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PACKAGE TOURS TURKEY-011
CRADLE OF THE HOLYLANDS (15 NIGHTS, 16 DAYS)
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| Day 1 |
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 |
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 MARY’S 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 ATB Holidays.
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DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES - 2008 |
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| Departure Dates |
P.P. In
Double
Room
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P.P. In
Triple
Room |
Single Room |
| 15 & 29.April |
2395 € |
2095 € |
3150 € |
13 & 27.May
10 & 24.June
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2520 € |
2195 € |
3340 € |
08 & 22.July
05 & 19.August
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2475 € |
2150 € |
3260 € |
09 & 23.September
07 & 21. October
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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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First
Hand, Local 
