Grand Turkey Tour
DAY 01 : ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL
Arrival to Istanbul International Airport and meet for transfer
to hotel. In the evening all participants will meet for a group
dinner to get to know each other. Orientation and discussion
with the guide.
Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 02 : ISTANBUL HISTORICAL
SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast, then we move on to visit some of the most important
historical sights of Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque, St Sophia,
Grand Bazaar Hippodrome Obelisk and Topkapi Palace (Harem roomsoptional
extra). In the evening back to hotel,
Overnight in istanbul
DAY 03 : ANKARA to CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast and check out and transfer to domestic airport
08:00 am morning flight to Ankara.
09:00 On arrival Ankara we move on to visit the Mausoleum of
Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, and the museum of Anatolian
Civilizations with its Hittite treasures and artifacts. Then
en-route to Cappadocia, famous for its "moon like"
landscape and underground
cities, we will stop to tour the 13th century Agizikaran Caravanserai.
Overnight in Cappadocia
DAY 04 : CAPPADOCIA
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 : KONYA to ANTALYA via
ASPENDOS & PERGE
Breakfast after which we drive on to Antalya which is located
on the Mediterranean Coast. En-route we will stop to visit the
ruins of the
Hellenistic and Roman periods such as the colonnade street of
Perge, the magnificently preserved 15.000 persons capacity theatre
of Aspendos and the 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 : PAMUKKALE, APHRODISIAS
and EPHESUS
Depart on the drive to Selcuk and along the way we will make
a stop to visit the amazing ruins of Aphrodisias which were
dedicated to the Godess of Love, 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 : IZMIR, PERGAMUM to CANAKKALE
Breakfast, check out and drive on to Pergamum to visit the Acropol
where you will 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 the drive to Troy to visit this legendary
and mythological city along with the replica of the famous wooden
horse. Overnight in Canakkale
DAY 10 : CANAKKALE, GALLIPOLI
to ISTANBUL
Breakfast, check out and then cross the Dardanelles by car ferry
to Eceabat where we will 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 : BOSPHOROUS CRUISE
Breakfast at hotel after which we drive Eminonu Port to board
the regular city boat for a 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 visit Camlica Hill for panoramic views over the city.
?n 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.
Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 12 : DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL
Breakfast at hotel, check out and as per your international
flight departure time, transfer on to Istanbul Airport.