Countdown to take off !!!

I have enclosed my Itinerary for you all to follow the trip. I am not sure of how oftern I will get to write in my blog.
AEGEAN TRADITIONS

Thu 25 Sep Bundaberg Dep: 0930 QF2323 Qantas Airways
Brisbane Arr: 1020

Please arrive at Brisbane International Terminal no later than 1230 for check-in
Brisbane Dep: 1445 SQ236 Singapore Airline
Singapore Arr: 2045
Dep: 2340 SQ490 Singapore Airlines via Dubai

Fri26Sep Istanbul Arr: 0735
Upon arrival in Istanbul we shall be met at the airport and transferred to our city hotel for
check-in. In the afternoon we shall embark on a sightseeing tour of the Old City, including
visits to the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, centre of sporting events in ancient times,
and the magnificent St Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, originally
constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. (D)
STAY: Hotel Grand Tahir
Ordu cad. Yesiltulumba sk. No:17 34470 ISTANBUL
Ph: 90 (212) 522 27 27 Email: info@grandtahsr.corn

Sat 27 Sep Istanbul
A full day of sightseeing is planned including visits to the Spice Market, the Suleymaniye
Mosque, masterpiece of famous architect Sinan, built during the 16th century, and the
impressive Topkapi Palace. Lunch is at Konyali Restaurant in the Palace grounds.
Afterwards we continue to the Grand Bazaar, the biggest souk in the world with nearly
4000 shops. (B,L)

Sun 28 Sep Istanbul
After breakfast we transfer to Christ Church for the 10am Eucharist. Afterwards we plan
to visit the Church of St. Saviour in Chora, originally part of a Byzantine Monastery. Rest
of the day is free. Dinner at hotel. (B,D)

Mon 29 Sep Istanbul
This morning is at leisure for last minutes shopping or sightseeing. This afternoon you will
see the sights of Istanbul from the water as you cruise the Bosphorus on a mini-cruise.
This evening the group will travel to the New City for an evening of Turkish entertainment
and food. (B, D)

Tue 30 Sep 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)
STAY: Ida Kale Resort Hotel
Mola Cadessi, Guzelyali / CANAKKALE
Ph: 90 (286) 232 83 32 Email: mail@kaleresort.com

Wed 01 Oct Canakkale / Pergamon / Izmir
Our first visit this morning is to the site of ancient Troy, referred to in Homer's Iliad and
Odyssey. We then proceed to Pergamon and visit the Acropolis which has the steepest
theatre of the ancient world, the Vuins 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)
STAY: Hotel Kaya Prestige
Sair Esref Bulvari 1371 Sokak No: 7 Cankaya IZMIR
Ph: 90 (232) 483 03 23 Email: info@kayaprestige.com.tr



Thu 02 Oct Izmir / Ephesus / Izmir
Drive to Ephesus this morning visiting the shrine of the Virgin Mary en route. This is now a Franciscan shrine and we plan to attend a Eucharist here. After exploring the site of Ephesus, including the Library and Stadium, we shall have lunch and then continue (time permitting) to the Archaeological Museum and St John's Basilica. Return to Izmir for overnight. (B,L,D)

Fri 03 Oct Izmir
Once known as Smyrna, Izmir is today a large thriving interesting city. This morning we shall visit the ancient Agora, ascend Mount Pagus, visit Alexander the Great's castle overlooking the city and also the Archaeological and Ethnografical Museums. We will have time to visit the Bazaar and the remainder of the day will be free. (B,D)

Sat 04 Oct Izmir / Bursa
We now drive north to the spa centre of Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire founded in 185. The city was famous for its silk production and the trade in olden times was mainly in the hands of the Greeks - there were seven Greek quarters in Bursa. We shall visit the Green Mosque, Yesil Turbe, the tomb of Memet I who died in 1421, the Ulu Cami, the first congregational mosque erected by the Ottomans and continue to the Silk Bazaar for shopping. (B,L,D)
STAY: Hotel Almira
Ulubatli Hasan Bulvari, 5, BURSA, Turkey
Ph: 90 (224) 250 2020 Email: info@almira.com.tr

Sun 05 Oct Bursa / Istanbul
After breakfast we drive back to Istanbul in time for embarkation on MV CRISTAL Ship sails in the late afternoon (6.00pm). (B,D)

Mon 06 Oct Sailing - visit to Mykonos
Ship will arrive at the pbrt of Mykonos in mid afternoon. Time to go ashore and explore the exciting little township before the ship sails at midnight. The ship will offer a choice of shore excursions whilst in Mykonos (Mykonos by Night with Dinner and Show and Delos Apollo Sanctuary). Participation in these excursions is optional and we have not included the cost in our tour fare. (B,L,D)

Tue 07 Oct 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. As the shore excursions offered by the ship for passengers going ashore in Kusadasi are focused on Ephesus, none has been included in your tour fare. You may prefer to go ashore for private sightseeing this afternoon, or you may choose to have a relaxing time on board. (B,L,D)

Wed 08 Oct 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)

Thu 09 Oct Sailing - Visit to Heraklion and Santorini
This morning we drop anchor at Heraklion, capital of Crete. Join our private shore excursion A Taste of Crete which will include a winery visit and the quaint market town of Archanes. 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 down of Thira perched on top. With luck we may get to see the sunset for which the island is world-famous. No shore excursion in Santorini has been included in your tour fare. (B,L,D)





Fri 10 Oct Piraeus / Delphi
We arrive at Piraeus, the port of Athens, very early this morning. First we travel across southern Greece to Delphi for our overnight stay. (B,D)
STAY: Amalia Delphi Hotel
33054 DELPHI
Ph: (30) 22650-82101 Email: info@amaliahotels/delphi.com

Sat 11 Oct Delphi / Kalambaka
This morning we visit the Archaeological Museum and explore the ancient site of Delphi. We then start the long drive to northern Greece to the town of Kalambaka. Time permitting, we may be able to visit an icon factory en route. (B,D)
STAY: Amalia Kalambaka Hotel
42 200 KALAMBAKA
Ph: (30) 24320-72216 Email: info@amaliahotels/kalambaka.com

Sun 12 Oct Kalambaka / Meteora / Athens
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 Athens. (B,D)
STAY: Amalia Athens Hotel
Amalias 10,105 57 ATHENS
Ph: (30) 210 32 37 300 Email: info@amaliahotels/athens.com
Mon13Oct Athens
City sightseeing this morning including the city centre, Olympic stadium and we then visit the Acropolis. After our city tour we shall visit St Paul's, Athens' main Anglican church. Eucharist will be celebrated. This afternoon (approx 3.00pm) you will be collected from your hotel for a tour to Cape Sounion. This southernmost point of the mainland is a photographer's delight particularly at sunset. This is not a private tour for our group, but will include other travellers. Tour will return to the hotel. (B)

Tue 14 Oct Athens
Today is a free day and you have chosen to join, with several other members of our group, a tour to Epidaurus and Mycenae, both fascinating archaeological sites, situated on the Peloponnese. This too is a public tour and may include other travellers. This evening we shall all join up for a farewell dinner at a typical Greek taverna in Plaka, the ancient area that was the origin of the city. (B,D)

Wed 15 Oct Athens
The morning is free before we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Australia.

Athens Dep: 1315 SQ 347 Singapore Airlines

Thu16Oct Singapore Arr: 0510
Dep: 0955 SQ245 Singapore Airlines

Brisbane Arr: 1920

Fri 17th Oct Brisbane Dep: 10.55 QF2326 Qantas Airways
BUNDABERG Arr. 11.50

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