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PACKAGE
TOURS TURKEY-011 CRADLE OF THE HOLYLANDS (15 NIGHTS, 16 DAYS)
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| Day 1
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ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL |
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Upon your arrival to Istanbul airport you will
be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at
your leisure. Stay overnight in Istanbul.
No Meals
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| Day 2
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FULL DAY OLD CITY
TOUR |
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Enjoy a full day tour of the Sultanahmet
district, the heart of old Istanbul. Firstly we visit the
Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, where an Egyptian
obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from
Delphi still survive. We then continue on to the Blue Mosque
which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior
and the world famous Grand Bazaar. After lunch we visit amazing
Topkapi Palace, which from the 15th to the 19th Century was the
principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Stay overnight in
Istanbul.
Breakfast & Lunch
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| Day 3 |
HALF DAY BORPHORUS
CRUISE, FLY TO IZMIR. |
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After a brief visit to the fascinating 17th
century Spice Bazaar, we embark on a breathtaking cruise along
the Bosphorus, the beautiful strait that divides Europe from
Asia. After the tour you will be transferred to the airport for
your flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir and transfer to your hotel.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel. Stay overnight in Izmir.
Breakfast & Dinner
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| Day 4 |
PERGAMON & SMYRNA |
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Depart early from the hotel for Pergamon. Here
you will be delighted to visit the Asclepion and health centre.
As you make your way to the Acropolis, the Red Basilica,
originally a temple of Serapis can be viewed. The most
spectacular structure is certainly the theatre, a remarkable
piece of engineering built into the steep hillside. After lunch,
depart for Izmir. We will also visit St. Polycarp Church at
Izmir (Smyrna). Stay overnight in Izmir.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 5 |
THYATIRA,
PHILADELPHIA & SARDES. |
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After breakfast, depart from Izmir to Thyatira
which remains include a temple and large church. Visit
Philadelphia, the famous church of Philadelphia was an important
place for the spreading of the Christian faith. After lunch we
continue 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 the small town of Pamukkale.
Stay overnight in Pamukkale.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 6 |
PAMUKKALE & KUSADASI. |
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This morning we visit the remains of the
ancient city of Hierapolis. Lunch in 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 and check-in to our
hotel. Stay overnight in Kusadasi.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 7 |
FULL DAY EPHESUS &
VIRGIN MARYS HOUSE. |
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After having breakfast at the hotel we depart
for a full day tour of Ephesus and the Virgin Mary's House.
Firstly we visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world. 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. Not to be forgotten is the House of the Virgin
Mary on the top of the Mountain, a pilgrimage site for many
people of all denominations. Return to the hotel. Stay overnight
in Kusadasi.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Day 8 |
CRUISE EMBARKATION & PATMOS. |
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Free time in the morning. You will then be
transferred to the port in Kusadasi to embark on your 3 night
cruise. Sail to the sacred island of Patmos, an island with an
austere physiognomy, where St John the Evangelist wrote the
Apocalypse. Overnight on board.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Day 9 |
RHODES |
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We enjoy our day on Rhodes, the Island of
Roses, combining the cosmopolitan character of a contemporary
city with the picturesque of the medieval town, which gives the
impression of having been untouched by the passage of time.
Visit the acropolis of Lindos, the Grand Master's Palace in the
old town and the Street of the Knights.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Day 10 |
CRETE & SANTORINI |
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From 7:00 to 11:30 we arrive in the main city
of Heraklion on the island of Crete. Here you will be able to
visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos. At 16:30 we alight in
Santorini. Go ashore and take a donkey ride or the cable car up
to the town of Fira. Santorini is an exceptionally beautiful
island of white washed houses set into the steep cliffs shaped
by the volcano. Be sure not to miss the dazzling sunset from one
of Santorini many charming villages. We set sail for Athens at
21:00.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Day 11 |
ATHENS, DISEMBARKATION. |
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Arrive at Pireaus Port. Transfer to your hotel
in Athens. Stay overnight in Athens
Breakfast
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Day 12 |
HALF DAY ATHENS SIGHTSEEING TOUR. |
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Pick up from your hotel and depart for a half
day sightseeing tour of Athens. Beginning with the Temple of
Olympian Zeus (visit). Proceed to Panathinaiko Stadium cradle of
the first Olympic Games which 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). Transfer back to your hotel. Stay overnight in
Athens.
Breakfast
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Day 13 |
ATHENS, DELPHI. |
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Today we will depart for our Delphi & Meteora
Classical Tour of Greece. We depart Athens and drive through
Thebes, Levadia (short stop) and Arachova arriving in Delphi,
known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Pass by
Castalia Springs and visit the archaeological site and museum of
Delphi. The afternoon is yours free to wander this small, quaint
town. Stay overnight in Delphi. Breakfast & Dinner
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Day 14 |
DELPHI, KALAMBAKA (METEORA) |
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The morning is free before driving through the
Central Greece cities of Lamia (short stop) and Trikala to
Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of Meteora, a group
of gigantic rock towers with age-old monasteries nestled on top.
Dinner in included at the hotel. Stay overnight in Kalambaka.
Breakfast & Dinner
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Day 15 |
KALAMBAKA, ATHENS. |
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Today you have the opportunity to visit
Meteora, these magical monasteries perched upon the huge rock
formations also hold exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. After
the tour we will return to Athens in the evening via Trikala,
Lamia and Thermopylos (Leonida's monument). Stay overnight in
Athens.
Breakfast
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Day 16 |
DEPARTURE. |
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According to your departure time you will be
transferred to the airport for your departure flight. End of our
services.
Breakfast |
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This itinerary is subject to change without
prior notice according to weather/daily events or other
unforeseen circumstances outside the control of IHRS TRAVEL.
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DEPARTURE DATES AND
PRICES - 2008 |
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| Departure Dates |
P.P. In
Double
Room |
P.P. In
Triple
Room |
Single Room
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| 15 & 29.April |
2395 |
2095 |
3150 |
13 & 27.May
10 & 24.June |
2520 |
2195 |
3340 |
08 & 22.July
05 & 19.August |
2475 |
2150 |
3260 |
09 & 23.September
07 & 21. October |
2560 |
2250 |
3415 |
For available dates outside the above periods, please
contact us.
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INCLUDED SERVICES |
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Land Portion:
12 nights accommodation in first class hotels in Greece &
Turkey.
7 days Highlights of Turkey Tour (group tour).
Transportation in non smoking, comfortable air-conditioned
vehicles.
Half Day Corinth Tour (group tour).
Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour (group tour).
3 day Delphi & Meteora Classical Tour of Greece (group
tour).
All meals stated in the itinerary.
Opportunity to see the ceramic/tile and carpet production
centers in Asia Minor.
All transfers mentioned in the itinerary
All local taxes.
Cruise Portion:
3 nights accommodation in standard outside cabin.
All meals while on board cruise.
Entertainment on board the cruise.
Port taxes.
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DOES NOT INCLUDED |
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Visas to Greece or Turkey (if needed).
Shore excursions.
Personal expenses (such as laundry, extra beverages not
served with meals etc).
Any tips to staff.
Medical expenses.
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