Flavours of Turkey and Greece -III-

Itinerary

1. 1

   Istanbul Arrival

   Arrival to Istanbul . Meet with english speaking assistant at the airport . Transfer to the hotel for check in . Overnight: Istanbul Meals: N/A

   İstanbul

2. 2

   Istanbul

   Breakfast at the hotel . Drive from your hotel to Spice Market for shopping . Free time. Then meet and proceed to take 1,5 hrs Bosphorus Cruise excursion along the bosphorus , that is dividing the 2 continents Asia & Europe . During the excursion you will enjoy the beauty of Istanbul , with its forest , Palaces and wooden old houses built on both continents . Lunch at local restaurant . After lunch visit Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) , Hippodrome and the famous Hagia Sophia . Free time at Grand Bazaar . Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

   İstanbul

3. 3

   Istanbul - Ankara

   Breakfast at the hotel . Departure from the hotel to visit Topkapi Palace ( harem section entrance free is not included ) the house of the ottoman sultans . Departure from the hotel to Ankara – the capital of Turkey . Arrival to Ankara in early evening . Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast - Dinner

   Ankara

4. 4

   Ankara - Cappadocia (via Salt Lake)

   Breakfast at the hotel . Visit Anatolian Civilizations Museum where you will see the Neolithic & Paleolithic ruins from Urartu , Hatti, Hittite, Phrygia civilizations, then proceed to Mausoleum of Ataturk , the founder of Turkish Republic. In the afternoon drive to Cappadocia . En route visit the Underground city that is one of the biggest underground city in the region, constructed by the first Christians to protect themselves from the attacks. Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Dinner

   Ürgüp

5. 5

   Cappadocia

   Breakfast . Full day visit at Cappadocia . Visit Göreme Open Air Museum - a UNESCO Heritage site , a fantastic region with it’s cave churches located on the valley. Then proceed to Uchisar Village and then the spectacular fairy chimneys. Visit Derbent Valley with and explore the natural rock formations and get a chance to attend the workshops of carpets and onyx-stones . Overnight: Cappadocia Meals: Breakfast - Dinner Optional Tour | HOT AIR BALLOON TOUR In the early morning departure from your hotel . a chance to live this unique experience, an overlooking to Cappadocia from the sky , see the beauty of the region the rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural formations, lunar landscapes . Book early this experience.

   Ürgüp

6. 6

   Cappadocia - Pamukkale

   After the breakfast at the hotel , drive to Pamukkale. En route visit Sultanhan Caravansarai that was built during Seljuk Empire and used long years as a stop over for the travellers and merchants. Continue to Pamukkale . Visit Cotton Steps – a UNESCO heritage site that has been believed to have healing thermal water and Hierapolis Overnight: Pamukkale Meals: Breakfast - Dinner

   20190 Pamukkale

7. 7

   Pamukkale - Ephesus - İzmir

   Breakfast . Drive to Selcuk – Ephesus . Visit the Ephesus Ruins – the city that was dedicated to Artemis I the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora .Then proceed for Virgin Mary House - has been believed it is the final resting place of the mother of Jesus . Then stop at Leather Production Store . Proceed for Izmir . Overnight: İzmir Meals: Breakfast - Dinner

   İzmir

8. 8

   Izmir - Athens

   After breakfast transfer to Izmir Adnana Menderes Airport (ADB) to flight to Athens (during winter times it is via Istanbul) . Upon arrival to Athens meet and transfer to your hotel in the city center.

   Athens

9. 9

   Athens City Tour

   After breakfast we meet you at your hotel or close by, in order to start the morning Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour. Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast Detailed Itinerary: This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium, home to the first Olympic Games of the modern era, where we will make a short stop. As we continue our trip, we will pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace), guarded by the Evzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy of Athens, the University, the National Library and the Constitution Square (Syntagma). One cannot take a tour of Athens without visiting the Acropolis, one of the world's most prominent sites and a symbol for democracy in the Western world! It is there that you will explore architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Pericles. From the Propylaea, to the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and of course the Parthenon, a place where 'there is harmony between material and spirit', a the monument that 'restores order in the mind', as ancient Greeks used to say. Your last stop will be the modern Acropolis Museum, with nearly 4,000 exhibits of Hellenism housed inside. Departure approximately at 08:45 - Return approximately at 13:30

   Athens

10. 10

    Saronic Islands Cruise

    Pick up at 07.30 a.m. Transfer by motor coach from Athens center to Piraeus Port to embark on the cruise ship in order to start the full day cruise to the 3 beautiful Islands of Hydra-Poros-Aegina, which are nearby Athens (lunch on board is included). Return to Piraeus port at 7.15 p.m. and transfer back to your hotel in Athens. Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast, Lunch on board Detailed Itinerary Departure is at approximately 08.00 a.m. heading to the three beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf. After departure, our guide and the hostesses will ask you to assemble in one of the main lounges of the ship to get acquainted and give you all the information concerning the ship, the program of the cruise and the islands. The order of the island visits may be changed with no prior notice. Hydra (apprx. 2 hours) The favorite island of the jet set, whose old traditional stone houses and mansions have over the years housed the enfant gâté of the art world. The narrow stone-paved streets await for you to explore them on foot or by saddled donkey, as the island belongs to a niche group of places that do not allow motorized vehicles. Captivating walks along the old seaside promenade crystal clear waters and radiant fine craft shops create an incredible amalgamation of two different worlds! Poros (apprx. 1 hour) Although it is the smallest of the three islands we will visit, its narrow strait offering a most enchanting view of the town of Poros, is a site to behold. The island is extremely close to Peloponnese, with a 200m (650ft) strip of water separating it from the mainland. That gives Poros a unique coastline, as a big part of it is almost lagoon-like. Aegina (apprx. 2 hours) During ancient times it was a rival of Athens, the great sea power of the era. As such, the island is, to this day, full of archaeological sites and historical points of interest. Apart from its harbor, there are optional organized tours by air conditioned busses visiting the Temple of Aphaia (archeological site) or the Church of Saint Nektarios, whose relics are on display. These tours are optional and are sold on board the ship. On our way back to Marina Flisvos, a traditional Greek folk show with singers and dancers will entertain you up to the final moment as the ship arrives at Marina Flisvos.

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11. 11

    Athens Departure

    You will be met by our assistant at your hotel and transferred to the airport by our minibus or taxi driver for your departure flight. End of our services Overnight: Athens Meals: Breakfast

    Attiki Odos, 190 04