Mediterranean Treats

A 15-Day Grand Tour of Turkey and the Greek Isles
With an extended stay in Istanbul , Santorini and a Greek Cruise from Turkey to Greece
Wednesday : Weekly in Istanbul : Apr - Oct

City of the Sultans Istanbul , Constantinople, Ephesus & Kusadasi
15 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 - Wednesday ; Weekly : 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 - Thursday - "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:" (BL)

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 - Friday (B)
You are on your own in the City of Istanbul, explore this exotic city as you wish .

One suggestion...maybe to start with the Seraglio : The center of ancient Constantinople and Istanbul was on Seraglio Point, framed by the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara.

You may wish to visit the Blue Mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet III to challenge the architectural primacy of neighboring Sancta Sophia.

Then if you walk next door to compare achievements in Justinian's great Sancta Sophia. Right behind Sancta Sophia is the , sumptuous Topkapi Palace, the sultans seraglio for centuries, filled with breathtaking exhibits of priceless jewels, golden thrones, delicate colored tiles, and lavish court costumes , maybe after this you will finish up in the bustling Egyptian Bazaar and walk through the maze of colors , spices and perfumes.

DAY 4 - BOSPHORUS - Saturday (BL)
Istanbul's history was formed by the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. Now, as in ancient times, it is a maritime vital link between the countries bordering the Black Sea and those in the rest of the world. Today we take a leisurely cruise northward along this historic waterway. Along its shores are ranged palaces great and small-Topkapi, Dolmabahçe, Beylerbeyi, Küçüksu, Hünkar Iskelesi.

Four great fortresses rise on the hills, reminding us that to control the Bosphorus was to control the destinies of nations. Our afternoon cruise (morning cruise for Oct-Apr season) of two continents, crossing from Europe to Asia and back, includes visits to the Navy's Museum (showing some magnificent boats used by the Ottoman Sultans), the Bosphorus Bridge, Çamlica Hill lookout, and stupendous Dolmabahçe Palace.

Lunch is included at a charming local restaurants . Hotel Room amenity : Complimentary Turkish Lokoom pastries

Day 5 - Istanbul , Board your Cruise - Sunday (BD)
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out around 3 PM . Our local rep. will meet you at the hotel for the transfer to the Port to board your cruise in Istanbul. Sailing is usually around 6 PM . Dinner on board your Louis cruise or similar . All of the Greek cruise are considered modest 3-4 stars category.
Extend your stay in Istanbul?

Day 6 - Mykonos- Cruise - Monday (BLD)
Cruising all morning and reach Mykonos late afternoon 3-4 PM. Your cruise will stay in port until midnight.

Day 7 Cruise - Patmos - Kusadasi - Ephesus -Tuesday (BLD)
In the morning your ship will call at the island of Patmos. Here you can visit the Monastery of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written ( shore excursions are always a supplement you may purchase on board or ask us for a private tour ) . Sail out of Patmos around 10:30 AM

Arrive Kusadasi around 2:30 PM . Complimentary shore excursion with us to Kusadasi& Ephesus:
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 Isabey Mosque. En-route to Kusadasi enjoy the scenery and the local arts , enjoy shopping opportunity. Transfer back to the pier. The cruise leaves Kusadasi early evening.

Day 8 - 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 9 - 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 . In Santorini we escort you to your hotel .

DAY 10 - SANTORINI (B) - Friday
You'll take a leisurely breakfast on your private terrace. An optional tour to the archaeological site of Akrotiri is offered. Or, you can spend the day relaxing, and take in breathtaking views of the volcano and caldera.

DAY 11 - SANTORINI (B) - Saturday
The day is yours for relaxing or exploring on your own or both! You might take a boat across to the dormant volcano, and ascend through a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater. Or savor a soak in hot sulphur springs.

DAY 12 - SANTORINI (B) - Sunday
Enjoy the views from your villa, discover a black-sand beach, savor the sea breezes from the terrace of a cafe, or try your hand at fishing. Or arrange a winery visit or another excursion. The choice is yours.

DAY 13 - SANTORINI, ATHENS (B)- Monday
Our personnel will assure a seamless transfer to Santorini's Airport. Air ticket Santorini / Athens is included in our rate, ticket issued & delivered in Athens. You'll catch an early morning flight to Athens, and your hotel. Transfer is included.

DAY 14 - ATHENS -Tuesday (B)
Full day on your own in Athens

DAY 15 - Athens Departure- Wednesday (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:

• Lonely Planet travel guide to Greece and Istanbul
  
• 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 as per itinerary.
  
• Domestic air ticket in Greece as per itinerary , tax included. Economy class.
  
• Port taxes and Istanbul Embarkation fee .
  
• For groups with a minimum of 15 paying guests , then the 16th guest is on a complimentary basis ( sharing in double )

Sample hotels in:
Athens : Deluxe: Divani Palace Acropolis. First : Electra Palace. Stanley
Istanbul : Deluxe: Inter.Continental or similar . First : Divan.
If you prefer to stay in an Ottoman Mansion boutique hotel in Istanbul, please let's know in advance
Such as : Blue House, Arena, Armada etc.

Santorini : Astra . Chromata. Dana

Not included:

• International airfare between USA and Athens.
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance (please see our insurance brochure).
• Gratuities. Suggested tipping on the cruise : $ 10 Per person per day , covering all crew members , be it house keeping, dinning rooms etc.
• Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed
• Turkish Visa Fee : $20 in cash upon arrival, for US citizens, or $45 (Can) for Canadians, or from any of the Turkish Consulates

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