Turkey and Greece Tours

Greece and Turkey Tours

THE BEST OF TURKEY & GREECE

INCLUDING 3 DAYS GREEK ISLANDS CRUISE

EVERY TUESDAY GUARANTEED DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL

12 Days Weekly Tour of Turkey & Greece Including 3 Days Cruise in the Greek Islands

Day 1: Monday: Depart USA to Istanbul, Turkey

Day 2: Istanbul Arrival

Arrival in Istanbul, the only city in the world built on two

continents. Transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon to relax. Dinnr on own.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: Istanbul City Tour

Full day Classical Istanbul Tour. Discover the Byzantine and

Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. Visit the Royal Topkapi Palace

(home of the Ottoman Sultans), the Blue Mosque (unique with six minarets)

, the Roman Hippodrome Square and the St. Sophia Church which

is considered one of the world' s greatest architectural marvels. Then

visit the Grand Covered Bazaar with over 4.000 tiny shops.

Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L)

Day 4: Istanbul City Tour and Sail on the Bosphorus

Full day Bosphorus and Asia Tour. Visit the Egyptian Spice Market, and then embark on a Bosphorus Boat Tour viewing the beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side. After lunch, visit the gorgeous St. Chora Museum with its marvelous mosaics and frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and which dates back to 14th century A.D. Return to your hotel after the tour. Overnight in Istanbul. Proceed to Istanbul airport after the tour for your flight to Izmir. Izmir arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Izmir. (B, L)

Day 5: Pergamon

Drive to Pergamon. Visit the Acropolis, the Temple Of Athena, the famous Library, the Royal Palaces, the Temple Of Trojan, the steepest Theatre of the world, the Temple Of Dionysos, the Altar Of Zeus (Seat of Satan), and the view of the Red Basilica (St. John’s church). Lunch in town. Visit the ruins of Asclepion (Medical Center of the ancient world). Overnight in Izmir. (B, L)

Day 6: Ephesus - Kusadasi

Leave for Ephesus, the veritable cradle of early Christianity. Visit the Shrine of The Virgin Mary where she supposedly spent her later days. Proceed to Ephesus and see the spectacular ruins from the period of St. Paul, some of which have only recently been excavated. See the Odeon, the Bouleterion, Fountains, the Temples, the Brothel, the Library, the Agoras, the Great Theatre, the Roman Baths, the Gymnasiums. After lunch visit the Archaeological Museum, the Temple Of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world).

Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L)

Day 7: Kusadasi - Patmos

You are transferred to Kusadasi Port today, where you board your

cruise ship. Our first stop is the sacred island of Patmos, where John received the mystical Revelation, which forms the last book of the New Testament. The optional excursion takes you to the Grotto of the Revelation and the 11-century Monastery of St. John (which houses the original script of the Gospel).

Overnight on board. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Heraklion

Today the ship docks in Heraklion. Heraklion is just three miles away from the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. From here you can take an optional excursion to visit KNOSSOS, scene of the oldest royal court in Europe and centerpiece of the 2,000 year old Minoan Civilization. Overnight on board. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Santorini

Day at leisure at the most breathtaking island. Take an optional excursion to enjoy the half day cruise to the small islands of Nea Kameni & Palea Kameni located inside the caldera, the Hot Springs with the green and yellow waters (with free time for swimming) and the island of Thirassia. Admire the town of Fira’s white-washed houses, narrow streets and open air cafes that cling to a steep cliff accessible by cable car or mule.

Overnight on board. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Piraeus - Corinth

In the morning the ship arrives in the colorful Greece port of Piraeus,where you disembark.Pick up and drive South West until we reach the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea (short stop). Drive on and visit the Ancient Town of Corinth,where St.Paul lived and preached for two years. The remains of the

City, which include the Agora (market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th century B.C.) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in ancient times. A short stop at the Site of the Ancient Port of Cehries, where St.Paul disembarked, will conclude the visit. Return to Athens. Overnight in Athens. (B)

Day 11: Athens City Tour

Half day Athens city tour. This tour gives you the opportunity

to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. The expert guide take you see the center of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma), The House Of Parliament, The Memorial To The Unknown Soldier and the National Library. Driving down Herod Atticus street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace. On your way to Acropolis you will see the Adrian arch, visit the temple of Olympian Zeus and you will make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic games of the modern era were held in 1896. On the Acropolis visit its Museum and the Architectural masterpieces of the the golden age of Athens: the Propylea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtion, and finally the "harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Overnight in Athens. (B)

Day 12: Athens Departure

Transfer to Athens airport for your departing flight. End of our services. (B)

Legend : (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner

Greece and Turkey Tours

America Israel Travel offers a variety of tours & vacation packages to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Greece. We offer weekly escorted tours, Holy Land tours, tours for Churches and Ministries, Jewish Heritage Tours for Individuals, Synagogues and Jewish Organizations. Private Tours, Family Tours, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tours and Customized Tours for Individuals and Groups. Our weekly guided tours & vacation packages to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Greece are the most affordable way to discover the lands of the Bible. This website is property of America Israel Travel, Inc. Itineraries and prices are subject to change and are based on availability.