Aegean Traditions 2012
Hosted by Father Stephen & Mrs Sue Williams
St Augustine’s Anglican Parish, Merewether, NSW
Day 1 Fri 01 Jun
Sydney / Singapore / Istanbul
SYDNEY DEP: 1750 SQ242 Singapore Airlines
SINGAPORE ARR: 0010
DEP: 0150 SQ490 Singapore Airliens
Day2 Sat 02 Jun
Istanbul ARR: 0745
Upon arrival in Istanbul we shall be met at the airport and transferred to our city hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free – you may decide on an optional cruise of the Bosphorus. Lunch and Dinner today at the hotel. (L,D)
Day 3 Sun 03 Jun
Istanbul
Today we plan to attend Eucharist at at Christ Church and afterwards visit the Church of St. Saviour in Chora, originally part of a Byzantine Monastery and boasting some of the most beautiful mosaics and frescoes depicting the story of the Virgin Mary. We then visit the Spice Market and have lunch at a local Hamdi restaurant. After lunch we visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Underground Cisterns before returning to the hotel for dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Mon 04 Jun
Istanbul
A full day of sightseeing is planned including visits to the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and the impressive Topkapi Palace. Lunch is at Konyali Restaurant in the Palace grounds. Afterwards we continue St Sophia, constructed in 532 as a basilica by the Emperor Justinian, and then to the Grand Bazaar, the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops. An optional Istanbul by Night tour, including dinner, will be offered this evening. (B,L)
Day 5 Tue 05 Jun
Istanbul / Gallipoli / Canakkale
Travel south this morning, along the peninsula. After lunch we arrive at Gallipoli where we spend time visiting the sites, including the War Museum at Kabatepe, North Beach, Anzac Cove, Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Continue on to Canakkale for overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Wed 06 Jun
Canakkale / Pergamon / Izmir
We proceed this morning to Pergamon and visit the Acropolis which has the steepest theatre of the ancient world, the ruins of the Temple of Trojan and the Library. After lunch we continue to the Asklepion, the ancient healing centre, and alto the remains of the Red Basilica, which was one of the seven Churches of the Revelation. Continue on to Izmir for overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Thu 07 Jun
Izmir / Ephesus / Izmir
Drive to Ephesus this morning visiting the shrine of the Virgin Mary en route. After exploring the site of Ephesus we shall have lunch and then continue to the Archaeological Museum and St John’s Basilica. (If we are permitted to have a Eucharist at Virgin Mary House we may not have time to include the Archaeological Museum.) Return to Izmir for overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Fri 08 Jun
Izmir / Priene / Miletus / Bodrum / Marmaris
Drive to Marmaris, Turey’s famous resort centre. Enroute visit Priene, a great Hellenistic city with its beautiful hillside setting. Then to Miletus, the first Greek colony in Asia Minor, and finally to Bodrum where we visit the Castle of St Peter, begun in 1406 by the Knights of St John. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Sat 09 Jun
Marmaris
A day at leisure in this pretty port city. Time to shop in the Bazaar, or laze beside the pool. We will offer an optional half-day tour to the amazing cliff-side tombs at Dalyan,
including a river cruise. (B,D)
Day 10 Sun 10 Jun
Marmaris / Istanbul
After breakfast we drive to Dalaman airport for the return flight to Istanbul in time for embarkation on MV CRISTAL. Ship sails in the late afternoon. (B,D)
Day 11 Mon 11 Jun
Sailing – visit to Mykonos
Ship will arrive at the port of Mykonos in mid afternoon. Time to go ashore and explore the exciting little township before the ship sails at midnight. (B,L,D)
Day 12 Tue 12 Jun
Sailing – visit to Patmos and Kusadasi
The ship will arrive in Patmos, site of St John’s exile, early this morning. We have arranged for a private shore excursion to St John’s Monastery and the Grotto of the Apocalypse. We sail at 10.30 for the Turkish resort city of Kusadasi. Time to go ashore and explore before we sail on in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 13 Wed 13 Jun
Sailing – visit to Rhodes
We arrive in Rhodes harbour early this morning and a private shore excursion has been arranged to show us the sights of the island including the Old City, constructed by the Knights of St John in the 13th century and the delightful village of Lindos with its impressive acropolis overlooking the Bay of St Paul. Ship sails early evening. (B,D)
Day 14 Thu 14 Jun
Sailing – visit to Heraklion and Santorini
This morning we drop anchor at Agios Nikolaos, port of Crete. The ship will offer optional shore excursions to Heraklion and the ancient ruins of Knossos. We set sail at midday for the short cruise to Santorini. We shall be moored here for about four hours – ample time to ride a donkey (or take the funicular) up the steep cliff-face to the town of Thira perched on top. With luck we may get to see the sunset for which the island is world-famous. (B,L,D)
Day 15 Fri 15 Jun
Piraeus / Kalambaka
We arrive at Piraeus, the port of Athens, very early this morning. We meet our coach and travel north to Kalambaka. Time permitting, we may be able to visit an icon factory en route. (B,D)
Day 16 Sat 16 Jun
Meteora / Delphi
A treat is in store this morning as we visit two of the monasteries perched on top of the monolithic rocks of Meteora. We then travel via the central plains to Delphi. (B,D)
Day 17 Sun 17 Jun
Delphi / Olympia
This morning we visit the ancient site of Delphi and afterwards we continue our journey and cross the strait of Patras and travel on to Olympia, site of the ancient Olympic Games. Overnight in the delightful town of Olympia (B,D)
Day 18 Mon 18 Jun
Olympia / Athens
This morning we visit the site of Olympia and then continue our drive across the Peloponnese, cross the Corinth Canal and arrive in Athens. This evening is free. (B,D)
Day 19 Tue 19 Jun
Athens
City sightseeing this morning including the city centre, Olympic stadium and we then visit the Acropolis. We shall also be able to visit the new Archaeological Museum. A visit to St Paul’s Church Athens is planned at midday. Afternoon is free. (B)
Day 20 Wed 20 Jun
Athens
Today has been left free. Athens has a wealth of sights to intrigue the visitor, or you may prefer to relax at a sidewalk café in Plaka and watch the Athenians (and tourists) go about their daily business. The ever popular one-day cruise (including lunch) to the islands of Aegina, Hydra and Poros will also be offered today as an optional tour. (B)
Day 21 Thu 21 Jun
Athens
Another free day to enjoy the wonders of Athens. . For those interested, we will offer an optional sightseeing tour to Epidaurus and Mycenae (including lunch), both
fascinating archaeological sites, situated on the Peloponnese. This evening we shall all join up for a farewell dinner at a typical Greek taverna in Plaka. (B,D
Day 22 Fri 22 Jun
The morning is free before we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Australia. (B)
ATHENS DEP: 1315 SQ 397 Singapore Airlines
DAY 23 Sat 23 Jun
SINGAPORE ARR: 0510
DEP: 0700 SQ241 Singapore Airlines
SYDNEY ARR: 1630
Tour Cost: Land/Cruise Only: AUD 6850 (share twin throughout)
Land/Cruise/International airfares: AUD 8750 (share twin throughout)
PLEASE NOTE: These prices have been calculated on projected costs for 2012 and are based on expected currency conversion rates. We expect to be able to confirm these costs late in 2011.
Inclusions:
- Accommodation – hotels are mainly locally graded 4/5* with private facilities. (Tour based on share twin accommodation. Ship accommodation is in inside twin-bedded cabins – Category IC Superior Inside.) Supplement is payable for passengers requiring single rooms on land or on the cruise.
- Meals – breakfasts (Continental) throughout. Additional meals will be provided as detailed above: L = Lunch, D = Dinner. All meals are provided on the cruise component – except when passengers choose to go ashore and not return at meal times.
- Entrances – we have arranged for pre-payment of entrances as follows: Turkey – Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, S.Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Underground Cisterns, Gallipoli sites; Pergamum, Asklepion, Ephesus, Green Mosque, Yesil Turbe, Temple of Apollo
Greece – Acropolis, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Acropolis Museum - Touring – in air-conditioned coach or mini-bus (depending on group size) with driver and English speaking guide. This is a private tour.
- Shore Excursions – private excursions will be provided in Patmos and Rhodes.
- Port Taxes / Fuel Surcharges – in relation to the cruise component.
- On board tips and gratuities – in relation to the cruise component, as required by the cruise line. Additional private tipping is at your discretion.
- Airfares – Australia/ Istanbul and Athens/Australia economy class airfares with Singapore Airlines. Dalaman/Istanbul economy class airfare with Turkish Airlines. Canterbury Tours reserves the right to change bookings to an alternative carrier if necessary, depending on costs and schedules. Upgrades to Business and/or First Class may be available – we are happy to provide details of additional costs required.
Not Included:
- Airline taxes / airport charges. These taxes change daily and the payment of them is as will prevail on the date of payment. It is expected that an amount of A$600+ should be allowed to cover these taxes – this is an approximation only.
- Tips – to driver and guide, and anywhere else you have received good service.
- Insurance – Travel Insurance is extremely important. You are at liberty to arrange this through your own insurance provider. However, Travelmarket, in association with Canterbury Tours, will be happy to arrange this on your behalf.
- Passport and visa fees. At time of publication an entry visa is required for Turkey – approximate cost is AUD25, payable on arrival.
- Drinks with meals
- Items of a personal nature – this goes without saying!
Additional Supplements:
The following supplements are available if required, and if available:
- Single Supplement Land Only: AUD 985 – Please Note: limited single rooms are available in Turkey and Greece. Single rooms are on application and the numbers available are limited by local legislation. An additional surcharge may be payable if the group limit on single rooms has been reached at the time of your booking.
- Single Supplement Cruise Only, Inside Cabin: $880
We have a limited number of outside cabins on the ship which attract a further supplement to be paid:
- Outside cabin supplement, share twin : AUD 180pp (on application)
Optional Sightseeing:
Additional sightseeing tours, during this tour, will be available as follows:
- Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul
- Istanbul by Night – dinner and show
- Dalaman River Cruise
- Epidaurus / Mycenae Tour – full day including lunch
- One day cruise to Aegina, Hydra and Poros
Additional Arrangements:
Travelmarket, in association with Canterbury Tours, will be happy to arrange any extensions to your tour. Hotels, touring, flight reservations, car hire, rail travel, cruising etc may be booked at the end of your tour.
If you elect to travel on the group airfare, you must travel both to and from our destination with the group – deviation is not possible. However, you may decide to travel on a non-group airfare with Singapore Airlines or another carrier and in this case your airline ticket is normally valid for 12 months, and you may return from alternative European cities, subject to availability.
Depending on the routing of airline you choose, it is possible to arrange for stopovers en route.
Additional nights in Athens and extensions to the Greek Islands may be booked to allow for personal sightseeing.
Important – Please Note:
While every effort has been made to assess the cost of this tour as a whole, should there be variances to currency exchange rates and/or increases in airline fares, Canterbury Tours reserves the right to impose a surcharge to the quoted cost.
Should the tour numbers not reach the minimum required to obtain the quoted price, the tour may have to be cancelled. In this case a full refund of monies paid would be offered, or alternatively, the group as booked would be offered the option to proceed with the tour at a price to cover the reduced numbers.
Deposit
A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm a place on the tour. Please consider Cancellation Insurance at this time, as this deposit is non-refundable except under extreme circumstances.
Balance of Payment
Full payment of the balance of the tour cost will be due and payable by 20 February 2012. After that date all unused accommodation will be released to the overseas suppliers, and late applications to join the tour will be possible only upon request and consultation with the various overseas suppliers and the airline concerned.
Airline Schedules
As the operation of airline schedules is beyond our control, should we be notified of a change to our reserved flights we will immediately advise all passengers and either (a) arrange bookings with an alternative carrier; or (b) make adjustments to the itinerary to accommodate the flight changes.
Health
This tour is not strenuous, though there are days when quite a deal of walking is required, and often on cobblestoned streets, or over ancient stoney sites – please consider your individual capabilities in this regard. The tour is not rushed and will be conducted to please all passengers if possible. The nature of the touring determines that we have a number of one-night only stopovers (Canakkale,Kalambaka, Delphi, Olympia). We are not planning very early morning starts, though there are days when several hours will of necessity need to be spent in travelling.
If you require any information regarding the performance of sightseeing etc on this tour, we would be happy to clarify.
