Turkey is a land of vast open spaces, massive mountain ranges, fertile valleys and rugged coastline, fast-growing cities and sleepy villages, bustling neon-lit seaside resorts and unfrequented beaches. A richly historical land with some of the best cuisine you will ever taste, one of the world’s greatest cities and scenery from white-sand beaches to soaring mountains. Istanbul, still very much the pulse of the nation, has even more to offer, with Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques and palaces.
Full Day Asia and Bosphorus Tour:
On this tour you will drive across the magnificent Bosphorus Suspension Bridge, which divides the continents of Europe and Asia. Then, we continue to Camlica Hill, the highest point of Istanbul. From here you can take photos of the stunning panorama before you. A short drive from here is the summer palace of the Sultans which is located in a small village by the Bosphorus called Beylerbeyi. Beylerbeyi Palace is a mansion built under the influence of Western architecture in the 19th century and we will take a guided tour of its extravagantly decorated interior. During the day you will also visit the Egyptian Spice Bazaar which is full of the mystical aromas of various spices and colourful shops selling fruit, vegetables, flowers and fish etc. You will also board our boat for a cruise along the Bosphorus, the waterway separating the two continents of Europe and Asia. As we travel, you will have the chance to see the European style palaces of the Ottomans and the palaces of Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi, in striking contrast to some of the modern villas that line the shores.
Full Day Istanbul Tour with Lunch:
Take advantage of this special promotion and receive 10% off per person on our Full Day Istanbul Tour during the whole of December! This tour starts at Hippodrome Square. See the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the fountain of Willhelm II. Continue to the Blue Mosque, one of the largest of Istanbul. It is one of the principal adornments on the skyline and also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets. Then visit St. Sophia, one of the most magnificent Byzantine churches, and nominated the 8th wonder of the world by many historians. After lunch continue to Topkapi Palace (including the jewellery section), the imperial residence from which the Great Ottoman Empire was ruled but today a museum holding large collections of Japanese and Chinese porcelains and displaying holy relics. Proceed to Rustem Pasa Mosque, built in 16th century by architect Sinan. The tour ends at the Grand Bazaar tempting souvenir-hunters with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewellery and leather.
Princess Island with Lunch:
We begin the day with a cruise on the Marmara Sea to the Princes' Islands, once the pleasure islands of Byzantine Princes. Our tour includes a visit to Buyukada, the largest of the three main islands and a popular summer resort with beautifully decorated old wooden houses, pine trees and wonderful panoramic views. We take a relaxing tour through the quiet narrow streets of the island by horse-drawn carriage before stopping for lunch at a seafood restaurant. After lunch there will be time for you to relax or explore at your leisure.
Rio By Day:
This is an excellent option to see the best of Rio if time is limited. In only one day you may visit Sugar Loaf and Corcovado. In the morning, after pick ups, you will do a Panoramic tour of downtown Rio passing by the Sambodrome, Metropolitan Cathedral - in pyramid form with an internal diameter of 96 meters and a height of 80 meters. Familiarize yourself with traditional Cinelandia Square with its historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Via the Aterro do Flamengo, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where one of the largest symbols of the city is located: Sugar Loaf. You'll travel all the way to the top in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point 215 meters high for beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. From this stage, a second cable car takes us up to the top. At 395 meters we'll enjoy splendid views of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and several beaches of Niteroi. In the afternoon, go by the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (except on Sundays) on your way to reach the Cosme Velho Train cog station at the bottom of Corcovado Mountain to take the ride up to the top, through the dense Tijuca rain forest to the 38m tall (125ft) Christ Redeemer Statue. The guide has between 40 and 60 minutes to show the wonderful sights of Rio. From the top, enjoy the spectacular views of Rio and the surrounding countryside. After riding the train back down, passengers are returned to their hotels.
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Best of Greece & Turkey (10Nights/11Days)
Day 1 Arrive Athens
Arrive Athens. The city with the most glorious history in the world and a city worshipped by gods and people. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Athens.
Day 2 Athens
After breakfast at the hotel, get ready to enjoy a city tour of Athens which includes a visit to the Acropolis and its museum. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. On the way to the Acropolis you will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. At the Acropolis, you will visit the Museum and the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally. The Parthenon. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Athens.
Day 3 Athens - Mykonos
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the port to board your ferry to Mykonos. On arrival in Mykonos, you will be transferred to the hotel. Mykonos is a Greek Island and a mass tourist destination, renowned for its cosmopolitan character, nightlife, bars and sandy beaches. Enjoy the day by relaxing on one of them. Overnight in Mykonos.
Day 4 Mykonos
After breakfast day free to explore the island on your own or we recommend to take a optional tour of DELOS Island. According to Greek mythology, Apollo was born on this tiny island in the Cyclades archipelago. The archaeological site is exceptionally extensive and rich and conveys the image of a great cosmopolitan Mediterranean port. Overnight in Mykonos.
Day 5 Mykonos - Santorini
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Later you will be picked up for transfer to the port to board the ferry to Santorini. On arrival in Santorini, you will be transferred to the hotel. Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast from Greece’s mainland. Its spectacular physical beauty along with a dynamic nightlife have made the island one of Europe’s tourist hotspots. Overnight in Santorini.
Day 6 Santorini
After breakfast, day free to explore the island on your own or we recommend to take an optional tour of Volcano - Hot Springs - Thirassia and Oia Sunset. Enjoy the beautiful sunset or have a drink in one of the cafeterias (at own cost) with a beautiful view in the Caldera. Overnight in Santorini.
Day 7 Santorini - Athens
After breakfast, you will be picked up for transfer to the port to board the ferry to Athens. On arrival in Athens, you will be transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Athens.
Day 8 Athens - Istanbul
After breakfast, you will be transfer to the airport to board your flight to Istanbul. On arrival in Istanbul you will be transferred to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 9 Istanbul
After breakfast, depart for a half-day sightseeing tour of the Sultanahmet district in the heart of old Istanbul. Visit St. Sophia (On Mondays replaced by the Chora Church Museum), built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD. This church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. Next, visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Finish the tour at the Grand Bazaar, which was the commercial heart of the old city. Its 4,000 shops are full of treasures - including carpets and kilms, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays), you may indulge in a little shopping, Ottoman style. Rest of the day will be free at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 10 Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel. Day is free to explore the city of Istanbul on your own or your can have an option of exploring various activities available in Istanbul – Belly Dancing Course, Turkish Bath, etc. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 11 Depart Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel & transfer to the airport for your flight back home or onward destination.
Day 9 Depart Nice
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed on your own to the airport for your flight back home or onward destination.
Tour Price Includes:
03 night’s accommodation in Chamonix 03 night’s accommodation in Paris 02 night’s accommodation in Nice 10 breakfast at the hotell Athens City Tour Half day sightseeing tour of Sultanmet District, Istanbul Ferry ticket cost from Athens-Mykonos Ferry ticket cost from Mykonos-Santorini Ferry ticket cost from Santorini-Athens Transfer from Airport-Hotel –Airport in Athens and Istanbul Transfers from pier – hotel – pier in Mykonos and Santorini
Travel Validity: 1st Mar 2012 – 30th Sep 2012
Confirmation is subject to availability at the time of booking. Surcharges applicable during High Season and Block out dates Rates are subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances beyond our control e.g. fuel increases, government regulations, etc. If the above hotels are not available or there is a rate change in ferry boat tickets on the requested dates, the above price will change. AIR ROUTING – INDIA/ATHENS/ISTANBUL/INDIA
