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DAY 1 (SAT)
ARRIVAL
Arrival at Istanbul airport. Meet and transfer to
your hotel. Overnight in 4* or boutique hotel
DAY 2 (SUN)
ISTANBUL - SULTANAHMET - CAPPADOCIA
Visit The St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was
built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest
building in the world for over 1000 years. See its
intricate mosaics and huge central dome. Continue to
the Topkapi palace, which was used by the
Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We
will also see the impressive collection of priceless
jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by
the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed.
(Entrance to the Harem is extra). After lunch we
will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan
Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture
with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful
Iznik tiles. Visit the ancient Hippodrome
with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar
and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Walk
through the back streets of Old Istanbul and visit
the elegant little Sokullu Pasa mosque and
the hidden underground Theodosian Cistern.
This tour may be done all or partially as a walking
tour. Transfer to airport for flight to Kayseri and
transfer to Cappadocia. Overnight in volcanic
stone/cave hotel.
B.L.D.
DAY 3 (MON)
CAPPADOCIA - CAVE CHURCHES AND GOREME VALLEY
In the morning you will wake up in a world you have
never imagined. Experience the feeling of living in
an Anatolian village, where houses are built in
caves, and life goes on as it has for centuries. You
may see villagers baking bread, drying fruit on
their rooftops or riding on donkeys to their fields.
We will begin our visit to the enchanting "fairy
chimneys" (conical and unusual rock formations)
in Devrent Valley. We continue to the
Goreme Open Air Museum, which was once a
Byzantine monastery. See the finest examples of
religious frescoes in rock-cut churches from the
10th to the 13th centuries. Enjoy Pasabagi Valley,
while walking through vineyards among strange
multiple "mushroom-capped" volcanic rock formations.
We will also visit Cavusin Village and see
abandoned troglodyte houses cut high up in the rock
face. We will take a short walk in the Rose
Valley, where mineral deposits have given
beautiful color to the weathered stones and then
continue to Avanos, center of terra cotta
work since 3000 BC. See a pottery demonstration
using the ancient kick-wheel technique. Evening
of cultural entertainment and music or
performance of the Whirling dervishes. Overnight in
volcanic stone/cave hotel.
B.L.D.
DAY 4 (TUE)
CAPPADOCIA - HATTUSAS (HITTITE CITIES) - AMASYA
TToday's highlight is the incredible capital of the
Hittite Kingdom - Hattusas. This site is
still being excavated and you will see the new
finds. We will first visit the sacred precinct of
Yazilikaya, with its rock carvings of the myriad
Hittite Gods and Goddesses. We will look at the main
fortifications of Hattusas including the ramparts,
secret tunnels and Lion Gate.
We will also see the Great Temple of the Storm
God dating from the 14th c. B.C with its sacred
cubic altar of green stone, ingenious defense
systems, water drainage and storage rooms. We will
continue to Amasya for overnight. Overnight in
Special hotel.
B.L.D.
DAY 5 (WED)
AMASYA - SAFRANBOLU
Today we visit Amasya, which is a treasure of
the verdant Black Sea area. Amasya is nestled in a
steep mountain valley on the banks of the Green
river, and has many beautiful old houses. The rock
tombs, carved into the steep cliffs testify to its
history as the capital of the ancient Pontic
kingdom.
We will visit some impressive Seljuk and early
Ottoman monuments such as Gokmedrese, the
Sifahane (Insane Asylum), Tashan Caravanserai
(metalworking) and the museum with its
curious mummies from the Ilhanli period (14th c). We
will continue to Safranbolu, a village of beautiful
half-timbered Ottoman houses. Overnight in a special
Safranbolu house.
B.L.D.
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DAY 6 (THU)
SAFRANBOLU - YORUK VILLAGE - SAFRANBOLU |
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Today we will visit Safranbolu and the
neighboring village of Yorukkoy. During the
17th c. the main Ottoman trade route passed through
Safranbolu bringing wealth to the town. Later the
wealthy families built impressive spacious mansions.
You will have time to explore Safranbolu on your
own. |
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Safranbolu is famous for woodworking and Turkish
Delight. Yorukkoy was founded by Nomads, and is a
very authentic village. There we will see a
beautiful mansion, and the old village wash house.
Return to Safranbolu for overnight.
B.L.D. |
DAY 7 (FRI)
SAFRANBOLU - BEYPAZARI - ANKARA
We will arrive in the town of Beypazari, with
its old Anatolian houses. You will have free time to
explore the town and back streets. We will see
artisans hand sewing bed coverlets, weaving rag-rugs
and silk tablecloths, also silver making, and silver
weaving, blacksmiths, saddle-makers and cobblers.
The town is also famous for its cuisine such as dry
bread crusts, carrot Turkish delight and thin
stuffed grape leaves. Continue to Ankara. Overnight
in boutique or 4* hotel.
B.L.D.
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DAY 8 (SAT)
ANKARA - GORDION (TOMB OF MIDAS) - CITY OF MIDAS
- AFYON |
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We will make a visit to Gordion. This site is
famous for the "Gordion Knot" of Alexander the
Great, but even more interesting is the ancient
tomb of the Phrygian "King Midas" of myth. The
tomb is under a massive tumulus. The tomb of the
king, made of huge tree trunks, is the oldest
existing wooden construction in the world. We will
also visit the museum exhibiting finds from the
tombs and Gordion site. (Instead of Gordion a visit
to the Ankara Museum of Civilizations may also be
possible). We will visit the impressive site
of Yazilikaya (City of |
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Midas) and the
Temple of Cybele (Mother Goddess), with its
mysterious Phrygian inscriptions. We will walk up
the processional way, with its rock-cut figures to
the acropolis of the ancient city, where there are
two altars. We will also see the unfinished temple
and staircases cut into the rock, which descend to a
water cistern. Our journey into inner Anatolia also
brings us to the ancient Phrygian valley,
where we will see the massive stone tombs of "Aslantas"
and "Yilantas", which were carved in the 6th
c B.C. and possibly stop in an old village where
there is a Selcuk tomb, which is believed to cure
illness and grant wishes. Overnight in Afyon 4*
thermal hotel.
B.L.D. |
DAY 9 (SUN)
AFYON - KUTAHYA - AIZANOI - BURSA
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Today we will visit Kutahya and see the old Quarter.
Kutahya is a famous center of tile and
ceramic making. Time permitting a visit to local
artisans and shopping. We continue our journey into
the interior of Anatolia to see one of the most
perfectly preserved Roman temples in Asia
Minor. The temple of Zeus is impressive but
also houses an ancient underground Shrine to the
Mother Goddess. We will also see the ruins of a
unique stadium and theater, which are joined
together. We will continue into the village to see
the ruins
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of the world's first stock
exchange, built in the 1st or 2nd century A.D.
Here you see the maximum prices of commodities and
livestock inscribed on stone slabs in the
circular market building and the ancient Agora.
Overnight in Bursa Special Class hotel.
B.L.D. |
DAY 10 (MON)
BURSA - CUMALIKIZIK -ISTANBUL
Today we will visit the Ulu (Great) Mosque,
the Silk Market, Green Mosque, Tombs of Osman and
Orhan and the Muradiye Complex. Time
permitting we may also be able to visit the museum
and see a performance of the shadow puppets
Hacivat and Karagoz. After lunch we visit the
village of Cumalikizik. It is said that Osman
Gazi, founder of the Ottoman Empire established
seven villages for his seven sons nearly seven
hundred years ago. This is one of the villages on
the slopes of Ulu Mountain. The narrow streets have
cobblestones and the ground floor of the houses have
exterior stone walls reinforced by wooden beams. The
upper floor is of timber and clay bricks. Free time
in the village. Return to Istanbul and overnight in
4* or boutique hotel.
B.L.
DAY 11 (TUE)
ISTANBUL
Free day or optional tour of Istanbul. Overnight in
4* or boutique hotel. B.
DAY 12 (WED)
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport for departure.
B.
Tour is limited to 10 Passengers maximum -You may
combine this tour with our special
Highlights of
Turkey tour or with
Mysteries of Eastern Turkey
tour.
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TOUR PRICE: (IN EUROS):
CONTACT
US
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ANATOLIAN HOUSES AND TEMPLES: (TOUR CODE: RB12) |
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PER PERSON IN DOUBLE ROOM/TRIPLE ROOM |
FLIGHT:
IST- KAYSERI |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT |
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4* IN ISTANBUL |
1625 EURO |
+100 EURO** |
+ 240 EURO |
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SUPERIOR BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN ISTANBUL |
1675 EURO |
+100 EURO** |
+ 280 EURO |
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INCLUDED:
All airport transfers
Accommodation in specified category
Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch,
D=Dinner)
Museum entry fees
Transportation in non-smoking mini bus with
professional English speaking guide and
professional driver.
Entertainment as mentioned in tour plan |
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NOT INCLUDED:
International flights, drinks, tips to guide and
driver and items of a personal nature. Domestic
flights with associated transfer are extra.
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PAYMENT:
300 EURO per person is due at the time of
booking, which is non-refundable. The balance is
due one month prior to tour departure. No refund
will be given for unused tour service after
commencement of tour for any reason. We
recommend trip insurance. See terms and
conditions:
:
Click Here
Please add 6% for any amount paid by credit
card, except for initial deposit. Balance may be
paid by bank draft. |
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Hotels Featured in this tour:
Istanbul:
4*/boutique:
Megara Hotel,
Metropol Hotel,
Tash Konak,
Grand Yavuz Hotel,
Historia Hotel
Superior boutique:
Daphne Hotel,
Mina Hotel,
Garden House Hotel
Cappadocia:
Gamirasu Cave Hotel or
Elkep Evi Hotel
Amasya:
Ilk Pansiyon
Safranbolu:
Cesmeli Konak
Ankara:
Angora House or
4* Ickale Hotel
Afyon:
4* Grand Ozer Thermal Hotel
Bursa:
Safran Hotel or
Bursa Kervansaray Thermal Hotel |
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*Hotel information is available on our website
at
Turkey Hotels.
Similar hotels may be used if the featured
hotels are not available at the time of booking. |
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