CRADLE OF THE HOLYLANDS (GOLD PACKAGE)
(15 NIGHTS, 16 DAYS)

ARRIVAL-ISTANBUL

Arrive in Istanbul. Our transferman will be ready to meet you at Istanbul Airport upon your arrival. After we meet you at the airport, you will be transfered to your hotel. Time at leisure, stay overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

EDENS OF BYZANTION

We will spend an entire day visiting the highlights of Istanbul.First a visit to Hagia Sophia where the mind rises sublime to commune with God, feeling that He can not be far off. Also visit to Hippodrome is the largest in the ancient world.Then the Blue Mosque one of the architectural marvels of the world. After lunch, continue our tour at Underground Cistern. Visit Grand Bazaar; it was built at the command of Fatih Mehmet shortly after the Conquest. It contains 4399 shops, 2195 workshops, 497 stalls and 18 fountains. After the tour, transfer back to the hotel, time at leisure. Stay overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

ISTANBUL-IZMIR

After breakfast visit to Topkapi Palace , As the administrative center, for nearly 400 years, for the Ottoman Empire, which was one of the greatest empires of the world, Topkapi Palace is certainly the most important historical site to be visited in Istanbul. In 1461, less than ten years after the Conquest, Fatih Mehmet ordered the construction of Topkapi Sarayi a palace that would be known as Dar-üs Saadet, the "House of Felicity". Topkapi Sarayi remained the seat of the Ottoman Sultans until 1868, when Abdülmecit I moved to the European-style Dolmabahce Palace farther up the Bosporus.After lunch transfer to the airport to take a flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir and transfer to your hotel.Stay overnight in Izmir.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

PERGAMON-SMYRNA

Early depart from hotel for Pergamon.Visit to the Asklepieion, one of the major healing centres of antiqity,Acropol where the monumental buildings or heroons donated by the kings of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period. The Temple of Serapis, built for the Egyptian Gods in the 2nd c. AD. and called as the Red Courtyard and dedicated to St John. After lunch, depart for Izmir.We will visit St. Polycarp Church at Izmir(Smyrna).Stay overnight in Izmir.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

THYATIRA-PHILADELPHIA-SARDES

After breakfast drive to Thyatira whose remains include a temple and large church. Visit Philadelphia with its famous church of Philadelphia which was an important place for the spreading of the Christian faith. After lunch, continue on to Sardes, the wealthy capital of the ancient Lydian Empire and one of the most amazing sites in Turkey. After our visits at Sardes, we will head to Pamukkale, where we will spend this night. Stay overnight in Pamukkale.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

HIERAPOLIS-LAODICEA

After breakfast visit to the remains of the Ancient City of Hierapolis and the travertens. Lunch at Pamukkale. After lunch drive to Laodicea which is mentioned in Revelations by St. John and in ancient times was known as "The City of Compromise". After visiting Laodicea,drive to Kusadasi.Stay overnight in Kusadasi.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

EPHESUS

We will spend an entire day visiting the spectacular city of Ephesus.First we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary on top of Mountain. A pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations. Then proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. A definite must while in Turkey. After lunch visit the Basilica of St. John, and the museum.Stay overnight in Kusadasi.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

KUSADASI-PATMOS (CRUISING)

Free time in the morning then you will be transfered to Kusadasi port to embark on cruise.Cruise to the sacred island of Patmos, an island with an austere physiognomy, where St John the Evangelist wrote the Apocalypse.
Overnight on board.
P.S. Shore Excursions on this day are not included in the package rate.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

RHODES (CRUISING)

Arrive in the island of Rhodes, Known as the Flower Island , truly a crossroad of civilizations where the Orient meets the Occident. Visit the acropolis of Lindos and in the old city the Grand Master's Palace and the Street of the Knights.
Overnight on board.
P.S. Shore Excursions on this day are not included in the package rate.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

HERAKLION-SANTORINI (CRUISING)

Begin the day in Crete, the largest of the Greek islands; visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos and the famous archeological museum of Heraklion. 16.30 to 21.00 arrival Santorini, the most enchanting of the Greek islands. Santorini offers a panoramic view; white washed houses, narrow streets, open air cafes and glittering boutiques cling to steep hills.Overnight on board.
P.S. Shore Excursions on this day are not included in the package rate.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

ATHENS-CORINTH

Arrival in Pireaus Port; Athens. Transfer to our hotel.
In the afternoon, we will depart for a half day afternoon tour of Ancient Corinth.
The Canal of Corinth opened at the end of the 19th Century to connect the Ionian with the Aegean sea. Ancient Corinth was a great naval power and of strategic importance. At the same time it became a cultural centre which you will see when visiting some of the archaeological sites. Later, it was invaded by the Knights of Malta and afterwards was passed on to the Venetians.
We visit the Temple of Apollo, the huge Ancient Agora, the Bema where St. Paul preached as well as the Odeon. The Archaeological Museum of Corinth contains objects found in prehistoric sites of the region.
Overnight at Athens.
Meals: Breakfast.

ATHENS CITY TOUR

Depart from our hotel for a half day sightseeing tour of Athens.
Depart for Temple of Olympian Zeus (visit). Proceed to Panathinaiko Stadium cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime's Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace, (guarded by colourful Evzones) Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall), National Garden, Hadrian's Arc, St. Paul's Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schlieman's House (Nomismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, Acropolis (visit Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion and Museum of the Acropolis ).
Free time in the afternoon.
Overnight at Athens.
Meals: Breakfast.

DELPHI

After breakfast we depart from Athens for our Classical Greece Tour.
Drive to Delphi through Levadia and Arachova. Visit the archaeological sites and the Museum. After visits, drive to the hotel in Delphi. Check-in hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Delphi.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.

LAMIA-KALAMBAKA

After Breakfast at the hotel, check-out the hotel, drive through Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka. After a lovely scenic travel arrive Kalambaka, check-in hotel. Free time to Discover the city. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kalambaka.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.

METEORA-ATHENS

After breakfast, visit the breathtaking Meteora. After visiting the sites, drive back to Athens through Thermopylae and Kamena Vourla. We have stops at those cities to have short visits. Arrive Athens early in the evening. Check-in our hotel, overnight at Athens.
Meals: Breakfast.

FLY HOME

Transfer to Athens Airport, the end of our services.
Meals: Breakfast.

DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES - 2007

INCLUDED SERVICES

• 7 Nights first class hotel accommodations in Turkey.
• 3 Nights on board (Cruise), accommodations in standart oceanview (porthole) cabin, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• 5 Nights first class hotel accommodations in Greece/mainland.
• All sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary.
• All admission fees to the visited sites.
• Exclusive services of English speaking tour guide thru the entire package in Turkey and thru the classical tour in Greece-Mainland.
• 38 meals, 16 Breakfasts, 10 Lunch, 12 Dinners.
• Private airport transfers on arrival and on departure.
• Private transportation by comfortable, air-conditioned, non smoking vehicles both in Turkey and Greece.
• Opportunity to see the ceramic/tile and carpet production centers in Asia Minor.
• All Taxes and service fees.