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Discover Turkey & Greek Islands …
Spreading in two main seas, the Aegean sea on the East and the Ionian Sea on the West, the Greek islands are divided into smaller groups: Cyclades, Crete, Ionian, Dodecanese, Sporades, Saronic and Eastern Aegean islands. The most popular island group is certainly the Cyclades islands on the Aegean sea.
John F.K. International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
One Bedroom for each room (depends on number of guests in one room)
Depends on room type (one bathroom for each room)
Welcome to magical Istanbul, the city where East meets West, at the border of Asia and Europe, we’re met at the airport with our guide and drive to our hotel in Istanbul.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Istanbul
After breakfast we set off on a full day of sightseeing in Istanbul. We will start with a visit to the renewed Sultanahmet Mosque as The Blue Mosque an incredibly beautiful mosque known for its blue Iznik (Nicaea) tiles are unique for the fact that it has six minarets. We continue on to the Hippodrome once the vast arena that functioned as the heart of sporting (chariots races and athletics) events and political activities of the old city. From here we go to the nearby Hagia Sophia the Church of Divine Wisdom. Ranking as one of the greatest marvels of world architecture, this awe-inspiring building was constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. After lunch our next visit will be Topkapi Palace which for more than 400 years was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans; now home to the priceless collections porcelain, jewelry, calligraphy and many masterpieces of art. The tour will end visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry and carpets. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast we will drive to Istanbul Airport to catch our morning flight to Izmir. Arrival in Izmir we will drive to Kusadasi to embark on 3 nights Cruise of the Aegean Islands. Our first stop in the cruise will be Patmos, this island is known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is near the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. The Monastery of St. John, built on one of the island’s highest points, houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its Treasury.
Dinner and overnight on board.
This morning we arrive to Heraklion, is just three miles away from the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. The next island will be Santorini perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands, with its white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Free excursion / Heraklion: Minoan Palace of Knossos is included.
We arrive to Piraeus, the port city of Athens, cradle of democracy, birthplace of Western Civilization, Athens is a vibrant city where old and new co-exist. The majestic Parthenon rises above the city, its ancient glory still visible in the time-worn Stone. The last island of the cruise will be Mykonos, hundreds of tiny chapels dot this blue and white-washed island with its beautiful windmills. Find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of sunset over its picturesque harbor.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Free excursion / Piraeus: Mythical Athens and its highlights is included
Arrival to Kusadasi at 07:00. We will proceed to the vast ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus. Once in the ancient city itself we will explore this ancient Roman city and visit the Library of Celcius, Temple of Hadrian, the Theatre and Odeon. After lunch continue to Pamukkale “the Cotton Castle” with its snow-white terraces formed by thermal waters cascading down the hillside. Visit the ruins of Hierapolis with its famous Necropolis, the Basilica, Theatre and Plutonium.
We will have dinner and overnight at our hotel in Pamukkale.
After an early breakfast we set off for Cappadocia, with a visit to the Sultanhan Caravansarai on the way. Following Lunch in Konya we will visit the Mausoleum, Museum and Monastery Complex dedicated to Mevlana Celalettin Rumi, the founder of the mystical order often referred to as the “Whirling Dervishes”. Setting out once again we will enjoy our panoramic view of Cappadocia as we reach that strange and mystifying landscape. We will check into our hotel in Cappadocia where we will dine and spend the night.
Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight ,this is truly a once in a life time experience and there is no better way to see the distinctive landscapes of Cappadocia than by gently floating overhead in a hot air balloon. We guarantee the departure as long as the weather allows.
After breakfast we set off on a full day excursion that includes lunch. We begin our explorations of the famous and intriguing valley of Cappadocia, a unique region in which Nature has created an incredibly strange and colorful world of cones, columns and needles that were shaped by the wind and water erosion of the area’s volcanic tuff. Some of these strange shapes are as tall as 100 ft. But it is not only the natural landscape that is unique here. Our forefathers used the soft features of the stone to carve out this fantasy-like environment into homes, stables, shops, churches, hospitals, etc. etc. Many early Christians painted the walls of their chapels with their own renditions of Bible stories. Some of these frescoes are incredibly beautiful, attesting to the skills and religious fervor of the faithful. Among the places we will visit are Goreme Open Air Museum, Rose Valley , Underground City of Kaymakli, Zelve and Pasabag.
We will have dinner and overnight at our hotel in Cappadocia.
Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight ,this is truly a once in a life time experience and there is no better way to see the distinctive landscapes of Cappadocia than by gently floating overhead in a hot air balloon. We guarantee the departure as long as the weather allows.
Optional Half Day Excursion ( Depends on your arrival )
After breakfast, we drive to NAV or ASR Airport for our short flight to Istanbul. Arrive to Istanbul, we drive to our hotel in Istanbul. We set off on a half day of sightseeing in Istanbul. We will start with a visit to Spice Market, Egyptian Bazaar built in the 17th century, this is the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul. On to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, where the pungent and savory aroma of exotic oils, herbs and spices have perfumed the arched stone corridors for nearly 350 years. Now also proferring nuts, honey, dried fruits, traditional sweets and herbal remedies, the Spice Bazaar’s redolent wares will transform you into a veritable spice trader. After than, we will continue our tour with Bosphorus Cruise in a regular boat. A traditional boat tour through the waterway separating Asia and Europe. Seeing along the way the old Ottoman wooden mansions, marble palaces, foreign embassies estates and small fishery villages, located at the Asian and European sides. Do not miss important sightseeing spots at the Bosphorus such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress and Beylerbeyi.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Istanbul.
After breakfast transfer to Istanbul airport for our departure flight back home.
