Mediterranean Island Hopping
and a Gulet Yacht Cruise
An 18-Day Mediterranean Fantasy Tour
Our
Greek and Turquoise Coast odyssey includes an eight-day yacht cruise
beginning beneath the walls of St Peter's Castle in Bodrum, and three
days in Istanbul. The
treasures of Athens . . . the romance of the Greek isles. What's better
than a journey with a cherished companion to one of these prized destination?
This is a trip tailored to make the most of that special company and
unique occasion, be it an anniversary, a honeymoon, or a singular
chance to be alone and away. We have selected superior and deluxe
hotels notable for their charm, atmosphere, and, of course, fine service.
Add Andalusia and Spain
DAY
1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS - Thursday ( Weekly : April - Oct)
Our Athens-based personnel meets you at the international airport, assists
you with the formalities, and sees you to your charming and comfortable
four-star hotel, your base for the next two nights. Check in, relax,
then take a stroll through the lively streets. Browse for treasures
and curios, savor a coffee or aperitif at a terrace café. Hotel : Stanley
or Electra Palace . Modest 4 stars .
DAY
2 - ATHENS - Friday (B)
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Greek capital, today we
have included a half day tour of Syntagma Square, and the towering Acropolis.
DAY
3 - ATHENS,SANTORINI - Saturday (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 . Sample
Villas/ Apartments in Santorini: Sun
Rocks ,
in Firostefani , Astra Apartments, On The Rocks or
Chromata Apartments with a view of the caldera &
the sea (Imerovigli.) ,
the: Cliff side suites in Firostefani , or
Rose
Bay on Kamari Beach Hotel.
DAY
4 - Santorini - Sunday (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
5- Santorini- Own activities - Monday (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
6- SANTORINI, CRETE - Tuesday (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Crete, Heraklion&
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).
Sample
accommodation in Crete :
* Sylva Maris or Candia Maris ( 4 stars)
* Marina Beach in Gouves area
* Pantheon Palace in Gouves area
* Hersonissos Maris - pool sharing ( 4 stars)
DAY
7- CRETE - Wednesday (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
8 - DEPARTURE - ISTANBUL
- Thursday
(B)
Enjoy your early breakfast ! . Then we'll call for you and see you to
the airport for your flight to Athens and on to Istanbul, air fare is
included in economy class, tax included. In Istanbul , our
local rep. meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. Remainder
of the day at leisure
DAY
9 - ISTANBUL - Friday (cB)
With guide book in hand, explore Istanbul the
city of the Sultans, ON YOUR OWN , you may consider
: Topkapi Palace, Sancta Sophia, and the
Blue Mosque . Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon,
we 'll explore the great city Grand Bazaar .
DAY
10 - BODRUM - Saturday (BD)
A morning flight takes us to Bodrum, where we drive through rich
agricultural country, past ancient cities, and board our Gulet yacht,
a traditional Turkish gulet, moored beneath the Crusader castle. After
meeting our captain ,crew and other guests/passengers , we enjoy the
first of many delicious dinners on board.
DAY
11 - BAY OF BITEZ - Sunday (BLD)
We cruise out of Bodrum headed for the Bay of Bitez, where we drop anchor
for an afternoon of swimming and water sports. Face masks and flippers,
sailboards, canoes and fishing tackle are all available.
DAY
12 - CAUNUS & MERSINCIK - Monday (BLD)
Weighing anchor at sunrise, we sail through Gökova Bay to
the mouth of the Dalyan River, where we board a motor launch
for a voyage upriver to the Roman ruins at Caunus. The sheer
rock face overlooking the river is pierced by Lycian rock-cut tombs
dating from 600 BC. We return to our yacht and continue our "Blue
Voyage" to Mersincik, where we drop anchor for the night.
DAY
13 - SEVEN ISLANDS - Tuesday (BLD)
After breakfast we set sail for the Seven Islands, where, if
the captain approves, we picnic onshore, followed by a walk. We return
to our yacht for swimming, sunning and snoozing.
DAY
14 - INGILIZ LIMANI - Wednesday (BLD)
Headed for Ingiliz Limani (English Port), we look forward to
a day ashore in Marmaris, only a 30-minute drive from our anchorage.
"Green Marmaris," as it is called, is surrounded by pine forests.
It has a wonderful bustling bazaar, a long palm-shaded waterfront promenade,
and a fortress that's now a museum. We return to our yacht for dinner
on deck.
DAY
15 - CEDREAE & TUZLA - Thursday (BLD)
Cleopatra met Mark Anthony for a lovers' tryst at Cedreae and
received the shore as a gift. When she mentioned that it had no sand,
Mark Anthony sent his fleet to Alexandria to get some. The Egyptian
sand remains at Cedreae to this day, cooled by an ever-faithful breeze,
and the spot is as romantic as it was 2000 years ago. From Cedreae we
cruise to Tuzla, our anchorage for the night.
DAY
16 - ÇIFTLIK - Friday (BLD)
Back across Gökova Bay we make our way to the anchorage
at Çiftlik on our last full day at sea, filled with the
pleasures of sun and sea. Swimming, reading, relaxing, and enjoying
lazy shipboard lunches could easily become a way of life!
DAY 17 - BODRUM & ISTANBUL - Saturday (BD)
We cruise into the harbor of ancient Halicarnassus (now Bodrum),
and tie up beneath the castle walls. Bidding farewell to our captain
and crew, we drive to Izmir for our flight to Istanbul and our
hotel.
This
evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right
into the homes of some of the people of Istanbul! You'll be invited
to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties,
you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way
of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your
new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background.
Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that
you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may
enjoy dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting
us know your preferences.
DAY
18 - DEPARTURE - Sunday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home.
RATES per
person
|
Apr - Oct |
| Double |
US$
4550.00 |
| Single |
US$
6790.00 |
Mediterranean
freedom !
Rates
are per person and include :
-
All transfers in Turkey.
-
Domestic
air within Greece and Turkey, as well as Athens Istanbul, in economy
class , tax included .
-
Four
stars hotel accommodation in , including tax, service charges &
breakfast daily.
-
Group
departures yacht Gulets, including all tax, service charges and
all meals while on board.
-
Cabins
are always on private basis with private facilities.
-
Lonely
Planet travel guide book for Turkey.
Not
Included :
|
