Aegean
Visions Escapade
Tour Greece and Turkey in 10 Days
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 and 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 - Group Day tour of ATHENS - Wednesday (BL)
This morning you'll tour the high points of Athens, most
notably the towering Acropolis and the museum. You'll visit Syntagma
Square, at the very heart of the city, and see the Parliament, and guards
in colorful traditional outfits. Afternoon walking tour of the Plake
with lunch which is included at a charming local restaurant.
DAY
4 - ATHENS - Thursday- 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.
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. Your first stop
on this fascinating tour is at the House of the Virgin Mary. Then, you
will continue on to visit ancient Ephesus, one of the most magnificent
and best-preserved ancient sites in the world. See the Terrace
Houses , the Odeon, the Market Basilica, Curetes Street, Bath,
Celsus Library, Marble Street and the Great Theatre with a seating capacity
of 25,000 people. See the Terrace Houses , the newly excavated site
in Ephesus, excavation site for the ancient homes of richest ephesians.
fter touring we fly to Istanbul ( air fare is included in our rate with
taxes) Our local rep. meets your flight and escorts you to your hotel.
DAY
8 - ISTANBUL
- Monday (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 - Wednesday (B)
We escort you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage
Rates
are per person in US $
March - Nov
| |
First Hotel |
Deluxe
Hotel |
| Outside
Cat. B |
$
3855. |
$
4580. |
| Outside
Cat. A |
$
4005. |
$
4730. |
Children : Infants up 2 years of age : $ 200 USD
Children 2- 10 years of age : Pay : $ 400 USD
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
Complimentary
entrance ticket to the Harem in the Topkapi Museum Palace in Istanbul

Some
of the most popular restaurants in:
-
Athens : are Varoulko, Dionissos Zonars (just under
the Acropolis), Strofi (near the Divani Palace)
-
Santorini:
El Greco and Fanari (has great view) are good restaurants in Fira.
Also Pyrgos is another nice one... about 4 kilometers further inland
|