Mediterranean
Treats
Greek Island Hopping Version
16 -Day Treat with the Highlights of Turkey and
Greece
Including the most popular Greek Islands : Santorini & Crete
Anatolia, Cappadocia , The city of
the Sultans Istanbul , Constantinople, Ephesus & Kusadasi
A 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
, Hide Away in the Mediterranean classical Athens, Crete , Santorini
. Arrive Weekly : May - Oct .
Compare
with
Santorini
11-Day Version
Compare with the Cappadoccia
Edition
DAY
1 - ISTANBUL - Sunday
Arrive any Monday in Istanbul : May - Oct .
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 - Monday (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. Right behind Sancta
Sophia is our next stop, sumptuous Topkapi Palace, the sultans seraglio
for centuries, filled with breathtaking exhibits of priceless jewels,
golden thrones, delicate colored tiles, and lavish court costumes. 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
- Tuesday (BD)
We cross 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 - Wednesday (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- Thursday (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 - Friday (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 - Saturday (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 - Sunday (BD)
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, Drive to the country side.
Your first stop on this fascinating tour is at the House of the Virgin
Mary. Then, you will continue on to visit ancient Ephesus, one of the
most magnificent and best-preserved ancient sites in the world. See
the Odeion, the Market Basilica, Curetes Street, Bath, Celsus Library,
Marble Street and the Great Theatre with a seating capacity of 25,000
people. See the
After lunch 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. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
Day
9 - Kusadasi - Izmir - Athens - Monday
(B)
Drive to Izmir Airport and fly to Athens via Istanbul. Air fare is included
in economy class, tax included. In
Athens , our local rep. will escort you to your hotel.
DAY
10 - ATHENS - Tuesday (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.).
During the Classical period (450-330 B.C.) three important temples were
erected on the ruins of earlier ones: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Nike, dedicated to Athena Parthenos,
Athena Polias, and Athena-Apteros Nike,
respectively. The Propylaea, the monumental
entrance to the sacred area was also constructed in the same period.
The monuments on the Acropolis reflect the successive phases of the
city's history. Some of them were converted into Christian churches,
houses of the Franks and later on, of the Turks. After the liberation
of Athens from the Turks, the protection, restoration and conservation
of the monuments was one of the first tasks of the newly-founded Greek
state. This major effort is continued until today, with the large-scale
restoration and supporting of the monuments, which started in the 1970's
and is still in progress.
The first excavations on the hill were conducted between 1835 and 1837.
More systematic work was carried out in 1885-1890 by Panagiotis
Kavvadias.
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
11 - ATHENS, SANTORINI - Wednesday (B)
We'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight over the
blue Aegean to Santorini (Air fare included, Isle of Ancient "
Atlantis ?!", where you'll find a room waiting in a beach hotel.
Or a cliff -side Villa .
DAY
12 - Santorini - Thursday (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel (or Villa),or venture out,to explore
ON YOUR OWN.
Some suggestion that you may wish to consider (on your own):
Akrotiri,reputedly the site of fabled Atlantis. Then on to Athinios
port to take a boat across to eh dormant volcano, and ascend through
a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater. Visit Thirassia Island and
watch sunset in Oia. Return to your hotel/villa early evening, the decision
is totally yours.
DAY
13 - Santorini- Own activities- Friday (B)
To stay in your lovely hotel and enjoy the beach, the service, and the
amenities, or to venture out to explore some of the dramatic cliffs,
coves, and villages . . . that is the question! No doubt, you'll mix
a bit of both; Relax, and revisit a favorite café or shop ,sip an ouzo
or retsina at a waterside café, discover a beach or two, pick up a loaf
of fresh bread and cheese and olives, and picnic on a hillside as you
look out to sailboats at sea. Your days will be filled.
DAY
14 - SANTORINI, CRETE - Saturday (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Crete, Hreaklion
& your hotel. Flights operate only on Thu & Sat, on other
days, it will be the fast ferry which is 2 hours ( business class
) , or flights via Athens (Supplement applies$ $95).
DAY
15- CRETE - Sunday (B)
Enjoy your stay at the hotel or explore one of the beaches. Or explore
on your own the Venetian part of the old town , see below more details
on tours in Crete.
DAY
16 - DEPARTURE Crete Athens - Monday (B)
Do your last-minute shopping this morning, or just linger deliciously
in bed. Then we'll call for you and see you to the airport to begin
your journey home.
Air fare is included in economy class Crete Athens , tax included --until
next time!
.
Bon Voyage.
Rates
per person in US$
|
First
Class
Hotels |
Deluxe
Hotel |
Per
person sharing in Double
|
$
3730.00 |
$
4110.00 |
| Per
Person in Single |
$
4670.00 |
$
5260.00 |
Price
includes:
-
Lonely Planet travel guide to Greece, and Turkey
- Air
fare in economy class Izmir Athens
- Domestic
air fare in Greece as per itinerary, economy class, tax included
-
Hotel accommodation , with tax & continental breakfast daily.
- Guided
sightseeing as per itinerary.
- All
entrance fees
- Meals
as listed. Pre-set menu : B = Breakfast : L/D = Lunch / dinner
-
All airport/hotel transfers as per itinerary.
-
Hotel service charges and taxes .
Sample
hotels :
Athens : Deluxe: Divani
Palace Acropolis. First : Electra Palace. Stanley
Istanbul : Deluxe: Inter.Continental , Conrad
, Arena for the Ottoman Mansion category or similar .
For the Four Seasons , please add : $ 450 Per person in double
Istanbul Superior : Divan.
If you prefer to stay in an Ottoman Mansion boutique hotel in Istanbul,
please let's know in advance
Istanbul
: First class : Four Stars : Aygun Plaza
Cappadocia
:
Cave Suites - Special Category ( Used for Deluxe & Superior First
Class)
Kapadokya Lodge 4 stars first or similar
Konya : Rixos - 5 Star
Superior First & Superior :Ozkaymak 4 stars or similar
Pamukkale : Colassae - 5 Star
First : Lycus River- 4 stars- or similar
Kusadasi :Korumar -5 Stars
Kismet Hotel - Special Category
First
:Pine
Marina 4 stars- or similar
Sample
Villas/ Apartments in Santorini:
- For
Deluxe rates : Dana Villas with a view of the Caldera
& the sea ( Firostefani) .
- First
Class accommodation:
Sun Rocks ,
in Firostefani , Astra Apartments, " On The Rocks ,
Chromata Apartments with a view of the caldera & the
sea (Imerovigli.),
Cliffside suites in Firostefani .
Rose
Bay on Kamari Beach Hotel.
- For
Katikies Villas & Pantheon , please add 20 % supplement to the
deluxe rate.
Crete:
Heraklio / Hersonissos Area:
* Creta Maris ( 5 stars)
* Knossos Royal Village (5 stars)
* Royal Mare Village (5 Stars)
* Atlantis Hotel ( 5 stars - Town property)
* Aldemar Royal Mare (5 stars)
Heraklio
/Amoudara Area:
* Candia Maris Hotel ( 5 stars)
Elounda Area:
* Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars):
Supplement $65 per person per night with breakfast & dinner included
(part of the deal, cant delete).
Lasithi Area:
* Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars) : PRIVATE BUNGALOW
with private pool: Supplement $200 Per person per night.
4
- Star Properties:
Heraklio
Area:
* Sylva Maris Bungalows hotel ( 4 stars)
* Galaxy Iraklio Hotel ( Town property)
* Asotria Capsis Hotel ( Town Hotel)
* Marina Beach in Gouves area
* Pantheon Palace in Gouves area
Lasithi
Area:
Miramar in Aghios Nikolaos
Other
Choices:
Not
included:
For private tours and transfers , we
use the best sedans
In
Istanbul : We will provide Mercedes Sedan
Or Deluxe vans
En
Espanol
|
