 DAY
01: Welcome to Istanbul - representing the Asian city nearest to Europe and the European city closest to Asia, is a leading port whose importance is stressed by the age-old trade routes passing through the Bosphorus. This evening enjoy the Bosphorus cruise. Today, embark on your exciting tour to Istanbul. On arrival you will be met by our professional local representative outside the arrival hall who will transfer you to your hotel (check in time : after 1400 hrs).
This evening enjoy a cruise along the Bosphorus the winding strait separating Europe & Asia. Along the shores there is a delightful mixture of the past and the present, as well as the grand splendour and quaint beauty of the ancient wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages.
Overnight at your choice of hotel in Istanbul
DAY
02: City tour of Ankara. Onto the mysteriously unique city of Cappadocia. Early in the morning after breakfast transfer to the airport to board your flight to Ankara. Arrive Ankara, the capital of Turkey and one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a history that can be dated back 3000 years. Visit the Anatolian Civilisations Museum, which also exhibits the remains of Catalhoyuk, the Neolithic village dating back to 6500 BC. Then visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. After lunch at a local restaurant, proceed to the mysteriously unique city of Cappadocia.
Dinner and overnight at Cappadocia
DAY
03: Explore Cappadocia on a city tour - the setting for some of nature's most bizarre wonders After an American breakfast this morning, proceed on a city tour of Cappadocia. Visit the Pigeon Valley and the natural citadel of Uchisar, followed by Goreme Open-Air Museum, which is full of pink, rose and white tapering columns. These tall free standing cones of stone curve and twist as if pulled from earth like taffy. Others are tall like fairy chimneys. The caves were settled in the 4th century as monasteries. Visit some caves on the cliffs to see Byzantine frescoes decorating early Christian churches.
Enjoy Lunch at a typical restaurant of the region and visit Kaymakli Underground City; carved out of rock and completely self contained. More than 200 people lived on each of seven floors with the last one 250 feet underground. It is connected to Derinkuyu Underground City by six miles of tunnel. Drive to Pasabagi in Zelve Region and then to Avanos Village. You have some free time for shopping.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cappadocia
DAY
04: Onto Konya. Later proceed to Pamukkale the geological fairyland ! After breakfast, transfer to Konya. On the way to Konya, visit 13th century Selcuk caravanserai "Sultanhan". After lunch visit the mausoleum of Mevlana, the great mystic poet and Islamic spiritual leader, who founded the sect of ''Whirling Dervishes''.
Continue to Pamukkale, the cotton fortress, which rises above the fertile Menderes Valley. Hot mineral waters burst from the earth and cascade over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters here were known for ages. The big attraction is a vast white cliff side with scallop-shaped basins of water and frozen waterfalls. It looks as if it's made out of snow or cloud or balls of cotton
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Pamukkale.
DAY
05: Proceed to Kusadasi – Turkey’s principle holiday resort. Kusadasi, is reputed for one of the most attractive city of the Aegean, as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Didyma, Priene, Miletos-the principals of ancient times, and ideal for sightseers This morning after breakfast, stroll through the ruins of ancient Hierapolis, the Roman City, and transfer to Kusadasi. En route lunch at a local restaurant and visit Aphrodisias, the ancient city dedicated to the goddess of love, Aphrodite, and famous for its sculpture school.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kusadasi
DAY
06: Day tour to Ephesus one of the best preserved classical city of the Eastern Mediterranean, and among the best places in the world enabling one to genuinely 'soak in' the atmosphere of Roman times. After breakfast this morning, visit the ruins of Ephesus, which played a major role in the development of architecture, religions, governmental and economic systems and arts. The temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of ancient world and centre of pagan religion for 15 centuries. Here Marc Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession, St. Paul preached in the Great Theatre and in a little house outside the city the Virgin Mary spent her last days. Also visit the St. John Church
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kusadasi
DAY
07: Today you re-live history as we take you to visit Troy. Later proceed to Canakkale - which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea. Its shores touch both Europe (with the Gelibolu Peninsula) and Asia After breakfast, check out and visit Bergama (ancient Pergamon). Parchment was invented here. This was the home town of Galen, renowned doctor and surgeon and site of his temple devoted to healing, the Asclepion. The library once held 200,000 books; all parchment. After lunch, drive to Troy, the immortal city of the legendary Helen of Troy and Trojan Horse, which was destroyed and rebuilt nine times. Marvel at the picturesque settings and historical ruins. While on vacation in Turkey, an excursion to this ancient city will give you the opportunity to savor the striking scenery and wealth of archaeological sites of a long lost kingdom. This city is particularly famous for. Next proceed to the beautiful city of Canakkale.
Dinner and overnight at Canakkale
DAY
08: onto Istanbul by crossing the Dardanelles strait.
This morning after an American breakfast, proceed to Istanbul by crossing the Dardanelles Strait. Lunch en route. Arrive Istanbul and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore this beautiful city on your own.
Overnight in Istanbul
DAY
09: Guided city tour of Istanbul. Fly back home!
This morning after an American breakfast, join us on a guided city tour of Istanbul. Visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, in which stand the obelisk brought from Egypt by Theodosius and the Serpent Column taken from Delphi by Constantine, the Blue Mosque, which has six minarets and a middle dome of 109 feet.
Later drive to the airport to board your flight back home. Return home with wonderful memories of your tour
|
CHECK AVAILABILITY
Quantum
Designs