Mediterranean
Treats
Greek Island Hopping Version
A 16 -Day Treat with the Highlights
of Turkey and Greece
Including Santorini .
Add
Crete and compare with the 16-Day Version
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, Santorini . Weekly
: May - Oct .
Compare with
Santorini
Cruise Version, or with the
Cappadoccia Edition
DAY
1 - ISTANBUL - Friday - 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 - Saturday (BL)
"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).
DAY
3 - ISTANBUL - Sunday (BL)
Full
day tour : 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 ( included) 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.
DAY
4 - ISTANBUL – air to– CAPPADOCIA
- Monday (BD)
In the morning 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 5 – CAPPADOCIA - Tuesday (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 6 – CAPPADOCIA – KONYA- Wednesday (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 7 –KONYA – PAMUKKALE - Thursday (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 8 – PAMUKKALE – KUSADASI - Friday (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
9 – KUSADASI – Ephesus – KUSADASI - Saturday (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 Selçuk and see the Temple
of Artemis, one of the wonders of the ancient world. View Basilica of
St John and Isa bey Mosque. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
Day
10 - Kusadasi - Izmir - Athens - Santorini- Sunday
(B)
Drive to Izmir Airport and fly to Athens direct or via Istanbul, in
Athens connect to your flight on to Santorini .
Air fare is included in economy class, tax included. In Santorini ,
our local rep. will escort you to your hotel.
DAY
11 - Santorini - Monday (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel ,or venture out,to explore ON
YOUR OWN.
DAY
12 - Santorini - Tuesday (B)
Some suggestion that you may wish to consider for today activities (on
your own):
Akrotiri,reputedly the site of fabled Atlantis. Then on to Athinios
port to take a boat across to the 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- Wednesday (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 - Athens - Thursday (B)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then we'll call for you and see you to
the airport for your flight to Athens .
Air fare is included in economy class Santorini Athens , tax included
.Transfer
to your hotel in Athens. Remainder of the day at leisure.
DAY
15 - ATHENS - Friday (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
16 - ATHENS, Departure - Saturday (B)
We'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight home
--until next time!
.
Bon Voyage.
Rates
per person in US$
|
First
Class
Hotels |
Deluxe
Hotel |
Per
person sharing in Double
|
$
3950.00 |
$
4550.00 |
| Per
Person in Single |
$
4850.00 |
$
5780.00 |
Price
includes:
- Travel
guide books 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.
For Superior Room at King George II : Please add $140.00
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
First :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.
Other
Choices:
Not
included:
En
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