DAY 1 -- ISTANBUL - Wednesday
Tour starts daily in Istanbul.
Our staff meets your flight and escorts you to your hotel.
Welcome fruit basket at your room, with our compliments.

This tour starts daily in Istanbul, yet please keep in mind that we keep the right to substitute some site based on the following: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday. Ayasofia is closed on Monday. Kariye Museum is closed on Wednesdays. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

DAY 2 -- ISTANBUL-Home Hosted Dinner - Thursday (BLD)
We dive right into this fascinating city with visits to its top sights: Topkapi, the palace of the Sultans for centuries; Hagia Sophia, the greatest church in Christendom for a thousand years; the Blue Mosque, with its exquisite blue tiles; the Byzantine Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and gladiator combat; and the eerie Sunken Palace cistern beneath it. Then a drive through modern neighborhoods brings us to the ancient city walls and the Kariye Museum (Chora Church), filled with brilliant Byzantine mosaics.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner .

This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Istanbul! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be
assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

Complimentary entrance tickets to the Harem's Quarter in Topkape Palace in Istanbul, when you book your tour/cruise with us.

DAY 3 -- ISTANBUL - Friday (BL)

ISTANBUL-
"Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:"

Morning walking tour : We start with our guide in Karaköy where the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates), and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the famous Pera Palace Hotel.
Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and be picked up for the afternoon tour. In the afternoon the tour visit Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz, and finish up with a visit to the Military History Museum in Harbiye in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon). Then go on a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar.
Breakfast, Lunch.

DAY 4 - Athens - Saturday (B)
Our local rep will assist you with the transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to Athens . Breakfast is included at the hotel .
In Athens Our local personnel meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel.
Athens is yours and you may wish to cover on your own the high points of the city, especially the towering Acropolis and the adjacent museum. In the evening, we'll take in a dinner with traditional Greek entertainment.

DAY 5 - Sunday- ATHENS (B)
On your first morning in Athens we show you the top sights: the Acropolis and its museum, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Theater of Dionysus, and more. In the afternoon, plunge into the city as you like for sightseeing and shopping.

DAY 6 - Monday - MYCENAE, EPIDAURUS & Olympia (BD)
After breakfast we'll escort you to the tour terminal; we are passing by the Olympic Stadium of the 2004 Olympics main venue. We continue for the Corinth Canal (brief stop). Drive to EPIDAURUS and visit the Ancient theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Proceed to NAUPLIA (short stop) and through the plain of Argos arrive to MYCENAE. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon (optional stop for souvenirs) depart for OLYMPIA, the birth place of the Olympic Games, through the cites of Tripolis and a brief stop at MEGALOPOLIS . Overnight stay in Olympia.
First class hotels : Europa or similar . Tourist class : Ilis or similar

DAY 7 - Tuesday - Delphi (BD)
Visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum. Depart via PATRAS (short stop) to RION, cross the Corinthian bay by the new bridge to ANTIRION. Pass by the city of NAFPAKTOS and from there on, along the coastal road to DELPHI, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of ARACHOVA. Overnight stay in Delphi. First class hotels : Amalia or similar . Tourist class : Hermes or similar

DAY 8 - Wednesday - DELPHI - Kalambaka (BD)
Visit the archaeological site, and, the MUSEUM of Delphi. Depart for KALAMBAKA via Central Greece (short stop by Lamia). Overnight stay in Kalambaka (a small town built at the foot of the majestic gray rocks and crowned by the METEORA Monasteries).

DAY 9 - Thursday - Meteora & ATHENS (B)
Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the BYZANTINE MONASTERIES. Return to Athens passing the heroic monument of Leonidas at THERMOPYLAE

DAY 11 - Saturday - CAIRO (BLD)
Today, you'll explore the wonders of the Egyptian Museum, with its treasures of the ancient pharaohs: mummies, statuary, precious stones and metals. Travellers have long come to Cairo just to gaze on these sights, but your day has just started. You'll also see the Citadel of Saladin and the alabaster mosque of Mohammed Ali. In Giza, on the edge of the desert, you'll gaze in awe at the mysterious Sphinx and the Pyramids , for those interested a complimentary ticket is included fro entry to the King's chamber inside the Pyramid, you must be physically fit to be able to climb.

Visa will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

DAY 16 -Thursday - LUXOR, CAIRO, Home Hosted Dinner (B)
We'll visit the imposing Great Temple of Amon at Karnak and the great Temple of Luxor before heading to the airport to catch our flight to Cairo. After we settle you into your hotel, you'll have your last opportunity to experience the excitement of this great city and, of course, do some last-minute shopping.
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo ! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 17 -Friday - RETURN HOME (B)
Our Cairo-based staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage.  

• Start in Athens weekly on Sunday, March through Oct . Cruise itinerary may vary according to ship and line selected. RATES are per person in double occupancy in US$:
  
• Rates are based on an outside standard cabin with two lower beds. ( for other preference , please do let us know)

Rate includes:

• Lonely Planet travel guides to Istanbul,Greece and Egypt
• 5-day Nile cruise, including all meals , afternoon tea served on deck daily , and shore excursions.
  
  
• One large bottled water per person delivered to your cabin daily while you are on board the Nile Cruise . Plus a small bottle of water with each & every meal on board the cruise
  
  
• Tea or coffee and water with each & every meal while you are on board the Nile cruise.
  
  
• Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
  
  
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Hotel accommodation as mentioned in Istanbul , Greece, and Cairo, including tax and service charges, and breakfast daily.
  
• Meals as indicated, with preset menu (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
  
• Airport greeting and assistance. Transportation between airports, hotels, and port.
  
• One-way air transportation from Istanbul to Athens to Cairo " Y " Class .
  
• Port taxes.
  
• Domestic air transportation in Egypt " Y " class , please add $ 150 to upgrade to business class in Egypt.
  
• Egyptian visa fee, available for American, Canadian, EU, NZ, Singaporean & Japanese citizens.
  Must have a valid passport. Issued upon arrival at Cairo airport.
  

Not Included:

• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
• International air fare.
• Turkish Visa fee, please secure in your home country or upon arrival in Istanbul ( Cash only) , please check with the Turkish consulate near you.
• Additional personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary

Deluxe Nile Cruises : Monaco , Monte Carlo , Mojito , Beau Soleil , Florence. Adonis or similar
First Class : Nile Dream ,Lady Diana , Ruby or Similar

Upgrade to the Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruises: Movenpick Radamis II, the Royal Lotus
Moon Goddess , or M/S Philae ( all state   rooms are Junior Suites do offer private balconies)
The Ultra Deluxe" Queen TiYi
Supplement : 20 % applies to be added to the deluxe rate

The all suites M/S Amarco

The Ultra Deluxe all suites M/S Amarco : Supplement : 30 % applies to be added to the deluxe rate

DEPARTURE NOTES:
this tour departs on Fridays , weekly, year round For departures during Christmas, New Year's or Easter weeks, please add 15% to the rates above.

Honeymoon/ Anniversary & Birthday trips : Please advise us in advance:
Free Upgrade to a Junior Suite subject to availability

For PRIVATE GUIDE/CAR/DRIVER for Nile Cruise Shore Excursions:
For the full duration of the Nile Cruise & shore excursions: please add $200 per person .This supplement doesn't apply when you have at least 6 guests in your party, as you'll have always your own private car/driver/guide.

Nile Cruise :
DINING NOTES
The set-menu meals included in your tour are indicated in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast), L = Lunch, D = Dinner. On our luxury Nile cruise vessels, our spacious dining rooms accommodate all passengers at one seating, so there is no need to worry about making reservations , one less thing to worry about while you are on the Nile. Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere with several different languages being heard at dinner.

Do we get sea sickness while sailing the Nile ?
This is river sailing, so do not expect any waves , no rough seas ! Your Nile cruises is actually a floating hotel that moves from place to place along the Nile. Actual cruising times are short and pleasant.

DRESS CODE :

All of our Nile cruise vessels are fully air conditioned. Onboard dress is casual except at dinner, when smart casual is the rule. Lightweight cotton and other natural fiber clothing is best, with swimsuits and sun hats for the sundeck and pool. Bring a light sweater or light jacket for cool mornings and evenings, but most days are warm to hot, with very little rain. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for shore excursions.