Destination / Description

Directly from Heraklion with AEGEAN

A city like a dream: colorful, noisy, intoxicating. At the crossroads of two worlds – Europe and Asia – where the Black Sea meets the Mediterranean and the wind carries with it whispers from centuries past. On its hills, history sleeps and wakes up, on its walls the glory of kings is reflected, in its alleys the souls of old neighborhoods breathe, while its present shines with lights and skyscrapers. This City – with its gaze turned to the West, but its heart given to the East – carries within it the sound of opposites: the muezzin and the siren, kismet and planning.

1st Day | Heraklion - Istanbul – City Tour & Taksim Tour
Departure from Heraklion and direct flight to Istanbul. After our arrival in the City we will have a panoramic tour ending with a walk in the cosmopolitan Taksim district, where we will have time to see the "good" shops of the City and try the delicious baklavas and other traditional city dishes. Transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon we recommend a walk to the Grand Bazaar of the City. Overnight.

2nd Day | Istanbul - Hagia Sophia Tour - Blue Mosque - Top Kapi Palace - Hippodrome - Kapali Aqueduct.
After breakfast, we start our day with a visit to the Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Hippodrome with the Column of Emperor Theodosius, the Baths of Justinian, the Delphi Tripod and Hagia Sophia. We continue our visit to Topkapi Palace and end with a visit and free time for shopping in the covered market or the famous Kapali Charsi. Return to our hotel for an overnight stay.

3rd Day | Istanbul – Ecumenical Patriarchate – Panagia Blacherna – Balukli – Dolma Bakhce Palace – Bosphorus Cruise
After breakfast we depart for the historic Fanari, where we will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the spiritual center of Orthodoxy. Then we will go to the Holy Church of Panagia of Blacherna, one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Byzantine Empire. This is where the holy shrine of the Virgin Mary was kept and according to tradition, the Akathistos Hymn was performed for the first time in 626 AD, when the inhabitants of Constantinople attributed to the Virgin Mary the miraculous salvation of the city from the siege of the Avars and the Persians. The sanctuary is still preserved in the area, which still attracts a large number of pilgrims. This is followed by a visit to the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi in Baloukli, one of the most important places of pilgrimage for Hellenism in the city. We will get to know the history of the famous shrine and the legend of the "holy fish", which is connected to the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. In the precincts of the monastery are also the tombs of many Ecumenical Patriarchs and important personalities of the Genus. We continue with a guided tour of the imposing Dolma Bahçe Palace, also known as the "Versailles of the East", as its architecture was inspired by European palaces and is the most magnificent Ottoman palace of the 19th century. Then follows the enchanting cruise on the thousand-sung Bosphorus, where we will enjoy unique images of the Horned Gulf, the Galata Bridge, the bridge that connects Europe with Asia, the impressive wooden mansions (yalı), the luxurious palaces and the Ottoman fortresses that adorn both banks. The view of the Galata Tower and the historic buildings along the shores make up one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Return to our hotel and stay overnight.

4th Day | Istanbul – Princes' Cruise
After Breakfast, transfer and boarding the ship to visit the Princely Islands. Our first stop will be in Halki with the famous Theological School and the Holy Trinity Monastery on the hill of Hope. Then we will visit the Prince. Free time to eat in the traditional taverns of the area. Return to the city to our hotel. For the evening, we suggest entertainment in a traditional night club with a live orchestra and traditional belly dances (oriental). Overnight.

5th Day | Istanbul - Heraklion
Free breakfast and late afternoon. Transfer to the airport and departure to Heraklion.

What's included

Airline tickets HERACLEIO - KON/LI – HERACLEIO with direct Aegean flights.
23 k. Suitcase. & 8kg hand luggage.
Airport Taxes
Municipal Fees
4 nights in a central hotel 4* Grand Hotel Gulsoy in Double/Twin or similar rooms.
Breakfast buffet daily.
City Tour and Taksim Square Walk
City tour-St. Hagia Sophia - Blue Mosque - Covered Market, Topkapi Palace - Justinian Aqueduct - Sultan Ahmed Square - En Tuto Nika Stop.
Visit to the Patriarchate
Tour of Dolma Bakhce Palace, the "Versailles of the East"
Bosphorus cruise & ferry tickets.
Visit to the Principality Islands & ferry tickets
Transfers from/to the airport.
Public Liability Insurance

What is NOT included

Interamerican's optional EXTRA II insurance with coverage for COVID-19: €25 per person
Anything not expressly stated in the inclusions
Entrances to museums and archaeological sites
Gratuities

General Information

Travel Documents:

Valid passport or new type ID required.

FLIGHTS:

DEPARTURE 9/11

A3 434 09 November HERACLEIO – KON/POLI 17:30 20:05

RETURN 13/11

A3 435 November 13 KON/CITY - HERACLEIO 15:50 16:20

DEPARTURE 11/23

A3 434 November 23 HERACLEIO – KON/POLI 17:30 20:05

RETURN 27/11

A3 435 27 November KON/CITY - HERACLEIO 15:50 16:20

NOTES:

In many European countries, but also in Turkey, you can travel with a new type of ID card ONLY. We clarify that this is done only with a political identity and not with an official one.
If you are traveling with your passport, it must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return. Make sure your passport has blank pages equal to the number of countries you will be visiting. Our office is not responsible for any problem due to non-renewal of your passport.
Travelers of non-Greek nationality or holders of non-Greek passports must contact the embassy of the country to which they wish to travel in person, in order to be informed of any procedures for issuing a visa, if one is required. ZOULAKIS TRAVEL bears no responsibility for any problem that may occur at an airport.