THREE CONTINENTS
A cultural tour of Turkey, Greece, Israel & Egypt

Istanbul clearly still reflects Constantinople the ancient capital of three civilizations – the older name of modern day Turkish’s largest city. It is here where we start our journey of the Three Continents covering four civilizations in Turkey, Greece, Egypt and Israel. Inter country travel has been combined by cruising in the Mediterranean – a unique and very comfortable to do the best in as little a time as possible..

Day 1: Arrive Istanbul (TURKEY)
This afternoon you are scheduled to arrive Istanbul International Airport.  Once clearing through Customs & Immigration, you will be met & transfer to the hotel.  This evening an orientation meeting has been scheduled at around 1900 hrs.
Overnight: Black Bird Hotel (3 nights)

Day 2: Istanbul
Visit a World Heritage, Haghia Sophia, built in the 6th century. Cruise on the Bosphorus towards the Black Sea. Lunch at a seafood restaurant. Back to the old city to visit St. Savior in Chora Church. (B, L)

Day 3: Istanbul
Explore more of Istanbul: the Blue Mosque; the Hippodrome; the Topkapi Palace and the Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). End the day at the Grand Bazaar.  (B, L)

Day 4: Istanbul / Bolu (165 miles)
Morning at leisure until departure at 1400 hrs. Drive to Bolu.
Overnight: Koru Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 5: Bolu / Ankara / Cappadocia (295 miles)
After a 3 hours drive, we arrive at Ankara, the Capital City. Today's highlight is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations; we will also stop at the Mausoleum of Ataturk, father of modern Turkey. Continue to Cappadocia.
Overnight: Burcu Kaya Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 6: Cappadocia
A full day tour to explore Cappadocia. Visit the Red Valley; Goreme Valley, an open-air museum with rock-cut churches (7th-13th centuries) adorned with biblical frescoes. Learn about the art and crafts of rural Turkey at a handicraft center, and attend a lecture on Turkish hand-made rugs. Next is the Underground City. Photo stops at Uchisar and Avcilar, best vista points on the way to the hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Cappadocia / Istanbul (by air)
After breakfast, transfer to Kayseri Airport, which is 45 miles away for your flight to Istanbul. Day at leisure.
Overnight: Black Bird Hotel (1 night) (B)

Day 8: Istanbul - Cruise
Day at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the port to embark your cruise. At 7.00 pm your ship sails from Istanbul.
Overnight: Louise Cruise – inside cabin IB or IC or ID (7 nights) (B, D)

Day 9: Mykonos (GREECE)
Arrive Mykonos Island at 3.00 pm. Disembark with tender boats. Free time on the island. Possibility to participate OPTIONAL shore excursion. Sail at 10.00 pm. (B, L, D)

Day 10: At Sea
Day at leisure at sea. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Ashdod (ISRAEL)
Arrive Ashdod at 7.00 am. Possibility to participate OPTIONAL shore excursion. Sail at 8.00 pm. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Alexandria (EGYPT)
After a short technical stop at Port Said, arrive Alexandria at 5.30 pm. OPTIONAL Cairo tour. Sail at 8.30 pm. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Crete (GREECE)
Arrive Crete Island at 4.30 pm. Free time on the island. Possibility to participate OPTIONAL shore excursion. Sail at 8.00 pm. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Athens
Arrive Athens (Piraeus) 9.00 am. Possibility to participate OPTIONAL shore excursion. Sail at 5.00 pm. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Istanbul (TURKEY)
Arrive Istanbul at 3.00 pm. After disembarking from your ship, transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Black Bird Hotel (1 night) (B)

Day 16: Depart Istanbul
Check out by 1100 hrs.  Transfer to the airport for your flight out. (B)

Departure Dates
2011 English Speaking Departures Apr 02, 16, 30, May 14, 28, Jun 11, 25, Jul 09, 23, Aug 06, 20, Sep 03, 17 & Oct 01, 15
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels & cruise line as mentioned (or similar). Upgrade to outside cabin is possible, please contact for prices. Any airfares Hotel & port taxes Airport/departure taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Any optional shore excursions Sightseeing and transportation Insurance & Visas Services in Turkey are escorted Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departures Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Apr 02, Apr 16 & Oct 15 US $ 3250 US $ 1260 Jun 11, Jun 25, Jul 09, Jul 23, Aug 06 & Aug 20 US $ 3395 US $ 1260 Apr 30, May 14, May 28, Sep 03, Sep 17 & Oct 01 US $ 3590 US $ 1260
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1100 Canada - East Coast US $ 1100 USA - East Coast US $ 900
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.