SEPTEMBER EXTENDED JOUNEYS

Quest Tours & Treks Inc. Presents

GREECE & TURKEY

Featuring a 7 day Greek Isles & Turkey Cruise

Including Istanbul and Kusadasi, Turkey

September 9 * September 19, 2008

Travel back in time to ancient Greece, a land where you will learn how mythology and religion are the essence of the people.  Get to know the gods and goddesses like Zeus, Apollo, Athena.   Hear of the great writers of literature and philosophy - Homer, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle.  See how art and culture abound in this ancient civilization where Greeks built temples, theaters and cities thousands of years ago and how today their legacy lives on in sites like the Acropolis on a hilltop overlooking the city of Athens.  A journey to Delphi, one of the most sacred cities of ancient Greece, to see the Oracle of Apollo and the impressive Delphi Museum is only the beginning of our tour of this region of Greece.

We will then embark on a seven day cruise upon the blue-green waters of the Aegean Sea which is the highlight of your holiday.  Here we start out with East meeting West in the fabled Turkish city of Istanbul with its famed Blue Mosque , Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar.  Other stops in Turkey will include the port of Kusadasi leading us to the ancient marble city of Ephesus with its Library of Celsus and Great Amphitheater. Other cruise highlights will include the Greek Islands of Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos, Crete and Santorini.

Join us to see the best of Greece and the Greek Isles with a taste of Turkey!

Reserve with Quest Tours & Treks
P.O. Box 3936 * Salem, OR * 97302
Phone/Fax 503-588-9230 *  Toll free 866-588-9230 * www.QuestTreks.com

11 Day Greece and Turkey Itinerary includes all tours and activities listed here

Day 1 – September 9: Depart Portland on your overnight transatlantic flight to Athens, Greece.  

Day 2 – September 10:  Arrival in Athens, Greece   Arrival into the ancient city of Athens!  Transfer from the airport to your hotel, with time to rest or start exploring the Hellenic capital.  This evening, enjoy a traditional Greek Welcome Dinner after a short walk to a nearby restaurant. (D), Hotel Amalia

Day 3– September 11: Tour of Delphi  Today, we journey outside of Athens to Delphi for a fascinating tour of this ancient site.  Drive through the fertile plain of Boeotia, crossing the towns of Thebes (short stop on the way back).  Arrive at Delphi, the center of Ancient World-the “Omphalos” (Navel of Earth) – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios.  Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Museum containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias.   Upon arrival back in Athens, we’ll take a short walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner this evening.  (D), Hotel Amalia 

Day 4 – September 12:  Athens Tour, Embark Ship   Enjoy a full day tour of the classical sights of Athens with a Local Guide.  Experience the  Parthenon’s crowning beauty atop the Acropolis and observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides take you to see the center of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library. Driving down Herod Atticus Street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis you will see  Hadrian's Arch, visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and we’ll make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. On the Acropolis visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally the harmony between material and spirit, the monument that puts order in the mind, the Parthenon.   We will complete our visit with a short stop at the Museum of Acropolis.  Then we take a scenic ride to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon, on a cliff top overlooking the beautiful Aegean Sea.  After our stop we will head directly to the Port of Piraeus to embark your ship to begin your 7 day Aegean cruise!  (BB, D) Cruise Ship Accommodations 

Day 5 – September 13:  Arrive Istanbul   As we leave the port, we sail towards Istanbul with its blend of East and West, which has resulted in some of the most magnificent architecture in the world, such as the Agia Sofia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace with its amazing treasures of the Ottoman Empire.  (FB, L, D)  Cruise Ship   

Day 6– September 14:  Istanbul   Today we will enjoy the Highlights of Istanbul on a guided sightseeing tour in this fascinating city (formerly Constantinople), with its mix of East and West and where the Islamic and Christian worlds meet.  We will begin with a sightseeing drive through the center of the modern city, across the Galata Bridge, along the banks of the Golden Horn and under the Byzantine Aqueduct of Valens. On the way, you can see the Süleymaniye Mosque, and the mighty city walls, which once protected Constantinople.  In the Old City, the first visit will be to the Byzantine Hippodrome, then the Sultanahmet Mosque, where large groups of pilgrims start their pilgrimage to Mecca.   Then, enjoy a short walk to the stunning and world famous monument of Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine Church of Divine Wisdom.    After lunch, your tour would not be complete without a visit to the Topkapi Palace, the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans.   (FB, L, D)  Cruise Ship .  

Day 7 – September 15:  Mykonos   Beneath its sophisticated surface, lies one of the most popular of the Greek islands, Mykonos. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot this blue and white-washed island with its beautiful windmills.  Here, we will enjoy an excursion to Delos, once a Sacred Island, the legendary birthplace of the Sun God Apollo and his twin sister Artemis.   After your tour, back in Mykonos, you will have the chance to walk along the cobblestone streets of this famous island with its numerous shops, cafes and restaurants. (FB, L, D)    Cruise Ship   

Day 8 – September 16:  Patmos – Kusadasi   Today, we will visit Patmos, the island known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire.  The Monastery of St. John which is built on one of the island’s highest points, houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its Treasury.  We will tour the cave where he lived and the nearby site of the Grotto of the Apocalypse (A UNESCO World Heritage Site).  Later, we will port in Kusadasi, Turkey, where we will join a tour to nearby Ephesus, which is a must see for any world traveler, where history truly comes to life like almost no other place on earth. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, you pass architectural masterpieces like the Library of Celsus before arriving at the Great Amphitheater where St. Paul preached, and we will visit the House of Virgin Mary.  (FB, L, D)   Cruise Ship  

Day 9 – September 17:  Rhodes   Today we will dock in Rhodes, the beautiful “Island of Roses”, which has a rich and varied history.  Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands and site of the Colossus of Rhodes, a 105-foot statue destroyed by an earthquake in 224 B.C.   We will explore the sights in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades, and an excursion to other end of the island, to the charming hill town of Lindos, above which rises an ancient acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena.  Below Lindos lies the bay of St. Paul, where the apostle landed during his voyages.(FB, L, D)Cruise Ship

Day 10 – September 18:  Crete & Santorini   We will have an early arrival into Heraklion, capital of Crete.  You may enjoy the city at harbor’s edge or an optional visit to the ruins of the Palace of Knossos.  Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient 3000 B.C. Minoan civilization.  We will depart mid day for the island of Santorini the “Black Pearl of the Aegean”, perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands., where we will visit the town of Thira, with it’s white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques clinging to steep cliffs, accessible by cable-car or mule.   And we will enjoy a tram ride up to the cliff-top village of Oia for a truly breathtaking view. (FB, L, D)  Cruise Ship Accommodations   11 – September 19:  Disembark ship, Transfer to Athens Airport   After breakfast on board, disembark at Piraeus and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.  (BB)

Total Package Price:  $3,828, Per person, double occupancy

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:

• Air, Tour and Cruise package, with 4-star hotel accommodations, cruise ship stateroom accommodations, transfers, guided tours, admissions, and meals as outlined in the above itinerary.
• Round-trip transportation from Salem to Portland Airport.
• Round-trip Delta coach class Airfare from Portland, Oregon to Athens, Greece, including taxes and surcharges (Note: taxes & surcharges are subject to change by the airline until tickets are issued, upon final payment).
• Two nights Four Star Hotel Accommodations at the Amalia Hotel in Athens.
• Hotel porterage for 2 bags per person, in/out of each hotel and cruise ship.
• Airport to hotel, roundtrip transfers in Athens.
• Meals: Daily continental breakfast each morning at the Athens hotel, 2 dinners in Athens. And daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, when you are on board cruise ship, as noted on itinerary. 
• 7-Day Aegean Cruise on Louis Cruise Lines in Inside “DA” Category stateroom.  Port taxes included.  (Please inquire about availability if you would like to upgrade to an outside cabin).
  Tours, guided sightseeing and other transportation as noted on itinerary.
• Cruise line Port charges and taxes for package selected as outlined above.
• Private motor-coach transportation and guide for sightseeing listed in Athens.
• Local expert guides where appropriate.

Additional Prices (not included in package price above)

• Upgrade to an outside stateroom on cruise for $150 per person, double occupancy (based on availability)
• Single Room Supplement:  $819 per person additional for single accommodations
• Trip Insurance:  $105 per person additional (inquire for details)
• Meals not noted as included in the tour description, or when you are not on-board the ship
  Incidentals, excess luggage fees, items of a personal nature, personal gratuities or any other charges or fees not listed in the “included package price” above.
• Gratuities for driver, tour guides and on-board ship staff are not included, though customary, are voluntary.

PAYMENT POLICY

• Deposit of $300 per person is due now to reserve your space.
• Travel Insurance fee of $105 per person must be purchased at time of deposit and included with deposit.
• Upgraded outside stateroom fee of $150 per person, dbl. occ. may need to be paid at time of confirmation.
• Final payment due:  July 1, 2008  

CANCELLATION POLICY

• $100 of each person’s deposit is non-refundable.  Travel Insurance is non-refundable.
• $200 of each person’s deposit and any other monies paid will be refunded up until June 1, 2008
• After June 1, 2008  - cancellation penalty of 85% of tour price is non-refundable, you get back 15%
• After September 1, 2008 - cancellation penalty of 100% of tour price is non-refundable, no refund - 0 back

QUEST TOURS & TREKS INC. or its affiliates are not liable for any personal injury, accidents, illness, loss, damage, or delay however sustained whether to person or property in or during any tour. Your deposit constitutes consent to all Terms and Conditions which are posted at www.QuestTreks.com