Guests traveling to the Greek Islands on a sleek, four-masted
Windstar yacht now have the option to extend their stay pre- or
post-cruise with Windstar’s Istanbul Discovery tour package.
A one, two or three night package combines hotel, excursions,
guides, transportation, and selected meals into a convenient
package purchased before leaving home. Tour groups are kept small
to complement the small-ship sailing experience.
The Istanbul Discovery packages were put together by a
knowledgeable local tour partner in Istanbul, Sea Song Tours. Day
one of the three-day package includes visits to the Byzantine
Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Turkish and Islamic
Arts Museum, the famous Grand Bazaar, and at the end of the day, an
orientation drive around the old city. A traditional Turkish lunch
is served at the Green House Garden, an old Ottoman house.
Day two includes visits to St. Sophia, the Church of the Divine
Wisdom, known as one of the greatest buildings in the world; the
Underground Cistern; and the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul.
Day three visits the Suleymaniye Mosque, regarded as the most
beautiful of all the imperial mosques; a nearby Egyptian Bazaar to
explore the second-largest covered market in Istanbul; and lunch at
Hamdi Restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus. After lunch, guests
will cruise the Bosphorus Strait aboard a private motor-yacht. On
view will be magnificent palaces, old seaside mansions, and
impressive fortresses.
The 148-guest motor sailing yachts Wind Star and Wind Spirit
sail in the Greek Isles from May through October. The Wind Star and
Wind Spirit will both sail the popular Athens to Istanbul
itinerary, visiting Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum and
Kusadasi. New for 2006, the Wind Spirit will sail five Greek
Islands cruises on a new itinerary between Istanbul and Athens that
includes visits to Canakkale and Izmir, Turkey; Patmos, Agios, Kos
and Naxos, Greece; and Nikolaos, Crete. The addition of this new
itinerary allows guests to combine two cruises for a 14-day Greek
Isles cruise without repeating ports of call.
Guests may purchase a one day package for $185, two days for
$325 and three days for $585. All rates are per person based on
double occupancy. Windstar guests stay at the five-star Hilton
Istanbul hotel.
800-258-7245
www.windstarcruises.com
