Mediterranean Interlude
Athens, the Greek Isles, and Istanbul 14 Days
Santorini/Crete edition

Ciragan Palace Hotel Istanbul

The mystery of Istanbul . . . the treasures of Athens . . . the romance of the Greek isles. What's better than a journey with a cherished companion to one of these prized destination? Why, an interlude that includes all three, of course.

This is a trip tailored to make the most of that special company and unique occasion, be it an anniversary, a honeymoon, or a singular chance to be alone and away. We have selected superior and deluxe hotels notable for their charm, atmosphere, and, of course, fine service.
This tour starts daily in Athens from Apr through Oct

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS
Our Athens-based personnel meets you at the international airport, assists you with the formalities, and sees you to your charming and comfortable hotel, Grand Bretagne ( Deluxe Room) or King George ( Deluxe Room, subject to availibility at the time we recieve your booking .
Check in, relax, then take a stroll through the lively streets. Browse for treasures and curios, savor a coffee or aperitif at a terrace café, or enjoy a fine meal in the old Plaka district.
All transfers are always with a private air-conditioned vehicle, for couples, it will be a Mercedes sedan or similar. Private Chauffeur.

DAY 2 - ATHENS - Private Tour (BL)
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Greek capital, today we have included a half day tour of Syntagma Square, and the towering Acropolis. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant.

Private air-conditioned vehicle, for couples, it will be a Mercedes sedan or similar. Private Chauffeur. Private guide.

DAY 3 - ATHENS (B)
Day at leisure, to explore Athens on your own, or ask us for available optional tours.

DAY 4 - ATHENS,SANTORINI (B)
We'll call for you and see you to the airport for your flight ( business class) over the blue Aegean to Santorini (Air fare included, Isle of Ancient " Atlantis ?! . Your hotel : Dana Villas, Chromata or similar . Always superior rooms.
All transfers are always with a private air-conditioned vehicle, for couples, in Athens it will be a Mercedes sedan or similar. Private Chauffeur. Outside of the major cities, it will be a mini coach , always air conditioned , latest model

DAY 5 - Santorini (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel , 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 6 - Santorini (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. Your days will be filled.

DAY 7 - SANTORINI, CRETE (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight to Crete, Hreaklion & your hotel. Elounda Mare top choices as listed below or similar .
Flights operate only on Thu & Sat, other days, ferry is 5 hours, or flights ( Business class via Athens .

DAY 8 - CRETE (BL)
Today in Heraklion. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chaffeur, private guide :
We visit the the three-story Minoan unique palace of Knossos , enjoy lunch in a local tavern, return to your hotel late afternoon

DAY 9 - CRETE (B)
Enjoy your stay at the hotel or explore one of the beaches. Or explore on your own the Venetian part of the old town , see below more details on tours in Crete.

DAY 10 - ISTANBUL (B)
After a leisurely breakfast, we'll pick you up and escort you to board a flight for Athens, and onward travel to Istanbul, always in business class , tax included . Our personnel will be on hand to greet you upon arrival and see you to the Ciragan Palace, The Ritz Carlton Istanbul or the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul
( Superior Room)

DAY 11 - ISTANBUL (BL)
Full day tour : including the Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, with its Ottoman treasures. The Grand Bazaar with its endless bargains in its 5000 stands, kiosks, and shops. Soak up the atmosphere of a traditional coffee house, complete with bubbling water pipes. Lunch will be included in a local restaurant. Private air-conditioned vehicle, for couples, it will be a Mercedes sedan or similar. Private Chauffeur. Private guide.

DAY 12 - ISTANBUL (B)
Istanbul is all yours, day at leisure, any way you like it.
Grab your guidebook to Istanbul and stroll along the restored 19th-century thoroughfare of Istiklal Caddesi, once known as the Grand Rue de Péra. Search for spices and folk remedies in the Egyptian Bazaar. Admire the medieval mosaics in the city's many Byzantine churches. Shop in the chic boutiques around Taksim Square. Climb the Galata Tower, built by the Genoese six centuries ago, for a panoramic view of Old Istanbul.

Day 13 - "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:" (BL)

Morning walking tour : We start with our guide in Karaköy where the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates), and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the famous Pera Palace Hotel.
Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and be picked up for the afternoon tour. In the afternoon the tour visit Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz, and finish up with a visit to the Military History Museum in Harbiye in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon).

DAY 14 - DEPARTURE (B)
Do your last-minute shopping this morning, or just linger deliciously in bed, like Turkish royalty. Then we'll call for you and see you to the airport to begin your journey home.

Bon Voyage. Gule gule

RATE in US $ per person in double : $ 5805.00

For Katikies Villas & Pantheon in Santorini , please add 10 % supplement to the listed rate.

Price includes:

• Air transportation within Greece in business class , tax included .
  
• Air transportation from Athens to Istanbul , in business class , tax included.
  
• Transportation between airport and hotels in Greece & Turkey, always using a private air-conditioned vehicle. Private chauffeur.
  
• Accommodations with breakfast (B) as indicated below, or at comparable properties, according to availability:
  

• Sample Villas/ Apartments in Santorini: : Dana Villas with a view of the Caldera & the sea ( Firostefani) .Chromata Apartments with a view of the caldera & the sea (Imerovigli.)
  For Katiekie and Pantheon : Please add 20 % to the deluxe rate.

• Guided sightseeing as indicated always using a private air-conditioned vehicle. Private chauffeur. Private guide .
  
• Entrance fees for all sites listed in the itinerary.

Crete:

Heraklio / Hersonissos Area: Aldemar Royal Mare


Elounda Area: Hotel Elounda Mare

Lasithi Area:
Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars) : PRIVATE BUNGALOW with private pool

 

Not included:

• International airfare from/to your home country
• Gratuities Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed .
• Trip cancellation insurance, travel insurance, please ask for the flyer.
• Optional excursions, such as tours on Santorini, sailing, cruising
• Any meal not specifically mentioned.
• Visa fee for Turkey $20 (in Cash) secured upon arrival, or through the Turkish Consulate.

CRETE
One of the largest islands in the Mediterranean ,and for thousands of years it has been a crossroads of three continents- Europe, Asia and Africa.

The birthplace of the first glorious Greek civilization, the Minoan one, as well as that Zeus, El Greco, the famous painter, and Kazantzakis, well known for his Zorba the Greek, Crete is a spirited and enchanting place with a wonderful climate. Ravishing scenery, picturesque harbors, ancient Minoan palaces and Byzantine churches are but a few Crete's pleasures. Add to that the friendliness of the Cretan people and one has the setting for a memorable convention or incentive destination. Crete demands to be explored by ca or by jeep and there are several interesting excursions that may be organized. Heraklion, the capital of the island with its world class Archaeological Museum and the Palace of Knossos dating back to 1500 BC, the town of Rethymno with its Venetian Fortress and the old Turkish quarter with mosques and minarets, the town of Chania, a typical Venetian town with a small secluded harbor with picturesque houses and cafes and last but not least, the port of Aghios Nikolaos and the village of Elounda around the Bay of Mirabello are all visiting points.

Trekking through the Samaria Gorge, mountain biking on the Lassithi Plateau with its countless windmills, watching a traditional Cretan wedding ceremony or enjoying a glass of Raki whilst listening to the traditional Cretan music played by the lyra during one of the Cretan nights and shopping for handicrafts and local wines can be a part of interesting incentives activities.

KNOSSOS - MUSEUM They say that if you try to leave without visiting Knossos, you are turned away from the airport. Knossos is not simply foundations but a three story Palace complex of rooms, halls and passengers, dating from 2.500 B.C. and the center of Minoan civilization (when in most parts of the world people were still living in caves). This is the labyrinth were Theseus slew the Minotaur, and where history and legend go hand in hand. After Knossos, we visit Heraklion's Archaeological Museum where all the best finds of Knossos and other cities are housed. Included in the tour is a sightseeing trip of Heraklion.

PHAESTOS-GORTYS-MATALA This trip takes South the mountains and more of Crete's unique scenery and stopping first at Gortys, the Capital during the Roman occupation. You can view the ancient forum and theater and see the famous Doric law code, chiseled forever into stone and publicity displayed in Dorian times. Also at Gortys is one of the best & most beautiful of ancient churches on Crete -St.Titus dating from 5-6 AD From here we move to Phaestos, the second major Minoan site, situated overlooking the beautiful Messara plain. At Phaestos you can evidence of the original complex destroyed by fire and earthquake, and also the second, rebuilt complex. Since we believe that too much culture is not the best way to spend a holiday the afternoon is spent on the beach of Matala, overlooked by the famous Neolithic caves.

RETHYMNO - CHANIA (WEST CRETE) Our major excursion travels along the north west coast with breathtaking scenery on both sides - spectacular mountain ranges , and sleepy little fishing villages. First stop in famous monastery of Arkadi. Then will stop in Rethymno, known as the city of scholars. Here you can stroll through the narrow streets with their venetian flavor, or maybe take coffee in a harbor side coffee bar We move to Chania for lunch. Chania is the little Venice of Crete. It possesses reputedly the largest market in the Balkans, and a street almost dedicated to leather goods, where you can see items such as boots, shoes, handbags e.t.c. Handmade. After lunch, by the beautiful venetian harbor of the town, where «Zorbas the Greek » was filmed, we go to nearby Souda bay, where lies the British Commonwealth war cemetery.

CRETAN EVENING A not to be missed opportunity for an evening out amidst the flavor and atmosphere of Cretan Tavern. We travel into the mountains to a village no more than hour away, and our evening is spent eating, drinking and dancing in the local style. During the meal which will be typical there is unlimited free wine, and you will be serenaded by local musicians, afterwards there will be a demonstration of the energetic Cretan dancing and you will be enthusiastically invited to join in.

GOURNIA - KRITSA - AG. NIKOLAOS This trip takes you east through the mountains and beautiful villages. First stop in the traditional village Gournia and then we visit the Byzantine of Kera church and the village of Kritsa. Next stop in Ag.Nikolaos, situated on the bottomless lake «Voulismeni» and also famous for a TV series «The lotus eaters». You can stroll around the picturesque harbor, sample some «meze» at a local tavern.

PLATEAU OF LASSITHI You expect coach captain, will take you through the impressive scenery of the road that climbs from the coast up to high Lassithi. A narrow road, with tight bends, weaving its way between the hills onwards and upwards, brings you to a vast plain as far as the eye can see, with windmills is the Plateau of Lassithi. Here is where the history and legend go hand in hand once again and therefore your guide will tell you about and give you an chance to visit the Dicteon cave where Zeus was born.

SPINALONGA ISLAND This excursion journeys along the north east coast and first visits the village of Elounda. If the name doesn't ring a bell, think of "who pays the ferryman" - it was filmed here, a small but charming fishing village. We take a boat trip from Elounda to the island of Spinalonga, fortified by the Venetian, and used this century as a leper colony. Free time for BBQ lunch and swimming at the island of Kolokytha. Having returned to Elounda we travel down to Agios Nikolaos and enroute you have a wonderful view over the bay of Mirabello. Agios Nikolaos is possibly the most chic spot in Crete.

SAMARIA GORGE The trek through the Samaria gorge will probably be one of the most exciting days of your holiday in Crete. It is 18 km of breathtaking scenery in the longest gorge in Europe, with imposing sheer rock faces and the pine filled atmosphere of another world. We begin our descent early in the morning to avoid being in the gorge when the sun is at it's hottest. As you reach the bottom you will be making the same exit as the British soldiers and the Greek partisans made during their escape in the last war. Waiting for you at the bottom will be the crystal-clear waters in Libya Sea and the small village of Aghia Roumeli where after a good rest, we will board the boat to Chora Sfakion for the return to hotel.

Dana Villa in Santorini