Greece, Turkey and Egypt

Product Description

ITINERARY

DAY 01 ATHENS

Arrival at Athens airport, transfer to the hotel. Athens is the capital of Greece. It was also at the center of Ancient Greece, a powerful empire and civilization. In the city, the geographical sites of the 5th century BC still dominate, including the Acropolis, a citadel on a hill with ancient buildings, such as the Parthenon temple with its columns. Sculptures, vases, jewelry, and other items from Ancient Greece are preserved in the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum. Overnight stay.

DAY 02 ATHENS HALF DAY

Breakfast. In the morning, visit of the city: Constitution Square, the Parliament, the National Library, the University, and the Academy. Passing through Herodou Atticus Street we can see the former Royal Palace and opposite the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the picturesque Evzones and their traditional uniform, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus, and Hadrian’s Arch. We arrive at the Acropolis with entrance included enjoying the works of the time of Pericles, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and the Parthenon. Afternoon at leisure, you can visit the new Acropolis Museum or stroll through the typical Plaka district, Syntagma Square, also known as Constitution Square in the heart of the city one of the most popular places in the city, or watch the changing of the guard of the Evzones which takes place every hour. The rest of the afternoon is free for a stroll through the wonders of central Athens, (discover Theseion, Placa, and Monastiraki), full of ancient surprises, all in close distance from Acropolis. Overnight stay.

DAY 03 ATHENS – MYKONOS

Breakfast. Transfer from your hotel in Athens to the port to take your high-speed boat or ferry to Mykonos. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 04 MYKONOS (LATE BREAKFAST)

Desayuno. Día libre. Disfrute de las playas de esta isla, puede visitar el pintoresco puerto de Mykonos, frente al distinguido paseo marítimo de la costera Jora, donde se mezclan armoniosamente barcos de pescadores y yates de lujo. También puede visitar la vecina isla de Delos, una isla deshabitada que es uno de los mejores sitios arqueológicos de Grecia. Considerada una isla sagrada desde el siglo VII a. C., la famosa «Terraza de Delos» es uno de los mejores sitios arqueológicos de Grecia. La famosa “Terraza de los Leones” vigila el “Lago Sagrado” y las ruinas del Templo de Apolo son lugares que no debe perderse.

DAY 05 MYKONOS – SANTORINI

Breakfast. Transfer from your hotel in Athens to the port to take your high-speed boat or ferry to Mykonos. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 06 SANTORINI

Breakfast. Free day to explore the island; it is the jewel of the Cyclades, absolutely different from the rest of the islands, it has a wild and unique beauty. Shaped like a crescent (due to the sinking of the volcano’s caldera), and in the inner part, where the volcano used to be, we can now find several smaller islands. It is an island of volcanic soil, except to the west, which is steep and rocky, ending in a precipice towards the sea, and to the south, which descends slowly to the sea, forming a plain.

DAY 07 SANTORINI – ATHENS – ISTANBUL

Breakfast. Free time until transfer time. Transfer to Santorini airport for flight to Istanbul via Athens. Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 08 ISTANBUL HALF DAY (INCLUDED)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to visit Şehzade Mosque (Şehzade Camii in Turkish) is one of the most outstanding monuments of Istanbul, as it can be considered as the earliest representation of classical Ottoman architecture. Next, we will take one of Istanbul’s most famous activities, a boat trip on the Bosphorus, the waterway that separates Europe and Asia. During this trip you will see the palaces of the Sultans, old and typical wooden houses and enjoy the history in a different way. We will end our day with one of the highlights, the spice bazaar, built by the Ottomans 5 centuries ago and used ever since. We will enjoy some free time. End of the visit at the Egyptian Bazaar. Overnight at the hotel. Breakfast Lunch

DAY 09 ISTANBUL FULL DAY (OPTIONAL)

Breakfast at hotel. Free day at leisure. Free time to explore the city with the possibility of an optional full day excursion to the Jewels of Constantinople with lunch: visit the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome which was the center of the country’s civil activity and where not only horse races and gladiatorial combats were held but also celebrations in honor of the Emperor. Today it still preserves the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Fountain of Emperor Wilhelm. The Blue Mosque was built in 1609 during the Sultanate of Ahmet, who wanted to surpass the Hagia Sophia Basilica with his mosque and built it with 6 minarets. Then we will go to the Topkapi Palace, the residence of the sultans until the 19th century, where most of the valuables of the Ottoman sultans are kept. Visit of Hagia Sophia, the finest example of Byzantine art and one of the greatest achievements of mankind. Then transfer to visit the Grand Bazaar. The covered bazaar built in 1660 can be considered as a small city covered by hundreds of domes, four thousand shops inside with narrow streets, squares and 18 gates. End of visit to the Grand Bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10 ISTANBUL – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA

Breakfast and morning departure to Ankara via the Bolu Mountains. In Ankara visit of the Mausoleum of Ataturk In 1953 this Mausoleum dedicated to the founder of modern Turkey, Ataturk, was inaugurated. It is a block of marble with columns weighing 40 tons, reached by a long street with lions on either side, ending in a huge square. Lunch in a local restaurant and then on to Cappadocia. On the way we will also visit the salt lake. Arrival, dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Istanbul to Cappadocia can be done by plane).

DAY 11 CAPPADOCIA

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of this fascinating region and original landscape, formed by the lava spewed by the Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes 3 million years ago. Visit of the open-air museum in the Goreme valley, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex of rock-hewn churches with beautiful frescoes. Visit of Avcilar and Güvercinlik valleys, which have spectacular scenery of the so-called Fairy Chimneys, lunch during the visit in a local restaurant. We will continue with the visit of the Paşabağı or Çavuşin Valley. During the excursion we will have the opportunity to visit some typical visits of carpet, onyx and turquoise workshops where you can find the good quality with the best price. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Cappadocia (During your stay in Cappadocia you will have the possibility to participate in a folk dance show in a typical cave with unlimited regional drinks and an optional hot air balloon tour at sunrise).

DAY 12 CAPPADOCIA – KONYA – PAMUKKALE

Breakfast and departure to Pamukkale. On the way we pass through the Konya plain, on the way we visit a cervansarai, an ancient type of building which was built along the main roads where caravans used to make long journeys of many days for trade, pilgrimage or military purposes. Lunch at a local restaurant and then on to Pamukkale, where the high concentration of limestone in its waters has created one of the most spectacular formations in the world. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. If time permits, you will have free time at the hotel to enjoy the hotel’s thermal baths.

DAY 13 PAMUKKALE – EFESO – SMYRNA AREA

Breakfast in hotel. Departure to Herapolis, an ancient Hellenistic city now in ruins. Visit the famous cotton castle, a natural wonder of gigantic white waterfalls, stalactites, and natural pools formed over the centuries by the passage of water laden with calcareous salts from thermal springs. Transfer by bus to Selcuk, the center of Ephesus Excursion, the best-preserved ancient city of Asia Minor during the ІІ and ІІІ centuries with a population of 250.000 inhabitants, monopolized the wealth of the Middle East. We will visit the Temple of Hadrian, the Roman Baths, the Library, the Odeon, the Theatre, etc. In the afternoon visit a leather workshop where we can see the famous leather weavings of the Aegean region. Lunch in a local restaurant on route. Transfer by bus to the Izmir area. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Izmir area.

DAY 14 IZMIR – ISTANBUL – CAIROS

Breakfast. Transfer to Izmir airport for flight to Cairo via Istanbul. Arrival in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 15 CAIRO FULL DAY (OPTIONAL)

Breakfast. Optional: Optional full day city tour with lunch included in a local restaurant. Includes a short tour of the Coptic Quarter where you will see the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, better known as the Hanging Church, the Church of St. George and the Church of St. Sergius. Continue to the Museum of Egyptian Art which houses the treasure of Pharaoh Tutankhamun; the Mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha, better known as the Alabaster Mosque; the Citadel of Salah El Din (Saladin, the former Sultan of Egypt), declared a World Heritage Site and the Grand Bazaar of Khan el Khalili where we can stroll around for shopping or have tea at the Fishawi Café or Café of Mirrors (Famous for being the place where the Egyptian Nobel Literature laureate Nagib Maghfuz wrote his Cairo stories). Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 16 CAIRO – LUXOR – NILE CRUISE

Half day tour visiting the famous pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos (entrance to the interior of the pyramids not included), as well as the impressive Sphinx carved in rock, visit to the Papyrus Institute where we will see how the Papyrus is handmade, in the afternoon, free time with the possibility to make an excursion to Memphis and Sakara. Departure about 25 km south of Cairo, where Memphis is located, center of the cult of the God Ptah. Founded in the time of the 1st Dynasty, it survived throughout the Pharaonic Egyptian history and became one of the greatest cities of Antiquity. Its architectural and cultural display is headed by the Colossus of Ramesses II, and the Alabaster Sphinx. To the west of Memphis lies the Great Necropolis of Sakkara, one of the oldest royal necropolises. The remains of the main periods of Egypt’s ancient history are preserved here, including the Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser. Transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Luxor. Arrival and transfer to the ship, boarding formalities and accommodation. Picnic dinner on board in your cabin. Overnight on board.

DAY 17 LUXOR – ESNA – EDFU – NILE CROSSING

Today we will cross the Nile to visit the Necropolis of Thebes. We will visit the famous Valley of the Kings, the burial place of the main Pharaohs of the New Empire between the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties and the site of the famous tomb of Pharaoh Tutkhamun (entrance fee not included). We will also visit Deir El Bahari known as the Temple of Queen Hachepsut. Finally we will stop at the Colossi of Memnon, which represent the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The Greek historian Strabo reported that as a result of the earthquake of 27 BC, the Colossi were damaged. It was from then on that the statues were said to sing every morning at sunrise. Apparently, this phenomenon was due to the change in temperature caused by the evaporation of the water first thing in the morning, which produced this singular sound when it came out of the cracks in the colossus; but with the restoration that the Roman emperor Septimus Severus made to the statue in the 3rd century AD, this phenomenon disappeared. We cross to the eastern bank of the Nile, visit the temple complex at Karnak, built by different pharaohs, such as Ramses III, Taharqa, Seti II, etc. Among the grandeur of the temples of Karnak, the hypostyle hall of the temple of Amun stands out, with its 134 columns, 12 of which reach 23 m in height. At the end of this fascinating visit, we will head to the Temple of Luxor. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, it is another visit not to be missed when travelling to Egypt. The temple of Luxor was consecrated to the gods Amun and Amun Ra, being the pharaohs who built the most constructions, Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Return to the cruise ship. At the scheduled time we will set sail for Esna. After crossing the Esna lock, we will continue sailing to Edfu. Overnight on board.

DAY 18 EDFU – KOM OMBO – ASWAN – NILE CRUISE

Upon arrival at Edfu, visit the Temple of Edfu dedicated to the god Horus, located in what was called Apollonopolis Magna during the Greco-Roman period. It is the second largest temple in Egypt after Karnak and certainly one of the best preserved. Its construction dates back to the Hellenistic period, between 237 and 57 B.C. After the visit we will continue our sailing to Kom Ombo. Arrival and visit the temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Haroeris. The temple was the work of Ptolemy VI Philometor (180-145 BC) in the early years of his reign. Later Ptolemies, such as Ptolemy VIII and Ptolemy XII, contributed to its extension. Sailing to Aswan. Overnight on board.

DAY 19 ASWAN – NILE CRUISE

Sailing to Aswan. On arrival, optional visit to the temples of Abu Simbel at dawn: These are located about 280 km south of Aswan, in what in Pharaonic times was called the region of Nubia. The construction of the main temple is attributed to Pharaoh Ramesses II in 1264 BC, with the other lower temple excavated in honour of his favourite wife, Queen Nefertari, also being of note. For centuries the temples of Abu Simbel were abandoned until they were discovered in 1813 by the Swiss explorer J.L. Burckhardt, and in 1817 the Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni went inside them. With the construction of the Aswan Dam in 1964, the temples of Ramses II and Nefertari were cut piece by piece and rebuilt at a nearby site 65 m higher, forming two immense reinforced concrete domes. In the afternoon we will enjoy a beautiful and relaxing ride on a falucca (typical Egyptian sailing boat). Overnight on board.

DAY 20 ASWAN – CAIRO

Breakfast and disembark. Continue with a visit to the beautiful and emblematic temple of Philae, also called Phile or Phile. This is the name of an island in the Nile River, eleven kilometers south of Aswan. During the Ptolemaic and Roman eras, the temple was built to the goddess Isis. But during the construction of the Aswan Dam, the island of File was submerged by the waters. However, thanks to UNESCO’s sponsorship, the temples were dismantled, moved and rebuilt on the neighboring islet of Agilkia. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting visits during our Nile cruise. At the end of the visit, transfer to Aswan airport for your flight back to Cairo. Arrival in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 21 CAIRO (DEPARTURE)

Breakfast. At scheduled time transfer to Cairo airport to board our flight to the city of origin. End of our services.