|
Mediterranean
Interlude Series
Aphrodite
Voyage
The 12 -Day Honeymoon Wishes with The Greek Island of Crete
Istanbul , Athens , Crete
and Santorini
Dana Villas in Santorini
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. Which will
you choose?
Fortunately,
you can do it all! On this 12-day adventure, 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, and plumb the pleasures of the Plaka.
Then it's away from the madding crowds, to treasure full days in a hideaway
on the Greek isles of your dreams: Santorini and Crete . Pack your bags,
and take off on any day of your choosing, from April through October.
Prefer
to have a more relaxed itinerary? Maybe then focus on Istanbul , Athens
and Crete only ?
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.
Transfers
are always with a Private car and private chauffeur,
our local rep. will 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
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 (BLD) Private
car / driver/Guide
We'll visit historic and modern Istanbul today. High points will include
the Hippodrome, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, 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. After a short rest, we'll gather for dinner, accompanied
by live music, and the extraordinary Oriental art form that we know
as the belly dance.
Four
Seasons Hotel in Istanbul
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.
After
a late-afternoon lunch at a charming local restaurant , 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.
DAY
4 - Istanbul (BD)
Breakfast
at the hotel ,then we
visit Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south
of Yildiz, and finish up with a walking tour of the Egyptian Spice Bazaar
.
Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar (or Spice Market, Misir Çarsisi, built
1664) is filled with the fragrance of the exotic East, remainder of
the day at leisure to explore the city on your own.
Complimentary
Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals: This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors
ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Istanbul
l! 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 wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family
(T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town)
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 , our rate includes the air fare Istanbul -
Athens 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 ( Suite)
DAY 6 - ATHENS (BL) Private
car / driver/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. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant.
Private car/driver and guide . Add
private tours to Delphi and Argolis: please click here.
DAY
7 - ATHENS , SANTORINI (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 economy class. Isle of
Ancient " Atlantis ?!", where you'll find a room waiting in
a beach hotel. Or a cliff -side hotel-Villa .
Prefer to focus on one Island ? maybe Crete ? then please click here.
DAY
8 - 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
9- 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.
Upgrade
to Suite accommodation in Crete and private pool
DAY 10 - SANTORINI, CRETE (B)
Private
car / driver
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Crete, Heraklion
and your hotel. Flights operate only on Thu & Sat, on other days,
it will be the ferry which is 5 hours ( economy class ) , or flights
via Athens (Supplement applies$ $95).
DAY
11 - 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
12 - 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
Bon
Voyage.
Category
A :
Rate in US $, per person in double occupancy
: $ 6360
Rate in US $, per person in triple occupancy : $ 6140
Category
B :
Rate in US $, per person in double occupancy
: $ 5840
Rate
in US $, per person in triple occupancy : $ 5520
Category
C :
Rate in US $, per person in double occupancy
: $ 5390
Rate
in US $, per person in triple occupancy : $ 5276
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 Athens / Santorini / Crete / Athens , 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 menu lunches and dinners as indicated "L",
" D".
- 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:
Knossos Royal Village (5 stars)
Royal Mare Village (5 Stars)
Aldemar Royal Mare (5 stars)
Hotel Elounda Mare
- Santorini
: Dana
Villas with a view of the Caldera & the sea ( Firostefani)
, Chromata or similar
Category
B:
Category
c:
Athens
: Titania , Electra Palace , or Stanley
Istanbul : Madison , Arena , Aygun
Plaza or similar
Santorini
: Cliff Side Suites, Volcano View Villas, Tzekos Villas
Or Rose
Bay on Kamari Beach Hotel
Crete:
Galaxy Iraklio Hotel ( Town property), Asotria Capsis Hotel ( Town Hotel),
or in Lasithi
Area:
Miramar in Aghios Nikolaos, or similar
More
choices :
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 .
|
