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Mediterranean
Interlude Series
From Istanbul to Crete
A 14-Day Mediterranean Dream Vacation with The
Greek Island of Crete
Istanbul : The City of the Sultans , Athens and private tour to Argolis
and Delphi
Perfect for your honeymoon or wedding anniversary
dream vacation .
Ultra Deluxe Edition : Staying at the
Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel or Istanbul Four Seasons Hotels .
What's your preferred destination around the Aegean Sea ? The Classic
sites beckon with the glories of empires past. Thriving bazaars exude
the mystery of the Orient. Hidden coves, sun, beaches and sails seduce
you to a legendary island removed from the everyday world.
You'll gaze in awe at the treasures of Istanbul. You'll ascend to the
Acropolis in Athens, and plumb the pleasures of the Plaka. And who else
is offering our Private Tours to Argolis and Delphi ?
Pack your bags, and take off on any day of your choosing , from April
through October.
DAY
1 - Start in ISTANBUL
or in Athens -Arrive
on any day of your choosing, from April through October
Our local personnel will be on hand when you arrive at the international
airport, to escort you to your lodgings, where a fruit basket awaits.
Choice of Hotels
Category A: Kempinski Ciragan Palace or the Four Seasons ( Standard
Room)
Category B : Inter.Continental , Hyatt, Conrad , Hilton
Private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur .
You'll have time to rest up from your flight, and stretch your legs
as you make your initial discoveries of this capital of Byzantine emperors
and Ottoman sultans, where East and West have long clashed, met, and
blended.
DAY
2 - ISTANBUL (BL) Private car
/ driver/Guide
Today : We'll visit historic and modern Istanbul today. High points
will include the Hippodrome, and the stunning Blue Mosque. Then it's
on to Aya Sophia, whose heritage as both a basilica and emblem of Islamic
architecture neatly sums up the strains that have created modern Turkey.
We'll fit in the fabled Topkapi palace, with its formal gardens, salons
of state and stately boudoirs of the sultan's harem; as well
as the Treasury, whose collection includes priceless Chinese porcelain.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur , private guide
Come
to Greece and Turkey for your
Wedding Anniversary or honeymoon
DAY
3 - ISTANBUL (BL) Private
car / driver/Guide
This morning, we'll stretch our legs as we take in the sights, sounds,
and aromas of Istanbul up-close. We'll start off with our guide to re-discover
the Belle Epoque, when Constantinople was the Paris of the East. From
the traditional Karaköy district, where overseas bankers and shipping
companies had their headquarters, we'll ascend via the Tünel-an
antique subway line-up to Istiklal Caddesi, a sedate nineteenth-century
thoroughfare lined with former embassies. We'll stop in at the tekke
of the renowned whirling dervishes. And in keeping with the traditional
surroundings, we'll be hosted to tea at the landmark Pera Palace Hotel.
We'll continue on foot, at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and lunch
in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then it's on to busy Taksim
Square to rendezvous with our coach. We'll venture farther a field in
the afternoon, to Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a refined
little palace south of Yildiz, and the Military History Museum in Harbiye,
arriving in time for the strains of Mehter, the traditional Ottoman
military band.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur , private guide .
For families with children, of course we will break for ice cream, and
it is on the house with our compliments.
DAY
4 - Istanbul-BOSPHORUS
-
(B)
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.
Return to the hotel for siesta and a break .
In the afternoon , we'll venture into the legendary Grand Bazaar, there
will be occasion to assemble your own treasure from over 5000 stands,
kiosks, and shops, filled with carpets, leatherwork, and treasures and
trinkets from all points eastward.
Private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur , private
guide .
For families with children, of course we will break for ice cream, and
it is on the house with our compliments.
DAY
5 - ISTANBUL , ATHENS (B)
After
breakfast, we'll call for you and escort you to the airport, Private
car / driver , where
you'll board your flight (Domestic air fare in Greece and Istanbul/Athens
are included in our rates, always in business class ).
Fly to to Athens, where our representative assist you through customs
and immigration, and escort you to your hotel in the bustling city center.
Private
car / driver.
The
rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Stroll, browse for curios
and treasures.
Category
A: Grand Bretagne Room. King George - Standard or classical Room
Category B : Hilton , Marriott, Divani Palace Acropolis ( Suite)
The Divani Palace Acropolis has the best location in regard to being
closest to the Acropolis
DAY 6 - ATHENS (BL) Private
Air Conditioned Vehicle - Private Chauffeur - Private Guide
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Greek capital, today we
have included a half day private tour of Syntagma Square,
and the towering Acropolis. Private car/driver and guide
Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant
DAY
7 - ATHENS (B)
Full day on your own to explore Athens as you wish , or ask us for available
optional tours.
Day
8 – Argolis – (BL)
Private
Air Conditioned Vehicle - Private Chauffeur - Private Guide
Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch is included at a local restaurant . Bottled
water / tea or coffee : included with your lunch. Drive through Corinth
crossing the famous canal to Mycenae where visits are Included to the
Lion Gate, Tombs of Agememnon and Clytemnestra, and the Palace. Luncheon
at the seaside resort town of Nauplion. Afterward, a short drive to
the world famous theater of Epidaurus, known for its perfect acoustics.
Visit the museum and Askelpeion. Return to Athens in the early evening.
For the lunch we will either stop in Mycenae or Nauplion.
Some
detail on your drive today :
- Athens
- Corinth canal is about 1.15 hours drive (depending on traffic)
- The
distance is 85 kilometers.
- Corinth
canal - Mycenae is around 30 minutes. The distance is 45 kilometers.
- Mycenae
- Epidaurus is 45 minutes. This distance is 60 kilometers.
- Epidaurus
- Athens (via the coastal road) is around 2:15hrs. The distance is
approx. 150 kilometers.
DAY
9 - DELPHI (BL)
Private
Air Conditioned Vehicle - Private Chauffeur - Private Guide
Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch is included at a local restaurant . Bottled
water / tea or coffee : included with your lunch Delphi or Zemeno (near
Delphi)
Tour
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 favoured 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.
We
tour the ruins of Delphi and
its oracle, sacred to Apollo and Dionysus. Return to Athens in the early
evening. The
drive from Athens to Delphi is 2:30hrs each way . The distance is 170
kilometers each way.
DAY 10 - ATHENS , Crete (B)
Private
car / driver
We'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight over the
blue Aegean to Crete (Air fare included in economy class. All transfers
are always on a private basis .
Upgrade
to Suite or private bungalow accommodation in Crete and private pool
DAY
11- Day 12- Day 13 - CRETE (B)
Today in Heraklion. Explore on your own , or ask for an optional tour
maybe to visit the unique 5000 year old museum, enjoy lunch in a local
tavern, and tour to the three-story Minoan palace of Knossos.
Enjoy your stay at the hotel or explore one of the beaches. Or explore
on your own the Venetian part of the old town , click more details on
tours in Crete.
DAY
14 - DEPARTURE (B) Private
car / driver
Do your last-minute shopping this morning, or just linger deliciously
in bed. Then we'll call for you and see you to the airport to begin
your journey home. If you wish to extend your stay , please let's know
in advance. Air fare is included in economy class back to Athens .
If your international flight from Athens today is an early morning flight,
then you may need to fly back to Athens the night before . Please let's
know in advance . Bon
Voyage.
Category
A :
Rate in US $, per person in double occupancy
: $ 6900
Rate in US $, per person in triple occupancy : $ 6620
Category
B :
Rate in US $, per person in double occupancy
: $ 6470
Rate
in US $, per person in triple occupancy : $ 6150
Category
C :
Rate in US $, per person in double occupancy
: $ 6090
Rate in US $, per person in triple occupancy : $ 5980
Children
10 years and younger sharing with 2 adults : % 30 discount
Price includes:
- Air
transportation from Istanbul to Athens , in business
class , tax included , as per the itinerary & dates you
choose (subject to your availability) .
- Air
transportation within Greece , in economy class ,
tax included , as per the itinerary and dates you choose (subject
to your availability)
- Transportation
between airport and hotels in Greece and Turkey , always private basis
- Private
guided sightseeing as indicated in ATHENS and Istanbul , including
entrance fees & preset
- Breakfast
daily at the hotel. and pre-set menu lunches as indicated "L".
- Accommodations
with breakfast (B) as indicated
below, or at comparable properties, according to availability:
-
Hotels :
Category A : Athens: King
George , Gran Bretagne , or similar
Istanbul
: Kempinski Ciragan Palace , the Four Seasons or similar
- Crete:
Heraklio / Hersonissos
Area:
* Knossos Royal Village (5 stars)
* Royal Mare Village (5 Stars)
* Aldemar Royal Mare (5 stars)
Elounda Area: Hotel Elounda Mare
With breakfast & dinner included (part of the deal, cant delete).
Lasithi Area:
Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars) :
For PRIVATE BUNGALOW with private pool: Supplement
$250 Per person per night.
Not
Included:
-
International air transportation.
-
Trip Cancellation insurance
-
Optional excursions, such as tours on Santorini, sailing, cruising
- Any
meal not specifically mentioned,
- Beverages,
and personal expenses
- Gratuities
for local personnel .
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