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Istanbul & The Aegean
8 Day Cruse, 2 nts. Istanbul | View Itinerary Map
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Day 1 Fri Depart USA Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board. Day 2 Sat Istanbul/Cruise Morning arrival into Istanbul Airport, where you'll be met and transferred to the pier to board the M/V Cristal for an 8-day/7-night Aegean Sea cruise. The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy the many facilities of the ship or join an optional 'Istanbul by Night' tour. Spend the evening on board your ship. (D) Day 3 Sun Istanbul Today you have your morning and afternoon at leisure. Several optional shore excursions are offered. Since at the end of the cruise you will return to Istanbul, where a full day of sightseeing is included, we suggest, if you wish to go ashore on an optional tour, that you chose the Bosphorus cruise. This exciting excursion takes you on a private boat, sailing past historical palaces built on the European shore, gliding under the Bosphorus Bridge and past the Anatolian Fortress and Kanlica on the Asian shore. A splendid opportunity to take amazing photographs sailing between these two continents. Return to the M/V Cristal, which is scheduled to depart Istanbul in the early evening. (B,L,D) Day 4 Mon Mykonos Morning at sea. Afternoon arrival at the island of Mykonos, known for its jet-set atmosphere, white-washed buildings, sidewalk cafes and chic shops. Optional round-trip shuttle transfers to town are available. Sail for Patmos in the evening. (B,L,D) Day 5 Tue Patmos/Kusadasi Morning arrival into Patmos, site of the Monastery of St. John the Divine. Optional excursion to visit the Monastery is available. Afternoon arrival in Kusadasi, Turkey, site of Ephesus, one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Ancient World'. Wander through the many famous bazaars or enjoy an optional tour of Ephesus. Evening departure to Rhodes. (B,L,D) Day 6 Wed Rhodes A full day in Rhodes, the 'Island of Roses,' famed for its Medieval Old Town and site of the Colossus of Rhodes. Optional visit available to Lindos and the majestic Acropolis. This entire city is guarded by medieval walls. From the Acropolis, you have a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea. After your guided tour of the Acropolis, enjoy some free time in the village of Lindos. Return to Rhodes and visit the Palace of the Knights of St. John before returning to the ship. (B,L,D) Day 7 Thu Agios Nikolaos/Santorini Morning call at Agios Nikolaos (Crete), home of the great Minoan civilization and the mythological home of Zeus. Enjoy an optional shore excursion to the Knossos excavations, dating back to 4000 B.C. The Palace, decorated with frescoes, houses beautiful interiors, courtyards, and shrines. After this astounding visit, return to Agios Nikolaos to rejoin your ship, and sail for the volcanic island of Santorini, perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Isles. Optional shore excursions are available. Visit the town of Thira, where white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques, cling to steep cliffs. Santorini is believed by many to be the site of the Lost Continent of Atlantis. In the evening, resume your cruise. (B,L,D) Day 8 Fri Cruise/Piraeus (Athens) In Piraeus, some exceptional optional tours are offered. You may join an Athens city tour revealing the splendor of the Golden Age of Athens, including the Acropolis on which stands the Parthenon, the symbol of classical architecture and visit, among other landmarks, the Panathinaikon Stadium where the first Olympics of modern times were held in 1896 . A second optional city tour ends at the foot of the Acropolis, and after an included refreshment, continues to the old part of the city called Plaka, where you can explore its pedestrian streets with picturesque houses, shops and numerous cafes. You also have an optional excursion to the archaeological site of Delphi, famous for its 'oracle' and myths that made it 'the Navel of the World'. Another optional excursion would take you to Cape Sounion, where at the top of a promontory stands the temple of Poseidon, God of the Sea. Resume sailing in the late afternoon. (B,L,D) Day 9 Sat Cruise/Istanbul Sail across the Aegean to the Sea of Marmara. As we get closer to Istanbul, a majestic view awaits. First colonized almost 4000 years ago, and known as Byzantium and later Constantinople, Istanbul was also the seat of the Byzantine Empire for nearly 1000 years. After disembarking, you will be transferred to your hotel by your local Central Holidays representative who will also assist you in suggesting interesting dinner venues. (B,L) Day 10 Sun Istanbul Today discover Istanbul with its beautifully preserved remains of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Start by exploring the Hippodrome, the ancient site of chariot races, the magnificent Blue Mosque, then on to the glorious St. Sophia Museum. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant where you will savor authentic Turkish cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the lavish Topkapi Palace and end your day in the colorful Grand Bazaar. (B,L) Day 11 Mon Istanbul/USA (or extend your stay) Morning transfer to Istanbul Airport for your return flight to the USA, arriving the same day. (B) |
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