Escapade
to the Greek Islands and Istanbul
10
days . Tour code # 5
Our
Aegean tours,This ten-day( Including 7 day CRUISE ) voyage of discovery
includes classical Athens and the islands of the Aegean, and even takes
you to Istanbul.
Departure every Wed & Thu subject to ships availability
DAY
1 - ATHENS
Our local representative will meet you at Athens airport, assist with
arrival procedures, and escort you to your hotel. You'll have time on
your own to explore the Greek capital, browse for treasures and curios,
and venture to a terrace cafe or a fine meal in the old Plaka district.
Or, we'll be pleased to arrange an optional Athens by Night tour, which
includes a Greek dinner and musical entertainment.
DAY
2 - ATHENS (B)
A half-day city tour will orient you to the high points of Athens. We'll
visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city; the Parliament;
Hadrian's Arch; and culminate with the Acropolis and its museum. Your
afternoon is free for further exploring, shopping, or, perhaps, another
visit to the Plaka. Or take advantage of one of our optional tours, such
as an afternoon visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, with
spectacular sunset view; or the Sound and Light show at the base of the
Acropolis, combined with folk dancing.
DAY
3 - ATHENS, EMBARKATION (BLD)
Your morning in Athens is unscheduled, leaving you the choice of relaxation,
meeting up with friends at a cafe, or browsing the shops. In the afternoon,
we'll see you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, where you'll embark in the
evening on your seven-day cruise. Exact routing depends on the line and
ship you choose. If you depart Friday on a Royal Olympic Cruise, this
will be your itinerary:
DAY
4 - ISTANBUL - Saturday (BLD)
Constantinople! Stamboul! Istanbul! Today you reach the fabulous city
where East and West have clashed, met, and blended over the centuries.
Where to start? We reach Istanbul around 05:00 PM
Choices
and optional evening escorted tours (additional $$$ cost) are available
on board the ship or thru our office to help you take it all in. There's
no need to unpack. Your ship serves as your hotel in port.
 DAY
5 Full Day Private tour of Istanbul - Sunday (BL)
We are providing on a complimentary basis , a full day tour, with
private car/van/ driver & English speaking guide ( please advise
if you prefer other language), visiting Aya Sophia, the Blue Mosque,
the Topkapi Palace, the bustling and strategic Bosphorus straits and
a choice of visiting Istanbul Jewish Heritage & the Synagogues ( Jewish
Heritage tour is not available during weekends) , or : The Grand Bazaar
that alone has over 5000 stands, kiosks, and shops, filled with carpets,
leatherwork, and treasures and trinkets from all points eastward. Just
make sure to have your purchases packed in time for your 6 p.m. sailing.
DAY
6 - KUSADASI / EPHESUS - Monday (BLD)
Once again, we'll drop anchor in the Turkish mainland and Kusadasi ( around
3 PM) , gateway to ancient Ephesus. Join one of the ships shore excursion
(Additional$$$) , or Stroll the streets on your own and stop in at shops
filled with leather goods, carpets, and bargains in gold. Or we'll be glad
to arrange for a our private basis optional tour takes you to Ephesus, one
of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. We set sail from
Kusadasi around 9 PM
DAY
7 - SANTORINI, HERAKLION - Tuesday (BLD)
We drop anchor in the port of Santorini around 07:00 AM. ( using tenders
to disembark / reboard) .
Explore on your own, the lost civilization of Atlantis flourished. Enjoy
the outdoor cafes and wander the lanes of Thira, lined with craft and
clothing shops and bakeries and cafes. Ride the funicular to the cliff
top, or be adventurous, and do it on muleback! . We set sail for Crete
at 11 AM.
Crete: We drop anchor in the port
of Heraklion at 03:30 PM Explore on your own, or take an optional excursion
to the 5000-year-old Minoan Palace at Knossos and the archaeological museum.
We sail at 08:00 PM , you will be rewarded with a spectacular sunset over
the Aegean
DAY
8 - RHODES- Wednesday (BLD)
You'll sail into the harbor of Rhodes at first light, 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 sail out around 07:00 PM.
DAY
9 - PATMOS , MYKONOS -Thursday (BLD)
Once again, we'll have two ports of call. In the morning, we'll drop anchor
at Patmos (Using tenders in Patmos) . Here you can visit the Monastery
of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written. You'll reboard
for lunch while we head to MYKONOS : fabled
isle of windmills, beaches, cliffs, blue seas, and over 350 churches and
chapels. Photo opportunities are unlimited, and shopping options are almost
as plentiful. Set sail around 11 PM l.
DAY
10 - PIRAEUS, RETURN HOME (BLD)
You'll sail into Piraeus early in the morning ( 06:00 AM) . Our Athens-based
personnel will take you to the airport . Bon Voyage
Rates
per person in US$
Double Occupancy Cabins with 2 lower beds
Louis
Cruises Lines
Or Golden Star
Cruises |
First
Class
Hotel |
Superior
First
|
Deluxe
Hotel |
| Inside
Cabins with 2 lower beds- Cat D |
$1980 |
$2110 |
$2210 |
| Outside
Cabins with 2 lower beds Cat B |
$2130 |
$2360 |
$2460 |
| Outside
Cabins with 2 lower beds Cat A |
$2180 |
$2430
|
$2510 |
| Outside
Cabins with 2 lower beds Cat TC |
$2330 |
$2480
|
$2560 |
Supplemental
charges:
- Upgrade
to Deluxe Room at the Grand Bretagne in Athens: $390 Per person in
double ( added to the deluxe rate), or $820 per person for an upgrade
to the Deluxe Suite at the Grand Bretagne.
- CAT/B
cabins all have port holes.
CAT/A (additional $$) can be either with window or port hole, depending
on ship
Rate
includes:
- Seven-day
cruise to Greek Islands and Turkey.
-
Two nights at the hotel of your choice in Athens.
-
Athens sightseeing tour .
- Breakfast
daily at the hotel.
- All
meals during the cruise.
-
Greeting and assistance on arrival, and transport to hotel, to cruise
ship, and back to airport .
- Hotel
service charges, taxes, and hospitality services .
-
Port taxes .
- Lonely
Planet guidebooks
Not
included:
-
Shore excursions.
-
International airfare from/to USA .
- Gratuities
Personal expenses.
- Beverages,
and meals not specifically listed.
-
|
