We do depart on different days then Tuesday, check with for the available dates.

Itinerary

- Tuesday - Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul
.** As we say in Turkey, HOS GELDINIZ! Welcome to Turkey. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Istanbul on your own.:overnight in ISTANBUL.

- Wednesday - Day 2 - Istanbul - (B/L)
This will be a full day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Sites you’ll see today
* Blue Mosque--World renown for it’s architecture and focal point for worshipping Muslims.
* Haghia Sophia--1,400 year old supreme church from Byzantium times which houses famous Byzantine Mosaics.
* Byzantine Hippodrome-The focal point of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Constantine. Within it’s center you will see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column.
* Topkapi Palace--the residence and leadership center of the Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. It was built in 1459-1465 shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. You will see the Treasury that includes the Topkapi Dagger, the 86 carat Spoon Maker’s Diamond, and the jewel encased bones of St. John the Baptist’s skull and arm bone.
*Suleymaniye Mosque and the Grand Bazaar will also be visited during the tour.
>Breakfast/Lunch/ provided<overnight in ISTANBUL.

- Thursday - Day 3 - Istanbul - (B)
This will be a half day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), Mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish etc.
Bosporus Cruise, thorough the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential of luxurious apartments.
After the tour we will leave you at the grand Bazaar and give you free time to explore and some souvenir shopping. Overnight stay in Istanbul

- Friday - Day 4 - Istanbul to Ephesus then to Pamukkale - (B/L/D)
Very early in the morning we will transfer you to the domestic airport and put you on a 1 hour flight down to Izmir, after arrival we will transfer to you Ephesus and continue on the full day tour of Ephesus. Sites you’ll see today
*Ephesus is one of the best preserved cities from Roman times. At the time St. Paul lived in Ephesus in the 60‘s AD, it was at it’s Roman heyday with a population around 250,000. When St. Paul lived in Ephesus he would have addressed the Ephesians in the great theatre, that today impresses everyone that walks into it’s stands. Ephesus was a great ancient city and much of it has been preserved for you to see. More than any other site, you can walk the streets, stand in the great theatre, wander in the library, look towards the hill where St. Paul was put into prison, and feel that you are walking back into the time that St. Paul lived. After being here, you will read the book of Ephesians with new eyes.
*The House of The Virgin Mary where it is believed St. Mary came to live with St. John in the last years of her life. After the tour we will drive to kusadasi, check in the hotel, Overnight stay in Kusadasi.

- Saturday - Day 5 - Kusadasi to Pamukkale - (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will depart Kusadasi and drive to Pamukkale, upon arrival we will continue on the guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis.
*Pammukale means cotton castle in Turkish. It is the result of limestone formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as it cooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pammukale is now a world heritage site.
*Hierapolis was founded as a healing care center in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral
waters in the area. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centers of the Roman Empire. Overnight stay in Pamukkale.

- Sunday - Day 6 - Pamukkale to Cappadocia - (B/L)
After breakfast we will depart from Pamukkale and drive to Cappadocia, on the way we will stop and visit Mevlana Museum in Konya.
*Mevlana Museum is a holy site for Muslims because it is the former lodging place for the whirling dervishes. The architecture and turquoise tiles are a beautiful site for all.
( Note today is not a guided tour, you explore these site on your own.)
In the afternoon we will provide a transfer to Cappadocia, after arrival you will check in the hotel & have a free day to relax and explore Cappadocia on your own. Overnight stay in URGUP Cappadocia.

- Monday - Day 7 - Cappadocia - (B/L)
Today will be spent walking through an underground city where ancient people once fled for their lives escaping the Arab invaders, wandering through Ihlara Gorge and spending time in an Anatolian village. As we will need to drive for awhile in order to reach our first destination, we will be starting out quite early this morning.
Sites you'll see today
*Underground City of Derinkuyu--You will gradually stroll your way down into the depths of the earth in this ancient underground city that has 18-20 floors as deep as 40 meters below the ground. Don't worry, you will only go down to the 8th floor. Cappadocia has around 36 underground cities. Archeologists date these back to the time of the Hittites which lived 4000 years ago.
*Ihlara Gorge will seem like an oasis in the middle of the Anatolian plain. Delve into the gorge and see the beautiful greenery as you follow the river. Around you will see ancient monasteries complete with pigeon holes cut into the cliffs by the monks. They used these pigeons as messengers to communicate with their monk friends!
*Traditional Anatolian villages--The head-scarved women out at work in the fields from sun up until sun-down, and the mustached, vest-wearing men hard at work playing cards in the coffee shops. You will get time to stroll in such a village and see the average Turkish villager at work...or play. Overnight in URGUP - Cappadocia -

- Tuesday - Day 8 - Cappadocia - (B/L)
This day will be spent exploring the amazing sites of Cappadocia. (For those who have bought optional hot air ballooning tour of Cappadocia ) Very, very early in the morning we will wake up to take a hot air balloon ride over the area. After this we will come back to the hotel for breakfast and a rest before setting out in late morning to see the rest of the sites.
Sites you'll see today
*The World Heritage Site of Goreme Open-Air Museum --This is a cluster of rock cut Byzantine churches, chapels and monasteries which include some wonderful 11th and 12th century frescoes on the cave walls.
*Fairy Chimneys--These geological phenomenon have been shaped over millions of years. They were formed during volcanic eruptions in the region. Reaching at times 40 meters in height, they are conical in shape and have a "hat" top to them.
*Devrent Valley--This valley is know as "the pink valley" because of the color of it's soil. This is a lovely place to wander around and look at the magical rock formations indicative to Cappadocia, including the Fairy Chimneys.
*Uchisar Castle--Also called a fortress, this is actually a formation of two gigantic rocks surrounded by smaller rocks that together form a natural fortress with towers. These formations were inhabited during both the Byzantine and Ottoman times.
*We will also get the chance to visit local crafts people and learn how they make dolls and create traditional pottery. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

- Wednesday - Day 9 - Cappadocia to Athens (B)
After breakfast we will provide a transfer to Cappadocia airport and put you on a flight that goes from Cappadocia to Istanbul then to Athens. KALOS ORISATE ! Welcome to Greece. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Athens on your own. Overnight in Athens.

- Thursday - Day 10 - Athens - (B)
After breakfast around 08:30 am we will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and take you on a guided tour of Athens. You will explore Temple of Olympian Zeus, Panathinaiko Stadium ( where the first Olympic Games took in 1896, After that will drive by the Prime’s Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace, (guarded by colorful Evzones) Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall), National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schlieman’s House (Nomismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, ACROPOLIS, (the you will visit Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion and Museum of the Acropolis).
Early afternoon we will provide a transfer to your hotel or we can also drop you at Plaka so you can wonder around and explore more of Athens. Overnight stay in Athens.

- Friday - Day 11 - Athens to Mykonos - (B)
Very early in the morning you will be transferred to Rafina Ferry Port, and put on a fast ferry to Mykonos. After arrival in Mykonos you will be transferred to your hotel, having a full free day to relax and explore the island on your own. Overnight stay in Mykonos.
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Located in the middle of the Aegean sea, Mykonos is a quite popular island of Greece. With it is crystal clear beaches, windmills, waterfront buildings, Archeological sites and a good nightlife, Mykonos is a fulfilling island to visit.
Archaeological finds indicate that the Ionians settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BC. More recent discoveries have uncovered remnants in Ftelia beach from the Neolithic Kares tribe dating back as far as 3000 BC.
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- Saturday - Day 12 - Mykonos to Santorini - (B)
After breakfast you will depart from Mykonos Island on a 2 hour 30 minute ferry to Santorini. Upon arrival you will be met at the ferry port and transferred to your hotel. After check in you will have a free day to relax and explore Santorini. Overnight stay in Santorini
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Santorini is one of those places in the world that will be permanently etched in your mind. Everywhere you turn you will find another photo opportunity. Essentially, the land is the remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, which destroyed the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island. The aftermath of the explosion created what you see today, a caldera. All of the whitewashed, charming houses cling to the high cliffs of the rim, while the deep blue Aegean Sea wraps around the geological masterpiece, hundreds of feet below. Its spectacular physical beauty, along with a dynamic nightlife, have made the island one of the tourist hotspots for Europe.
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- Sunday - Day 13 - Santorini - (B/L)
After breakfast we will take you on a full day tour of Santorini. You will visit Acrotiri, goon a boat trip to the remaining volcano out in the center of the area, visit hot springs, view the ruins of Thirrassia, and wrap up the day watching the romantic sunset from Oia. After sunset, you will be taken back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Santorini.

- Monday - Day 14 - Santorini to Athens then to Cairo - (B)
After breakfast we will provide a transfer to Santorini Airport and put you on a 50 minute flight to Athens. Upon arrival in Athens this tour program ends. After arrival in Athens, you will walk to the international gate and depart from Athens to Cairo.
__ ____________________________________________Greece to Egypt

MARHABAN ! Welcome to Egypt,
We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Cairo on your own. Overnight Cairo.

- Tuesday - Day 15 – Exploring Cairo - (B)
After breakfast we will take you on a guided tour of in Cairo and the sites you will visit
Great pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus: The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering Cairo, and is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that survives substantially intact. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for Fourth dynasty Egyptian King Khufu (Cheops in Greek) and constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC.
Sphinx : is a zoomorphic mythological figure which is depicted as a recumbent lion with a human head. It has its origins in sculpted figures of Old Kingdom Egypt, to which the ancient Greeks applied their own name for a male monster, the "strangler", an archaic figure of Greek mythology.
The Valley Temple : the Valley Temple was built by Chefren with this unique feature of core masonry of limestone dressed by granite facing stones. After the tour we will bring you back to your hotel and you will spend the night in Cairo.

- Wednesday - Day 16 – Exploring Cairo – (B)
After breakfast we will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and continue on the guided tour,
Today you will visit : Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo
Egyptian Museum : The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, known commonly as the Egyptian Museums, in Cairo, Egypt, is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. It has 120,000 items, with a representative amount on display, the remainder in storerooms.
The museum's Royal Mummy Room, containing 27 royal mummies from pharaonic times, was closed on the orders of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. It was reopened, with a slightly curtailed display of New Kingdom kings and queens in 1985. Today there are about 9 mummies displayed. One of them is the newly discovered mummy of Queen Hatshepsut.
After visiting the Museum we will take you to Old Cairo and give you free time to walk and explore,
Old Cairo : Old Cairo contains the remnants of those cities which were capitals before Cairo, such as Fustat, as well as some other elements from the city's varied history. For example, it encompasses Coptic Cairo and its many old churches and ruins of Roman fortifications. Then we will take you to your hotel and you will spend the night in Cairo.

- Thursday - Day 17 - Cairo to Luxor - (B/L)
After breakfast we will provide a transfer to Cairo Airport and put you on a 1 hour flight to Luxor,
After arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your ship, after check in, we then will continue on the guided tour of this region.
Sites you will visit ;
The Valley of the Kings : is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Thebes (modern Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. The wadi consists of two valleys, East Valley (where the majority of the royal tombs situated) and West Valley.
The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut : is situated beneath the cliffs at Deir el Bahari on the west bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Designed by the architect Senemut, the mortuary temple is dedicated to the sun god Amon-Ra and is located next to the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II, which served both as an inspiration, and later, a quarry. It is considered one of the "incomparable monuments of ancient Egypt."
The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For the past 3400 years (since 1350 BC) they have stood in the Theban necropolis, across the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor.
Luxor Temple : is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the River Nile in the city today known as Luxor (ancient Thebes) and was founded in 1400 BC.
After the tour we will provide a transfer to your hotel, then you will have a free evening, Overnight on board.

- Friday - Day 18 - Luxor to Edfu - (On Board ) - (B/D)
In the morning you will have a free time to look around then after lunch time you will depart from Luxor to Edfu, Enjoy relaxing on this comfortable cruise, Overnight on board.

- Saturday - Day 19 - Edfu to Aswan - (B/D)
After breakfast you will visit Horus at Edfu then Temple of Sobek
Edfu is the site of the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus and an ancient settlement, About (3 miles) north of Edfu are remains of ancient pyramids. The structure was built from rough reddish sandstone and rises to a present height of 3.2 m. The pyramid has been loosely attributed to King Huni of the Third Dynasty.
The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic dynasty in the Egyptian town of Kom Ombo. The building is unique because its 'double' design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. After visiting these sites, sailing for Aswan. Overnight on board.

- Sunday - Day 20 - Aswan - (B/D)
After breakfast you will start the exploring Sites in Aswan
Sites you will visit ;
Aswan High Dam , completed in 1970,The aim of these water projects were to regulate river flooding, provide storage of water for agriculture, and later, to generate electricity. The former cataract and the Old Aswan Dam are about (620 mi)
The unfinished obelisk is the largest known ancient obelisk, located in the northern region of the stone quarries of ancient Egypt in Aswan It was ordered by Queen Hatshepsut commemorating her 16th anniversary on the throne. It is nearly one third larger than any ancient Egyptian obelisk ever erected.
Philae is an island in the Nile River and the previous site of an Ancient Egyptian temple complex in southern Egypt. The complex was dismantled and relocated to an nearby island when the building of the Aswan Dam threatened to flood the site.
The you can take a local felluce boat to around the Island. Overnight on Board.

- Monday - Day 21 - Aswan to Cairo then to home - (B/L)
MA AS SALAAMA – Good bye, It is time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Egypt and all of us in your hearts, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life!

Total cost: 2685 Euro per person in a double room & 3285 Euros in a single room.

(( Ask for early booking booking discounts ))

Price includes
* Flight tickets from Istanbul to Izmir
* Flight tickets from Cappadocia to Istanbul
* Flight tickets from Istanbul to Athens
* Flight tickets from Athens to Santorini to Athens then to Cairo
* All of the hotels ( Each of them individually chosen )
* All of the land transfers with comfortable vehicles
* All of the meal mentioned in the itinerary ( B-breakfast, L-lunch & D-dinner )
* Professional English speaking tour guides
* All of the TAX and service charges