Mediterranean Treats

Cappadocia Version . A 14 -Day Grand Mediterranean Tour
Including a Greek Cruise from Turkey to Greece

Anatolia, Cappadocia , The city of the Sultans Istanbul , Constantinople, Ephesus & Kusadasi
A 14 day Mediterranean escapade . For your honeymoon, anniversary , birthday celebration , this is the perfect getaway. Your days are filled with enough Mediterranean exotic sights, sounds, scenes and scents to make it seem like weeks. combines the best of travel in Greece and Turkey , classical Athens, a cruise through the Aegean, including Rhodes, , Patmos, Crete , Santorini .

DAY 1 - ISTANBUL - Monday - Weekly : March - Nov
You're met at the airport or seaport by our representative, who sees you to your hotel .
Our local rep will answer any questions you may have about getting to know the city. As you ride into the great metropolis from the airport/or seaport , two thousand years of history are revealed: towering Roman walls, ancient Byzantine churches, slender minarets framing the bulbous domes of graceful mosques. These ancient monuments float on the skyline of a bustling modern metropolis of ten million people.

DAY 2 - ISTANBUL - Tuesday (BL)
The center of ancient Constantinople and Istanbul was on Seraglio Point, framed by the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. We visit the Blue Mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet III to challenge the architectural primacy of neighboring Sancta Sophia. We then walk next door to compare achievements in Justinian's great Sancta Sophia. After lunch in a local restaurant ,we tour the Treasury of the sultans, and the Costume Gallery , then finish up in the bustling Egyptian Bazaar and walk through the maze of colors , spices and perfumes. Return to your hotel with sounds and colors of your first day of touring in Istanbul. Extend your stay in Istanbul?

DAY 3 - ISTANBUL – air to– CAPPADOCIA - Wednesday (BD)
In the morning browse the amazing sumptuous Topkapi Palace-official residence of the Ottoman Sultans-with courts, pavilions, mosques, fountains and a treasury. Right behind Sancta Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the sultans seraglio for centuries, is filled with breathtaking exhibits of priceless jewels, golden thrones, delicate colored tiles, and lavish court costumes.

After completing your exploration at Topkapi Palace, you will move on to the opposite side of Golden Horn, passing the Sirkeci train station, the last stop of the original Orient Express. Leave your vehicle at Karaköy, the old commercial harbor of the Ottoman Empire, and get on the underground train which connects the shores of Golden Horn to the Pera district on the hill. Opened for service in 1880, this is the second oldest underground train in Europe. You will leave the train in the Pera district which houses a wealth of fascinating buildings including churches, historical buildings, picturesque arcades, old Ottoman Hans, consulate buildings, and fine cafés. It is the best example of Istanbul's rich cultural and ethnic mosaic. After a short walk on Istiklal Street, "Grand Rue de Pera," visit the Pera Palas Hotel. The hotel was opened in 1896 in Istanbul next to the old American Consulate building, built in order to host the passengers of the Orient Express train. The train was designed by the French architect Valloury and was renovated keeping all the valuable and unique furniture in the original form. The original Orient Express started its service 120 years ago in 1883. Agatha Christie authored her famous book "Murder on the Orient Express" in one of the rooms at Pera Palas Hotel. Afterwards proceed to the Grand Bazaar for some shopping. Continue drive to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 4– CAPPADOCIA - Thursday (BD)
Start out early for a full day’s excursion into the magical lunar Landscape of Cappadocia’s rocky hills & valleys. Dominated by Erciyes Dagi, Mt. Argaeus, the region was first settled by ancient people then home to Romans, early Christians, Byzantines and Seljuks. Visit Goreme Church Valley, Zelve, Avanos, Ortahisar and Uchisar, and see some of the many churches carved into the rocks. Return to the hotel for night.

Day 5– CAPPADOCIA – KONYA- Friday (BD)
Visit the underground city of Kaymakli in the morning. So well hidden , that this Early Christian hideaway wasn't discovered until late 1930's. After lunch in Aksaray visit the Sultanhan Caravanserai on the way to Konya. Dinner and spend the night in Konya, early capital of Seljuk Empire.

Day 6–KONYA – PAMUKKALE - Saturday (BD)
Morning sightseeing of Konya, visit the Mevlana Mausoleum and Museum, the founder of the whirling dervishes in the Islamic sect. Proceed to Yalvac, Pisidian Antioch where St. paul said, "We now turn to the gentiles" and opened Christianity to the world. Passing by Egridir Lake arrive at Pamukkale, Hierapolis and overnight.

Day 7– PAMUKKALE – KUSADASI - Sunday (BD)
After a visit to Hierapolis ruins and St. Philip`s martyrdom, drive to Loadicea. The church at Laodicea was an extension church of the church at Ephesus, as were the churches of Hierapolis and Colosea. Continue to Miletos, with one of the largest amphitheaters in Asia Minor. It was in Miletos that Paul stopped at the end of his third journey and predicted his imprisonment. Later in the day visit Apollo Temple at Didyma. Drive to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

Day 8– KUSADASI – Ephesus – KUSADASI - Monday (BLD)
Morning departure to Ephesus. St. Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years. The still standing amphitheater is the witness of the riots against St. Paul. The very first church dedicated to Virgin Mary was built in Ephesus after visiting Hadrian Temple, Celcus Library, St. John`s Basilica, House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Diana.
After lunch at a charming local restaurant , visit the Ephesus Museum in Selchuk and see the Temple of Artemis, one of the wonders of the ancient world. View Basilica of St John and Isabey Mosque. En-route to Kusadasi enjoy the scenery and the local arts , enjoy shopping opportunity.
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 9 - Kusadasi - Board your Greek Cruise -Tuesday (BD)
Morning at leisure , enjoy this sea-side town and the waterfront . In the afternoon , our local rep will assist with your transfer to the pier to board your cruise late in the afternoon . Your ship will leave port around 8 PM . ( Cruise shore excursions are always a supplement)

Day 10 - 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 ( all optional tours when on board the cruise ) 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. The cruise also offer an optional excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos and the Valley of the Butterflies. We'll set sail again in the evening. Heading for Crete.

DAY 11 - 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. Leave Santorini around 9 PM

DAY 12 - Piraeus -Athens - Friday (B)
Morning arrival at Piraeus, where we'll assist with your transfer to Athens and your hotel.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Stroll, browse for curios and treasures .

DAY 13 - ATHENS -Saturday (B)
This morning you'll tour Athens and get to know the high points of the city, especially the towering Acropolis and its museum, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Theater of Dionysus.

The Acropolis hill, so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city. During Perikles' Golden Age, ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground.
The first habitation remains on the Acropolis date from the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, the rocky hill was continuously used either as a cult place or as a residential area or both. The inscriptions on the numerous and precious offerings to the sanctuary of Athena (marble korai, bronze and clay statuettes and vases) indicate that the cult of the city's patron goddess was established as early as the Archaic period (650-480 B.C.). 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.

DAY 14 - Athens Departure- Sunday (B)
There are many more things to see and do in this fascinating city, but they will have to wait for your next visit. After breakfast, our representative escorts you to the airport for your homeward flight--until next time! . Bon Voyage.

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

Price includes:

• Hotel accommodation , with tax & continental breakfast daily.
• Mediterranean cruise of the Greek Islands as per itinerary.
• Guided sightseeing as per itinerary. In Athens seat in coach
• All meals on board the cruise.
• All airport/hotel/cruise transfers as per itinerary.
• Hotel service charges and taxes .
• Port taxes.

Sample hotels :

Athens :
Deluxe: Divani Palace Acropolis.
First Class : Stanley , Electra Palace.

Istanbul :
Deluxe: Inter.Continental , Arena for the Ottoman Mansion category or similar .
For the Four Seasons , please add : $ 350 Per person in double
Istanbul First : Aygun Plaza or Divan.
If you prefer to stay in an Ottoman Mansion boutique hotel in Istanbul, please let's know in advance

Cappadocia : Cave Suites - Special Category ( Used for Deluxe & First Class)
Konya : Rixos - 5 Star
Pamukkale : Colassae - 5 Star
Kusadasi : Kismet Hotel - Special Category

Santorini : Astra . Chromata. Dana . Cliffside Suites

More Choices: The Island Hopping Version.

Not included:

• International airfare between USA and Athens.
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
• Gratuities.
• Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed
• Turkish Visa Fee : In cash upon arrival, , or from any of the Turkish Consulates

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.