen becomes depleted,
the air becomes noticeably warmer and more pungent. The ascent of steep
stairways consumes more energy than you imagined, and you find yourself
short of breath. Lighting is dim, every footstep must be carefully calculated.
Low passageways repeatedly oblige you to advance while bent down, and
your muscles protest. Where walls disappear into the dark above, you
feel wedged into a shaft. Despite warnings, and your own resolve, claustrophobic
feelings are hard to suppress.
Finally,
you behold the King's Chamber at the heart of the Great Pyramid. The
effort to reach it has made the reward more exhilarating than you imagined.
If only you can face the return.
Is
the King's Chamber for you? If you're not used to bending and regular
exercise, you might find the challenge beyond your capabilities. Turning
back is more difficult the farther you go, and the experience could
leave you aching for days afterwards.
Be
realistic about yourself, your abilities, and your disposition. And
remember that there are many other rewarding sights and adventures at
Giza, without the physical challenge and risks of the King's Chamber.
The
decision is up to you.
DAY
13 - Monday - ASWAN ( or Luxor) - Camel Caravan - Nubian Village
Board your Nile Cruise (BLD)
Our Cairo personnel will escort you to the airport to board your
flight to Aswan in Upper Egypt. Private
chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while
you are in Greece, Turkey and Egypt with us
You'll
arrive in time to take lunch aboard your Nile cruiser. Welcome fruit
basket awaits you on board.
We'll have the opportunity to experience Egypt at its most authentic,
as we sail the Nile in a graceful felucca. If you wish, try your hand
at camel riding! We'll take a traditional caravan to enjoy tea with
Nubian villagers. sample
Nile Cruise : Deluxe : M/S Monaco . M/S Mojito or similar . Sample First
Class : M/S Nile Dream. M/S Ruby , these same First Class cruise will
be used for the Tourist class rate as well.
DAY 14- Tuesday - ASWAN , KOM OMBO- on Board your Nile Cruise (BLD)
After breakfast on board, we'll visit the dams at Aswan,
including the High Dam, a modern wonder in this ancient land. At the
ancient granite quarry, we'll see an obelisk left unfinished, then board
a launch on Lake Nasser to visit the Temples of Philae, rescued from
rising waters. Back aboard our cruiser, Ancient
Goddess ISIS :
The
Mystery of Isis : Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled
by the mystery of Isis:
"I,
Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath
ever seen me unveiled."
Called
Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean
tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess
from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.
Isis
was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun
God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and
Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was
also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction
of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!
Because
of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician
capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey
to the Underworld.
Isis
is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the
meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images
show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect the world.
We'll
sail northward down the Nile at a stately pace, disembarking for a visit
to Kom Ombo, the twin temple dedicated to the crocodile river god, Sobek.
Cabin
amenity : 2 Large bottled water.
DAY
15 - Wednesday- EDFU, ESNA-
on Board your Nile Cruise
(BLD)
Horse-drawn carriages or vans meet us at riverside to take us through
Edfu to the Temple of Horus, best-preserved in all of Egypt. Later,
we'll cruise to Esna, and by evening, we'll be in fabled Luxor.
Cabin
amenity: Egyptian Sweets platter.
DAY
16 -Thursday - LUXOR-
on Board your Nile Cruise
(BLD)
We'll cross the Nile to view an array of ancient splendors: the
tomb chambers of the Valley of the Kings; the imposing tomb-temple of
Queen Hatshepsut in the Valley of the Queens; and the Colossi of Memnon.
Afterward,
we'll continue on Luxor's west bank to get a totally different perspective
on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir
el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of
Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives
us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed
and decorated the tombs. Here
we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic
animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized
rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt
might not have been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and
builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be
the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement
in its tour and cruise programs.
All
transfers and tours are always on a private basis .
Evening farewell dinner & a belly dance show: Complimentary
Galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments.
DAY
17 -Friday - LUXOR, CAIRO
(B)
We'll visit the imposing Great Temple of Amon at Karnak and the
great Temple of Luxor before heading to the airport to catch our flight
to Cairo. After we settle you into your hotel, you'll have your last
opportunity to experience the excitement of this great city and, of
course, do some last-minute shopping.
Private
chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while
you are in Greece, Turkey and Egypt with us
DAY
18 - Saturday - RETURN HOME (B)
Our Cairo-based staff escorts you to the airport
for your flight home. Bon Voyage.
Private
chauffeur, private air conditioned vehicle for all your transfers while
you are in Greece, Turkey and Egypt with us
RATES are per person in double occupancy in US$:
Rates
are based on an outside standard cabin with two lower beds. ( for other
preference , please do let us know) Honeymooners will get free upgrade
to a Junior suite on board the cruise subject to availability
Rate per
person in USD Based on Modest Tourist class Three Stars Hotels :
| |
Minimum
2-3 Guests
|
Minimum
4-5 Guests
|
Minimum
6 -7 Guests
|
| Triple |
US$
5980 |
US$
5439 |
US$
5173 |
| Double |
US$
6011 |
US$
5599 |
US$
5214 |
| Single |
US$
7110 |
US$
6672 |
US$
6329 |
Rate per
person in USD Based on First class Four Stars Hotels :
| |
Minimum
2-3 Guests
|
Minimum
4-5 Guests
|
Minimum
6 -7 Guests
|
| Triple |
US$
6630 |
US$
6090 |
US$
5787 |
| Double |
US$
6725 |
US$
6140 |
US$
5861 |
| Single |
US$
7830 |
US$
7272 |
US$
6982 |
Rate per
person in USD Based on Standard Deluxe - Modest Five Stars Hotels
:
| |
Minimum
2-3 Guests
|
Minimum
4-5 Guests
|
Minimum
6 -7 Guests
|
| Triple |
US$
7250 |
US$
6688 |
US$
6392 |
| Double |
US$
7355 |
US$
6767 |
US$
6488 |
| Single |
US$
8860 |
US$
8284 |
US$
7909 |
Rate
includes:
- Lonely
Planet travel guide books to Istanbul,Greece and Egypt
- Nile
cruise, including all meals , afternoon tea served on deck daily ,
and shore excursions.
- One
large bottled water per person delivered to your cabin daily while
you are on board the Nile Cruise . Plus a small bottle of water with
each & every meal on board the cruise
- Tea
or coffee and water with each & every meal while you are on board
the Nile cruise.
- Complimentary
welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
- Complimentary
welcome fruit basket on board the Nile Cruise.
- Hotel
accommodation as mentioned in Istanbul , Greece, and Cairo, including
tax and service charges, and breakfast daily.
- Meals
as indicated, with preset menu (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
- Airport
greeting and assistance. Transportation between airports, hotels,
and port.
-
One-way air transportation from Istanbul to Athens to Cairo "
Y " Class .
- Port
taxes.
-
Domestic air transportation in Egypt " Y " class , with
tax
General
Sample Boutique Hotel Listing ( or similar) : Istanbul
Istanbul : Boutique style Ottoman Mansion Hotel : Blue House
. Arena . Yesil Ev, Sultanahmet Sarayi , Sultanhan or similar
Not
Included:
- Trip
interruption and cancellation insurance
- International
air fare.
- Turkish
and Egyptian Visa fee, please secure in your home country or upon
arrival in Istanbul ( Cash only) , please check with the Turkish consulate
near you.
- Additional
personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically mentioned
in the itinerary
- All
tips to drivers, guides etc.
- Visa
for Egypt may be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited
number of citizens such as : American, EU , Canadian , EU Singaporean
and Japanese citizens. For Americans , please pay the $ 15 USD fee
in cash upon arrival . You are responsible for having your passport
in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival
in Cairo. Our local rep. meets with a sign that carries your name
you after you clear the passport and customs formalities .
More
choices :
You
will never sacrifice comfort when you travel with us
What
other say about our service in Greece :
"
Omar -
We had a perfect vacation in Greece!
Dinner our first night at the rooftop restaurant of the Titania overlooking
the Acropolis as the sun set and the lights came on!
Santorini was magical - though we enjoyed the sunsets from Fira instead
of Oia. We did rent an ATV and got to Red Beach and Oia on day trips.
The ferry to Crete made half the boat sick - but not us!
The Movenpick in Crete was really beautiful - a luxurious place to rest
after a long week.
We were upgraded to executive suites by both the Titania and the Athens
airport Sofitel, you should know. They took good care of us!
We loved the Ouzo, the shopping, the sunsets, the beaches, the colors
of the sea and sky, the friendly waiters, the people at the Tzekos Villas,
the shop owners - we loved Greece!
We WILL return someday, especially to Santorini!
And contacting you via the Internet to arrange it was the perfect way
to set it up.
Let us know if we owe you money - the hotels said everything was pre-paid
though we charged a few things, like bottled water, to our rooms.
Thank you again, Omar, for everything! I've already referred a couple
of other people to you. You do a fine job!
Gratefully,
Jodi and Stan ""
|
