Mediterranean Honeymoon Wishes

An 18-day Greece & Turkey Mediterranean Interlude
Arrive any day , year round to : Istanbul City of the Sultans and the Greek Isles

This is the perfect Mediterranean getaway. Your days are filled with exotic sights, sounds, scenes and scents . We'll even provide you with the Lonely Planet guide to Greece and Turkey so that you can explore on your own, as you like, in your free time! Arrive ANY DAY! Apr - Oct , This is the perfect add on to your Crystal Cruises , Oceanic Cruise , Princess Cruise or other Mediterranean cruise. Extensions are available to Cappadocia . The romance of the Greek isles. What's better than a journey with a cherished companion to one of these prized destination? 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.
Compare with the 12-Day Version Istanbul and the Greek Isles .Add Spain : Andalusia , Madrid and Costa Del Sol

Day 1 - Istanbul - Choose your own arrival day . Arrive any day : April - Oct
Arrive at Istanbul Airport. Our driver meets you at the exit gate of Istanbul Airport and transfers you to your hotel. Rest of the day on your own. Overnight at Blue House Hotel in Istanbul. Private Transfers. Private air conditioned Vehicle

Day 2 - (B, L) - Istanbul
We first stroll to the great square which was once the Byzantine Hippodrome. Now it is a great park like area surrounded by the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Underground Cistern, commonly called the Basilica Cistern. After lunch at a local restaurant, retracing our steps we walk to the Topkapi Palace, more than a palace, it is an assemblage of museums, containing the collections amassed by the Sultans over almost five centuries. After Topkapi Palace, we finish the day with Grand Bazaar visit, world’s largest covered market. Shops selling the same kind of merchandise congregate in the same area and there are 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops in the entire complex. Overnight at Blue House Hotel in Istanbul.
Private Transfers. Private Guide . Private air conditioned Vehicle

Day 3 - (B, L) - Istanbul
We start our second day in Istanbul with a walk to the Rustem Pasha Mosque, then we visit the Dolmabahçe Palace; overlooking the Bosphorus, it is definitely incomparable with 14 tons of pure gold used for its interior decoration, its priceless paintings, furniture, a rich collection of Bohemian crystal in addition to its famous Harem section. Right after Dolmabahçe Palace, we have lunch at a local restaurant and get on board and take a leisurely Bosphorus Cruise from Eminonu, to the still unspoiled village of Sariyer. We end the day with a visit to Chora Church, with its 14th century mosaics and frescoes of almost supernatural beauty. The most important features of the church are the frescoes and mosaics demonstrating the finest Byzantine art forms and parallel, in time, developments in Italian renaissance art. Overnight at Blue House Hotel in Istanbul. Private Transfers. Private Guide . Private air conditioned Vehicle

Day 4 - (B, L) - Izmir - Pergamum - Asclepion - Selcuk
Our driver meets you at the hotel and transfers you to Istanbul Airport for the morning flight to Izmir. On arrival to Izmir Airport, our guide and driver meets you and starts the tour. We drive to Pergamum. Arrival to Bergama, we drive to Acropolis. The Temple of Dionysus and The Altar of Zeus covered with magnificent friezes depicting the battle between the Olympian gods and their subterranean foes but most of these famous buildings removed to Berlin by the 19th century German excavators. Then we head on to Asclepion where was neither the first nor the only medical & psychological treatment center. After we have lunch at a local restaurant, visit the cathedral sized Red Basilica. St john the Divine wrote that Red Basilica was one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse, singling it out as the throne of the devil. Overnight at Kalehan Hotel in Selcuk. Private Transfers. Private Guide . Private air conditioned Vehicle

Day 5 - (B, L) - Ephesus
Today we first drive to the Virgin Mary's House; after that we visit Ephesus which was founded in the eleventh century BC by the Ionians. Strolling through the streets of Ephesus, we will witness the perfection of the Greco-Roman Art. Later in the afternoon we will visit St John's Basilica, believed to be the tomb of the Apostle John, Christ's beloved disciple. From the basilica, we will be able to look down on the remains of the temple of Artemis. We end the day with our visit to the Isa Bey Mosque. Overnight at Kalehan Hotel in Selcuk. Private Transfers. Private Guide . Private air conditioned Vehicle

Day 6 - (B, L, D) - Priene - Didyma - Bodrum
After breakfast, we drive first to Prienne, formerly a leading member of the Panionic League. As we drive further South, we visit Miletus and then arrive at Didyma, where we have lunch at a local restaurant, circumstances permitting, across the road from the temple. As the historian Pausanias wrote, "The sanctuary of Apollo at Didymoi, and the oracle there are more ancient than the Ionian settlement". After this we transfer you to your hotel in Bodrum. Dinner and overnight at L' ambiance Resort in Bodrum. Private Transfers. Private Guide . Private air conditioned Vehicle

Day 7 - (B) - Marmaris
After a late breakfast and checking out from the hotel, our driver meets you at the hotel and transfers you to your hotel in Marmaris. Rest of the day on your own in Marmaris. Overnight at Candan Hotel in Marmaris. Private Transfers. Private Guide . Private air conditioned Vehicle

Day 8 - (B) - Rhodes and Greece
After breakfast transfer to the port to take the morning ferry to Rhodes.
Our local rep will assist with your transfer to Cosmopolitan Hotel in Rhodes .Private Transfers . Private air conditioned Vehicle

Day 9 - (B) - Rhodes (B)
Full day on your own 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 optional excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos and the Valley of the Butterflies.

Day 10 - (B) - Rhodes / Crete (B)
Air fare is included ( economy class ) Rhodes / Heraklion in Crete . All transfers are always included.
Sample hotel in Heraklion : Atlantis or similar . Private Transfers . Private air conditioned Vehicle

DAY 11 - 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 12 - Crete / Santorini (B)
Do your last-minute shopping this morning, or just linger deliciously in bed. Then we'll call for you and see you to the port for your ferry to Santorini , ferry ticket is included . Volcano View Hotel or similar. Private Transfers . Private air conditioned Vehicle

DAY 13 - Santorini (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your lovely hotel (or Villa),or venture out,to explore ON YOUR OWN.
Some suggestion that you may wish to consider (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.

DAY 14- Santorini- Own activities(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.

For those interested , a complimentary full day Greek cooking class ( available only on Thursdays -except during Easter week):
Advance reservation required, space is limited, must book this at the time you book your tour package with us

ONE DAY COOKING COURSE FROM "SELENE" RESTAURANT.

Weekly on Thursday : at 10 30 a.m. we will welcome you at Selene Restaurant with fresh juice, coffee and traditional Greek cookies. A lecture by Evelyn Volikas and George Hatziyianakis will give you an introduction to the cuisine of the Cycladic Islands and particularly of Santorini .Following the lecture, we will introduce to you the unique local products of our island. The volcanic eruption that broke the island of Santorini apart almost 3500 years ago left the dramatic caldera that you see today. With more than 300 days of sunshine and its rich volcanic soil, the island yields a bounty of unusual indigenous herbs and vegetables. White eggplant, capers and caper leaves, fava (small yellow peas), exquisite baby tomatoes - all grown virtually without water.We will introduce you to the Santorini wine, to the grape varieties and to the Santorini vineyard, and you will have the chance to sample four different wines in the wine tasting we have arranged for you.
Cheeses and sausages from several other Cycladic islands, including Naxos, Siros, Ios, Tinos, brought especially for this occasion, will accompany the wines.At about 12.0 the presentation and the demonstration of four different recipes will take place. You will learn how to prepare an entire Greek menu: an appetizer,
a salad, a main course, and a dessert.

-Fava beans with tomato caper sauce or Tomato fritters (tomatokeftedes)

-Eggplant salad with octopus or Taramosalata

-Rabbit with egg- cheese sauce or Lamb in grapevine leaves

-Cheese and honey sweet pastry or Melitinia (traditional Santorini cookie)After we have prepared the dishes, at about 2.0 p.m. you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labors accompanied by a bottle of delicious wine from Santorini.
The cooking class takes place every Thursday. Web site for the world famous " Selene" Greek restaurant : www.selene.gr

DAY 15 - SANTORINI, Mykonos (B)
We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your ferry to Mykonos & your hotel. Mykonos Palace or similar. Private Transfers . Private air conditioned Vehicle

DAY 16 - MYKONOS (B)
The day is totally yours. There's no need to venture beyond the grounds of your lovely hotel. But on the other hand, there's plenty of reason to do so, starting with 350 whitewashed churches and chapels, dramatic cliffs, blue seas, and secluded beaches. Private Transfers . Private air conditioned Vehicle

DAY 17 - MYKONOS, Athens (B)
Reserve some time to stroll the cobbled lanes of Mykonos, to sip an ouzo or a retsina at a waterside cafe, to discover a beach or two, to pick up a loaf of fresh bread and cheese and olives, and picnic on a hillside as you look out to sailboats at sea. We'll rendezvous in time to take you to your flight for Athens . We'll book for you the Sofitel Hotel at Athens Airport. Proceed on your own upon arrival to the Sofitel at the Airport.

DAY 18 - Departure (B)
After breakfast , proceed to the gate on your own. Kalo Taxidi! Extend to . Bon Voyage.

Rate per person in Triple $ : USD 4340 per person

Rate per person in Double $ : USD 4490 per person

Rate per person in Single $ : USD 5170 per person

Rate Includes :

• Domestic flight tickets in Turkey & Greece - economy class, tax included
• All ferry tickets as per itinerary
• Hotel accommodation at the mentioned hotels or similar
• Air conditioned minivan with driver for all the tours and transfers
• Professional upscale guiding
• Breakfast (B), Lunches (L) and Dinners (D) as indicated in the itinerary
• All admission fees to the museums and sights as per itinerary
• Local Taxes

Suggested Hotel or similar :


- Istanbul
Blue House Hotel http

- Selcuk
Kalehan Hotel

- Bodrum
L' ambiance Resort

- Marmaris
Candan Hotel

VEHICLE:
A Mercedes or Volkswagen minivan with large windows instead of a car for the tours and transfers.
Minivans are always more comfortable.

GUIDING:
Two local guides; one for Istanbul part and one for Ephesus area. We always use experienced guides with huge knowledge about their subjects and very good English.

FOOD:
We try to use the best restaurants available in each area.
Dinners are generally not included , to allow you the opportunity to go out and enjoy a nice restaurant on your own . Local guides may recommend you some good options for dinners.

Rate doesn't include :

• International air fare.
• Visa Fee :In cash upon or from any of the Turkish Consulates
  
• Trip/travel insurance
• Tips
• Optional excursions, such as tours on Santorini, sailing, cruising
• Any meal not specifically mentioned
• Beverages, and personal expenses
• Gratuities for local personnel
• Travel insurance (please inquire about flyer).
• Airport taxes.
  

En Espanol - Back to Turkey Tour List

Crete:

Heraklio / Hersonissos Area:
* Creta Maris ( 5 stars)
* Knossos Royal Village (5 stars)
* Royal Mare Village (5 Stars)
* Atlantis Hotel ( 5 stars - Town property)
* Aldemar Royal Mare (5 stars)

Heraklio /Amoudara Area:
* Candia Maris Hotel ( 5 stars)

Elounda Area:
* Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars):
Supplement $65 per person per night with breakfast & dinner included (part of the deal, cant delete).

Lasithi Area:
* Hotel Elounda Mare (5 stars) : PRIVATE BUNGALOW with private pool: Supplement $200 Per person per night.

4 - Star Properties:

Heraklio Area:
* Sylva Maris Bungalows hotel ( 4 stars)
* Galaxy Iraklio Hotel ( Town property)
* Asotria Capsis Hotel ( Town Hotel)
* Marina Beach in Gouves area
* Pantheon Palace in Gouves area

Lasithi Area:
Miramar in Aghios Nikolaos