DAY
1 WEDNESDAY-ARRIVAL IN ATHENS (GREECE)
Upon your arrival a private taxi will transfer to the
hotel for check in and overnight.
Overnight: Hotel Herodion or similar (2 nights)
DAY 02 THURSDAY: ATHENS CITY TOUR
After breakfast at the hotel we begin our sightseeing
tour of Athens (Acts 17:15). Our tour begins with a
panoramic bus drive viewing the highlights of modern
Athens: we pass by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
Parliament House, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian
Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library.
We climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit
the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. We will then
visit the new Acropolis Museum before returning to our
hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. (B)
DAY
03 FRIDAY: ATHENS – PIRAEUS
Breakfast at the hotel and check out at 08:00 hr as
we are transferred to the port of Piraeus in Athens
where we will embark on our cruise ship. Ship sails
at 11:00 hr for Istanbul.
Overnight: Louise Cruise or similar –
inside IB category (7 nights) (B, D)
DAY 4 SATURDAY: ISTANBUL (TURKEY)
At 09:00 hr. we arrive at Istanbul, one of the world's
greatest historic cities. Formerly Byzantium, the center
of the Eastern Roman Empire, this city is built on seven
green hills and situated astride two continents. East
meets West in every way. Today you have a chance to
join one of the optional shore excursions. The full
day tour: Highlights of Istanbul; allows you to visit
the Sultanahmet mosque with its six minarets and 21,000
blue Iznik tiles otherwise known as (Blue Mosque) we
walk to the world famous Aghia Sophia, passing by the
Hippodrome and Obelisk, the Byzantine Church of Divine
wisdom, here we see the superb mosaics and marble decorations.
We return to the ship for lunch on board. After lunch
visit the Topkapi Palace with its harem and fabulous
treasure chambers. You will also get a cultural taste
of Turkey with by enjoying an exhibition of oriental
carpets, jewellery or leather goods. Return to the ship
and afternoon sail for Mykonos, Greece at 18:00 hr.
(B, L, D)
DAY
5 SUNDAY: MYKONOS (GREECE)
At 15:00 hr, we arrive at the cosmopolitan island of
Mykonos. Here we will find a sophisticated lifestyle
combined with the simple, yet charming life of this
Cycladic island. Stroll through the maze of narrow streets
with tiny chapels and whitewashed houses. Or join the
optional excursion to enjoy a guided visit to the Sanctuary
of Apollon in Delos, the sacred island & legend
birthplace of the Sun God Apollo and his twin sister
Artemis. At 21:00 hr, we sail for Ashdod, Israel. (B,
L, D)
DAY 6 MONDAY: AT SEA
Today we have a day free for relaxing and experiencing
life on board. (B, L, D)
DAY
7 TUESDAY: ASHOD, JERUSALEM & BETHLEM (ISRAEL)
At 07:00 hr – We arrive at Ashdod, Israel. One
of the optional shore excursions takes us on a drive
through the Judean Mountains to Jerusalem. Here we have
a photo stop at the Mount of Olives and continue to
visit Gethsemane Garden and the Church of All Nations.
We continue with a stroll through the quarters of the
old city seeing the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the
Holy Sepulcher built on the sites of Jesus’ crucifixation
and tomb and the Wailing Wall. We continue with a drive
to Bethlehem. After lunch at a local restaurant and
some free time we shall visit the Church of the Nativity,
which is built over the cave that tradition marks as
the birthplace of Christ. We return to the ship and
at 19:00 hr, we sail for Egypt. (B, L, D)
DAY 8 WEDNESDAY: PORT SAID, CAIRO (EGYPT) At 06:00 hr – We arrive at Port Said.
Join the optional tour which will drive us first to
Africa’s largest city, Cairo. First stop at Liberty
Square where we will visit the Egyptian Museum, which
is the repository of the world’s largest and richest
collection of Egyptian Antiquities including the collection
of King Tutankhamen. After lunch drive to the Giza Plateau
where we will find the Great Pyramids of Giza. Visit
the pyramids from the outside and enjoy panoramic views
from the western plateau, then continue down the valley
to the mighty Sphinx. Visit a Papyrus Institute where
the art of paper making from reeds will be demonstrated
to you. You will also have time for souvenir shopping
before continuing to returning to ship. At 20:00 hr,
we set sail for Crete (from Alexandria) (B,
L, D)
DAY 9 THURSDAY: CRETE, AGHIOS NIKOLAOS (GREECE)
At 16:30 hr. we arrive at the port of St. Nicholas (or
Aghios Nikolaos) in Crete. We can join the optional
Taste of Crete shore excursion which is a trip to Elounda
Bay, much acclaimed for its outstanding hotel &
touris establishment in a magnificent natural environment.
Then on to Kritsa for free time in this delightful village.
On to a local Olive Oil Farm which has embraced traditional
Cretan everyday life in its entirety. Upon arrival enjoy
a drink of Raki (the traditional drink of Crete) with
“meze’” appetizers that accompany
the drink. Here the production of Olive oil, wine &
raki take place using the most traditional methods and
you have the opportunity to experience Cretan life in
the early 20th century. Return back to Agios Nikoloas
for free time before returning to the ship. At 20:00
hr, we sail for Piraeus, Athens. (B, L, D)
DAY 10 FRIDAY: PIRAEUS – DEPART ATHENS Upon your 08:00 hr arrival, disembark after
breakfast and transfer to the airport for your departure
flight. (B)
Departure
Dates
2010
English Speaking Departures
Apr 07 & 21,
May 05 & 19, Jun 02, 16 & 30, Jul 14
& 28, Aug 11 & 25, Sep 08 & 22,
Oct 20
Inclusions
Tour
Price Includes
Tour
Price Does Not Include
Hotels
as mentioned or similar
Meals
as mentioned (B-Breakfast,
L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
Louis Cruise or similar
(IB category, inside cabin on full board
starting with dinner and ending with
breakfast).
Port
taxes
Sightseeing
and transfers mentioned by seat-in-coach.
Services
of local English speaking guide
Entrance
fees to museums and sites included in
the itinerary.
All transfers by seat-in-coach.
Any
airfares
Airport/Departure/Security
Taxes
Insurances
/ Visas
All optional shore-excursions during
the cruise
Drinks/Beverages
with meals
Tips/Gratuities
to Drivers & Guides
Tour
Price
We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars),
CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent
EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no
modification has been made to the tour itinerary,
we will honour that rate.
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada
- West Coast
N/A
USA
- West Coast
US
$ 1600
Canada
- East Coast
N/A
USA
- East Coast
US
$ 1400
Participants
This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.
Notes
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates
other than the above ones or with a customised
itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy
to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.
ATHENS
& 7 DAYS CRUISING THE MEDITERRANEAN
DAY
03 FRIDAY: ATHENS – PIRAEUS
DAY
7 TUESDAY: ASHOD, JERUSALEM & BETHLEM (ISRAEL)
