Day 2 , Athens (BL)
A full day private tour :
Morning sightseeing tour takes us to all the high points : The Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, Syntagma Square, The Parliament & The world famous Acropolis. Lunch at the Plaka . Then an afternoon tour of the famous Archeological Museum

Day 3 , Athens (BD)
Full day at leisure , or ask us for help with one of the optional tours. Why not have lunch at a taverna in the Plaka, take in a museum or gallery , then do some cafe-sitting and people -watching in Syntagma Squab.
In the evening , enjoy a Greek dinner with a folk show in a charming local restaurant.

Day 4 Athens Markets or BYZANTINE Churches - (cBL)
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. 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
They then visited the Jewelry museum (LALAOUNIS) before breaking for lunch.
They used the metro 3 times (because they wanted to).

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

Guests who have been on the organized tour (the day before) can use the same entrance ticket to all the archaeological sites mentioned above.

Above are only suggestions , you may discuss with the guide and modify (add/subtract) according to what you are most interested in. The guide will advise you on what is feasible to cover in a half-day. Or add another half day : additional $$$ apply

Day 5 , Athens / Santorini (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your morning flight heading for Santorini ( economy Class ) . On arrival, we'll see that you're checked in to your hotel. Santorini Hotel/Apartments/ Villas

Day 6 , Santorini (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel and linger for as long as you wish. The day is your as you please.
Sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group tour .

Day 7 , Santorini (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel . We offer an optional tour to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, reputed to be the center of the lost civilization of Atlantis.

Fira is the capital (largest city) while Oia and Firostefani are 2 other towns. 
 
This is a brief description of these 2 places.
 
Firostefani, a suburb of the capital Fira (less than 1 km from the center), offering the same stunning views of the magnificent caldera, at a slight distance from all the action.  Firostefani also has a very picturesque square, and a beautiful church dedicated to St. Gerasimos, that is surrounded by cypress trees.  The stroll from Fira to Firostefani can be completed in roughly 20 minutes, although it usually takes at least an hour because of frequent pauses to enjoy the view. 
 
Oia is on the northern tip of the island and is about 11 km from Fira, built on a steep slope of the caldera. Oia is quieter than Fira, but easy enough to hop a bus or grab a taxi into town to visit the capital.  Its streets are charming narrow passageways that twist their way along the rim of the caldera, and down the slope of the cliff. There are plenty of tourist shops, but they are of a different, more artisan, quality than the more traditional tourist offerings of Fira, and there rare also a number of beautiful commercial galleries.

Day 8 , Santorini - Group Cruise (B)

This is but a sample , we keep the right to use any of the certified boat on the Lake .

BY BOAT : Half Day cruise TO THE CALDERA, THE HOT SPRINGS, AND THIRASIA
Transfers are include from/to your hotel.
The caldera of the volcano is one of the signature features of Santorini, a now-peaceful curiosity that bespeaks nature's past ferocity. We'll cross the caldera in a boat, and according to individual abilities and desires, view and amble over the twisted cliffs, and enter the remains of a castle that dates from Venetian dominance of the island. Stopping points can include hot springs rich in minerals and sulfur, and the quiet isle of Thirasia, with its unusual pink church and tranquil ways.
Free time for swimming if you are interested.

Day 9 , Departure From Santorini to Istanbul via Athens (B)
We'll pick you up and see you to Santorini Airport, fly to Athens, please proceed to connect with the flights going to Istanbul ( air ticket is included in economy class ).Kalo Taxidi!

Marhaba ! Aaaah ISTANBUL , the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:": You're met at the airport or seaport by our representative, who sees you to your hotel.
Our local rep will answer any questions you may have about getting to know the city. As you ride into the great metropolis from the airport , two thousand years of history are revealed: towering Roman walls, ancient Byzantine churches, slender minarets framing the bulbous domes of graceful mosques. These ancient monuments float on the skyline of a bustling modern metropolis of ten million people.
Please reconfirm locally the time you prefer for tomorrow tour, we suggest to meet around 8:30 AM or 9 AM

DAY 10 - ISTANBUL (BL)
The center of ancient Constantinople and Istanbul was on Seraglio Point, framed by the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. We visit the Blue Mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet III to challenge the architectural primacy of neighboring Sancta Sophia. We then walk next door to compare achievements in Justinian's great Sancta Sophia. Right behind Sancta Sophia is our next stop, sumptuous Topkapi Palace, the sultans seraglio for centuries, filled with breathtaking exhibits of priceless jewels, golden thrones, delicate colored tiles, and lavish court costumes. After lunch in a local restaurant ,we tour the Treasury of the sultans, and the Costume Gallery , then finish up in the bustling Egyptian Bazaar and walk through the maze of colors , spices and perfumes. Return to your hotel with sounds and colors of your first day of touring in Istanbul.

DAY 11 - Izmir and Selcuk (BL)
In the morning , fly to Izmir , we ascend Kadifekale, Izmir's hill crowned by a fortress built by Alexander the Great, to enjoy the view. Then on to Selcuk . Lunch is included on a complimentary basis at the hotel:

DAY 12 - Ephesus (BL)
Breakfast then it's off to biblical Ephesus to see the Basilica of St John the Evangelist, who came here with the Virgin Mary. Passing the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, we reach Ephesus, the most impressive ancient city on the Mediterranean.
After our tour, we continue to the fine Ephesus Museum and the hilltop House of the Virgin Mary, said to be her last home on earth. Lunch is included at a local charming restaurant.

DAY 13 - Selcuk (BL)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Day at leisure. Explore on your own , enjoy the scenery , the local arts , and the shopping opportunity.

DAY 14 - DEPARTURE - Izmir (B)
We escort you to the airport at Izmir for your flight home. Bon Voyage.
Compare with the 18 day with Rhodes Mykonos and Western Turkey

Rates per person in double in US $

Children 10 years and younger sharing with 2 adults : % 30 discount

Compare with the 18 day Greece including Rhodes Mykonos and Western Turkey

8 days - Athens, Mykonos & Santorini 8 days-Athens, Santorini & Crete 10 days - Athens & Crete 10 days Athens, Crete & Santorini 10 days - Athens, Mykonos & Santorini 11 days Athens, Mykonos, Santorini , Istanbul 13 days- Athens, Mykonos ,Naxos & Santorini 13 days - Athens, Mykonos & Santorini & Crete

Tour starts every day in Athens May - Oct.

Rates are per person , in US Dollar, and are subject to change. Rates do not include any international air fare. Please call us for special air deals or secure your own.

 

Inclusions: All Transfers in Greece and Turkey Hotel l accommodation, including tax, service charges & continental or buffet breakfast daily. Guided sightseeing in Athens and Turkey as per itinerary including all entrance fees. Ferry and air tickets in Greece and Turkey as well as Athens Istanbul , in economy class as per itinerary.

Not included:

• International airfare from/to your home country .
• Visa for Turkey,$20 USD , please secure prior to arrival, or get it upon arrival at the airport ( available to most nationalities including USA, Canadian, Australian, NZ, EU citizens) , please check with the Turkish Consulate for any question in regard to the visa.
• Gratuities, porterage at hotels.
• Personal expenses.
• Beverages, and meals not specifically listed .
• Trip Cancellation Insurance. Travel Insurance (Please ask us for the flyer).

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