Escapade to the Greek Isles , Istanbul
And Sicily

18 days . Tour code # 5/Sicily

Our Mediterranean Aegean 18 day tour ( Including 7 day CRUISE ) voyage of discovery includes classical Athens and the islands of the Aegean: Santorini , Mykonos, Rhodes, Sicily and even takes you to Istanbul . Starts in Athens Weekly every Wednesday : Apr - Oct

Add : Santorini & Crete , Paris , or Italy , extend your stay in Greece: Compare with the 14 day version
Compare with Greece Egypt version

DAY 1 - ATHENS - Wednesday
Private transfers in Athens, private air-conditioned vehicle, private Chauffeur
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. Or, we'll be pleased to arrange an optional Athens by Night tour, which includes a Greek dinner and musical entertainment.

DAY 2 - Private Tour : ATHENS Thursday (BL)
A half-dayprivate city tour will orient you to the high points of Athens.
Private air-conditioned vehicle, private guide : We'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city; the Parliament; Hadrian's Arch; and culminate with the Acropolis and its museum. Your afternoon is free for further exploring, shopping, lunch is included at a charming restaurant .

DAY 3 - ATHENS, EMBARKATION- Friday (BLD)
Your morning in Athens is unscheduled, leaving you the choice of relaxation, meeting up with friends at a cafe, or browsing the shops. In the afternoon, we'll see you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, where you'll embark around 04:00 PM on your seven-day cruise.

DAY 4 - ISTANBUL - Saturday (BLD)
Constantinople! Stamboul! Istanbul! Today you reach the fabulous city where East and West have clashed, met, and blended over the centuries. Where to start? We reach Istanbul around 05:00 PM

Choices and optional evening escorted tours (additional $$$ cost) are available on board the ship or through our office to help you take it all in. There's no need to unpack. Your ship serves as your hotel in port.

DAY 5 - Full Day Private tour of Istanbul - Sunday (BL)
We are providing on a complimentary basis , a full day tour , with private car/van/ driver & English speaking guide ( please advise if you prefer other language), visiting Aya Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the bustling and strategic Bosphorus straits and a choice of visiting Istanbul Jewish Heritage & the Synagogues ( the Jewish Heritage portion is not available during weekends) . 6 p.m. sailing.

Time permiting a complimentray tour of the Harem 's Quarter will be added at the Topkapi Palace

DAY 6 - KUSADASI / EPHESUS - Monday (BLD)
Once again, we'll drop anchor in the Turkish mainland and Kusadasi ( around 3 PM) , gateway to ancient Ephesus. Join one of the ships shore excursion (Additional$$$) , or Stroll the streets on your own and stop in at shops filled with leather goods, carpets, and bargains in gold. Or we'll be glad to arrange for a our private basis optional tour takes you to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. We set sail from Kusadasi around 9 PM

DAY 7 - SANTORINI, HERAKLION - Tuesday (BLD)
We drop anchor in the port of Santorini around 07:00 AM. ( using tenders to disembark / reboard) .
Explore on your own, the lost civilization of Atlantis flourished. Enjoy the outdoor cafes and wander the lanes of Thira, lined with craft and clothing shops and bakeries and cafes. Ride the funicular to the cliff top, or be adventurous, and do it on muleback! . We set sail for Crete at 11 AM.
Crete: We drop anchor in the port of Heraklion at 03:30 PM .Explore on your own, or take an optional excursion to the 5000-year-old Minoan Palace at Knossos and the archaeological museum. We sail at 08:00 PM , you will be rewarded with a spectacular sunset over the Aegean

DAY 8 - RHODES- Wednesday (BLD)
You'll sail into the harbor of Rhodes at first light, allowing a full day on the Island of Roses. The compact, cobbled medieval city is perfect for exploring on your own. You'll want to visit the Palace of the Knights of St. John, take a look at the wares in the boutiques, and spend some time in a seaside cafe. We also offer an optional excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos and the Valley of the Butterflies, we sail out around 07:00 PM.

DAY 9 - PATMOS , MYKONOS -Thursday (BLD)
Once again, we'll have two ports of call. In the morning, we'll drop anchor at Patmos (Using tenders in Patmos) . Here you can visit the Monastery of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written. You'll reboard for lunch while we head to MYKONOS : fabled isle of windmills, beaches, cliffs, blue seas, and over 350 churches and chapels. Photo opportunities are unlimited, and shopping options are almost as plentiful. Set sail around 11 PM

You may wish to disembark in Mykonos & extend your stay at one of the resort hotels such as Royal Myconian Hotel , in Mykonos or similar . Supplement will apply. Please click here and compare.

DAY 10 - PIRAEUS, Athens - Friday (B)
You'll sail into Piraeus and one more day on the beach at one of the Nafsika . Our Athens-based personnel will always be on hand to assist with your private transfer .

DAY 11 - Athens / Sicily - Saturday (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfers are all included in Athens and Sicily . Air fare is included in economy class Athens Sicily , tax included . Palermo-Cefalù-Messina-Taormina - Syracuse-Agrigento-Erice Sicilia Jolly Tour Da Palermo a Catania tra magia e mito.
Date di partenza: dal aprile al ottobre

Ah, Sicily , a farm house, a private villa , or la cucina! This tour covers the highlights of Sicily, including the most classical sites of Sicily and the historical and artistic sites. Accommodation is in charming hotels .

Arrive at Catania Airport, our local rep will meet you and assist with your transfer to your Jolly Hotel Palermo .

DAY 12 - Sunday: PALERMO - CEFALU' - CAPO D'ORLANDO - REGGIO CALABRIA - MESSINA
After a buffet breakfast, drive along the Thyrrenian coast. Stop in Cefalù, a pleasant resort well known for its beautiful Norman Cathedral and medieval wash-house built in the rock. Proceed to Capo d’Orlando for lunch. Continue to Messina. Sea conditions permitting, embark to Reggio Calabria and visit the famous “Bronzi di Riace”. Jolly Hotel Messina. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay .

DAY 13 - Monday: MESSINA – MOUNT ETNA – TAORMINA - MESSINA
After a buffet breakfast, conditions permitting, we'll try to reach the 1800 meters mark on Mount Etna, the highest active volcano of Europe. Continue to Taormina: lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Greek Theater and enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through the tiny streets. Return to Messina: dinner and overnight at the Jolly Hotel Messina .

DAY 14 - Tuesday: MESSINA - CATANIA - SYRACUSE
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse. Panoramic tour of Catania. Lunch at Jolly hotel Syracuse. In the afternoon, visit of the Archaeological area including the famous Latomie of the Paradise and the Dyionysios “Ear”as well as visit of the island of Ortigia, singular treasure of the baroque style. Dinner and overnight accommodation at the Jolly Hotel Syracuse.

DAY 15 - Wednesday: SYRACUSE - PIAZZA ARMERINA - AGRIGENTO
After a buffet breakfast, depart for Piazza Armerina and visit the worldwide famous Villa Romana del Casale famed for its well preserved mosaics. Lunch in a typical restaurant and continue to Agrigento. Visit the Valley including the Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus, Castor and Pollux. Dinner at the Jolly Hotel della Valle. After dinner enjoy an unforgettable panoramic tour of the Valley of the Temples illuminated. Overnight in Agrigento.

DAY 16 - Thursday: AGRIGENTO - SEGESTA - ERICE - TRAPANI - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, depart for Segesta to visit the Doric Temple which keeps in its stone the weight of a long history, surrounded by a unique landscape. Lunch at a local restaurant in Erice, a medieval town full of myth and history, art and environment located at 800 meters above the sea. After lunch enjoy an orientation tour of Trapani’s salt mills. Continue to Palermo. Dinner and overnight at Jolly Hotel Palermo.

DAY 17 - Friday: PALERMO - MONREALE
After a buffet breakfast depart to Monreale with visit to the “Duomo” (Cathedral) which is one of the most renowned monuments in the world as well as the Benedictine Cloister, in pure Norman style. Visit the city of Palermo including the Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel in the Royal Palace, as well as a panoramic tour of the historical center. Lunch at Jolly Hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy the possibility to visit part of Palermo by your own or to participate to an optional excursion to the Catacombs, the "Capo" market and Mondello. Farewell Dinner and accommodation at the Jolly Hotel.

DAY 18 - Saturday: Palermo
Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport . End of our services . Bon Voyage . or you may wish to extend your stay.

Rates per person in US$
Double Occupancy Cabins with 2 lower beds

Please deduct $ 100 per person for triple occupancy
The Deluxe / First Class hotel choice applies to Athens only

Supplemental charges:

Rate includes:

• Seven-day cruise to Greek Islands and Turkey.
  
• One way air fare in economy class Athens Sicily , tax included .
  
• Hotel accommodation , with tax & continental breakfast daily
  Sample hotels in Athens : Deluxe: Divani Palace Acropolis. First : Electra Palace or Stanley
  In Sicily first class 4 stars Jolly hotels, rooms are with private bathroom facilities
  
• Guided sightseeing as listed including all entrance fees
  
• All meals during the Greek cruise.
  
• Transfers in Greece and Sicily
  
• Port taxes .
  
• Lonely Planet guidebooks
  
  
• Breakfast daily at hotel, and other meals in Sicily as per itinerary , all meals are pre-set menu .

Not included:

• Greek cruise Shore excursions.
• International airfare from/to your home country
• Gratuities Personal expenses.
• Beverages, and meals not specifically listed.
• Travel Insurance, Trip Cancellation Insurance ( available upon request.)

Cruise Skd and itinerary is subject to change without notice

Greek cruise :
Clothing on shore:

Look forward to warm, even hot weather with some cooler breezes at night.
Especially for shore excursions, we recommend loose, comfortable cottons or other lightweight clothing.

Some of the tours involve long bus rides and/or considerable walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Please bear in mind that shore excursion coaches are air conditioned and you may wish to bring a light sweater.

On tours that include visits to places of worship, shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted.

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