Aegean Visions Escapade

A 3 day Greek Cruise and a 4 day stay in Istanbul

This 10 -day itinerary combines the highlights of Classical Greek heartland with a 3 day cruise of the enchanted isles and a four day Istanbul & Ephesus . Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes,Patmos, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Istanbul

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS Tuesday - Weekly : Apr - Nov

Our Athens representative will meet you at the airport, assist you through customs and immigration, and escort you to your hotel in the bustling city center. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. You're free to stroll, browse for curios and treasures. Private transfers : Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur.

DAY 2 - Private Day tour of ATHENS - Wednesday (BL)
This morning you'll tour the high points of Athens, most notably the towering Acropolis and the adjacent museum. You'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city, and see the Parliament, and guards in colorful traditional outfits. ( Private air conditioned vehicle, private guide), lunch is included at a charming local restaurant. Your afternoon is free for further exploring or shopping, or you could well be drawn to return to the charm of the Plaka.

DAY 4 - ATHENS - Day on your own , or ask us for optional Tours - Thursday (cB)

Athens Markets or BYZANTINE Churches (BL)
Ride the new Athens Subway alongside the locals today ( always escorted with your English speaking Guide) ! We take pride in affording you this experience, entirely by public transportation, with orientation by our English-speaking representative. You'll get to tour Athens fascinating vegetable & fruit markets by subway and/ or taxi. Tour as well the Jewelry museum (LALAOUNIS) Enjoy lunch at a charming local restaurant before we head back to the hotel . 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



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

DAY 5 - CRUISE to MYKONOS - Friday (BLD)
Breakfast is included at the hotel . Then all meals while you are on board the cruises. ( Louise cruise or the Golden Star Cruises ( Aegean one ) . Ourlocal rep. will call for you at your hotel and escort you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, to embark on your three-day cruise. You'll sail into the Aegean, and by sunset, reach the jet-set isle of Mykonos. Stroll at your own pace along lanes lined with whitewashed houses, up to the Church of Paraportiani, or along the shore to the island's signature windmills. Enjoy an ouzo or a glass of retsina at a waterside cafe before we set sail at night. As noted, exact itinerary may vary

DAY 6 - RHODES- Saturday (BLD)
Your cruise ship arrives early at the harbor, 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'll set sail again in the evening.

DAY 7 - PATMOS - KUSADASI (Turkey) , and ISTANBUL Sun (BL)

Your ship will call at the island of Patmos. Here you can visit the Monastery of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written. You'll re board in time for an afternoon sailing. In the late afternoon, we anchor in Kusadasi, on the Turkish mainland, gateway to ancient Ephesus. Stroll the streets and stop in at shops filled with leather goods and bargains in gold. Our tour (Included ) takes you to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. Our staff meets your flight and escorts you to your hotel. Welcome fruit basket in your room, with our compliments.

DAY 8 - ISTANBUL Mon (BLD)
After breakfast: visit Topkapi, the palace of the Sultans for centuries; we board a ferryboat, help ourselves to fresh Turkish coffee or tea, and cruise northward along the Bosphorus, the strait which separates Europe and Asia. Disembarking at a fishing village, we enjoy a seafood lunch at a local restaurant, then drive south to go on a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar. And the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. In the Evening you'll join "Istanbul by Night", a dinner tour with live music and belly dancing.

DAY 9 - ISTANBUL. Tuesday (BL)
We dive right into this fascinating city with visits to its top sights: Hagia Sophia, the greatest church in Christendom for a thousand years; the Blue Mosque, with its exquisite blue tiles; the Byzantine Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and gladiator combat; and the eerie Sunken Palace cistern beneath it. Then a drive through modern neighborhoods brings us to the ancient city walls and the Kariye Museum (Chora Church), filled with brilliant Byzantine mosaics. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant .

DAY 10- DEPARTURE Wed (B)
We escort you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage

Complimentary entrance ticket to the Harem in the Topkapi Museum Palace in Istanbul

Rates are per person in US $
March - Nov

Price includes:

• Travel guide to Greece.
• Hotel nights in Athens & Istanbul as per itinerary .
• 3-day cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey.
• Guided sightseeing in Athens, Ephesus & Istanbul as per itinerary ,including all entrance fees.
• Breakfast daily at hotel as well as lunches during sightseeing in Turkey and welcome dinners as indicated : BLD : preset menu : Breakfast ,lunch,dinner.
• All meals during cruise.
• Ground transportation between hotel and airport, and between hotel and pier Airport greeting and assistance.
• Hotel service charges and taxes .
• Port taxes.

Not Included:

• International air transportation from your home country.
• Optional excursions, such as tours on Santorini, sailing, cruising
• Any meal not specifically mentioned.
• Beverages, and personal expenses
• Gratuities for local personnel
• Travel insurance .
• Airport taxes.

Sample hotels in :
Athens : Deluxe: Divani Palace Acropolis.    First Class : Stanley, Titania
Istanbul : Deluxe: Marmara Istanbul Hotel or similar .    First Class : Marmara Pera Hotel or similar