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Let's
Go to Turkey
Greece and the Peloponnese
All
in 9 days on a Locally escorted tour
Visit
Turkey's and the Greek Peloponnese top sights
Athens. Olympia , Meteora , Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia
and Ankara
Tour starts weekly in Istanbul : May - Oct
Add Greece and the Peloponnese
Click here for this tour with Egypt
extension , compare with the
10 day edition , or Bodrum Edition
Compare
with the Jewish Heritage Tour of Turkey
DAY
1 - ISTANBUL -Friday : Weekly : May - Oct
Or arrive any day when you choose the private tour.
We meet your flight and escort you to your hotel.
Hyatt, Conrad , Inter.Continental,
( subject to availability)
DAY
2 - ISTANBUL - A very full day - Saturday (cBLD)
Let us show you the city: the Blue Mosque, Byzantine Hippodrome,
Hagia Sophia , Topkapi Palace, and then on to the Underground
Cistern. walk thru the columns of this grand water reservoir. Lunch
is included at a local restaurant.
In
the afternoon we drive
to Balat along the Golden Horn where the Star of David appears on the
facades of some buildings. See Ahrida Synagogue, built in the 15th century.
See the Jewish Cemetery, where the martyrs of Neve Shalom are buried.
Continue to the centuries-old Jewish neighborhood, Galata, with its
tower built by the Genoese. From the panorama balcony. See the stunning
views of old constantinople, Bosphorus, Golden Horn and the Jewish quarters.
Enjoy refreshments in this historical atmosphere. Afterwards see Neve
Shalom Synagogue & Ashkenaz Synagogue, Afterwards drive to Ortaköy,
first disembark point of Sepharads, welcomed by the Ottoman Sultan,
and visit to Etz-Ahayim Synagogue.
Your last stop will be Zulfaris Synagogue, a 19th century synagogue
which houses a museum. Here learn about the Turkish Jews who were welcomed
by the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century after Inquisition forced them
to flee Spain.
There is an opportunity for rich collection of history books and novels
about Turkish Jewry as well as CDs of Turkish Jewish folk music and
lithurgical music, selection of souvenirs including Mezuzahs, Hamsa
keyrings . After
a brief rest at your hotel, we'll have dinner with live Turkish music
and belly-dancing.
DAY
3 - CANAKKALE - Sunday (cBLD)
After breakfast we start our scenic drive south to the famous Galipoli,
we cross the strategic Dardanelles, to land in Asia ! , tour Troy ,
before we reach Çanakkale , dinner at your hotel: Kolin
Hotel 5 stars
DAY
4 - PERGAMON & IZMIR - Monday (cBLD)
We drive to Pergamon to see its Acropolis, Temple of Trojan,
Altar of Zeus and Temple of Dionysus, the Red Basilica, and the ancient
medical center of the Asclepion, then continue to Izmir and :
Hilton Izmir - 5 stars , or similar
DAY
5 - EPHESUS & PAMUKKALE - Tuesday (cBLD)
We drive to Selçuk to visit the extensive ruins of Roman
Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary. After lunch we continue to
Pamukkale for a tour of the ancient Roman spa of Hierapolis and
its warm calcium-rich mineral baths. Lycus River Hotel 4 stars ( best
available) or similar.
DAY
6 - KONYA- Wednesday (cBLD)
Passing through Turkey's fertile Lake District, we drive to Konya,
capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and home of the Whirling Dervishes.
We visit the Mevlana Museum, where the founder of the dervish order
is buried, Hilton Konya 5 stars
DAY
7 - CAPPADOCIA - Thursday (cBLD)
Enjoy your breakfast before continuing on to Cappadocia, stopping
at the Sultanhan Caravanserai on the way. We descend into a labyrinthine
Underground City at Kaymakli, then tour the rockhewn cave churches
and monasteries of the Göreme Valley and the rockhewn natural
citadel of Uçhisar : Cave Suites hotel .
DAY
8 - Kayseri & ISTANBU - Friday (cBD)
Drive to Kayseri and head to the airport for our flight to Istanbul:
Hyatt, Inter.Continental,
or Conrad ( subject to availability)
DAY
9 - Istanbul - Athens Saturday (cB)
We escort you to the airport for your flight to Athens .
Air
fare is included in economy class Istanbul Athens , tax included .
Our local representative will meet you at Athens airport, assist with
arrival procedures, and escort you to your hotel. You'll have time on
your own to explore the Greek capital, browse for treasures and curios,
and venture to a terrace cafe or a fine meal in the old Plaka district.
DAY
10 - Sunday - ATHENS (B)
On your first morning in Athens we show you the top sights: the 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.
In
the afternoon, plunge into the city as you like ( on your own ) for
sightseeing and shopping.
DAY
11 - Monday - Corinth Canal , MYCENAE, EPIDAURUS (BD)
We set forth from Athens to tour classical Greece, passing Corinth and
its steep-walled canal as we go. We visit the Theatre of Epidauros famous
for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to Nauplion ( brief stop)
, finally we reach Mycenae,
center of ancient Mycenaean civilization (2800-1100 BC); the legendary home of the Atreides, is situated upon a small hill-top
on the lower slopes of Euboea Mountain, between two of its peaks, on
the road leading from the Argolic Gulf to the north (Corinth, Athens,
etc.), we tour the site and the tomb of Agamemnon.
The site was inhabited since Neolithic times (about 4000 BC) but reached
its peak during the Late Bronze Age (1350-1200 BC), giving its name
to a civilization which spread throughout the Greek world.
During that period, the acropolis was surrounded by massive "cyclopean"
walls, which were built in three stages (ca.1350, 1250 and 1225 BC)
except on its SE flank where a steep ravine provided natural defense.
A palace was built on the summit of the hill while towards the Argolic
plain lay the wall - painted "Cult Center", the main gate
or "Lion Gate" and "Grave Circle A" which contained
the treasures now displayed at the National Archaeological Museum of
Athens. On the NE side, a tunnel leading to a subterranean fountain
was built in "cyclopean" masonry in around 1225 B.C.
More tombs, "Grave Circle B", and large tholoi as well as
houses were discovered outside the walls. Mycenae was occupied without
interruption until 468 B.C. when it was conquered by the city of Argos
and its population banished. It was reoccupied in the 3rd century B.C.
for a relatively short period. It had been abandoned for some time when
Pausanias visited the site during the 2nd century A.D.
We
leave for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripoli
and Megalopolis , we overnight in Olympia , the cradle of the Olympic
games . Dinner and overnight.
DAY
12 - Tuesday - Olympia - Delphi (BD)
Today we tour Olympia, ancient site of the Olympic games. We visit the
great Temple of Zeus, one of the Wonders of the Ancient World, and tour
the museum. Then drive on through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until
we reach the magnificent bridge that link Rion to Antirion crossing
over the Corinthian Bay. We pass through the picturesque towns of Nafpactos
( Lepanto ) and Itea , finally we reach Delphi where we overnight. Dinner
is included at the hotel
DAY
13 - Wednesday - DELPHI
(BD)
Today it is Delphi, site of the famed oracle, at the foot of Mount Parnassus.
During the Mycenaean period, the female deity of Earth was worshipped
in the small settlement of Delphi. The development of the sanctuary
and oracle though, began in the 8th century B.C. with the establishment
of the cult of Apollo. Under the protection and administration of the
Amphictyony, the sanctuary continued to be
autonomous after the First Sacred War and, as a result, increased its
panhellenic religious
and political influence. The Pythian Games
were re-organized, the sanctuary was enlarged and it was enriched with
nice buildings, statues, and other offerings. In the 3rd century B.C.
it came under the domination of the Aetolians
and later, in 191 B.C., was conquered by the Romans. During the Roman
occupation the site was sometimes plundered but was also favored by
some of the emperors. With the spread of Christianity, the sanctuary
lost its religious meaning and was permanently closed down with a decree
of emperor Theodosius the Great.
Depart
for Kalambaka , a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing
complex of Meteora and its gigantic rocks. Dinner and overnight .
DAY
14 - Thursday - Meteora & ATHENS (B)
Visit Meteora, among striking scenery , perched on top of huge rock
which seems to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries ,
where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. In the afternoon,
we drive by the villages of Trikala , Lamia and Thermopylae ( brief
stop to take picture of the Leonida's monument across the road , then
on to Athens, expect an evening arrival.
For the monasteries tour : Men : No shorts allowed. Ladies : No bare
shoulders, no shorts
DAY
15 - ATHENS, Departure - Friday (B)
After breakfast. Transfer to Athens Airport to board your flight . Bon
Voyage
Rates
per person in USD $
| |
Group
Touring
|
Private
Touring
|
| Triple |
US$
4350.00 |
US$
4750.00 |
| Double |
US$
4410.00 |
US$
4990.00 |
| Single |
US$
5750.00 |
US$
6690.00 |
Click
here for the 12 days edition,
including air fare from JFK. For group tour please note that we do not
over night in Konya, rather in Cappadoccia.
YOUR
TOUR INCLUDES:
Domestic airfare within Turkey in economy class
One way air fare in economy class Istanbul Athens , tax included
All transfers with a private car , private driver
All porterage /luggage handling tips
Fully escorted, guided sightseeing (including admissions fees) as
described in the itinerary
Meals as shown: (cB = continental breakfast;
L = set-menu lunch; D
= set-menu dinner)
Deluxe / 5 -stars in Turkey and Athens as listed , including
hotel tax and service charges. Outside of Athens must
use 4 stars , or best available, all hotels will be confirmed at the
time of booking .
Bonus! Travel guidebook.
Rate
doesn't include :
- International
air fare from / to your home country
-
Visa
Fee : in cash upon arrival,
for US citizens, or
from any of the Turkish Consulates
- Trip/travel
insurance, please ask your insurance agent
- Tips
More
Choices :
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