Turkey & the Greek Isles Cruise

Highlights

 

 

Hagia Sofia and the Bosphorus Cruise

 

Topkapi  Palace  and  Blue  Mosque

 

Grand  Bazaar  and  Spice  Market

 

Cappadocia with its fairy chimneys and Cave Hotel

 

Pamukkale with its Cotton Castles

 

Visits to the House of Virgin Mary and Rumi Mausoleum

 

3 Night All inclusive Greek Cruise with Santorini Excursion and Mykanos Shuttle

 

 

 

Tues - Arrive Istanbul . - At the crossroads of Europe and Asia

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Meet and Assist Transfer to Hotel - Remainder of the day at leisure to catch up on jetleg

 

 

 

Wed - Post breakfast - Visit to Topkapi  Palace

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am -Soak up the opulence of Topkapi Palace The Topkapi Palace (Turkish:Ṭopḳapu Sarāyı), in Istanbul, is one of the oldest historical palaces in the world. It served as the main place of residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries ( between the 15th and 19th ) It was turned into a museum in 1924. The jeweled turban crests, silken caftans , priceless Chinese porcelains of the palace and approximately 300.000 archive documents, bear witness to the grandeur of a bygone era. Topkapi Palace is an interesting attraction point for tourists from all around the world with a huge impact on visitors who want to discover the history of Ottoman Empire

pm -Visit to the World Famous 15th century Grand Bazaar

End the day at the Grand Bazaar, in the Old City, a favorite place for shopping. You can wander the labyrinth of streets and passages with more than 4,000 shops displaying jewelery, leather goods, carpets and more. Enjoy the art of bargaining and shop to your heart's content

Evening -  Dinner at a Restaurant in Kumkapi   Overnight Istanbul

 

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Thur  -- Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Istanbul

          

am - Blue Mosque , Hagia Sophia 

 

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, was completed in 1617 just prior to the untimely death of its then 27-year old eponymous patron, Sultan Ahmet I. The architect Mehmet dedicated the mosque to Sultan Ahmet 111. The Mosque dominates Istanbu;s majestic skyline with its elegant composition of ascending domes, six slender soaring minarets and 21,043 pieces of blue tiles The Hagia Sophia, whose name means “holy wisdom,” was built by Justinian. It is a domed monument originally built as a Cathedral in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in the sixth century A.D. It contains two floors centered on a giant nave that has a great dome ceiling, along with smaller domes, towering above. The magnificent St. Sophia, with its massive dome was a daring engineering feat in the 6th century - architects still marvel at the buildings many innovations, once considered the greatest church in Christendom. It was proclaimed a Mosque soon after the conquest of the city by the Ottomans in 1453, that later was converted to a Museum You can witness Christian Mosaics with Islamic Scrolls throughout.

 

 

pm - Enjoy Cruising the Bosphorus

 

In the afternoon, take a relaxing cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. View humble fishing villages, wooden Ottoman villas and contrasting suspension bridges set against the dramatic outline of the Strait Shopping at Spice Market Afterward, visit the lively Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas and shop till you drop ( for nuts, herbs ,Turkish Delight etc)

Dinner at a Restaurant in Gallata
Overnight Istanbul

 

Fri - Istanbul to Canakkale

Drive and Board the ferry to cross the Strait of Dardanelles.
Dinner and Overnight Canakkale

Sat -  Post breakfast drive to Kusadasi .Sightseeing en route

 

Highlights - Troy City

 

Visit, Troy or Ilion was an ancient city, known as the setting for the Greek myth of the Trojan War. It was located at Hisarlik in present-day Turkey, Visit Pergemum on Cable Car to see the magnificent Acropolis ,a former political powerhouse. Time permitting, we will visit the ancient medical centre Asclepion

Evening Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi

 

 

Sun - Sightseeing Tour of Kusadasi

Highlights Visit to the Cottage of Virgin Mary and Ephesus 

 

St. Mary, mother of Jesus, supposedly spent the last years of her life in Ephesus. According to this tradition, Mary arrived at Ephesus together with St. John and lived there until her Assumption (according to the Catholic doctrine) or Dormition (according to the Orthodox beliefs). The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi in Turkish) which can still be visited today. It is a place where, according to the beliefs of many people, Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent the last years of her life.

Visit to Ephesus, a stunning preserved ancient city followed by visit to the Temple of Artemis, which was then one of the seven wonders of the World Enjoy a display of latest leather fashion show
Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi

 

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Mon  - Post breakfast Drive to the legendary site of Pamukkale with its fascinating chalky terraces

Highlights - Visit to Hierapolis - Pamukkale Cotton Castles

Visit the old greco roman city of Hierapolis , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its famous Necropolis, the Theatre Agora , the Martyrium of St. Philip and last but not least the Pools of Cleopatra presented to her by her beloved Marc Anthony as a wedding gift. Sightseeing of the Cotton Castles continue -. Here spectacular natural hot springs with high calcium bicarbonate content cascade over the edge of the cliffs, leaving white terraces (the ‘cotton’). It;s been used as a spa since the 200 BC. Though you wont be able to bathe in these travertines, you can take a walk through them (after removing your shoes). 

Dinner and Overnight Pamukkale

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Tue - Post breakfast, drive to Konya

 

Highlights -  Visit to Mevlana Rumi Mausoleum

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Konya, the old biblical city Iconium, where St. Pavlus stepped, was also the capital of Seljouk Kingdom. We arrive Konya after visiting the Caravanserai Sultanhani built on X111e century on Silk Road.When we arrive Konya, we visit the Monastery of Whirling derwishes and the Mausoleum of Mevlana Celalledin Rumi .He was a 13th-century Persian poet, an Islamic dervish and a Sufi mystic. He is regarded as one of the greatest spiritual masters and poetical intellects. Born in 1207 AD, he belonged to a family of learned theologians. He made use of everyday life & circumstances to describe the spiritual world. The Mevlevi Sufi order was founded to follow his teachings 

 

pm - After visit, drive to Cappadocia with en route visits to the Carpet Factory , Pottery and Textile Shops as well as a Jewellery shop. Dinner and Overnight Cappadocia

 

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Wed - Full day Cappadocia Sightseeing Tour , with its incredible fairy chimneys

am - Option Hot Air Balloon Ride over the fairy chimneys ( prior breakfast )

 

Highlights -  Fairy Chimney Rock Formations

 

Today, embark on a full day exploration of Cappadocia with its incredible fairy chimney rock formations. .Visit Gerome Valley, a magical little village set amid the surreal Cappadocia landscape with its open air Museum containing spectacular frescoes with vibrant colors still luminous after standing for centuries. Drive to the village of Avanos, famous for its beautiful old houses and onyx. Then proceed to the Pasabag Valley with its remarkable earth pillars in the midst of a vineyard also called Monks Valley. Continue sightseeing by visits to the Uchisar Castle and Urgup Town with wonderful views of the City Our journey continues with visit to the Rose and Red valley, Cavusin old cave village and the Basilica of St. John.We then explore the underground city of Kaymakli, where the early Christians escaped the presecution of the Romans by hiding in the intricate network of caves. Marvel at the ingenuity of the early settlers who hand-carved their homes into a volcanic rock

Evening - Dinner at Hotel followed by famous Turkish Folklore Show and Drinks Overnight Cappadocia

 

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Thur - Post breakfast checkout and board flight to Istanbul

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pm -  Catch up on last minute shopping

 

Dinner at a restaurant in Sultanahmet Overnight  Istanbul

 

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Fri – Post breakfast Depart for Airport to board your flight to Kusadasi
 

Dinner and Overnight Kusadasi

 

 

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Sat - Board your 3 Night Greek Cruise - Celestyal Olympia Iconic Aegean

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Sun - On Cruise

 

Mon - On Cruise

 

Tue -  De board Cruise

 

Fly to Istanbul for Dinner and Overnight

  

( GREEK CRUISE )​

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Cruise Price includes:

Cabin accommodation ( Ocean view )
Full board (Breakfast – Lunch –Dinner)
All inclusive drinks package
Complimentary shuttle bus service in Mykonos
Entertainment on board
Port charges security and other services (gratuities)

Santorini  Excursion

 

 

Ports  of  Calls -  Kusadasi -  Patmos  -  Heraklion  -  Santorini  -  Athens  -  Mykanos -  Kusadasi 

 

 

 

Santorini  Excursion 

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Spectacular Oia Village perched on the caldera rim

First, you head up to Megalochori village, one of the most authentic and unspoiled villages of the island with its distinctive architecture and character. We will continue on to the east, in the background, you will have settlements like Kamari and Monolithos, while you will pass through Fira, the small traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli with delicate architecture and beauties, to eventually arrive at the settlement of Oia. During the entire route, to the west you will have before your eyes the lace-like caldera, the little islands of Thirasia, Palea and Nea Kameni and an unsurpassable panoramic view. In Oia you will have plenty of time to stroll through the marble-paved alleys, to gaze at the adorably cute shops, to take pictures, to become acquainted with the characteristic buildings, carved.

 

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Inclusions

 

Welcome and Assistance at Airports

Well appointed Hotels and Transfers

Transportation in an Air-Conditioned Deluxe Vehicle

Services of Professional English Speaking Guide

Entrance fees as specified in the Itinerary

All  breakfasts  and  Lunch  OR  Dinner Daily

 

 

Exclusions

 

           

International Flights 

Mandatory  Insurance

Tips to Tour Guides and Drivers 

Visa ( to Turkey ) usd $ 60

Optional Tours within Cities

Drinks with Meals

Items of Personal nature