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ITINERARY: (16 DAYS) |
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ISTANBUL
TROY
ASSOS
PERGAMON
EPHESUS
APHRODISIAS |
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PAMUKKALE
DALYAN
FETHIYE
KAS
ANTALYA
KONYA
CAPPADOCIA
ISTANBUL |
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The Grand Tour of Western Turkey is a
combination of our favorite places which are
mainly located on the Aegean and
Mediterranean coastal areas of Turkey. You
follow a detailed, yet leisurely route with
only a few early starts enjoying special
extras like a river cruise in Dalyan and a
gulet cruise to the Kekova sunken city, also
a Sufi experience with the Whirling
Dervishes. The tour is conducted by
comfortable non-smoking minivan with A/C and
separate professional driver and we allow a
maximum of 10 passengers. Your English
speaking guide is certified by the Ministry
of Culture. |
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We start in Istanbul on the Marmara Sea,
visiting Gallipoli then
cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale, visit
ancient Troy and continue to the enchanting
Assos Harbor with overnight in one of the
traditional stone houses. As we continue
along the coast of the Aegean Sea, we begin
our discovery of the classical and biblical
sights including Pergamon, Ephesus,
Aphrodisias and Hierapolis. After your
immersion in all this history, we head
southeast and come to the Mediterranean.
This is the relaxing part of the tour with
swimming, mudbaths, sunning and more. We
will also visit some amazing sights of the
Lycian coast and cruise in a traditional
gulet to the sunken city near Kekova Island
and visit the charming town of Simena and
its castle. We visit the church of St.
Nicholas, who was born near here in Turkey!
We continue along the coast to Antalya and
overnight in the historic old city (Kaleici),
which is still for the most part enclosed by
its ancient city walls. Wander the narrow
streets and take pictures of the huge
dilapidated manors with their bay windows.
The finale of the tour is our visit to
central Anatolia. We cross the Toros
Mountains, coming to the plains. Here we
visit the city of Mevlana and continue to
the Cappadocia region, which is know for its
unusual wind and weather sculpted rock
formations, cave dwellings and early
Christian churches. |
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DAY 1 (SAT)
ARRIVAL
Arrival at Istanbul airport. Please look for your
name after clearing customs. Meet your Insight
travel representative and transfer to
your hotel. Free time and overnight in hotel category of your
choice.
DAY 2 (SUN)
ISTANBUL- SULTANAHMET
8.45 Departure. 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.
Overnight in Istanbul.
B.L. |
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DAY 3 (MON)
ISTANBUL - GALLIPOLI -TROY
- ASSOS |
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We depart early in the morning and will travel to
Gallipoli and visit the Kabatepe
Museum, which contains relics from the
campaign including original diary extracts and
letters, Brighton Beach, then to Anzac Cove,
the landing place of the first wave of
Australian and New Zealand troops and home to up
to 30,000 troops
during the campaign,
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Gallipoli |
Lone Pine Australian Memorial, site |
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of the successful attack and capture of Turkish
trenches by the Australians during the
August offensive, Johnston’s Jolly where you
will visit the original Allied and Turkish
trenches and tunnels, The Nek, and
Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. We
continue to Troy, the legendary city
of Homer and the beautiful Helen, which has
nine principal levels of occupation covering
a period of 3000 years. You will see a
reproduction of the Trojan horse, the museum
and the new excavations. We will continue to
Assos and stay overnight in a special hotel
made of stone.
Overnight in 4* or boutique hotel.
B.L.D. |
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DAY 4 (TUE)
ASSOS - PERGAMON - KUSADASI/SELCUK |
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We
discover Behramkale Village and visit the
ancient city of Assos and Temple of
Athena, high upon a hill. You can see the
Greek Island of Lesvos from here. Aristotle
founded his first school of philosophy in Assos.
We will have some free time in the village and
then drive down to the small ancient harbor. We
will then continue to the Pergamon Acropolis, |
Pergamon
Acropolis |
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where the ruins of Zeus Altar can |
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still be seen today. The acropolis
is situated high above the plain and
has a unique panoramic view. The
very narrow and steep theater on the
hillside could seat up to 10,000
people. Parchment paper was first
produced in Pergamon. We will visit
the remains of the Great Library,
which rivaled the one of Alexandria
in Egypt, the palaces of the kings,
and Temple of Trajan.
Visit the Asclepion, which
was known as the first place of
medical science. Galen, who
originated from Pergamon and became
the most famous doctor of his time,
treated his patients here. Continue
to Selcuk or Kusadasi and in 4* or boutique
hotel.
B.L.D.
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DAY 5 (WED)
EPHESUS – HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY- ST JOHN –
KUSADASI/SELCUK |
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Today we will visit the House of Virgin Mary,
which is a major pilgrimage site, then
Ephesus, with the Library of Celsius,
Temple of Hadrian, Agora and
fantastic Greco-Roman theater. Continue
to Sirince Village, where you may taste
different types of fruit wine. We will also
visit the Basilica of St. John and
remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of
Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Overnight in
Kusadasi or Selcuk.
B.L.D. |
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DAY 6 (THU)
KUSADASI - APHRODISIAS - PAMUKKALE |
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We will drive through the
Meander Valley and see the Meander River,
which gave us the word “Meandering”, then spend
some time at the Greco-Roman site of
Aphrodisias, which is still being excavated.
It features the Temple of Aphrodite, two
agoras, a huge intact stadium,
baths of Hadrian and theater. As
Aphrodisias was the site of a famous sculptural
school you will be able to enjoy excellent
examples of |
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Pamukkale |
marble work in the museum. We
continue |
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to Pamukkale
with its
impressive calcium terraces and see the ancient
site of Hierapolis with the Temple of
Apollo, Theater, and Martyrium of St.
Phillip and see a large and extensive
Necropolis. Overnight in 4* thermal hotel.
B.L.D. |
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DAY 7 (FRI)
PAMUKKALE - DALYAN
Today we
will drive to Dalyan and have an
enjoyable day in this fishing town with a
riverboat tour, where you may enjoy thermal
waters and a mud bath, visit the ancient site of
Caunos and lay on sandy Iztuzu beach,
which is a breeding ground of the famous Caretta
Caretta turtle. Overnight in Dalyan.
B.L.D. |
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DAY 8 (SAT)
DALYAN – TLOS – SAKLIKENT – FETHIYE |
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Our journey
takes us up into the mountains. Today’s visits
will include the ancient site of Tlos, which is
carved out with Lycian tombs and crowned by a
ruined stronghold of an 18th century robber
baron. There is a relief of Bellerophon riding
the winged horse Pegasus and an ivy-covered ruin
of a Roman bath. We will also visit the
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gorge of
Saklikent, with its
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Kayakoy |
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steep walls,
by walking on a boardwalk over the rapids
and/or depending on time Oludeniz (known as
Turkey’s most beautiful beach) or Kayakoy
(abandoned Greek village). We continue to
Fethiye and overnight.
B.L.D. |
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DAY 9 (SUN)
FETHIYE – XANTHOS – PATARA – KALKAN – KAS
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Today we will visit Xanthos,
which was the capital of Lycia. It
has a fine Roman theater and Lycian
pillar tombs. The next stop is
Patara, with its 17km long white
sandy beach and ruins half buried in
sand dunes. Patara was the
birthplace of the 4th century
Byzantine bishop known later as
Santa Claus. We will visit the old
part of Kalkan, which was a
fishing
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Xanthos |
village once occupied by Ottoman |
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Greeks.
Overnight in the small waterside town of Kas.
B.L.D. |
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DAY 10 (MON)
GULET CRUISE – KAS – KEKOVA |
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We will cruise to Kekova, a
peaceful group of picturesque
islands with very distinctive rock
sarcophagi and ancient houses
submerged under the clear water. The
cruise also includes Ucagiz
Village and the quaint village
of Simena with its stone
houses covered in bougainvillea, and
the castle. There will be
opportunities for swimming. |
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Return to Kas and overnight.
B.L.D. |
Cruising in Kekova |
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*In the event of unsuitable
weather for cruising we reserve the right to
schedule an alternative activity.
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DAY 11 (TUE)
MYRA – ANTALYA |
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We will see the Lycian tombs
of Myra and the Church of St.
Nicholas (Santa Claus). We will
continue along the scenic coast and
visit the ancient site of
Phaselis with its harbors,
harbor way, Roman theater and
aqueduct. In the afternoon an
enjoyable visit to the old part of
Antalya called Kaleici, with
the Gate of Hadrian, the
Clock Tower, Fluted minaret,
Palm Street and the ancient harbor.
Overnight in Antalya.
B.L.D. |
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Antalya
Harbor |
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DAY 12 (WED)
ANTALYA – PERGE – ASPENDOS |
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We will see Perge, which was
originally settled by the Hittites
around 1500 BC. We will visit the
impressive colonnaded street, baths,
nymphaeum, and agora and the
fountain of the River God, where
waters once poured down the center
of the city. We continue to
Aspendos to see one of the
best-preserved amphitheaters in the
world. Overnight in Antalya.
B.L.D.
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Aspendos |
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DAY 13 (THU)
ANTALYA – KONYA |
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We drive through the Toros mountains
to Konya. Konya was known as
Iconium in Roman times and was the
capital of the Seljuk Turks from the
12th to 13th centuries. Mevlana
Celaleddin Rumi founded a Sufi order
known as the Whirling Dervishes. We
will visit the Museum of Mevlana
and the great Seljuk monuments
such as the Karatay Medrese
and the Ince Minareli Medrese.
Overnight in 4* hotel.
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Museum of Mevlana |
B.L.D. |
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DAY 14 (FRI)
KONYA – SILK ROAD – CAPPADOCIA – WHIRLING
DERVISHES |
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We will
continue from Konya on the Old Silk Road
trade route and visit Caravanserais
from the Seljuk period and a hidden
Crater lake before arriving in
Cappadocia. Visit Selime, a village
of rock cones below a mesa. It is possible
to see the two-story colonnaded church and
monastery, kitchens, "pekmez house" and
camel tunnel all carved into the rock. We
will have lunch in Belisirma village
on the Melendez River then visit Ihlara
Valley. Descend into this incredible
gorge, and then walk in the most scenic part
of this canyon flanked by sheer rock walls
we will descend even deeper into the earth
through the passages and tunnels of
Kaymakli Underground City. See the
ingenious "millstone" defense doors,
wineries and rooms carved from the living
rock. Our last stop is Pigeon Valley
where we see the ancient dovecotes from
across the ravine. Tonight we will enjoy a
performance of the Whirling Dervishes.
Overnight in cave/volcanic stone hotel.
B.L.D. |
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DAY 15 (SAT)
CAPPADOCIA – CAVE CHURCHES AND GOREME VALLEY
- ISTANBUL |
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In the
morning you will 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. Transfer to
the airport for evening flight to Istanbul
and transfer to hotel. Overnight in
Istanbul.
B.L. |
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DAY 16 (SUN)
DEPARTURE |
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Pick up
from your hotel and transfer to the airport
approximately 3 hours prior to your flight
departure. |
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TOUR PRICE (LAND ONLY): (IN EUROS) |
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GRAND TOUR OF WESTERN
TURKEY: (TOUR CODE: RC16) |
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PER PERSON IN DOUBLE/TRIPLE ROOM |
FLIGHT:
IST– KAY
ON THY |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT |
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4* IN ISTANBUL |
2195 EURO |
+100
EURO* |
325 EURO |
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SUPERIOR BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN ISTANBUL |
2260 EURO |
+100
EURO* |
360 EURO |
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INCLUDED:
All airport transfers
Accommodation in hotels as mentioned
Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch,
D=Dinner)
Museum entry fees
Transportation in non-smoking minibus with
professional English speaking guide and
professional driver.
Boat Tour in Dalyan
Gulet Cruise in Kas
Whirling Dervish performance
NOT INCLUDED:
International or domestic flights, drinks,
tips to guide and driver and items of a
personal nature.
*Domestic flight price, listed separately is
approximate.
OPTIONAL:
We can arrange for pre- or post tours or
hotel accommodation for those of you who
want to see more of Turkey. We can also
arrange for a
Balloon Tour in
Cappadocia.
PAYMENT:
500 EUROS 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: |
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4*/boutique:
Megara Hotel,
Metropol Hotel,
Tash Konak,
Grand Yavuz Hotel,
Historia Hotel
Superior boutique:
Daphne Hotel,
Mina
Hotel,
Garden House Hotel |
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Assos:
Assos Kervansaray Hotel or
Nazlihan
Hotel |
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Kusadasi or Selcuk:
Akay Hotel
or
Nilya
Hotel |
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Pamukkale:
4* Lycus River Thermal Hotel
or
Pamuksu Hotel
or
Richmond Pamukkale Thermal |
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Dalyan:
Dalyan
Resort
or
Horizon Resort |
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Fethiye:
Yacht Plaza Hotel
or
Villa
Daffodil |
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Kas:
Hera Hotel
or
Hideaway Hotel |
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Antalya:
La
Paloma Hotel |
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Konya:
Bera
Mevlana Hotel
or
Rumi Hotel
Cappadocia:
Gamirasu Cave Hotel
or
Elkep Evi 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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