|
DAY 1: Arrival in Istanbul Airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day free after a brief orientation by your English-speaking guide.
DAY 2: A full day Old City tour begins with a visit to the Imperial Palace of Topkapi, from which Ottoman Sultans ruled their grand empire for over 400 years. Following a lunch break, visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, ending with a final stop at the world famous Grand Bazaar - a shopper's paradise of over 4000 authentic shops. (B)
DAY 3: After breakfast, meet your guide for a full day Bosphorus tour. Begin the day amid the wafting aromas of the Spice Market before visiting the Rustempasa Mosque, followed with a sightseeing boat cruise through the Bosphorus, the strait dividing the European and Asian continents. Afternoon departure from Istanbul to Safranbolu. Visit this charming village famous of its wooden Ottoman Houses which are under protection by the Unesco World Heritage program. Overnight in Safranbolu. (B)
DAY 4: Today depart for Ankara and visit Anatolian Civilizations Museum, Ankara Castle and Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Overnight in Ankara. (B)
DAYS 5 & 6: Travel to Cappadocia. After arrival visit Uchisar Village, situated next to a natural Citadel, followed by Göreme Open Air Museum, featuring the most impressive of all rock-carved churches in the region. Participate in a close-up carpet work shop demonstration then then visit Avanos and Pasabag (Zelve). In the evening you will attend a Sufi show to see the mysterious Whirling Dervishes. On day 6 continue your exploration of the Cappadocia valleys. Hike through orchards and vineyards, between fairy chimneys and rock-carved houses in the Red Valley and continue the walk in Rose Valley. Afterwards, visit an old Christian village, following a lunch break, visit Pigeon Valley, so named after the hundreds of little windows carved into the rocks to attract nesting pigeons. Then visit Kaymakli Underground City, Ortahisar Castle and Mustafapasa Village, an old Greek village also known as Sinasos. Overnight in Urgup. (2B)
DAY 7: Continue to explore Cappadocia valleys. Stops will be made at Agzikarahan Caravansarai and Ihlara Valley. Following a lunch break, you will be driven to Konya - home of the whirling dervishes. Overnight in Konya. (B)
DAY 8: Visit the Mevlana Museum in Konya before continuing on to Pamukkale - the centre of natural thermal springs and waters with healing properties. Following a lunch break there you will visit the cascading travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B, D)
DAYS 9 & 10: Traveling towards Kusadasi, you will be taken to visit the ancient city of Aphrodisias, whose name is derived from the Greek goddess of love and fertility, Aphrodite. You will arrive in Kusadasi late afternoon. On day 10 your full day tour begins at the remains of the Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Next, visit the spectacular site of Ephesus, undoubtedly the most superbly preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. Following a lunch break, visit the House of Virgin Mary, reputed to be where she spent her final days. Later visit the Archeological Museum of Ephesus in Selcuk as well as the charming village of Sirince. Overnights in Kusadasi. (2B)
DAY 11: Departure from Kusadasi to Assos. On the way visit the ancient city of Pergamon including Acropolis as well as Asclepion, a highly significant medical center in the ancient world. Arrive in Assos late afternoon. Farewell dinner at your hotel in Assos tonight. (B,D)
DAY 12 & 13: Depart from Assos back to Istanbul after a morning visit to the legendary city of Troy. Day 13 is a free day in Istanbul. (B)
DAY 14: Departure day. Transfer from the hotel to the airport. (B)
NOTE: Add an extra day to your holiday and visit the Gallipoli battlefields before returning to Istanbul.
Tour Includes:
- 13 nights quality accommodation including breakfast
- 2 dinners
- Airport transfers in Istanbul
- Tour transportation with A/C vans
- All admission fees for sites and museums
- All taxes where applicable
- Escorted from Istanbul by English-speaking local guide
Not included:
- International flights to and from the tour
- Airport & security taxes
- Travel insurance
- Drinks
- Meals other than those listed above
- Optional activities
|
