Travel in Greece and Turkey

Escorted Tour
 2008

Glories of Greece and Turkey

15 Nights / 16 Days

2008 

Day 1 Thu : Arrival - Istanbul. Arrival transfer from airport to your hotel for overnight.

Day 2  Fri: Istanbul. Tour of the once mighty Byzantine metropolis. Visit the Topkapi Palace (excluding harem) - residence of Ottoman sultans - beautiful Saint Sophia Basilica, a Byzantine treasure built in 537 AD, the Blue Mosque built in 1616, the Hippodrome, site of Byzantine chariot races, and the covered Grand Bazaar. Optional: dinner with belly dancing. (B)

Day 3 Sat : Dardanelles - Gallipoli - Troy - Canakkale
Morning departure for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Lone pine cemetery and Gabatepe War Museum, then cross the Dardanelles to Asia. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale. (B,D)

Day 4 Sun : Troy-Pergamum - Kusadasi
Visit the ruins of legendary Troy with its famous wooden horse, tour the  Pergamon and  continue  to Kusadasi, the popular resort on the Aegean coast, for overnight. (B,D).

Day 5 Mon : Ephesus - St. Mary's House - Kusadasi
Tour the the famous ruins of  Ephesus and  Virgin Mary's stone cottage where she spent the last years of her life in seclusion. Optional: Tour of Sirince or Sardis, a typical local village (B,D)

Day 6 Tue: Aphrodisian - Pamukkale
Drive through a fertile valley to Aphrodisias, the well preserved beautiful ancient city named after the Goddess of Love, hidden in a bucolic environment. Continue on to the white cascades of Pamukkale, the well-known spa town famous for its hot springs, where you can swim on top of ancient ruins. Overnight in  Pamukkale.

Day 7 Wed: Pamukkale -  Hierapolis - Marmaris 
Morning visit of the Roman health spa ruins at Hierapolis. Then departure to the resort city of Marmaris. Marmaris is a Greek word, meaning glittering and shining and it is a very fitting description. Marmaris is one Turkey's premier vacations resorts, built around a sweeping natural bay at the foot of steep pine covered mountain slopes. Afternoon at leisure. (B, D)

Day 8 Thu: Marmaris-Rhodes
Morning transfer to the port for a hydrofoil trip to Rhodes, Greece. Rhodes is the largest and most beautiful island of the Dodecanese archipelago. Arrival, transfer to the hotel, overnight (B)

Day 9 Fri: Rhodes
A day at leisure. You may visit old Rhodes, the medieval city of the Knights of Templar who built their stronghold on this beautiful  island after escaping from the Holly Land. You can also take an optional tour to Lindos, at the other end of the island to visit the medieval castle built on ruins of ancient temples overlooking a green bay of crystal-clear waters.. (B)

Day 10 Sat: Rhodes-Santorini Transfer to the airport for a flight to Santorini, the mythical island, the lost Atlantis.  Transfer to your hotel, free afternoon, overnight. (B) Day 11 Sun: Santorini  A free day to visit one of the many typical white-washed villages of Santorini perched on top of  the volcano; or you can enjoy the day on the beach. Another possibility is to visit Akrotiri the archeological site of an ancient Cretian settlement. (B)

Day 12 Mon: Santorini - Mykonos
Transfer to the pier for a hydrofoil or ferry ride to Mykonos the tiny fairytale island of zigzag  white-washed houses and glittering azure sky. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Evening free to enjoy the nightlife on the island. (B)

Day 13 Tue: Mykonos
Day at leisure to absorb the ambiance of this Cycladic island. Get lost in the maze-like winding alleys, white-washed streets, Cycladic churches and wind mills or explore the many small beaches around the island. (B)

Day 14 Wed : Mykonos - Athens
Morning is free. In the afternoon board a flight to Athens. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Free time to visit the quaint Plaka, Athens's oldest district built on ancient ruins with many popular little taverns, restaurants and gift shops. Optional: dinner with folklore dancing (B)

Day 15 Thu: Athens 
Tour of Athens including the Acropolis with the Parthenon followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum. Afternoon free for shopping around Plaka, the oldest district of Athens where houses are built on ancient ruins. Optional excursions. (B)

Day 16. Fri: Athens  Transfer to the airport to board your flight back home. Optional extensions available.

For extension in Athens click here

*Euro rate varies depending on exchange rates

Child reduction (5-11 sharing the same room with two adults- max. 2children): 25%

Reduction for the third person in the same room: 6%

Tour includes:

• Accommodation in First Class or Superior First Class hotels with meals as per itinerary (B,D,L)
• English speaking tour guides throughout the land tours
• Private air-conditioned coach transportation
• Luggage handling, arrival and departure transfers
• Local taxes and service charges 

Not included:
Personal expenses, optional tours, customary tips to guide and drivers

Hotels Used:

Extensions are available on request!