Treasures of Turkey and Greece

An Epic Journey with Portland’s All Classical FM
Air – Sea – Land
May 12 – 25, 2012

“A cup of coffee commits one to forty years of friendship.”

- Turkish Proverb -

 

Only a few space’s available, call today to secure your reservation!

 

Enjoy the ultimate treasure hunt with your fellow All Classical guests and join hosts from All Classical, Robert McBride, Senior Announcer, and Mary Evjen, Director of Communications, on an adventure that promises to be filled with mouth-watering Turkish and Greek specialties, sun-drenched beaches and romantic ruins. Visit Turkey’s historic sites, sleep among the blue domes of Santorini, sail in the Cyclades and experience the exotic sites and landscapes of ancient Turkey. Hear the call to prayer echoing across the Ottoman city of Istanbul, walk through Mosques with stunning mosaics and enjoy a stroll through colorful bazaars. Don’t miss out on this life-changing expedition with All Classical!

 

JOURNEY OVERVIEW

1 Overnight flight to Europe
3 Nights historic Istanbul
2 Nights Kusadasi/Ephesus, Turkey
2 Nights Isle of Mykonos
3 Nights Isle of Santorini
2 Nights Ancient Athens
2 Nights Post tour extension to Mycenae, Corinth and Delphi

 

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

TURKEY: Ancient city of Ephesus * Istanbul’s Spice Markets * Blue Mosque * Aya Sofya Mosque * Topkapi & Beylerbeyi Palaces of the Sultans * Cruise on the Bosphorus * Lecture on history of Islam * The Whirling Dervishes

GREECE:  Parthenon & Acropolis * Plaka district markets * The sun-soaked isles of Santorini, Mykonos, Delos and Samos * Afternoon sail on the Aegean Sea * Wine tastings with the producers * Opportunities for independent walks/hikes

 

IT’S INCLUDED

• All Classical hosts Robert McBride and Mary Evjen
• Fully guided by an Earthbound Expeditions program director
• Accommodations in charming, centrally located four-star hotels
• All breakfasts, seven lunches and seven multi-course dinners
• Private transport by air-conditioned motor coach
• Ferry tickets and transport between Turkey and the Greek islands
• Museum entrances as listed in your All Classical itinerary
• An afternoon sail on the Aegean Sea
• A Whirling Dervish performance, chamber music concert and a private mandolin performance
• An evening of mandolin music in Greece
• A special lecture on the history of Islam
• An optional Greek cooking class
• Gratuities for your guides and drivers
• Roundtrip air from Portland plus domestic flights in Turkey and Greece (does not include air taxes, surcharges and baggage fees)
• Pre-tour informational gathering 

 

TRIP FACTS

13 Nights/14 days (including air travel)
$3,775 Land pp in a double room (based on 24-29 travelers)
$4,950 Land & Air from Portland (based on 24-29 travelers)
$795 Single Supplement (waived if a rooming partner is found)
Departing Portland on the morning May 12, 2012 on Delta Airlines
Journey begins in Istanbul at noon on May 13
Journey ends in Athens/Portland on May 25
Post tour ends in Athens/Portland on May 27
 

 

WAYS TO SAVE!

Pay by check: Pay your final balance by check or money order and save $75 per person.

Alumni Discounts: All alumni of Earthbound Expeditions will receive $100 off the published journey price. If Earthbound Expeditions has other discounts available, participants may choose the greatest available discount.

Refer a Friend: Refer a friend and save an additional $75 for each person new to Earthbound who travels with you on an Earthbound Expedition. “Refer a Friend” discounts may be combined with other discounts.

 

---

 

 

LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN…

 

DAY 1: May 12
Depart USA for Istanbul, Turkey

 

DAY 2: May 13
Arrive in Istanbul
Founded on two continents, Istanbul is the only city to have been the capital of both the Christian and Islamic empires. Upon arrival, we check into our centrally located hotel. This afternoon we visit the colorful Spice Bazaar and have a walking tour and city orientation. Enjoy a traditional Turkish feast at a nearby local restaurant tonight with your All Classical hosts and Earthbound Expeditions guide. Sleep in Istanbul

 

DAY 3
Explore Ancient Istanbul
After breakfast we’ll set out to discover Istanbul’s most historic sights. With our knowledgeable local guide we visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome area. After a typical Turkish lunch, we continue our tour with a visit to the Aya Sofya mosque, built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century and considered Christendom’s greatest church. Your late afternoon is free to wonder through Istanbul’s charming streets or enjoy the world famous Turkish baths.

Tonight we’ll dine outside in the charming Kumkapi neighborhood known for its fine fish restaurants. Sleep in Istanbul

 

DAY 4
Colorful Bazaars, Bosphorus Cruise & Whirling Dervishes
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is Turkey’s largest covered market and offers excellent shopping, including beautiful Turkish carpets, glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brassware, apparel made of leather, cotton and wool, alabaster bookends and ashtrays, and a myriad of other items, all perfect for souvenirs and gifts. Spend the morning wandering through the labyrinth of spice stalls before meeting your guide for lunch. 

After lunch, embark on a spectacular cruise along the Bosphorus Sea. Also known as the Istanbul Strait, this is the boundary between Europe and Asia. Don’t forget your camera, for the perspective from the sea lends itself to outstanding views of the city. 

After the cruise, we’ll dine together, then see a special performance of the Whirling Dervishes. Sleep in Istanbul

 

DAY 5
South to Ancient Ephesus & the Turkish Riviera
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Izmir. This city is the birthplace of Homer, the Greek poet who wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey.

Upon arrival we drive south to Kusadasi. After an included multi-course lunch, enjoy a tour of Bodrum’s fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Sleep in Bodrum/Kusadasi 

 

DAY 6
Ancient Ephesus
After breakfast we set out to tour the astonishing ruins and museum of ancient Ephesus. This archeological sight is perhaps the best-preserved Greco-Roman City in the entire Mediterranean. Legend tells us that this is where Mary, mother of Christ, is buried and where Saint Paul preached. After our in-depth tour, we drive inland for an excursion to a nearby village where you have plenty of time to rub elbows with the locals and visit the bustling market. Sleep in Bodrum/Kusadasi

 

DAY 7
Cruise to the Greek Isles
This morning we depart Turkey in search of the serenity of the Greek isles. By ferry boat, we’ll cruise the blue waters from Turkey to the glamorous sun-drenched island of Mykonos. Boasting one of the prettiest and most solicitously preserved towns in the Cyclades, Mykonos is a great place to unwind, and is a wonderful base from which to explore the historic island of Delos.  Sleep in Mykonos

 

DAY 8
Mykonos & Excursion to the Island of Delos
In the morning, you’ll take a short boat trip to nearby Delos. This sacred island was amongst the three most important religious centers of ancient Greece. Athens considered Delos and its god Apollo so important that in 5th century BCE, it was decreed that no one could be born or die on its sacred soil. Upon your return to Mykonos, stroll through flower bedecked alleyways, take in the countless whitewashed houses and walk up to the famous windmills of Mykonos. Sleep in Mykonos

  

DAY 9
Santorini, or the Mythical Isle of Atlantis
Our exploration of the Greek Cyclades continues today with a boat trip to the picturesque island of Santorini. Note: depending upon the ferry schedule, a stop may be made at the Island of Naxos, allowing ample time for a leisurely lunch before re-boarding the ferry to Santorini. 

It’s a spectacular approach to Santorini as the ship enters a vast, almost landlocked circle. On the upper rim cling the whitewashed, blue-domed buildings of Thìra, the island’s capital village, from which you’ll enjoy splendid views of the port below. Some believe Santorini to be the legendary Atlantis. In 1,500 BCE the Island exploded in a powerful volcanic eruption, creating the now existing Caldera. Enjoy an included group dinner this evening. Sleep in Santorini

 

DAY 10
Stunning Villages & Volcanic Beaches
Get into the rhythm of island life and sift your way through the whitewashed village of Santorini or make your way to one of the many beaches where you can partake in the ancient Greek ritual of sun bathing (in black, red or white sand). There are plenty of beaches to choose from!  

While on Santorini we’ll of course take a scenic drive to visit Oia, located on the island’s northernmost peninsula. Famous for its blue domes, Oia is perhaps the most stunning and photographed village in all of Greece. The more adventurous among you might wish to make their way to Oia via a dramatic seaside-hiking trail. Sleep in Santorini

 

DAY 11
Private Wine Tasting & Lost Civilizations
Today we visit a local winery where we learn how the nectar of the Gods is produced. After our tour, we head to the Archaeological Museum of Fira, which houses artifacts from the site of Akrotiri. (Note: if the site of Akrotiri reopens, a visit to the ruins will be substituted for the museum.) Sleep in Santorini

 

DAY 12
Ancient Treasures: The National Museum of Antiquity
Enjoy breakfast and then fly to the city of Aristotle and Socrates. Athens, the birthplace of Western Civilization, is one of the most culturally rich cities on earth. Upon arrival we’ll have lunch, then tour Greece’s finest archeology museum. The afternoon is free to explore the famous Plaka. A “Welcome to Athens” feast is planned in a local taverna. Sleep in Athens

  

DAY 13
Romantic Ruins: The Legendary Acropolis & Parthenon
The Acropolis was the political and religious center of the ancient Greek world. The Temple of Athena (better known as the Parthenon) proudly crowns the Acropolis. Today we visit the Parthenon and Temple of Nike to see how development of western civilization was unthinkable without the contributions of the Greeks. After a delicious lunch in a local taverna, our hunt for ancient treasure continues with an excursion to the National Archeological Museum of Greece. There your guide will escort you through endless rooms, all bursting with powerful bronze and beautifully carved marble statues and priceless artifacts. This evening enjoy a farewell feast with your All Classical hosts Robert and Mary, and toast to a memorable journey. Sleep in Athens

 

DAY 14: May 25
Journey Ends After Breakfast
Return home with a lifetime of memories, OR spend two additional days exploring the Greek mainland with your fellow All Classical travelers. 

 

---

 

POST TOUR
Ancient Corinth, Mycenae and the ancient theater of Epidaurus

 

POST TOUR TRIP FACTS

2 Nights/3 Days
$595 PP double occupancy
$95 Single Supplement

 

IT’S INCLUDED

Excursions and entrances to Delphi, Corinth and Mycenae, breakfast daily, plus two multi-course lunches and hotel accommodations.

 

DID YOU KNOW…
New studies have found that hydrocarbon gases mixed naturally with spring water and ethylene in Delphi could cause hallucinations. “Ethylene inhalation is a serious contender for explaining the trance-like strange behavior of the priestess at Apollo’s oracle in Delphi,” says Diane Harris-Cline, a classics professor at George Washington University. “If a Priestess went to the chamber once a month, as tradition says, she could have been exposed to concentrations of the narcotic gas that were strong enough to induce a trance-like state.” 

 

DAY 14
Ancient Delphi
Today we visit the impressive classical site at Delphi. Delphi is the only ancient site that combines a unique wealth of monuments from all over the country with the natural beauty of the landscape. Tucked right under the cliffs, Delphi is one of the places many travelers find most memorable. The steep climb is rewarded with spectacular vistas and incomparable treasures. Lunch included today. Sleep in Athens

 

DAY 15
The Corinth Canal and Ancient Mycenae
This morning we cross the Corinth Canal and stop to tour Corinth, the ancient capital of Greece. Occupied by the Romans in the 146BCE, the city under Roman domination became the Imperial capital of Greece. What remains, despite powerful earthquakes, is the most complete Greco-Roman town plan. Note: Corinth once had the well-deserved reputation for luxury and vice, which predictably exorcised Saint Paul when he arrived in AD 52 for an 18-month sojourn. 

Enjoy lunch, then tour the Greek settlement of Mycenae. The archaeological site of ancient Mycenae is one of the most impressive of the late Bronze Age. It is the site of the kingdom of the mythical king Agamemnon (who gifted the famous Trojan Horse to the city of Troy). Mycenae was an influential center of the ancient world. For centuries it had the military might to dominate much of southern Greece and the Aegean. Due to its great wealth and power, there have been Mycenaean artifacts found as far away as Sicily and Egypt. Homer’s epic poems spread the Mycenaean reputation throughout the Greek world. This site has been excavated several times, beginning after the war of independence, thus uncovering valuable artifacts and information about the Mycenaean civilization.

 Return to Athens in the late afternoon. Sleep in Athens

  

DAY 16
Post-Tour Extension Ends
After breakfast, transfer to Athens Airport and return home with a lifetime of memories!

 

 

---

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW…

Deposit and payment schedule: A $500 deposit per person is required to reserve your journey. A separate deposit of $200 may be requested for the air portion of your journey. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for the refund policy. 

Not Included: Airline surcharges, taxes, and baggage fees. Alcoholic beverages with meals, meals not mentioned, room/mini-bar service, gratuities for hotel staff, travel insurance, items of a personal nature and activities not listed. 

Pricing: In the event that there are fewer then the minimum participants listed in your itinerary, a small group comfort charge will be added to the price of the journey to ensure that the trip departs as scheduled. Former guests have greatly appreciated the benefits of traveling with a smaller group. Earthbound staff or station hosts are not included in the number of tour participants. Please refer to the detailed itinerary for pricing information specific to each journey.

Currency Fluctuations: The exchange rate on which the trip is based is listed on the itinerary under “Trip Facts” and was obtained through www.xe.com. Although no changes in the price of the trip are expected, Earthbound reserves the right to add a currency supplement or offer a refund due to unexpected currency fluctuations of plus or minus 5%. Seventy-five days prior to departure, rates will be reviewed and, if necessary, updated. Fluctuations greater then 5% will be noted in the final balance letter and invoice. Example: If the dollar falls against the Euro at a rate of 7%, a 2% surcharge will be added. In this case, Earthbound will absorb the initial 5% loss in the dollar. If the dollar gains against the Euro by 7%, a 2% reduction in price will be offered. NOTE: This policy pertains to eurozone countries (Russia, Western and Eastern Europe) only. 

Dress: In general, our guests feel most comfortable when dressed in a “casually smart” (not formal) way. We are often asked about jeans, and Europeans of all ages do indeed wear them. None of the places we visit or dine require that women wear dresses or that men wear suit jackets or ties or any other special clothing. You’ll dine in casually elegant bistros that are not at all stuffy.

 

 

-ITINERARY DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE -

 

 

Make Your Reservation