Greek Easter Tour. Personally escorted Spring Tour in Greece and Turkey - Sightseeing, Hiking & Fun!

See our May 13-29 2007 Greece/Turkey Escorted Tour.

April 18 - May 3, 2006. Greek Easter is the most important celebration in the Greek calender and we'll be there to take part in all the festivities.

Spring is the most desirable season of the year in both Greece and Turkey and we are taking advantage of perfect weather, beautiful locales and many friends who await our arrival and will make our visit special.

 

On Friday we'll be in Rhodes for the Good Friday procession through the winding streets of the Medieval City.

On Saturday night we’ll take part in the traditional Greek Easter service at a lovely church on the small island of Symi, followed by a 2:00am breaking of the Easter fast meal.

Sunday finds us joining villagers and other visitors for the pascal lamb at Georgio’s Taverna, high in Symi’s upper town, complete with a little ouzo and Georgio’s own charm. Wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t a little dancing!

We’ll hike on the islands of Symi and Samos, where spring flowers and wild herbs scent the paths, and visit the Turkish coast for the ruins of Ephesus, a hike in the countryside, a Turkish bath and great shopping.

This is not a sit on the tour bus, look out the window sort of journey, but an active visit to the best the eastern Mediterranean has to offer.

GREEK EASTER AND TURKISH DELIGHTS

TRIP DESCRIPTION:

This escorted tour offers a personalized visit to some of the best of Greece and Turkey. Whenever possible we will be on foot, from hiking in Symi and and Samos to walking in the old Medevial City of Rhodes. We use flights, boats and vehicles only when necessary, so prepare to be active! Tour is based on maximum of 16 participants.

This trip involves 6 - 7 days of moderate to strenuous hiking over rugged mountain paths. Participants who plan to hike should be in good physical condition. All hikes are optional, however, and non hikers will find plenty of other activities to fill their days.

TRIP INCLUDES:

• All transportation within and between Greece and Turkey
• All lodging, dbl occup. private bath
• Meals, sightseeing, hiking as per itinerary
• Shirley Smith as tour leader and local guides or hiking leaders where appropriate

NOT INCLUDED:

• Turkish Visa
• Tips and Gratuities for guides and driver
• Items of a personal nature

GREEK EASTER AND TURKISH DELIGHTS

DATES: APRIL 18 - MAY 3, 2006

Tue Apr18    U.S - GREECE

Depart U.S. for Greece We do not block airspace so encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to make air arrangements. Delta and Olympic are the preferred carriers as they arrive in Athens in the morning and depart at noon allowing for the morning connection to Samos on April 21.

Wed Apr 19 Arrive ATHENS

Athens, Greece's bustling capital and the home of the first modern day Olympics, as well as the 2004 Summer Olympics welcomes you.

Spend some time wandering in the Plaka this afernoon and in the evening we'll meet in the hotel bar for a chance to get acquainted and try the Greek specialities of Ouzo and local wine before heading for a local taverna with some of my Greek friends for our first taste of typical Greek cuisine.

Meals included: dinner

Thu Apr 20   ATHENS

We'll rise early, have breakfast at the hotel and then walk a few short blocks to the Acropolis for a private tour.

 

 

Wander down to the Plaka for lunch, inspect the pig heads and fresh fish in the local market, wend your way to the famous Archaeological Museum or shop in the Plaka. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the sights and sounds of this ancient city.

Dinner on your own in one of many nearby tavernas.

Meals included: breakfast

 

Fri Apr 21   ATHENS - RHODES

An early departure takes us to the airport for our flight to Rhodes.

We'll have the whole day to roam the cobbled streets of the medieval city of Rhodes, walk to the remains of the ancient city on Monte Smith, shop or simply relax in the garden.

This evening we join in (or watch, if you'd prefer) the Holy Friday procession as it wends its candle-lit way through narrow, arched streets.

Meals included: breakfast

Sat Apr 22    RHODES - SYMI

After a hearty breakfast, on the rooftop overlooking the old city and the sea, (weather permitting) we board our 9:00am ferry or catamaran for the hour and a half journey to tiny Symi, Shirley's second home.

We'll arrive at Symi's dramatic harbor mid morning, leave our bags at the hotel, and after enjoying lunch at the locals' favorite taverna, set out for a long walk overlooking the bluest waters imaginable.

 

 

In the evening we'll board "local" Symi transportation and head either to Michalis Roukniotism the domed monastery high in the hills, or the larger monastery of Panormitis across the island on the sea or we may opt to attend Easter services in a local village church. In any case we will share in the traditional Greek Easter celebration.

Midnight services with the priest, village cantors and local celebrants will be followed by the breaking of the Easter fast with the traditional Easter soup and roast lamb either in the refectory of the monastery or in a local restaurant.

If we journey to Panormitis, we will spend the night at the Monastery. Services at Roukiniotis will mean a return to Symi town and our charming hotel on the harborfront.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and midnight supper.

 

Sun Apr 23 - Symi

A really "Greek" day as we enjoy the traditional roasted lamb, either on a nearby beach or at Georgio's Taverna in the upper town, where Georgio will provide music and his own brand of Greek charm,

Our return to Symi harbor gets us there in time to witness a very special ceremony celebrated on only a handful of islands. A splendid day.

Meals included: breakfast and midday roast lamb feast.

 

Mon/Tue/Wed/Thur - Apr 24,25,26,27 Symi

Day hikes with my friend and local hiking guide, Hugo, take us from one end of this beguiling island to the other.

Spring flowers and fragrant herbs line the paths, goat bells tinkle in the mountain silence and the blue sea beckons at the end of the trail.

On at least one day we'll be met by a local boat with a fresh bar-b-que on the beach. Other days we'll return on foot. All hikes are optional, of course, and you may choose to do any number of other things instead.

Shopping is always a treat in Greece and silver and gold are good buys. You will enjoy meeting my friends George and Michael in the beautiful harborfront jewelry showcase Chouchi, or visit George's wife Ann's silver shop around the corner. Not looking for jewelry? The many shops along the quay provide all manner of other souveniers.

On Wed. afternoon we'll say a sad farewell to beautiful Symi and return for a lst night in the "big city" of Rhodes. Perhpas dinner tonight at Mama Sofia's.

Meals included: Daily breakfast, 2 lunches, plus a special Symi dinner at a local taverna.

Note: Hikes are over rugged mountain terrain, often on goat tracks or small uneven paths. Good hjking shoes are a must and hiking sticks a good idea. Hikes can be considered moderate to strenuous.

 

Fri Apr 28   RHODES - KUSADASI

Whew, two hours and a world away as we go by hydrofoil or ferry from Rhodes to the Turkish port town of Marmaris.

The yacht-filled harbor, frosted by a medieval castle, welcomes us to this new and intriguing land. After clearing customs we'll head up the coast to bustling Kusadasi, stopping for lunch enroute, for a 3 night stay.

Meals included: breakfast

Fri Apr 29     KUSADASI/EPHESUS

Time for a splendid breakfast overlooking the sea before we make our way to the most dramatic of all ruins, the ancient city of Ephesus.

We'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, and the ancient city itself. We are hosted for lunch in my friend's beautiful carpet showroom and training facility where we will be treated to the best in traditional Turkish cuisine and carpets from every part of the country. (Carpets and gold are great buys in Turkey).

This evening we will enjoy dinner at a typical country restaurant, joined by our Turkish friends.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Sat Apr 30     KUSADASI -SIRENCE

This morning we will spend hiking above, and visiting in, the small traditional village of Sirince. Here we'll walk through flowering fields and have a chance to enjoy tea in a private home.

Plenty of time this afternoon for shopping (gold, carpets, leather are all great bargains) and Turkish baths. Men will want to experience a shave in a Turkish barbershop.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Mon May 1   KUSADASI - SAMOS

An early morning ferry deposits us on the Greek island of Samos. Large, hilly and green, Samos is a wonderful contrast to rocky, loveable Symi.

We’ll transfer to our little hotel in the village of Pythagorian, leave our bags and head for a seaside taverna for lunch. This afternoon we’ll hike into the hills behind the town for beautiful views and a bit of ancient history.

Meals included: breakfast

Tue May 2 SAMOS

Today a final hike on Samos as we head into the flower filled hills on the other side of the island. Walk through villages and vineyards, by farmsteads and forested streams and everywhere the scent of Spring is in the air.

Time to relax this afternoon before our final dinner together at a traditional local taverna.

Meals included: Breakfast and farewell dinner.

Wed May 3   SAMOS - ATHENS - US

An early morning flight takes us to Athens where we change planes and begin the journey home. How did the days pass so quickly?

 

Note: We will be happy to extend your stay with visits to other parts of Greece and the Greek Islands.

GREEK EASTER AND TURKISH DELIGHTS

$2950 dbl occupancy - plus airfare

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
There will be a limited number of single rooms available and we will be happy to try and match you with a roommate, if you'd like. Single supplement (if available) $500.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS:
Tour price is based on8 - 16 participants. There will be a $100 supplement if group is smaller.

BOOKING/DEPOSITS:
Call our office for availability. We will hold a space for 10 days. At that time a $300 deposit , by check, is due to confirm your participation. Upon receipt of your deposit we will send trip information and booking sheet.

FINAL PAYMENT/LATE BOOKING/METHOD OF PAYMENT:
Final payment is due 45 days before departure (Mar 4, 2006) In the event of bookings within 45 days, final payment is due at time of reservation. For late bookings we reserve the right to pass on any costs incurred to confirm your space with our overseas operators.

NOTE: PRICE ABOVE IS A CASH DISCOUNT PRICE. CREDIT CARDS MAY BE USED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 3%.

CANCELLATIONS:
We realize there are times when a cancellation is unavoidable. In that case the following conditions apply. You may always use your deposit toward another trip.

Up to 90 days prior to trip	$100.00
89 - 60 days	$200.00
59 - 30 days	$300.00
under 30 days no refund unless space resold

NOTE:
We reserve the right to make changes in the itinerary, based upon conditions at time of travel. Any such changes would be made to improve the quality and experience of the journey!

Please fill out and email our Reservation Form
Choose"Great Greece Turkey Adventure" as one of your tour requests.

e-mail: travel@Greece-Travel-Turkey-Travel.com

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