In the Greek island, and especially the smaller ones off the beaten track, the early summer sees a frenzy of hurried improvisation, of repainting houses and tavernas, and refurbishing elderly boats. Though, the well-oiled routine of the larger resorts is lacking, enthusiasm for the tourist trade is keyed to an even higher pitch.
Towards the end of the June there is a stirring in the Greek islands, a feeling of expectancy: the tourist season is about to begin. The little hotels on Skiathos and Skopelos, in the Morthern Sporades, have had their new costs of pain; now they are ready and waiting. In private houses all over Skiathos village families are drawing closer together, as far as living-space is concerned, contracting like concertinas. Every family that has or can find a spare room in the house is busy spring-cleaning it, turning mattresses and laying out white linen, while self-styled plumbers have a busy time putting in order those strangely indispensable modern appliances to which they know foreigners attach so much importance – the lavatory and, if such a luxury exists, the shower.
The ‘night-club’ is Skiathos is about to open. The new juke-box, which has been sitting in the smart café on the front, seeming all these warm early evenings to have gone mad with shaking power, blasting out a dozen times over and over again tunes that were popular once last year and that now set the bones of their unwilling listeners rattling with fury – this monster is about to be moved.
Along the quay are lined the tripper caiques, boats with rows of wooden seats, long awnings, ready to ply a rapid passenger service to the beaches of Lalaria and Koukounaries, round-the-island tours, to kastro and Akladies. In a few week, at about nine every morning, the harbour will look like the scene of some medieval sea-battle. Most of the caiques have exhaust pipes the size of cannon that stick out horizontally at deck level on each side. When they start their engines together, puff of smoke belching from the mouth of every cylinder, it seems exactly as if they are delivering broadsides into each other at point-blank range.
The tavernas of both islands, too are gearing themselves for the rush, hiring waiters from the mainland town of Volos for the season, black-coated professionals skilled at juggling with plates and orders, who will be on their feet fourteen hours in twenty-four, while the tavern owner himself will be lucky to close his eyes for two. Skiathon is ready.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive into Istanbul
Fly to Kayseri
Drive to Cappadocia
Begin your ‘Turkey and Greece’ Tour
Welcome to Turkey. On arrival at Kayseri Airport, your Tour Manager/ Local representative will meet you outside the customs area and drive you to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, check into the hotel (Check-in time is after 3.00 pm).
Overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.
(Dinner)
Day 2
Guided City Tour of Cappadocia
Visit Goreme Open Air Museum
After a continental breakfast, we take you on full day tour of mysterious Cappadocia. Start your tour from Uchisar - north of Cappadocia, where you will enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of fairy chimneys. Later, visit Avanos, a small town known for its ceramics. Next you will see three coned fairy chimneys at Pasabag. Highly remarkable earth pillars can be seen here, in the middle of vineyards. We, then drive to Dervent Valley, the lunar landscape!
Next, we stop at Goreme Open Air Museum, which is full of pink, rose and white tapering columns. These tall free standing cones of stone, curve and twist as if pulled from earth like taffy. Others are tall like fairy chimneys. The caves were settled in the 4th century as monasteries. Visit some caves on the cliffs to see Byzantine frescoes decorating early Christian churches. See the Pigeon valley, where thousands of Pigeon houses are carved into the rocks.
Overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3
Fly to Istanbul
After a continental breakfast, we check out and drive to Kayseri airport for our flight to Istanbul. On arrival we take you to your hotel (Check-in time is after 3.00 pm). The day is free to explore on your own this wonderful city on two continents. Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4
Guided City Tour of Istanbul
Visit the Blue Mosque
Visit the Hagia Sophia
Visit the Topkapi Palace
Visit the Grand Bazaar
After a continental breakfast, we take you on a guided city tour of Istanbul. We drive to the old city and visit the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, popularly known as ‘Blue Mosque’. Later, we visit Hagia Sophia. This Church turned Mosque turned Museum will take your breath away with sheer architectural size of its interior, its magnificent dome, frescoes and mosaic portraits. We then visit the Museum of Topkapi Palace, where you will be amazed by the dazzling displays of the treasures of the Ottoman Sultans. Next, we take you to the Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.
Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5
Enjoy a Bosphorus Cruise
Visit to Spice Market
After a continental breakfast, we take you for a cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Bosphorus coastline is a delightful mixture of the past and the present where one can enjoy the grand splendour and quaint beauty of the ancient wooden Mansions, Palaces of marble, Fortresses and small Fishing villages. After the Cruise, visit the Spice Market a thrilling riot of colours, sounds and the rich smells of exotic spices.
Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6
Fly to Athens
Guided City Tour Athens
Visit to Parthenon at Acropolis
After a continental breakfast, we drive to the airport for our flight to Athens - the capital and largest city of Greece.
Upon arrival, we proceed on guided city tour of Athens. Visit to the Panathinaiko Stadium which was the cradle of the first Olympic Games that took place in 1896. See the Constitution Square (Syntagma Square), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library.
Next, we proceed to the visit the Acropolis, the crowning beauty and glory of ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the Parthenon. The Parthenon was constructed between 447-432 BCE to be the focus of the Acropolis building complex. Its massive foundations were made of limestone, and the columns were made of Pentelic marble, a material that was utilized for the first time. The architects were Iktinos and Kallikrates (Vitruvius also names Karpion as an architect) and it was dedicated to the goddess Athena Pallas or Parthenos (virgin). The temple’s main function was to shelter the monumental statue of Athena that was made by Pheidias out of gold and ivory. The temple and the chryselephantine statue were dedicated in 438, although work on the sculptures of its pediment continued until completion in 432 BCE.
Overnight at the hotel in Athens.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7
Day Trip to Delphi
After a continental breakfast, we proceed on a day trip to Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. We pass by Castalia Spring, visit at the archaeological site the Temple of Apollo, famous for its oracle and the Museum of Delphi, with it’s spectacular finds, including the bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx and the Statue of Antinoos.
After a local lunch, we return to Athens via the picturesque mountain village of Arachova, built on the south slopes of Parnassus, well known for its attractive hand-woven carpets, rugs and quilts, as well as for its wine and cheese.
Overnight at the hotel in Athens.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8
Ferry to Mykonos Island
Orientation Tour of Mykonos
After an early morning continental breakfast, we check out of the hotel and drive to the Port of Athens to board the Ferry to Mykonos Island - the most famous Greek island and one of the world’s most popular holiday resorts. Mykonos island is an example of unique cycladic architecture set around a picturesque fishing village bay. Totally whitewashed buildings of Mykonos fit closely together to form a one of the kind maze of narrow alleys and streets.
Upon arrival, proceed on orientation tour of Mykonos. Enjoy some of the best views of Mykonos and its surroundings. Explore the narrow streets and alleys of the old town and Little Venice. See the Panagia Paraportiani church and the monastery of Panagia Tourliani.
Evening is free to explore beautiful beaches, and a spectacular sunset.
Overnight at the hotel in Mykonos.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9
High speed Ferry to Santorini
After a continental breakfast, we check out the hotel & drive to port to take a Ferry to Santorini - arguably Greece’s most beautiful island. Santorini is a mix of towering cliffs, inky waters and whitewashed villages. It is the most southern island of the Cyclades, south of the Aegean sea. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. The day is free to explore the beautiful black sandy beaches of Santorini.
Overnight at the hotel in Santorini.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10
Tour of Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia & Oia by Caldera Boat
After a continental breakfast, we take you on a half day tour of Thiara Volcano, Hot Springs & Oia by Caldera Boat. Drive to Athinios port and sail for the lava islet of Nea Kameni. We disembark and walk an ascending soil path to approach the crater of the still active volcano. This is an incredible sight, even if you are not viewing a volcano for the fi rst time! We return to our boat and set sail for the second lava islet called Palea Kameni, where we find its Hot Springs.
Next, we will sail to the beautiful and traditional island of Thirassia. Visit the traditional village of Manolas, which is accessed by winding stairs. Later, we make a short stop at the port of Armeni, in Oia. Discover the small village of Oia, built on a steep slope of the volcanic caldera, and wander around its little shops that offer traditional, handmade products.
Later, sail back to Athinois, Santorini.
Overnight at the hotel in Santorini.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11
High Speed Ferry to Athens
After a continental breakfast, morning is free to relax. Later check out and drive to Athinios port to board the ferry to Athens. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. The evening free to explore Athens on your own.
Overnight at the hotel in Athens.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12
Return Home with Wonderful Memories
After a continental breakfast, we check out and drive to the airport for your flight back home. It’s time to say goodbye to all the new friends you have made. We hope you take back many happy memories of your holiday. We would like you to spare a few minutes of your time to write and tell us how you enjoyed your holiday and any suggestions you may have for the future.
(Breakfast)
For assisted tour booking and customization according to your requirement, please call: +91 33 4046 4646
Price on request
Enjoy the services of a Friend, Philosopher and Guide (Your Tour Manager).
Cappadocia
Guided City Tour.
Visit to Goreme Open Air Museum.
Istanbul
Guided City Tour.
Visit to Blue Mosque.
Visit to Hagia Sophia.
Visit to Topkapi Palace .
Visit to Grand Bazaar.
Enjoy a Bosphorus Cruise.
Visit to Spice Market.
Athens
Guided City Tour.
Visit to Parthenon at Acropolis .
Day Trip to Delphi.
Mykonos
Orientation tour of Mykonos Island.
Santorini
Guided Tour of Volcano, Hot Springs,
Thirassia & Oia by Caldera Boat.
Enjoy a Continental Breakfast Everyday
Bread, Butter, Jam, Cereal, Milk, Tea, Coffee and Juice.
Enjoy Indian / Continental Meals in Turkey
A Choice of Vegetarian / Non-Vegetarian / Jain Menus
Inclusions
Exclusions
Hotels
Cappadocia - Hotel Suhan - 2 nights
Istanbul - Hotel Grand S - 3 nights
Athens - Hotel Novotel -2 nights
Mykonos - Hotel K - 1 night
Santorini - Hotel Orizontes - 2 nights
Athens - Hotel Novotel - 1 night
As suggested and to be customized as per request
Terms & Conditions Applied
For assisted tour booking and customization according to your requirement, please call: +91 33 4046 4646
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