Treasures of the Hellenic and Ottoman Empires

Come see the wonders of Athens ,Istanbul and Central Turkey in only 12 days: Ankara, Cappadocia,Ephesus, Konya, Pamukkale, and Ephesus

compare with the 10 day edition

DAY 1 - JFK. Private Tour in Greece and Turkey - Daily - Year Round
Board your wide body comfortable jet at JFK International Airport. Choices of airlines subject to availability : Lufthansa, BA, Air France , KLM , Turkish Airlines. Overnight across the Atlantic.
Please ask us for air fare add-on from major USA cities.

DAY 2 - Athens, Private Tour in Greece and Turkey
Daily - Year Round : Arrival in Athens, we will meet you at the airport , assist you through customs and immigration, and escort you to your hotel in the bustling city center. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish.

DAY 3 - Athens- Breakfast - Lunch
Private Touring : Private guide / driver This morning you'll tour the high points of Athens, most notably 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. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant

DAY 4 - Istanbul (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, we fly to Istanbul .Our local rep meets your plane and escorts you to your hotel. Senator or similar. Remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 5 - Istanbul & Izmir (BLD)
Tour the great Ottoman capital, visiting the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi, the palace of the sultans, with its fabulous Treasury and collections of priceless Chinese porcelains. Late afternoon flight to Izmir .

DAY 6 - PRINE,MILETUS & DIDYMA (BLD)
A short drive brings us to the well-preserved ruins of Priene, a very ancient city perched above the aptly-named Meander River. We next tour Miletus, where the philosopher Thales was born. Finally, we tour the gigantic oracular temple at Didyma, which challenged the primacy of Delphi,lunch at a local restaurant . Dinner at the hotel .

DAY 7 - The Greek Island of Samos (BD)
During summer month, we'll provide you with ferry ticket , round trip between Kusadasi & the Greek Island of Samos, enjoy yours day as you wish on the island, we'll meet back at the Pier in Kusadasi upon your return and escort you back to hotel .
Except for the summer month , the ferry doesn't operate between Samos & Turkey , instead we'll take you on a half day tour of the to the hill village of Sirince (pronounced "Shee-Reen-Jeh" about half an hour drive to the east of Kusadasi, in which case lunch will be included an provided at a local restaurant . dinner at the hotel .

DAY 8 - PAMUKKALE (BLD)
The miraculously revealed House of the Virgin Mary is our first stop, after which we tour Ephesus, the capital of Roman Asia Minor, and the Basilica of St. John, said to mark his tomb. Lunch at the small town of Selcuk, attend a local fashion show, before we head for Pamukkale to tour the extensive ruins of Roman Hierapolis. (BLD) .

DAY 9 - KONYA & CAPPADOCIA (BLD)
An early morning drive to the mystical city of Konya, birthplace of the Whirling Dervishes, for a visit to the Mevlana Museum. We continue to Sultanhani the Seljuk Turkish caravanserai before making the drive to biblical Cappadocia and our hotel. Hotel: Mustafa or similar.

DAY 10 -CAPPADOCIA (BLD)
We explore the "moonscape" of Cappadocia, visiting the painted churches in the Göreme and Zelve Valleys, the rockhewn dwellings in Ortahisar, the pottery-making center of Avanos, and the incredible underground city of Kaymakl (or Derinkuyu). Afternoon at leisure to allow for shopping.

DAY 11- KING MIDAS (BL)
Drive to Gordion the capital of Phrigian Empire, the famous Gordion knot, King Midas and and his golden touch are all related with the history of this city. The visit covers the ruins of the ancient city and the Tumulus of King Midas, Lunch is served en route at a local restaurant before we head back to Ankara. Late afternoon arrival in Ankara, in time to visit the Museum of Ancient Anatolian Civilization & Ataturk mausoleum.

DAY 12 - DEPARTURE (B)
We escort you to the airport for your flight home. Most probably you 'll be connecting as well thru Istanbul for the flight back to the USA. Air fare Ankara Istanbul is included in our rate. Extend to Cairo, special air fare with tax: $200

RATES per person in USD

Rates include :

• International air fare from JFK (please call for air add on from your home city) .
• All transfers in Turkey.
• Preset menu meals as indicated (BLD : Breakfast ,lunch, dinner (Preset menu).
• Guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees.
• 4 stars first class or 3 star tourist hotel accommodation with tax.
• Lonely Planet Travel Guidebook.
• Domestic air fare within Turkey .
• Ferry tickets between Kusadasi & Samos (only during summer month.

Rate doesn't include :

• Tips
• Visa Fee : $20 in cash upon arrival, for US citizens, or $45 for Canadians
• Trip cancellation /travel insurance.
• Air fare supplement : May through the end of Sep : Please add $ 350 (doesn't apply when you handle your own air fare.

Click here for info on sailing the Mediterranean ( Blue Cruise)

Private Cruise ship Shore excursions in Greece & Turkey

The cruise regular shore excursion are generally a good introduction to the city, most of the seasoned cruise travelers prefer to go sightseeing with a private guide.

The difference between ship organized and private tours is best described as "package versus tailor-made." Some people may feel all right joining a large tour group whereas sometimes it is difficult to hear the guide and the group moves only as fast as its slowest participant.

Others may not get their questions answered at all as there may be twenty other people in the group trying to do the same.

In contrast, a small tour group with tailor-made program is way more enjoyable and ensures personal attention for everyone. You will spend as much time as you want.

Therefore, if you want to maximize your limited time, the private escorted tour tailored to your unique wishes and interests is an ideal solution.

All our private shore excursions tours are carefully designed to give you the best possible experience. Our knowledgeable, friendly and qualified tour guide and driver will ensure that your visit ashore is truly memorable. When you tour with us in Turkey as part of a private shore excursion , your tour guide will get you into sites without waiting in lines that is especially valuable given the limited time you have to spend in Turkey.