The Three Gems of the Esatern Mediterranean
Turkey, Greece, Egypt

A 17 days Grand Mediterranean Tour - Start in Athens each Friday

we show you the top sights in these three historic countries in a
17 day grand tour . Compare with Greece & Israel Version . Add air fare from USA
Click for the 11 day edition with air fare

DAY 1 - Athens Friday - Weekly - Year Round
Our Athens representative will meet you at the Airport or Piraeus port if/when you arrive by boat/ship, assist you through customs and immigration, and escort you to Athens and your hotel: Stanley or similar, in the bustling city center. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. You're free to stroll, browse for curios and treasures, and perhaps dine at a cafe in the old Plaka district and take in a folklore show.

DAY 2 - ATHENS - Private Tour (BL) Saturday
This morning you'll tour the high points of Athens, with your own private guide , most notably the towering Acropolis and the adjacent museum. You'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city, and see the Parliament, and guards in colorful traditional outfits. Lunch is included in a charming Greek restaurant. Your afternoon is free for further exploring or shopping, or you could well be drawn to return to the charm of the Plaka.

DAY 3 - ATHENS (BL) - Private Tour - Sunday
Ride the new Athens Subway alongside the locals today ( always escorted with your English speaking Guide) ! We take pride in affording you this experience, entirely by public transportation, with orientation by our English-speaking representative. You'll get to tour Athens fascinating vegetable & fruit markets by subway and/ or taxi. Tour as well the Jewelry museum (LALAOUNIS) Enjoy lunch at a charming local restaurant before we head back to the hotel . Markets days/dates are subject to change, we may have to change your program in Athens to accommodate such changes.

Or if you prefer you may choose instead to tour one of the following tours:

BYZANTINE CHURCHES
Russian Orthodox Church at Filellinon & Amalias
Athens cathedral (Mitropolis) at Mitropoleos
Kapnikarea at Ermou
Saint Theodore at Klafthmonos



HISTORICAL INTEREST- Museum Tour :
BENAKI MUSEUM - (closed on Tuesdays)
Covering the history of Greece from Paleolithic (pre-historic, 60000 B.C.) till present. Can easily spend over 4 hours in there. There is also a cafeteria for breaks.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST
Temple of Olympian Zeus / Dionissos Theatre/ Ancient Agora/ Roman Agora


Above are only suggestions , you may discuss with the guide and modify (add/subtract) according to what you are most interested in. The guide will advise you on what is feasible to cover in a half-day. Or add another half day : additional $$$ apply

Day 4 - Greek Cruise (BL) Monday

Cruising to Antiquity Epidaurus – Mycenae – Aegina Islands

After an early breakfast at the hotel , we'll assist with your transfer to Piraeus to board a luxurious cruise boat and enjoy an unforgettable journey by crossing the Saronic gulf and visiting the temple of Aphaia in Aegina island - explore the Mycenaean civilization – meet with the perfection of the acoustic and harmony of dimensions at the unique ancient theatre of Epidaurus and feel the smell of Mediterranean sea, relax under the sun in the golden sandy beaches of Aegina below the temple of Aphaia or swim on the magical scenery of patricianly sunken ancient port of Epidaurus.

Sail: 08:15 Sailing from Piraeus to the Argolis ancient port of Epidaurus, arriving at this lovely fisherman village, with patricianly sunken ancient city, the picturesque valley with olive and orange trees and the well-preserved small Roman theater on the side where concerts and drama still performance.
Things to do:
1. Swim on a clear blue water of the ancient port and relax in one of the beaches with typical Greek restaurants and cafes.
2. Choose one of the optional guided tours with air-conditioned coaches to
a) The unique well-preserved Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (built 2.500 years ago) where famous artists give performances. a perfection in the acoustic and harmonious dimensions .
b) The ruins of the famous palace of the Mycenaean King Agamemnon-the leader of Greek army during the Trojan War with the Cyclopean Wall, the Lion’s Gate was (built 3.300 years ago), and the well-preserved tomb of King Agamemnon.

At 14:00 we leave from the ancient port of Epidaurus ,enjoying lunch onboard while being entertained with Greek music, we arrive at the picturesque port of Aegina Island, famous all over the world for the excellent quality of peanut production.
Things to do:
Strolling in the narrow streets of the port, tasting Greek coffee or peanuts and shopping or taking an optional tour at the top of the hill to the famous Temple of Aphaia to admire the infinity view of the Saronic Gulf discovering the mystery of the equilateral triangle with Parthenon (at the Acropolis of Athens) and the temple of Poseidon in Sounio (God of the sea).
Back on board we'll enjoy a Greek folklore show before heading back to Piraeus and on to your hotel.

DAY 5 - ISTANBUL Tuesday (B)
Today we fly north and east across the Sea of Marmara and the deep blue of the Aegean to fabled Athens. International airfares are included between Istanbul, Athens & Cairo in the tour rates.) Upon arrival, our staff meets you and escorts you to your hotel: Augun Plaza or similar , in the Turkish capital. The rest of the day is yours: Istanbul awaits you!

DAY 6 - ISTANBUL Wednesday (B)
Welcome to the City of the Sultans! We visit the top sights in an all-day tour, including the Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Hippodrome, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum with its collection of priceless oriental carpets, and legendary Topkapi Palace Museum, the imperial residence of the sultans for centuries. Including the Harem section of the Palace

DAY 7 - ISTANBUL/Evening Deluxe SLEEPER Train to Cappadocia Thursday (BLD)
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon we tour Hagia Sophia, the greatest church in Christendom for a thousand years; and a walking tour of the famous "Grand bazaar" ; lunch is included at a local restaurant.
Board the new sleeper overnight train to Ankara, private compartment. Dep. is about 10 PM. Dinner is served in Istanbul prior to your departure.

DAY 8 - ANKARA CAPPADOCIA Friday (BLD)
Morning arrival at Ankara, continue to Sultanhani , the Seljuk Turkish Carvanserai before making the drive to Biblical Cappadocia and our hotel Perisia Hotel or similar.

DAY 9- CAPPADOCIA Saturday (BLD)
We explore the "Moonscape" of Cappadoccia, visiting the painted churches in the Goereme and Zelve Valleys, the rock hewn dwellings in Ortahisar, the pottery making center of Avanos and the incredible underground city of Kaymakl or Derinkuyu.

DAY 10 - ISTANBUL Sunday (B)
Fly back to Istanbul, remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 11 - ISTANBUL Monday (BD)
Morning at leisure. Evening farewell dinner with Turkish Belly dance.

DAY 12 - CAIRO Tuesday (B)
Fly further south across the Mediterranean to Cairo .Our staff meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel: visa will be issued on a complimentary basis for American, Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens, your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival. Room amenity : Mint Tea Pot & welcome "Egyptian Sweets " platter.

DAY 13 - CAIRO Wednesday (cBL)
We start with the best of Cairo: the Egyptian Museum, Manial Palace of the former Crown Prince Mohamed Ali, Citadel of Saladin and its Alabaster Mosque. After lunch , we walk the narrow streets of Old Cairo, once a Roman fort, later the Jewish Quarter, then the Coptic Christian Quarter. We visit the Coptic churches of Abu Serghius and Al Molaka, the Coptic Museum, and Ben Ezra synagogue. Finally, we wander through the alleys of Khan el-Khalili bazaar in search of souvenirs.

DAY 14 - CAIRO Thursday (cBL)
In the morning, we visit the majestic pyramids of Giza, the Valley Temple and the timeless Sphinx. After lunch we drive to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit several ancient structures, including the great pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops.

DAY 15 - LUXOR - Cairo Friday (cBLD)
Very early morning flight to Luxor , upon arrival we cross the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch in Luxor, we tour the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and visit the Sacred Lake . We have a quick look at the great temple of Amon Ra at Luxor on our way to the airport for our flight back to Cairo, and our hotel.

DAY 16 - Cairo Fayoum - saturday (cBL)
On Desert Safari for the Day - Fayoum Oases - And you thought the Pyramids were old

The wilds of the desert begin right on the outskirts of Cairo, and continue for hundreds of miles to the east and west, through sands, rock, mountains, oases, and a surprising variety of scenery and inhabitants.

Join us for a day ranging across the desert like modern nomads. In place of camels, we’ll travel in comfortable, reliable four-by-four Toyota Land Cruisers. Your guide and drivers will meet you at your hotel, and soon you’ll leave bustling Cairo behind as you undertake the drive toward the Oasis of El Fayoum, 150 kilometers to the southwest. Hard as it is to believe, a great inland sea once covered these sands. It was a holy reserve of sacred crocodiles, symbolized by the god Sobek.

We’ll visit the temple of Kom Oshim, drive over ancient lake beds, and alongside the waters of today’s Fayoum Lake to reach the fishermen’s village of Chak Chouk. There we’ll stop for a lunch of fish caught fresh that morning. There will be time to wander the village lanes and discreetly watch the everyday activities of baking flatbread, irrigating crops from the lake’s waters, and bringing in the catch. We’ll also include the craft and pottery museum where the best works of local artisans are on display.

Then it’s into our four-by-fours again, for an off-road adventure! We’ll head alongside and across desert washes, between dunes, and over ancient lake beds for 35 kilometers to the Valley of the Whales ( In Arabic : Wadi-El-Hitan) . Incredibly, these great mammals once thrived - almost forty million years ago- in waters surrounded by sands. We’ll stop and gaze in amazement at their fossilized remains alongside smaller sea creatures that remain in stone.
This valley was discovered in 1936 , by the German geologist George Schweinfurth in the northwestern corner of Wadi El-Rayan.

The valley provides evidence of one of the major changes in this mammal evolution has been declared by the UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site. It is believed that these land based whales once had feet that may have helped them somewhat while ashore . A team from the University of Michigan discovered in the late 80's that these Zeuglodon whales did have rudimentary feet , this was a startling discovery , suggesting that whales of Wadi -El-Hitan had recently started living in water as well , these whales were not related to any of the whales we have today , rather a more slender body and may grow up to 75 feet long. Several skeletons of whales are exposed in the sand. George Schweinfurth named this extinct specie the Zeuglodon Isis Whales .

In the evening, you’ll return to your hotel in Cairo. Land transportation in air-conditioned four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruiser with the services of driver and English-speaking driver. Lunch is included

DAY 17 - DEPARTURE - Sunday (cB)
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage

RATES per person in USD

Please add a %10 supplement : Dec 15,through Jan 5

Rates include:

• Hotel accommodation in first-class (four-star) hotels including tax, service charge and continental breakfast daily.
• Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as per itinerary, locally escorted in each country.
• All airport transfers, meet, greet and assist service.
• Air fare between Istanbul, Athens & Cairo .
• Domestic air fare in Turkey and Egypt.
• Lonely Planet Guide book for Turkey, Greece & Egypt.
• Meals as listed : BLD = Breakfast/lunch/dinner
• Greek folk dance show & dinner in Athens.
• Turkish folk dance show & dinner in Istanbul or Cappadoccia.

Compare with Jordan & Israel Version or the Grand Tour of Athens ,Istanbul & a NILE CRUISE

BIBLICAL ODYSSEY: EGYPT, JORDAN & ISRAEL
Cairo, Luxor, Petra, Amman, Jerusalem, and four days by the Red Sea at Sharm el Sheik-
Weekly on Saturdays. All in 11 days

• Airfare from/ To your home country . (please contact us for the best airfares, or use your frequent flyer tickets.)
• Any sort of insurance, flyer is available upon request, insurance is strongly recommended .
• Tips

General Hotel Listing

Extend your stay and enjoy a spa package in Greece , Turkey or Egypt

Israel

Everyone wants to go to the holy land. In Israel, faith and history are all around you, from the plains of Armageddon (Megiddo) to the Sea of Galilee, from the Red Sea resort of Eilat to the sonw-covered slopes of Mount Hermon. Where else can you pray where the patriarchs prayed, walk where Jesus walked, and see where Muhammed began a fabled celestial journey? It's simply amazing: the Bible becomes your guidebook as you approach the Western Wall of Jerusalem's Temple, crowned by the magnificent Dome of the Rock; or stroll along the Via Dolorosa, now a path through a bustling bazaar, stopping for reflection at the Stations of the Cross. The hilltop city of Jerusalem is your base for day-trips to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus; Jericho, site of the famous Biblical battle, now a busy Arab town; the Dead Sea, where swimmers bob like corks in the mineral-rich waters; Masada, where a small band of Jewish zealots held off the armies of imperial Rome. Israel is much more than a place of pilgrimage, of course. Its Mediterranean coast has long sandy beaches and bustling seaside resorts. The Red Sea is among divers' favorite destinations for its abundance of colorful underwater life. Archeological digs are active throughout the country in summer, turning up ever more ancient cities. Whatever your beliefs, Israel is a must-see. Do it with Travel in Style!