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Turkey & Greece Private Tour with Lux Cyclades Sailing
Why You Should Go
Because of her studies of Greek mythology/history in the 4th grade, Greece holds a very special place in Zen’s world of favorite places. The Pantheon, in the ancient district of Plaka, is the most interesting museum of Cycladic Art and is one of many excursions on our agenda which also includes: Marathon, Delphi, Corinth, and Mycenaean (We enthusiastically recommend reading Donald Kagan’s History of the Peloponnesian War– a great preview of your Greek travels.) To conclude Athens/Peloponnese and its nearby environments, we enthusiastically recommend a private yacht cruise through the pristine waters of the Cyclades– picturesque Santorini, Delos, Mykonos, and Crete, all within reach!
A fun supplement to the beautiful and cultural sites of Greece is a visit to Turkey with its impressive historic landmarks. The fulcrum of delicate balance between Europe and Asia, Christianity, secularism and Islam, Istanbul manages to be one of the most beautiful cities on Earth and yet accommodates constant change. Contrasting the wildly young, vibrant, commercial street scene of Istanbul is the Cappadocia region, with its “Fairy Chimney” rock formations, rock houses, rock-cut temples, and underground labyrinths.
Best Travel Time: Spring Summer Fall
*All of our comprehensive private tour itineraries are inclusive of all luxury accommodations, private guide/driver throughout, daily meals as specified, INTERNAL flights/rail /private transfers as needed, & all taxes/service fees.
Sample Itinerary
13-16 Days
Each private luxury tour is custom to the wishes of each client. This itinerary is a sample. Partnering with our long-established relationship with United Airlines, our sister company, TRAVNET, may provide competitive Polaris/Business Class international airfare, along with mileage points conversion.
Day 1
Fly to Athens
Through our sister company, premium air provider TRAVNET, we may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.
Meals: —
Accommodations: —
Day 2
Arrive Athens
Upon arrival in Athens, you will be privately transferred to Hotel Grand Bretagne.
Meals: Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Grande Bretagne
Day 3
Athens Full-Day Private Tour
Begin your day touring the UNESCO world heritage site synonymous with Athens, The Acropolis, dedicated to Athena. Pay a special visit to the Acropolis Museum to learn about this ancient site. Hike to the top of Lycabettus for an unparalleled view before embarking on a walking tour of the trendy Kolonaki district.
Your first full day in Athens ends with a special dinner in a private 19th-century townhouse with views of the Acropolis.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Grande Bretagne
Day 4
Delphi Full-Day Excursion
An early departure to Delphi ensures avoidance of midday tourist crowds. The religious center and sanctuary of Apollo, Delphi’s human-made environment of monuments, temples, and terraces give a picture of the legacy of ancient Greece. With your private guide, you will fully explore all of the monuments this UNESCO World Heritage Site has to offer.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Grande Bretagne
Days 5-7
Three-Night Cyclades Sailing
If there is any way to best explore the Greek Islands, the best way is certainly by private boat. You have the choice of vessel, from a catamaran to a yacht, or a sailboat that can fit up to 21 passengers. Your private captain/skipper will guide you through the Cyclades for four days and your hostess will prepare meals aboard the boat and accompany you on land to various optional stopovers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Madicon Lagoon 450 Catamaran or Blade 6 Yacht
Day 8
Disembark Boat + Fly Mykonos via Athens to Istanbul
Following breakfast aboard the Madicon Lagoon 450, Blade 6, or other luxury vessel of your choosing, you will be transferred from the marina to Mykonos Airport for your flight via Athens to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be welcomed to Turkey (!) and transferred to the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At The Bosphorus for check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At The Bosphorus
Day 9
Full-Day Istanbul Private Tour
Following breakfast at the Four Seasons, you will be met by your private guide and driver for a full-day Istanbul private tour, featuring the amazing Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar! Much of your private touring today is within Istanbul’s historical Sultanahmet Peninsula with the following stopovers: Hippodrome Square, the scene of chariot races and the center of sport and political activities of Constantinople. The only remaining structures are the Egyptian Obelisk and Constantine and Serpentine Columns.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At The Bosphorus
Day 10
Fly Istanbul to Cappadocia
Following breakfast at the Four Seasons, you will be transferred to Isanbul Airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, you will be met by a private driver to be transferred to the luxury Cappadocia Cave Resort.
Late afternoon private touring options include Kaymakli Underground City (one of the most fascinating assets among the cultural heritage of the region!), Zelve Valley, and Pigeons Valley.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa
Day 11
Hot Air Balloon Experience + Full-Day Cappadocia Private Tour
If you do not mind getting up early for sunrise, a 30 minute hot air balloon ride over the iconic rock valley is a Cappadocia can’t-miss. Floating over surreal landscapes of the town of Goreme is especially amazing. This is a panoramic/exhilarating way to see this unique landscape! After returning to Cappadocia Cave Resort for breakfast, you will be met by your private guide and driver for a full-day private tour including Uçhisar Castle and Uçhisar Hill for the best view of Cappadocia, the Göreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex of rock churches and chapels covered with frescoes, and the ancient greek town of Mustafapaşa (Sinassos).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa
Day 11
Fly Cappadocia to Isanbul + Istanbul Private Touring
Following breakfast at Cappadocia Cave Resort, you will be transferred to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istunbul Airport, you will be met by a private driver to be transferred to the now-familiar Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At The Bosphorus.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure with full discretionary access to your private guide and driver for continued Istanbul private touring and shopping.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At The Bosphorus
Day 13
Fly Istanbul to Home
Following breakfast at The Four Seasons Bosphorus, you be privately transferred to Instanbul International Airport for your onward flight home.
Through our sister company, premium air provider TRAVNET, we may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotels
Although we are not big fans of 200+ room hotels, we certainly make an exception for the 5 Star 320-room Hotel Grande Bretagne. With no real peer in Athens, this completely restored luxury property is ideally located in Constitution Square, only a 20-minute walk to the Acropolis. Some of our favorite features here are the rooftop restaurant (striking views of the Acropolis + the best breakfast in Athens!), the full-service spa, heated indoor/outdoor pools (a must for family travel!) and the hotel’s personal, high-touch attention to detail. Many of the suites have private balconies, with all the rooms including original local artwork and antiques. The GB is truly the crown jewel of luxury hotels in Athens.
Hotel Grande Bretagne
View More InfoAlthough we are not big fans of 200+ room hotels, we certainly make an exception for the 5 Star 320-room Hotel Grande Bretagne. With no real peer in Athens, this completely restored luxury property is ideally located in Constitution Square, only a 20-minute walk to the Acropolis. Some of our favorite features here are the rooftop restaurant (striking views of the Acropolis + the best breakfast in Athens!), the full-service spa, heated indoor/outdoor pools (a must for family travel!) and the hotel’s personal, high-touch attention to detail. Many of the suites have private balconies, with all the rooms including original local artwork and antiques. The GB is truly the crown jewel of luxury hotels in Athens.
Built at Belleville-sur-Vie and launched at Les Sables-d’Olonne in France, the Lagoon catamarans are developed with skilled craftsmanship and a nautical attention to detail.
As one of the 6,000 catamarans produced by this prestigious boat manufacturer, the impressive, 45-foot Madicon Lagooon 450 catamaran is a the ultimate way to sail throughout the Cyclades. The catamaran design offers a steady voyage through waters with two hulls that help stabilize the vessel even on the rockiest of waves.
The Lagoon 450 is just one of the many vessels designed and made by Lagoon-Bénéteau, based in Bordeaux. The Madicon can comfortably accommodate up to six guests in three spacious guest cabins designed with modern furnishings, including private ensuite bathrooms with walk-in showers, a full kitchen, and lounge area.
Madicon Lagoon 450 Catamaran
View More InfoBuilt at Belleville-sur-Vie and launched at Les Sables-d’Olonne in France, the Lagoon catamarans are developed with skilled craftsmanship and a nautical attention to detail.
As one of the 6,000 catamarans produced by this prestigious boat manufacturer, the impressive, 45-foot Madicon Lagooon 450 catamaran is a the ultimate way to sail throughout the Cyclades. The catamaran design offers a steady voyage through waters with two hulls that help stabilize the vessel even on the rockiest of waves.
The Lagoon 450 is just one of the many vessels designed and made by Lagoon-Bénéteau, based in Bordeaux. The Madicon can comfortably accommodate up to six guests in three spacious guest cabins designed with modern furnishings, including private ensuite bathrooms with walk-in showers, a full kitchen, and lounge area.
Offering 175 rooms, the Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus is a sprawling stand-alone luxury resort saddled along the banks of the Bosphorus. Though it is sleek, contemporary, and equipped with all luxury amenities and facilities, we appreciate that this property has a unique 19th-century sensibility and interior. We love the amazing Bosphorus views to the Asia side of Istanbul from the breakfast terrace. A private hammam at the spa is a special treat and the kids love the pool overlooking the Bosphorus. We feel it is not an overstatement to proclaim the Four Seasons Bosphorus as the top luxury hotel in all of Istanbul.
Four Seasons Istanbul Hotel at the Bosphorus
View More InfoOffering 175 rooms, the Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus is a sprawling stand-alone luxury resort saddled along the banks of the Bosphorus. Though it is sleek, contemporary, and equipped with all luxury amenities and facilities, we appreciate that this property has a unique 19th-century sensibility and interior. We love the amazing Bosphorus views to the Asia side of Istanbul from the breakfast terrace. A private hammam at the spa is a special treat and the kids love the pool overlooking the Bosphorus. We feel it is not an overstatement to proclaim the Four Seasons Bosphorus as the top luxury hotel in all of Istanbul.
When first approaching this 121-room property, we were awed by its brilliantly glowing massive stone structure at night – quite unique and impressive! Situated over the beautiful Red Valley, the 5-star Cappadocia Cave Resort not only looks unique from the outside but is quite original on the inside as well. Each room is rock-cut or sleeps guests in millenary caves, bringing the spirit of ancient settlements back to life (!), and has a balcony or terrace, offering panoramic views, along with ornate interior furnishings, including decorated rugs and locally crafted ceramics. Modern amenities are not spared with flat screen TV’s provided. Cappadocia Cave Resort is family-friendly with an outdoor pool and, we feel, the best spa in the region. The Leela Spa and Turkish baths are a nice respite from the family urchins! Gastronomy is of no shortage, with the Padishah Restaurant serving Turkish, Italian, French, and Eastern dishes, and featuring some of our favorite Cappadocia views. Please be warned that the interior lighting is not very bright, almost candle-light level.
Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa
View More InfoWhen first approaching this 121-room property, we were awed by its brilliantly glowing massive stone structure at night – quite unique and impressive! Situated over the beautiful Red Valley, the 5-star Cappadocia Cave Resort not only looks unique from the outside but is quite original on the inside as well. Each room is rock-cut or sleeps guests in millenary caves, bringing the spirit of ancient settlements back to life (!), and has a balcony or terrace, offering panoramic views, along with ornate interior furnishings, including decorated rugs and locally crafted ceramics. Modern amenities are not spared with flat screen TV’s provided. Cappadocia Cave Resort is family-friendly with an outdoor pool and, we feel, the best spa in the region. The Leela Spa and Turkish baths are a nice respite from the family urchins! Gastronomy is of no shortage, with the Padishah Restaurant serving Turkish, Italian, French, and Eastern dishes, and featuring some of our favorite Cappadocia views. Please be warned that the interior lighting is not very bright, almost candle-light level.
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Overview
Temperature
Highs: Mid 90’s
Lows: Low 40’s
Area
377.864 SQ KM
145.894 SQ MILES
Capital
Athens
Population
10.6 Million
Language
Greek
Currency
Euro
Temperature
Highs: Mid 90’s
Lows: Low 20’s
Area
783,562 SQ KM
302,535 SQ MILES
Capital
Ankara
Population
85 Million
Language
Turkish
Currency
Turkish lira
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