Turkey and Greece Ultra Deluxe
Anatolia and Ionia
Beyond the Veil

An In Depth 14 -day Tour of Turkey and Anatolia with a foray into Greece
Flying in business class within Turkey, Greece and Istanbul to Athens

Tour starts : Weekly on Fridays

Compare with the 8 -Day version . Compare with the Jewish Heritage Tour of Turkey

Come with us to see and live the real Anatolia and Cappadocia , see how the locals live, share meals with them, and go beyond misconceptions- beyond the veil. We'll meet artisans and learn their crafts, hike through striking landscapes, and explore the deep history, art, culture and society of biblical Cappadocia , then on to the enchanted Greek Isles and Ionia

Travel in Style weaves the great travel adventures of Greece and Turkey into a seamless classic of its own. You'll gaze in awe at the treasures of Istanbul. You'll ascend to the Acropolis in Athens . Then it's away from the madding crowds, to treasure full days in a hideaway on the Greek isles of your dreams: Santorini . Pack your bags, and take off on any day of your choosing, from April through October. Click here for the 11 day Ephesus edition . add Naxos , or compare with the 18 day with Rhodes Mykonos and Western Turkey

Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1 - WELCOME TO ISTANBUL! Start any day in Istanbul : Apr- Oct (D)
We meet your flight at Istanbul's Atatürk International Airport and escort you to your hotel located in the heart of the city's historic district. or choose a more contemporary deluxe hotels such as Hyatt , Conrad or similar . After freshening up, we visit the spectacular Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, followed by dinner at our hotel. Private air conditioned vehicle/Private Chauffeur

DAY 2 - ISTANBUL'S TOP SIGHTS (BLD) Private air conditioned vehicle/Private guide
Today we explore Istanbul's top sights, including the imperial palace of Topkapi, with its sumptuous 500-room Harem, ruled by the second most powerful person in the vast Ottoman Empire: the Valide Sultan (Queen Mother). A short walk takes us to the Byzantine Hippodrome and, beneath it, the eerie Sunken Palace cistern. Finally, we dive into the Grand Bazaar, the world's oldest "shopping mall," to look for treasures in its 4000 shops. Dinner is included at the hotel

DAY 3 - ISTANBUL: BOSPHORUS CRUISE (BLD)
In the morning we board a traditional Istanbul ferryboat for a cruise-tour up the Bosphorus, the broad waterway which joins the Black and Marmara seas while dividing Europe from Asia. We cruise north past a half-dozen Ottoman imperial palaces, traditional yalis (waterside villas) and shore villages. Later, as we drive south, we stop to visit the castle of Rumeli Hisar and the sumptuous imperial palace of Dolmabahçe. Returning to the mouth of the Golden Horn, we delve into the colorful sights, vibrant sounds and intriguing scents of the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar) before returning to our hotel for dinner .

DAY 4 - ISTANBUL to CAPPADOCIA (BD)
A morning flight takes us across Anatolia ("Great Mother" in Turkish) to Kayseri, from which we drive into the eerie volcanic landscape of biblical Cappadocia.

We settle in at one of the deluxe cave style hotels ( Or more contemporary ones based on your preference).
Cave Suites or Gamirasu Cave Hotel.
In the afternoon, we explore the foremost sights in this historic, visually striking region. Our first stop is the Göreme Open Air Museum, with its dozens of ancient cave-churches carved from the soft volcanic stone. Many still contain their beautiful colored fresco decoration. Next we explore the monastic valley of Zelve, where whole monasteries were carved into the rock. In the Pasabag and Dervent valleys we view the "fairy chimneys," pinnacles of volcanic rock formed by wind and water erosion over millennia. We enjoy a panorama of the Red and Rose Valleys before we head back for our hotel to enjoy a typical Turkish dinner. Private air conditioned vehicle/Private guide

DAY 5 - EXPLORING CAPPADOCIA (BLD)
We drive across the rolling steppe of Central Anatolia to the town of Derinkuyu and descend into an underground labyrinth carved thousands of years ago. Hundreds of cave-rooms and passageways descend eight levels into the earth. Storerooms, kitchens, larders, and churches show that this "underground city" was capable of housing thousands of people when danger threatened. On our way back to our hotel we stop at the striking Agzikarahan Caravansaray, built by the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century as a way-station for the rich camel caravans plying the Silk Route between Europe and Asia. Late afternoon drive to Avnos , a traditional potter- making town to visit the local artisans, and admire the fine detailing of the famous Iznic ceramic designs. In the evening we visit an underground restaurant for a traditional Turkish folklore show, with dances and costumes from several regions rich in folklore, including Gaziantep, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. The mysterious and alluring art of belly-dancing, and an enjoyable evening of traditional Turkish dance. Private air conditioned vehicle/Private guide

DAY 6 - CAPPADOCIA LIFESTYLE WALK (BLD)
Morning tour of the small local bustling vegetables, fruit and spice market. Enjoy meeting locals as they do their daily shopping. Now that we've seen the highlights, it's time to really enter into the daily life of women in Cappadocia. We visit local cave homes in rock hewn villages set in spectacular valleys off the beaten track, and learn from local women how to prepare and cook several Cappadocian culinary specialties. Depending upon the season, we may pick fresh grapevine leaves to make dolma, or use a slender rolling pin to roll the dough for manti (Turkish ravioli), or prepare fresh vegetables for a savory lamb stew cooked in an earthenware crock. Best of all, we get to enjoy our culinary creations for lunch! In the late afternoon, choose any of several activities depending upon your interests. One of the most popular is to learn how beautiful Turkish kilims and carpets are created by talented Turkish female artists: we watch carpets being woven, and talk with the artists creating them. Evening at leisure as we get ready for our special evening dinner with the hotel's chef .

This evening we'll enjoy a brief demonstration by the hotel's Chef, including a variety of traditional meze (Turkish hors d'oeuvres) made with eggplant, garlic, spiced yogurts, salad greens, and goat cheese; oven baked lamb or skewered meats; and plump figs, apricots and nuts. Food- you may join in , try your hand in Ottoman cooking , memories-- are twice as good when you make them yourself ! Enjoy dinner at the hotel and the meal you help prepared. Private air conditioned vehicle/Private guide

DAY 7 - WHITE VALLEY WALK (BL)
We continue our explorations of Cappadocia with a visit to the natural rock hewn citadel of Uçhisar, one of the highest points in Cappadocia, and the nearby Pigeon Valley. Then we take a leisurely 1-1/2-hour stroll through the lunar landscape of the White Valley to see its spectacular rock pillars, fairy chimneys, tunnels, caves and passages. Our walk ends in a lavish picnic lunch, after which we return to Göreme village to meet local women in their homes We share in delicious sweets ! The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy as you wish. You may wish to wander through Göreme's winding streets and alleys to observe daily village life, or sit and sip in a sidewalk cafe, or do some shopping, or write postcards. Private air conditioned vehicle/Private guide

DAY 8 - ISTANBUL - Athens (BD)
Today we fly from Kayseri and on to Istanbul and connecting same day to Athens and your hotel. Dinner is included at your hotel : Grand Bretagne or King George , for families with children , you may wish to consider : The Westin Nafsika Resort ( part of the Astir Palace Complex) , which is located in the Athens Riviera, Vouliagmeni. This is 25 kilometers from the international airport and Athens city center. Private air conditioned vehicle/Private Chauffeur

DAY 9 - Sunday - ATHENS (BL) Private air conditioned vehicle/Private guide
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.).
Lunch is included at a charming local Greek Restaurant

In the afternoon, we plunge back into the city for sightseeing and shopping.

Ride the new Athens Subway alongside the locals today ( always escorted with your private English speaking Guide) ! We take pride in affording you this experience, entirely by public transportation, with orientation by your private English-speaking guide.
You'll get to tour Athens fascinating vegetable & fruit markets by subway and/ or your private car is always on a standby in case you decide to cut your ride short.

Markets days/dates are subject to change, we may have to change your program in Athens to accommodate such changes.

Or if you prefer you may choose instead to tour one of the following tours:

BYZANTINE CHURCHES
Russian Orthodox Church at Filellinon & Amalias
Athens cathedral (Mitropolis) at Mitropoleos
Kapnikarea at Ermou
Saint Theodore at Klafthmonos
They then visited the Jewelry museum (LALAOUNIS) before breaking for lunch.
They used the metro 3 times (because they wanted to).

HISTORICAL INTEREST- Museum Tour :
BENAKI MUSEUM - (closed on Tuesdays)
Covering the history of Greece from Paleolithic (pre-historic, 60000 B.C.) till present. Can easily spend over 4 hours in there. There is also a cafeteria for breaks.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST
Temple of Olympian Zeus / Dionissos Theatre/ Ancient Agora/ Roman Agora

Guests who have been on the organized tour (the day before) can use the same entrance ticket to all the archaeological sites mentioned above.

The above are only suggestions , you may discuss with the guide and modify (add/subtract) according to what you are most interested in. The guide will advise you on what is feasible to cover in one full day !

DAY 10 - ATHENS , SANTORINI- Katikies Villas pr Hotel ( subject to availability) (B) Private car / driver
We'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight over the blue Aegean to Santorini (Air fare included in business class. Isle of Ancient " Atlantis ?!", where you'll find a room waiting in a boutique hotel or cliff -side Villa : Katikies or similar , subject to availability , Wine and fruits upon arrival at your hotel in Santorini . Katikies Hotel/Villas : 100 meters above the sea, at the charming and picturesque village of Oia, at the most westerly point of the island. Conveniently located, only 30 min. from Santorini international airport and Athinios port . Katikies is a Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World . and a Member
of Club of Clubs . A charming little hotel hanging from the cliff, 100 meters above the dazzlingly blue caldera basin, in the picturesque village of Oia (Ia), the most westerly point of Santorini, Aegean architecture blends past with present in a free form fantasy of stairs, bridges, cubist cottages and infinity swimming pools.

Rooms are well appointed, furnished with island antiques, TV, CD player and every comfort, including air conditioning. There is a stunning suite with its own outdoor jacuzzi. All suites and rooms have a private balcony to exploit the view.

Katikies has two swimming pools, sunbathing deck with open air jacuzzi, library with internet facility, The Pool Bar, The Pool Restaurant Kirini, The Katikies Gourmet Dinner Restaurant, The White Cave Restaurant.

Candlelight dinners are served in Katikies' open-air Gourmet Dinner Restaurant and wine tasting takes place at sunset. Have lunch, dinner or light meals and Greek specialties by the pool and marvel again at the panorama. If tensions remain, a masseur is on hand.

DAY 11 - Santorini (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel (or Villa),or venture out,to explore 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. Sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group tour .

DAY 12 - Santorini- Own activities (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.

DAY 13 - SANTORINI, Athens (BD) Private car / driver
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Athens business class as usual , and Sofitel Athens airport .
Our local rep. will be on hand to assist with your check -in , dinner is included at the hotel.

DAY 14 - RETURN HOME Sunday (B)
We escort you to the airport for your onward or homeward flight.

RATES (per person) in USD $
Based on using Deluxe Hotels in Istanbul
Hyatt Istanbul, Conrad Istanbul, Inter.Continental Istanbul or similar

RATES (per person) in USD $
Traditional Ottoman Mansion Boutique style Hotels in Istanbul
Arena, Armada, Blue House or similar

You will never sacrifice comfort when you travel with us

• Comprehensive sightseeing by air-conditioned motorcoach, with professional licensed guide
  
• Airfares within Turkey and Greece , all in business class and include taxes
  
• One way air fare Istanbul Athens , in business class , with tax included.
  
• All admissions and museum fees
  
• All transfers between airport and hotel , all are with a private air conditioned vehicle and private chauffeur.
  
• Hotel accommodation :
  
  Cappadocia: One of the deluxe cave style hotels ( Or more contemporary ones based on your preference).
  Cave Suites or Gamirasu Cave Hotel.
  
  Istanbul: Ottoman Mansion boutique style : Arena , Armada, Blue House or similar , or if your prefer as well other more contemporary hotels such as:
  Hyatt Istanbul, Conrad Istanbul , Marmara hotel or similar in Istanbul or an Ottoman style mansion boutique hotel in Istanbul if you prefer , all as per itinerary.
  
  Athens: Grand Bretagne or King George , for families with children , you may wish to consider : The Westin Nafsika Resort ( part of the Astir Palace Complex) , which is located in the Athens Riviera, Vouliagmeni. This is 25 kilometers from the international airport and Athens city center.
  
  Santorini : Katikies Hotel or Villas, or similar
  
  
• Table d'hote (set-menu) meals as indicated in the tour itinerary: cB = continental breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner

• International airfare (use your frequent flier tickets, or call us for special discounted fares)
• Tips to guides, escorts, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff (these are at your discretion)
• Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, soft drinks, tea, coffee, mineral water; phone calls; laundry service; any food not mentioned in the tour itinerary
• Insurance (travel, trip cancellation, health, etc.)
• Any other item(s) not specifically mentioned in the tour itinerary as being included
• Turkish Visa Fee : in cash upon arrival, or from any of the  Turkish Consulates.