| |
GRAND
TOUR of TURKEY ..... ( Historical sights and the Mediterranean
) |
| |
|
| |
DAY
01 - Arrival to Istanbul: |
| |
Arrival
to Istanbul International Airport and meet for transfer to hotel.
In the evening meet for a group dinner to get to know each other.
Orientation and discussion with the guide. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
02 - Sightseeing tour of Istanbul: |
| |
Breakfast
then depart with guide to visit around the Sultanahmet area
and historical sights of Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque, the
St Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome & Obelisk and Topkapi
Palace (Harem room optional extra). Overnight in Istanbul. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
03 - Tour Ankara and Cappadocia: |
| |
Breakfast,
check out and transfer to the airport for a morning flight to
Ankara. On arrival meet with the tour coach and move on to visit
the Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, and the
museum of Anatolian Civilizations with its Hittite treasures
and artifacts from the world's oldest city. Enroute to Cappadocia,
famous for its "moon like" landscape and underground
cities, tour the 13th century Seljuk Caravanserai of Agzikarahan.
Overnight in Cappadocia. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
04 - Cappadocia Sightseeing Tour: |
| |
Breakfast
then on to tour Goreme Open Air Museum with its 6th to 10th
century rock chapels decorated with Christian frescoes after
which we will also make visits to Kaymakli Underground City
and the pottery making village of Avanos. The days touring also
includes a visit to Zelve's Byzantine monastic complex and fairy
chimneys. Overnight in Cappadocia. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
05 - Cappadocia to Konya: |
| |
Breakfast
at hotel and some free time before we depart on the drive to
Konya where we visit the Whirling Dervishes (Mevlana) Mausoleum
and the Karatay Koran School, displaying colorful Turkish tiles.
Overnight in Konya. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
06 - Antalya to visit Perge, Aspendos and waterfalls: |
| |
Breakfast
after which we drive to Antalya which is located on the Mediterranean
Coast. En-route we stop to visit the ruins of the Hellenistic
and Roman periods such as the colonnade street of Perge and
the magnificently preserved 15.000 persons capacity theatre
of Aspendos. The day also includes a stop at the wonderful Manavgat
Waterfalls. Overnight in Antalya. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
07 - Antalya to Pamukkale: |
| |
Breakfast
and we depart to Pamukkale, literally translated as "Cotton
Castle", describing the white lime cascades (travertens)
formed by mineral springs. Here we will also visit the ruins
of Hierapolis before check-in. At the hotel you will also have
the opportunity to enjoy a thermal mineral spring bath. Overnight
in Pamukkale. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
08 - Aphrodisias and Ephesus: |
| |
Today
we depart on to visit the amazing ruins of Aphrodisias which
were dedicated to Aphrodite. On arrival to Selcuk we visit the
famous site of Ephesus, one of the world's finest archaeological
sites. Walk in its well preserved 2000 year old marble streets
to the theatre, Library of Celsius, gymnasium, Hadrian's Arch
etc. Also during the day visit the House of Virgin Mary before
driving on to Izmir. Overnight in Izmir. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
09 - Pergamum and Troy: |
| |
Breakfast,
check out and we drive on to Pergamum to visit the Acropol where
you can see the Altar of Zeus and also the Asclepion which was
the famous medical center of the ancient world. After touring
here we continue on to Troy to visit this legendary and mythological
city along with the replica of the famous wooden horse. Drive
to Canakkale and overnight stay. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
10 - Gallipoli Battlefields and Memorials: |
| |
Breakfast
then cross the Dardanelles by car ferry to Eceabat where we
visit the Battlefields and Memorials of Gallipoli including
sights like Anzac Cove and the Lone Pine Cemetery. Then drive
along the sea of Marmara to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
11 - Cruise on the Bosphorous Strait: |
| |
Breakfast
at hotel after which we depart to Eminonu Port to board the
regular city boat for an approximate 2 hour Bosphorous Cruise.
Enjoy this relaxing cruise along the shoreline while your guide
explains to you the history of sights seen while onboard. We
then continue on land to visit the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace
and then also Camlica Hill for panoramic views over the city.
In the evening, a perfect way to end your time in Turkey, we
proceed on to a special venue to enjoy our last meal accompanied
by a show of traditional folklore dances and music. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
12 - Departure: |
| |
Breakfast,
check out and as per your flight time transfer to Istanbul International
Airport. |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
