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Pre-cruise hotel nights: (Istanbul, Turkey)
Hotellino
Nöbethane Cad. No:5
Sirkeci / Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 513 1212
Fax: +90 212 511 5100
Located at the heart of the historical old city, Hotellino is only a short walking distance away from the main historical beauties - Haghia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, The Grand Bazaar and The Spice Bazaar. Presenting services on a personal level, we aim to make our guests feel at home, at the same time wanting our guests to make the most of the city's magical vibe.
Waking up in Hotellino's cozy rooms, equipped with advanced technological facilities, our guests can start their day peacefully with an authentic Turkish breakfast. We offer 23 comfortable, air conditioned rooms in a 5 story building. Visit http://www.hotellinoistanbul.com for details.
$155 per room per night including tax & breakfast single or double occupancy
17-Oct — Transfer airport to ship: Meet and transfer from the Istanbul Airport to the port and your ship accompanied by our local, English speaking guide and, Bev Henry, Travel with Spirit staff.
18-Oct (Istanbul, Turkey) — Half Day Istanbul Tour
First day of touring: Leave the port, travel over the Golden Horn to the ancient side of Istanbul through the crowded business section reaching the ancient Hippodrome, which was for 1,000 years, the center of Byzantiums' life and afterwards for another 400 years Ottoman life. The Hippodrome was the scene of countless political and military dramas, including rival chariot races. The main monument left today is the impressive granite obelisk, carved in Egypt around 1,500 BC and brought to Constantinople in 390 AD. Read More
Duration: 5 Hours
19-Oct (Ephesus, Turkey) — Virgin Mary’s House, Ephesus, the Selcuk Museum, St John’s Basilica and Lunch
Driving from the pier through the Turkish countryside along a hilly drive, you arrive at the House of Virgin Mary where the Blessed Virgin is reputed to have spent the last years of her life. The site was made famous by the travels of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. In November of 2006, Pope Benedictus the 16th paid an official visit to the House of the Virgin Mary. Outside is the Fountain of Our Lady, providing the faithful water from the holy foundation. Read More
Duration: 7 Hours
20-Oct (Athens, Greece) — Full Day Ancient Corinth and Athens including lunch
Departing from Piraeus you will proceed to the once rich and powerful city of Ancient Corinth. A city blessed with a superb location, fertile plains and virtually impregnable refuge. Excavations reveal that the ancient city was huge and wealthy; a survivor of the numerous invasions but devastated by earthquakes. St. Paul lived and worked in Corinth for 18 months, making converts where he could. The Bema (platform) where the Roman governor tried him is still visible. See one of Corinth’s most striking ancient buildings – the Temple of Apollo, seven of whose original columns still stand. Walk through the remains of the Market Place, a colonnaded square once surrounded by many small shops. See the celebrated Fountain of Priene, which has produced water from earliest times, and the Lechaion Road, formerly the main thoroughfare to the port of Lechaion. You will then visit the incredible Corinth Canal. Short stop for photos. Read More
Duration : Approx. 10 hours
21-Oct (Rhodes, Greece) — Half Day Island of Rhodes Tour
Drive along the picturesque south-eastern coastline, dotted with white-washed villages, vineyards and olive groves, to Lindos, one of the most important of the three great cities of ancient times. See how this entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the knights of St. John in the 13th century. Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea.
To reach the Acropolis you will take a 20 minute climb through the narrow streets of the town and up 250 steps. Should you wish to make your way up by mule, a fee must be paid to the local muleteer. Proceed on foot uphill, to the great leading from the Hellenistic Portico to the Acropolis and Temple of Athena. From the Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s bay, where the apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus (Acts 21:1). After the guided tour of the Acropolis return to Rhodes.
Enjoy a panoramic drive through the new part of the city before continuing to Mount Smith to see the ruins of ancient Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium. Afterwards your motor coach will drop you off at Gate d’ Amboise, the starting point of the walking tour through the medieval city of Rhodes. Follow your guide through the northern part where once the knights and their attendants lived. View the Palace of the Knights and continue walking down the Streets of the Knights to meet up with your motor coach and return back to the ship. (NO ENTRANCE TO THE PALACE)
Duration : Approx. 5 hours
23-Oct (Ashdod, Israel) — Full Day Highlights of the Holy City Jerusalem including Lunch
Start this excursion with a drive to the panoramic overview from the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem-new city and the Temple Mount Esplanade of old city. Travel along the Kidron Valley to view the Garden of Gethsemane.
Enter the Old City via the Lion’s Gate and walk to the Christian Quarter, where you’ll walk along the Via Dolorosa (the Stations of the Cross) to see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – the site of the crucifixion. Stroll on to the Western (Wailing) Wall. Walk through the Armenian Quarter and along the 1700 year old Byzantine main street, the Cardo, and the renovated Jewish Quarter before ascending Mt. Zion – Room of Last Supper and David's Tomb.
A local lunch will be provided. Continue to Bethlehem and enter via Manger Square, where the Church of the Nativity is located. Overlook the shepherd fields and then return to Ashdod and your cruise ship.
Duration: Approx. 8 hours
NOTES:
1. Modest dress is required to visit Holy Sites (no short sleeves and head covering is required)
24-Oct (Ashdod, Israel) Full Day Bethlehem, Masada, and the Dead Sea including Lunch.
Begin our journey with a drive to Bethlehem and an overview of Shepherd’s field. Drive through Rachel’s tomb to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger Square.
Your tour will then continue to Mount Masada, where you will ascend the mountain via cable car and learn the story of the Roman Siege and the legendary group of Jews who would rather die than become slaves to the Romans. You will also see the ruins of their ancient community including Herod’s Palace, pools, thermal baths, public living spaces and water cisterns.
You will continue to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. These scrolls are a collection on over 900 documents including bits of texts from all of the Old Testament books (except Esther) as well as other writings both religious and non religious. The discovery of these texts in 11 caves near Qumran is possible the most important manuscript find of modern times.
You will continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, where lunch is provided. You can float in the mineral-rich water at 400m (1312ft) below sea level. You will have time to indulge in a therapeutic ritual, take a mud bath, float in the sea and hear about the many health benefits of the Dead sea before returning to Haifa to board your ship. Be sure to bring your swimsuit, sandals, towel and sunscreen.
Duration : Approx. 10 Hours
NOTES:
1. Modest dress is required to visit Holy Sites (no short sleeves and head covering is required)
25-Oct (Haifa, Israel) — Full Day Highlights of the Galilee including Lunch
Depart Haifa and take Cross-Country Highway #6 in the Lower Galilee to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood. Visit the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph.
Continue, via Cana, to Tiberias, the lovely resort town. Drive along the Sea of Galilee to visit Capernaum and view the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. Continue to Tabgha, the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish.
We take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on the water (John 6:19-21), calmed a storm (Matt. 8:23-26), and showed the disciples miraculous catches of fish (Luke5:1-8; John 21:1-6). You’ll enjoy a traditional St. Peter’s Fish lunch near the shores of the Sea.
Proceed to Yardenit on the Jordan River, the famous baptismal site. On your return, there is a scenic view of Mt. Tabor, the site of Transfiguration. Then return to your cruise ship in Haifa.
Duration: Approx. 8 hours
NOTES:
1. Modest dress is required to visit Holy Sites (no short sleeves and head covering is required)
28-Oct—Transfer ship to airport: Transfer from the port and your ship to Istanbul Airport accompanied by our local, English speaking guide.
28-Oct (Istanbul, Turkey) — Post Cruise Hotel, Tour and Transfers Program for Los Angeles Guests
Leave the port and travel over the Golden Horn to the ancient side of Istanbul to visit the Topkapi Palace. Topkapi Palace is a great walled complex hugging the shores of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn and it was once the residence of Ottoman Sultans and their Harem. Mehmet II built the palace-city, home for three centuries of Sultans, in the mid-1400s as a summer palace. Topkapi was enlarged by Suleiman the Magnificent into the Sultan's principal residence and with the successive Sultans grew into a great complex of buildings set in lovely gardens. A series of courtyards connect various buildings which now house an astonishing collection of Chinese porcelain, treasures, the celebrated Topkapi Diamond and much more. After lunch break(not included) proceed to the Grand Bazaar for few hours to explore your own and do last minute shopping. Your tour will end at your hotel in time for check-in and a relaxing overnight prior to you flight home.
Marriott Courtyard Istanbul International Airport
Basin Ekspress Yolu,Fatih Caddesi, Dereboyu Sokak No 2
Halkali, Istanbul
Phone: 90 212 692 00 00
Fax: 90 212 692 00 01
Visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/istcy-courtyard-istanbul-international-airport for details.
29-Oct (Istanbul, Turkey) 8 AM Transfer to airport for your flight home to Los Angeles.
$105 Price per person based on double occupancy (includes $20 entrance fees to Topkapi Palace and The Treasury)
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