Biblical Jewels of Turkey - Greece

Biblical Jewels of Turkey - Greece

Day 1: Istanbul: Welcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul Airport, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. After check into the hotel, meet at the lobby for welcome and info cocktail. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2: Istanbul: Our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. We visit the Topkapi Palace including the Harem, St. Sophia, The Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. Includes: (B), (D).

Day 3: Smyrna - Pergamum: Transfer from hotel to Istanbul airport for flight to Izmir. Arrival in Izmir .Drive to ancient Smyrna, was the second one of the seven Christian churches in Asia Minor to which St. John the Divine wrote (Revelation l-11). In the afternoon proceed to Thyateira, another one of the Seven Churches. See the remains of a Basilica and other ruins from the Roman Period. Drive to Pergamum for overnight. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 3: Smyrna - Pergamum: Transfer from hotel to Istanbul airport for flight to Izmir. Arrival in Izmir .Drive to ancient Smyrna, was the second one of the seven Christian churches in Asia Minor to which St. John the Divine wrote (Revelation l-11). In the afternoon proceed to Thyateira, another one of the Seven Churches. See the remains of a Basilica and other ruins from the Roman Period. Drive to Pergamum for overnight. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 4: Pergamum: Pergamum (Bergama). Visit the Acropolis with its pagan temples and Altar of Zeus. Continue to the healing center, Aesclepion. Overnight in Pergamum.

Day 5: Sardis - Philadelphia - Pamukkale: After breakfast depart for Sardes, another one of the Seven Churches mentioned by St. John. Continue to Philadelphia to, another one of the Christian congregations, and a city built in 2 BC by King Eumenos. Continue to Pamukkale (Hierapolis). Watch the sunset over the petrified waterfalls. Overnight in Pamukkale. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 6: Leodicea - Ephesus: Visit Hierapolis and then Laodicea before continuing to Ephesus. See the final abode of the Virgin Mary where she spent her last years. Tour through ancient Ephesus to see the old synagogue, the theatre where St. Paul preached (Acts 10), the Library of Celsus and other sights. Overnight in Kusadasi. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 7: Kusadasi - Patmos (cruise): Morning at leisure for shopping in Kusadasi. Around noon transfer to the Kusadasi port to embark on the cruise ship. Cruise to Patmos, the tiny, rocky island where the exiled St. John the Divine received the Revelation which forms the last book of the New Testament. Optional tour of the 11th century monastery of St. John is available. Tonight you will sail to Rhodes. Dinner and overnight on board. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 8: Rhodes: Morning arrival at Rhodes, the island of Roses and site of the ancient Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Here you can take an optional tour to Lindos with its bay of St. Paul, where St. Paul landed, and its acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena; stroll though the medieval city with the streets of Knights and the stone mansions or enjoy swim on one of the beautiful beaches of the island. Late afternoon sail to Crete. Dinner and overnight on board. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 9: Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini: Morning arrival at Heraklion, the capital of Crete. A few miles away is the Palace of Knossos, discovered by Sir Arthur Evans in 1899, center of the famed Minoan civilization and one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Noon sail to Santorini the most spectacular of the Greek slands. The town of Thira is perched on a cliff created by volcanic eruption. Optional visit to the Akrotiri excavation where recent Minoan discoveries support the theories that Santorini might be the remains of the lost continent of Atlantis. At night sail to Piraeus. Dinner and overnight on board. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 10: Athens: Breakfast on board. Disembarkation and transfer to our hotel. leave our luggage's and start for morning sightseeing tour of Athens. Including guided tour of the Acropolis Athens city tour gives you a unique opportunity to see just in a few hours all the main sites of Athens and the Acropolis with its museum! Feel the spirit of Democracy at the top of the Acropolis Hill during the guided tour just outside the Parthenon and get the opportunity to visit the Acropolis museum! Enjoy a breathtaking and panoramic view of the city and suburbs!. Includes: (B)

Here are the majors sites you will see during the tour:
- City center
- Syntagma (Constitution) square
- Panathenian Stadium
- The House of Parliament (ex Royal Palace)
- National Park (ex Royal Gardens)
- The memorial to the Unknown Soldier
- The Academy
- National Library
- Presidential Palace
- Change of the Republican Guards (Evzones)
- Zappion Congress Hall
- Temple of Olympic Zeus
- Hadrians Arch
- Herod Atticus Odeon
- The Acropolis of Athens (visiting the site and its museum). transfer to our hotel and check in. Free afternoon in Athens.

Day 11: Athens - Corinth - Olympia: Leave by the coastal road t the CORINTH CANAL (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidaurus famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the Town of Nafplion (short stop) drive to Mycenae and visit the Archeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then depart for Olympia through Central Peloponneseand the Towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia, the Cradle of the Olympic Games. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 12: Olympia - Delphi: In the morning visit the Archeological Site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until the magnificent bridge which is crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rio to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque Towns of Nafpaktos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive in Delphi. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 13: Delphi - Kalambaka: In the morning visit the Archeological Site and the Museum. Depart for Kalambaka, a small Town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, gigantic rocks. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 14: Kalambaka - Meteora - Athens: Visit Meteora, among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine Art. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (visit the Leonidas monument). Arrive in Athens early in the evening. Includes: (B),(D).

Day 15: Athens - Departure: Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. Includes: (B).

Tour package includes:
- 3 or 4 star hotel accommodations including breakfast.
- 3 nights and 4 days cruise in inside cabin.
- Melas mentioned in the itinerary.
- Private tours and transportations in Turkey from Istanbul arrival till Kusadasi departure.
- Regular tours in Greece.
- Entrance fees to the sites and museums.
- Proessional tour guide.
- Istanbul - Izmir flight ticket including port tax.
- Port tax during cruise and embarcation fee.

Excludes:
- Any international flights.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Drinks.
- Visa fee.
- Shore excursions in Patmos, Rhodes, Santorini and Heraklion.
- Tipping (compulsory tipping is 9-$US per person per day during the cruise).