Istanbul to Athens Delight

3 nights Istanbul, 2 nights Kusadasi, 3 nights cruise and 2 nights Athens

  • Istanbul to Athens Delight
    Istanbul, Istanbul city breaks
  • Istanbul to Athens Delight
    Istanbul Agia Sofia
  • Istanbul to Athens Delight
    Kusadasi, Turkey
  • Istanbul to Athens Delight
    Ephesus
  • Istanbul to Athens Delight
    Ephesus
  • Istanbul to Athens Delight
    Rhodes Grand Master Palace
  • Istanbul to Athens Delight
    Santorini Caldera
  • Istanbul to Athens Delight
    Athens Acropolis, luxury Greece
  • Istanbul to Athens Delight
    Athens

Overview:



Visit Istanbul and Kusadasi and then take a cruise to the Greek islands. End your vacation package in the historical center of Athens.

Departures on Thursday (mid March to mid October)

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation in Istanbul
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Kusadasi
  • 4 day / 3 night cruise to the Greek islands & Turkey with embarkation in Kusadasi (Turkey) with M/V Celestyal  Olympia  (cabin accommodation, full board, complimentary selected drinks included with meals, Gala evening and shows, Entertainment on board, all port charges and gratuities and below mentioned 1 shore excursion.
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Athens
  • Full day guided Istanbul sightseeing tour (Lunch not included)
  • Full day guided tour to Ephesus (Lunch included)
  • Half day Athens guided sightseeing tour
  • Air tickets Istanbul to Izmir
  • All transfers as mentioned
  • Daily breakfast
  • Entrance fees during guided sightseeing
  • 24 hour assistance phone number
  • All taxes

PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
  • Travel insurance
  • International flights
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities



Itinerary



THURSDAY: ISTANBUL
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure.
FRIDAY: ISTANBUL FULL DAY GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR (LUNCH NOT INCLUDED)
A guided tour exploring the ancient city includes Topkapi Palace,(Closed on Tue) main residence of Ottoman Sultans, the Saint Sophia Basilica(Closed on Mon), ancient seat of Byzantine Church, The Blue Mosque, then Roman Hippodrome once used for chariot races; finally the Grand Bazaar.(Closed on Sunday)
Remarks: • At any closure day of museum, Underground Cistern Museum is the correspondent.
Overnight in Istanbul.
SATURDAY: ISTANBUL
Free day to explore the city. Experience the comforts of modern Turkey in its malls, galleries and clubs, and the delights of traditional Turkish bazaars, palaces, taverns and mosques. Istanbul’s natural beauty, with pleasant Mediterranean climate, completes its glorious appeal. In this gleaming modern mega-city you can immerse yourself in nearly 3,000 years of history, from Roman ruins to Byzantine marvels, Ottoman treasures and modern amusements.
SUNDAY: ISTANBUL / KUSADASI
At the indicated time we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival you will be transferred to Kusadasi. Balance of the day at leisure.
MONDAY: KUSADASI / FULL DAY EPHESUS GUIDED TOUR (LUNCH INCLUDED)
Start the day visiting The Great ancient site of Asia Minor, Ephesus with its temples, library, market, and spectacular. Theater continue to the Virgin Mary's cottage and the Temple of Diana. Transfer back to your hotel.
TUESDAY: KUSADASI EMBARK ON CRUISE / EVENING IN PATMOS ISLAND (GREECE)
After breakfast transfer to the port to board your cruise ship.
Afternoon call to the island of Patmos, where participating in the optional tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Monastery and the Grotto of St. John, where he lived and recorded the book of the Revelation.
WEDNESDAY: FULL DAY IN RHODES
Enjoy a full day on the island of Rhodes (Greece), the largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago. Explore the island`s medieval Old Town, preserved in and around the walls of a Venetian castle, built by the 14th-century Knights of St. John. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Citadel of Rhodes is located at the far northern end of the island and is considered one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean.
***** Excursion in Rhodes (Greece) :  Acropolis of Lindos  Rhodes
RHO-01: Rhodes  – Medieval tour - Acropolis of Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights   (Half Day)
Let’s begin in unusual fashion, with what you won’t see in Rhodes. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World once proudly stood here. He was the Colossus of Rhodes and is of course long departed, probably destroyed by an earthquake. Nevertheless as you arrive on this wonderful, historic island, you may just be able to imagine this statue of the Greek sun-god Helios in 280BC, standing 100 feet tall in celebration of Rhodes’ victory over Cyprus. The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes has a compelling back story and there are still remnants of its occupation by the Knights of St John during the Crusades. So while the Colossus may not be there, you will be wowed by the many historical sites. We travel fi rst to Lindos, about 55km from Rhodes Town and high above the village sits the impressive Acropolis of Lindos with the Doric Temple of Athena, built in 300 BC. Captains’ mansions constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries are dotted here and there and in the heart of Lindos is the Church of the Virgin Mary with lovely frescoes from the 15th Century. Back in Rhodes is where we are really immersed in the history of the island in the Knights’ Quarter.
We stroll through Gate d’Amboise to walk along the Street of the Knights and see where they lived, separated according to Order, their crests still visible today. We will also see (outside) the imposing Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, a medieval castle also known as the Kastello. It’s one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece. The Byzantine citadel was built in the 7th Century, the palace itself in the fourteenth. Where the palace sits today could well have been the spot where once stood the Colossus according to recent studies. Either way, this tour takes us into the heart of the fascinating history of Rhodes.
THURSDAY: MORNING IN HERAKLIO (CRETE) / AFTERNOON IN SANTORINI
Arrive early this morning in Heraklion (Crete, Greece), one of the four prefectures that constitute the island of Crete. Enjoy a half day at leisure to explore the island on your own. At noon, cruise to Santorini, and enjoy an evening on Santorini Island. Known for its breathtaking caldera, Santorini is also famous for its sandy beaches, colorful sunsets, and whitewashed buildings along the sea-cliffs.
FRIDAY: ATHENS / DISEMBARK CRUISE
Early morning arrival in Lavrio(Athens) port. After breakfast on board, disembarkation and transfer to your selected hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
SATURDAY: ATHENS GUIDED CITY TOUR
Morning sightseeing tour of Athens. The striking contrast between breathtaking monuments of a glorious past and modern elegant structures is what you will enjoy during your tour of Athens. Visit the Acropolis,the crowning beauty and glory of Ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awesome Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympic Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium(site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), the Tomb of the unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House on Constitution Square. See views of government buildings and elegant structures of the 19th century. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University, National Library. In contrast, conclude your tour with a visit to the new Acropolis museum, a marvel of architecture with a full exhibition of the glory of Ancient Athens. Afternoon at leisure.
SUNDAY: ATHENS / AIRPORT
According to your departure flight, you will be transferred to the airport.
 

Optional Tours

CAPE SOUNION
Half-Day (Afternoon)
From Nov 1 to Mar 31 - Every Mon-Wed-Fri & Sat
From Apr 1st to Oct 31st - Daily
Dep.: 3:00pm – Ret.: 7:00pm

Driving along the coastal road past the wonderful beaches of GLYFADA, VOULIAGMENI, VARKIZA and countless coves, one has a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf. A crowning feature of the tour Cape SOUNION, dominated by the spectacular Temple of POSSEIDON overlooking the Aegean sea.(Oct 1 to Mar 31 - ½ hour earlier)

 
ATHENS BY NIGHT
Night Life
From Nov 1st to Mar 31st - Every Thu & Sat
From Apr 1st to Oct 31st - Daily
Dep.: 8:30pm - Ret.: around midnight

 
Starting our evening tour with a pleasant panoramic drive through illuminated city center and we will approach the slope of the sacred hill to admire the illuminated Acropolis.
Then we will visit the museum of Ancient Greek musical instruments and discover the music history of Greece. Explore the greatest and only collection with 60 reconstructed Ancient Greek Musical instruments.
Next we will walk through the narrow pedestrian street of Plaka, the old city of Athens, to dine in a Greek typical restaurant with floor folklore show with live music, ballet with dancers in traditional costumes
N.B. Drinks at the taverna are not included.


 

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