Istanbul Discovery Tours Combine Hotel & Excursions!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Windstar and thought it would be of
interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Windstar Cruises Rolls Out Pre -and Post-Tour Packages in Istanbul

One, Two and Three Day Istanbul Discovery Tours Combine Hotel and
Excursions Into One Convenient Package

Seattle, WA, February 20, 2006 –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 wraps hotel, excursions, guides,
transportation, selected meals, and of course, the planning, into a
convenient package purchased before leaving home. Tour groups are
kept small to complement the small-ship sailing experience.
“We wanted to offer our guests a package tour to complement the cruise
where they could experience in depth the culture, history and people
of Istanbul,” says Diane Moore, Windstar’s vice president of
marketing and sales. “It’s a colorful city filled with ancient
history. There’s so much to see. We worked hard with our local tour
partner to create a package that offers the best and most authentic
experiences of Istanbul along with the quality Windstar is known for
in the industry.”
Moore says most guests who have booked the package are opting for the
three-day package which takes guests past the highlights and
introduces them to Turkey with experiences most would not be able to
book on their own.
The Istanbul Discovery packages were carefully thought out and put
together by a knowledgeable local tour partner in Istanbul, Sea Song
Tours. Day one of the three-day package includes visits to top
highlights including 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.


About Windstar Cruises

Seattle-based Windstar Cruises operates three motor sailing yachts
known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit
the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured
destinations. The unobtrusive service and attentive staff create a
casually elegant atmosphere that effortlessly fosters camaraderie
among guests and crew. Carrying just 148 to 308 guests, the luxurious
ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports
throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas.
Windstar’s Degrees of Difference initiative adds new luxury amenities
and enhancements to the five areas that anchor the line’s overall
guest experience—dining, accommodations, service, destinations and
activities. Additions include new Signature Cuisine menus from Chef
Joachim Splichal, Apple iPod Nanos and Bose SoundDock speakers, Riedel
stemware, luxury linens and mattresses, L’Occitane bathroom amenities,
hammocks built for two and more. The initiative will be completed in
stages during winter 2006.
Windstar offers optional trip cancellation protection that provides
cash back when you cancel for any reason prior to 24-hours before
departure. For more information including brochures, rates and
itineraries contact a professional travel agent.


World’s Leading Cruise Lines

Windstar Cruises is a member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise
Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland
America, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and the Yachts
of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment
to quality and value, the member lines appeal to a wide range of
lifestyles and budgets. The World’s Leading Cruise Lines offer
exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable
destinations.

This is pure advertising. Shame.