"Man was closest to the Gods at Delphi"

GREECE

Athens is the capital of Greece. Your first stop in Athens must be the Acropolis and what a memorable place. The Acropolis Hill is referred to as the "Sacred Rock" of Athens. The Acropolis was built in the 5th century BC and this period was called the Golden Age of Pericles. Over the centuries, the Acropolis Hill was used as either a cult place or a residential area. During the Classical Period (450-330BC), three Temples were built: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Nike. The most important of these is the Parthenon which is dedicated to Athena Parthenos, Patron Goddess of Athens.

You also have to visit the Acropolis Museum. It houses masterpieces of the ancient Greek civilization like the pediments and friezes from the Parthenon, friezes of the Athena Nike Temple and the clay figurines and vases for the sanctuary of the Nymphs. Unfortunately, many works of art that decorated the Parthenon were stolen and sent abroad. At night, the Acropolis is lit up and what a sight! Visit Panathinaiko stadium where the first Olympics took place in 1896. At night go to the Plaka and eat in a taverna and listen to Greek Bouzouki music.

 I rented a car and drove around the mainland after leaving Athens. I went to Cape Sounion and visited the 5th century BC Temple of Poseidon. There is an amazing view of the Temple with the water in the background. Visit Ancient Corinth which was one of the wealthiest city states of ancient Greece and is very well preserved. The Temple of Apollo is where St. Paul preached to the Corinthians. Delphi is a must. In ancient times, Delphi was considered the center where heaven and earth met. Man was closest to the Gods at Delphi. Delphi is known as the center of worship for the God Apollo, son of Zeus. The town of Delphi is on the edge of a cliff and is quite a remarkable place to be.

My all time favorite place in Greece is Meteora. Meteora is a place where Byzantine monasteries are perched on top of rocky pinnacles and monks were hoisted up by baskets. You can visit some of the monasteries. You can walk up and some have cablecars. Spend a day here. Meteora looks different depending upon the light of the day. At night, the monasteries are illuminated and what a sight! It is a place of enormous beauty and spirituality.

Greece has 6,000 islands and islets in the Aegean and Ionian Sea. Only 227 are inhabited. The islands are very different and each has its own personality. Some are quiet and some are quite busy during the summer. There is swimming, scubadiving, snorkelling, sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing and archaeological sites. The food is great throughout Greece. I can still taste a particular gyros I had somewhere in Greece. I don't remember where but I remember the gyros. The fish is also delicious and the shrimp with feta is so good. Enjoy Greek wines with your food. Greece is a great vacation for all to enjoy!

"History, architecture, geography & fabulous food"

TURKEY

Turkey is a culmination of great cultures and civilizations. The influence of West and East plays an important role in modern Turkey. The Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul is a symbol of Europe connecting with Asia. Istanbul has been the capital of three great empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman for more than 2,000 years. Visit the 540 year old famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. It is a covered shopping mall with 4000 shops, 64 streets, 22 entrances and 25,000 workers.

Visit Cappadocia, the world's biggest underground city, and stay in a luxurious five star cave hotel. Wake up early and soar through the sky in a hot air balloon over the caves and valleys of Cappadocia. Turkey has over 300 archaeological sites.

Visit Ephesus which was said to be one of the most beautiful ancient cities of the world. Some say that the city goes back to the Hittite period of 1400 B.C. The city has been excavated since 1895 and most of the remains are from the Roman times.

Walk down the Marble Road between the library and the theater towards the Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Visit Mt. Nemrut in Eastern Turkey.

Wake up before dawn, climb Mt. Nemrut and watch the sun rise over the gigantic stone heads of King Antiochus I and classical deities. These sculptures are over 2,000 years old and some people consider them the eighth wonder of the world. Sail the beautiful turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea on a Gulet cruise and discover secluded bays and tiny islands. This only a sampling of all there is to do in Turkey. Turkey has that special mix of history, architecture, geography and fabulous food  to have a spectacular fun filled vacation.


SUGGESTED TURKEY ITINEARY

Day 1:   Arrive in Istanbul and free afternoon. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2:   Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3:   Bosphorus and Two Continents Tour: Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4:   Flight to Cappadocia/Cappadocia Tour. Overnight In Cappadocia.
Day 5:   Hot Air Balloon Ride and Cappadocia Tour. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6:   Depart for Mt. Nemrut. Visit the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai "Karatayhan". Visit Kahta. Overnight Adiyaman.
Day 7:   Visit Mt. Nemrut, the Ruins of  Arsemia, Roman bridge of Cendere and the Tomb of Karakus. Arrive in Sanliurfa and visit the covered bazaar and Abraham's Cave. Drive to Harran and visit the ruins of Harran. Overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 8:   Back to Cappadocia/Flight to Izmir. Transfer to Kudasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 9:   Ephesus Tour. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 10:   Pamukkale/Hierapolis Tour. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 11:   Pergamum Tour. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 12:   Drive to Fethiye. Overnight in Fethiye.
Day 13:   Free Day in Fethiye with option to take Butterfly Valley Boat Cruise. Overnight in Fethiye.
Day 14:   Fly back to Istanbul. Free day. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 15:   Transfer to Airport.