| |
HISTORICAL
& MEDITERRANEAN HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY |
| |
|
| |
DAY
01 - Arrival to Istanbul: |
| |
Arrival
to Istanbul Airport and meet for transfer on to the hotel. Rest
of the day is then at leisure (as per your flight arrival time).
Overnight in Istanbul. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
02 - Guided Istanbul Tour: |
| |
Meet
in hotel lobby to depart on a group full day Istanbul City
Tour to visit isit the Blue Mosque, the St Sophia, Hippodrome
and Obelisk, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional
extra entrance to Harem room). After the tour, return to hotel
with the evening then at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
03 - Morning Bosphorous Cruise: |
| |
Breakfast
then depart from the hotel for a mornings cruise on the Bosphorous
which seperates the East from West. During the cruise we will
visit the Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar and Rumeli Fortress. At end
of the cruise, transfer back to your hotel and the remainder
of the day is at leisure. (There is the option to extend
this to a full days tour to include visits to Dolmabahce Palace,
Bosphorous Bridge and Camlica Hill.) In the early evening,
transfer on to Istanbul bus station for overnight travel by
intercity bus to Kusadasi. (Note: Direct flights are also available
if you prefer, overnight stay would then be in hotel in Kusadasi). |
| |
|
| |
DAY
04 - House of Virgin Mary and Ephesus: |
| |
If
by overnight bus, arrival early morning and meet for transfer
to hotel/tour. Todays sightseeing tour will take you to visit
the remains of Artemis Temple, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient
World. Then on to visit Ephesus Ancient City, the best preserved
Greco-Roman city in the world. After a lunch break depart for
the House of Virgin Mary and visit the chapel where she is said
to have spent her last days. Overnight in Kusadasi. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
05 - Pamukkale to Fethiye: |
| |
Breakfast,
check-out and meet with the guide to depart for Pamukkale where
you will have the chance to visit the natural travertens formed
by lime deposits along with ruins of Hierapolis. At end of the
tour day you will be transferred on to the bus station in Pamukkale
for departure by
intercity bus to Fethiye, arrival early evening with transfer
to hotel. Overnight
in Fethiye. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
06 - Oludeniz & Fethiye: |
| |
Today
is free at leisure for you to relax on the beach in Oludeniz
or explore parts
of this resort town and the old Greek Village to Karakoy. Overnight
in Fethiye. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
07 - Fethiye to Antalya: |
| |
Breakfast,
check out and transfer to the bus station for a daytime intercity
bus to Antalya. On arrival in Antalya meet for transfer to hotel
and remainder of day at leisure. Overnight in Antalya. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
08 - Sightseeing Tours in Antalya: |
| |
Today
you have the chance to explore Perge, an important city of ancient
Pamphylia and the Aspendos Theatre one of the best preserved
theatres in the world with seating for 15,000. Still used today,
the theater alleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify
to the architects success. The days tour includes a visit to
Kursunlu Waterfalls. OR if you prefer there is also the choice
to instead take the full day excursion to visit the ancient
city of Myra where tombs were carved into the rocks. It is also
famous for its 4th century AD bishop, St Nicolaus, who was immortalised
as Santa Claus. This tour also includes Kekova where we take
a boat tour to visit the Sunken City and allow for a swimming
break. (Let us know which option you would
prefer.)After tour return to hotel
with evening at leisure. Overnight in Antalya. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
09 - Antalya to Cappadocia: |
| |
Breakfast,
check out and day at leisure to spend relaxing on the seaside
or doing some further sightseeing on your own before transfer
to the bus station for travel by overnight intercity bus to
Cappadocia. (Note: If you prefer to fly, flights would go via
Istanbul) |
| |
|
| |
DAY
10 - Goreme & Fairy Chimneys: |
| |
Morning
arrival to the bus station and meet for transfer to the hotel
for a short rest.
Then time to depart on the full days tour to visit Devrent Valley
and Monk's Valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world famous
fairy chimneys. Break for lunch in Avanos then on to Goreme
Open-Air Museum to explore the numerous churches and monasteries
with their frescoes. The churches and monasteries where carved
from the soft volcanic stone and decorated by Medieval Orthodox
Christian Monks around 1000-1200AD. A visit to Ortahisar Natural
Rock Castle for panoramic views. After tour the evening is at
leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
11 - Sightseeing Cappadocia: |
| |
Breakfast
at hotel, check out then depart on another full day tour this
time starting with a visit to the famous Derinkuyu Underground
City which was built as a defence and hiding site during the
period of spreading Christianity. Then on to Cavusin Old Christian
Village where you will find a triple Apse church and the monastery
of St John the Baptist. In Sinasos Old Greek Village you find
old Greek and Ottoman houses. The days touring includes an easy
grade 3km hike through
Red Valley offering some great scenery that would otherwise
not be accessible by car and a visit to Uchisar Natural Rock
Castle. At end of tour, collect luggage from hotel reception
and transfer on to Kayseri Airport for the direct flight on
to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to hotel with rest of evening
at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. |
| |
|
| |
DAY
12 - Departure: |
| |
Breakfast,
check out and as per your flight time transfer to Istanbul International
Airport. |
| |
|
| |
|
