- Itinerary
- Day 1 New York - Istanbul
- Fly from New York's JFK airport to
Istanbul, Turkey.
-
- Day 2 Istanbul - Izmir
Arrive in Izmir via Istanbul. Transfer
to your hotel for overnight. Overnight in Izmir.
|
|
- Day 3 Pergamon - Sardis
A full day excursion to Pergamon
and Sardis. You will visit the ancient Acropolis with its Temple
of Trajan and theater. Also visit Asclepion, the ancient world's
great healing center. Then you will drive to Sardis, capital
of the Lydian Empire in the sixth century BC, where you'll see
one of the oldest synagogues in the world. Visit as well the
Temple of Artemis and gymnasium. Overnight in Izmir (B, L)
|
|
- Day 4 Ephesus - Kusadasi
A full day excursion to Ephesus.
This glorious city, founded about 4,000 years ago, still surprises
the visitor with its ruins. Visit the House of Virgin Mary, where
she is believed to have spent her final years, and the sixth-century
Basilica of St. John and Museum. In the evening, transfer to
Kusadasi for overnight. (B, L)
|
|
- Day 5 Kusadasi - Bodrum
Before noon you will be transferred
to Bodrum. Embarkation, welcome drink and program briefing in
Bodrum harbor. Dinner and overnight stay in the harbor or at
a nearby cove. (If arrival of guests is sufficiently early, it
may be possible to spend the night in Cos harbor.)
- (B, D)
|
|
Day 6 Bodrum - Cos
Arrival in Cos around noon. After lunch on board opportunity
to see Asclepieion, Castle or the Museum (all open until 14:30).
Choice of swimming in the warm waters of Empros thermal baths
on the south coast. Overnight stay in Cos harbor. (B, L , D)
Day 7 Leros
Arrival at Leros around noon. After a swim at Xirokambos, arrival
in Lakki or Ayia Marina. Because Leros is not a "tourist
paradise", the island has been able to preserve much of
its traditional way of life. Afternoon and evening open for excursions
on foot or by rented motorbike. Overnight stay in Leros harbor.
(B, L , D)
- Day 8 Leipsi - Fournoi
Early morning departure. Breakfast and swim at Leipsi. Arrival
at Fournoi islands, a tranquil region untouched by mass tourism.
(B, L , D)
|
 |
- Day 9 Patmos
Arrival in Scala harbor of Patmos, situated at the base of a
mountain crowned by a 13th century monastery of St. Jon the Divine.
The island with its monasteries is of great importance for the
Greek Orthodox Church. Its many lovely coves and characteristic
villages are similar to those fount on other Greek Aegean islands.
(B, L , D)
-
- Day 10 Kalimnos
Today's destination is the island of Kalimnos. Although its days
in the sun as a major sponge fishing center are over, Kalimnos
still bares traces of those times in some of its stately homes
dating from that era. (B, L , D)
-
- Day 11 Cos
Arrival in Cos around noon, after a morning swim in Pserimos
with departure timed to avoid the rush of daily tour boats. Opportunity
to sightsee places missed at the beginning of the cruise. Overnight
stay in Cos or Bodrum in accordance with the guests' preference.
(B, L , D)
|
 |
|
Day 12 Bodrum - Istanbul
After breakfast, you will disembark at Bodrum and you will be
transferred to Bodrum airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
In Istanbul you will be transferred to your hotel. (B)
Day 13 Istanbul
After breakfast depart for a full day tour of Istanbul. Visit
the remnants of the Roman-period Hippodrome, the magnificent,
sixth-century Byzantine church, Haghia Sophia, the 17th-century
Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, once the residence of the Ottoman
Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries, and the Grand Bazaar.
Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
|
|
- Day 14 Istanbul
A full day of sightseeing in Istanbul.
In the morning visit Dolmabahce Palace. Then after visiting Spice
Market, lunch at Daruzziyafe Restaurant, a historic restaurant
located in the 16th century soup kitchens of the Suleymaniye
Mosque. Then visit Suleymaniye Mosque. In the afternoon visit
Chora Church and city walls. Then Grand Bazaar. Overnight in
Istanbul.
- (B, L)
Day 15 Transfer
Transfer to the airport after breakfast for the departure flight.
(B)
|
|
