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ITINERARY: (9 DAYS)
STANBUL 
KUSADASI
EPHESUS
PAMUKKALE
PERGAMON
CANAKKALE
TROY
GALLIPOLI
ISTANBUL
This is a tailored tour that focuses on
some of the highlights of Istanbul and
Aegean Turkey. It is a combination of daily
group tour arrangements including entry fees
and most meals. You may stay in the hotel
category of your choice. Budget and Moderate
options include overnight bus – First Class
and Superior options include Izmir airport
transfer but flight is extra.
DAY 1
ARRIVAL
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer (optional)
to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
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DAY 2
ISTANBUL - SULTANAHMET
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8:10 – 8:45 Departure from your hotel. Today
we will visit the Saint Sophia (Haghia
Sofia) which was built by the emperor Justinian
in the 6th century A.D and stands over much
older remains of a church. See beautiful mosaics
of biblical scenes and the Byzantine emperors
and empresses. We continue to the Blue Mosque,
which was built in the 17th century and is the
only imperial |
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Haghia
Sophia |
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mosque with 6 minarets. We
continue to the Hippodrome, a
stadium and meeting place in Byzantine times,
the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the
Egyptian Obelisk, with the Fountain of
Wilhelm. Visit the Turkish
and Islamic Arts Museum originally built as
the Palace of Ibrahim Pasha in 1524 with fine
examples of Islamic Calligraphy, tiles and
carpets. We will then explore the Topkapi
Palace. It was the
home of the Ottoman
sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. (Harem section is optional and due an
extra entry fee). The tour ends in the Grand
Bazaar, which has over 4000 shops full of
treasures Return to your hotel around 17:30.
This tour may be done completely as a walking
tour. *Note that on Sunday the Grand Bazaar is
closed, on Monday the Turkish and Islamic Art
Museum and St Sophia are closed and on Tuesday
the Topkapi Palace is closed. (All sights except
for Grand Bazaar are replaced by a visit to the
Yerebatan Underground Cistern) Overnight in
Istanbul.
B.L.
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DAY 3
BOSPHORUS CRUISE WITH DOLMABAHCE
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8:10 – 8:45 Departure from your hotel. You will
first see the “Egyptian” Spice Market,
which stands near the mouth of the Golden Horn
and the Bosphorus. The market was built in the
17th century A.D. and is still a thriving place
with spices and souvenirs of all types. We will
also visit the beautiful Iznik tile-covered Rustempasa Mosque, which was built by the
architect Sinan in
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Dolmabahce Palace |
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1560 for the grand vizier of
Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. We embark on
our Bosphorus Cruise up the strait that
divides Europe from Asia and leads to the Black
Sea. From the ship you will see beautiful
mosques, palaces, new luxury villas, very old
Ottoman houses and the Rumeli Fortress. We end
our cruise, cross the Bosphorus Bridge
then head for the Camlica Hill viewpoint
over Istanbul where you can also see the
Princes’ Islands and the Marmara Sea. Then we
continue to the “Selamlik” chambers of the
incredible 19th c. Dolmabahce Palace. The
tour ends with a visit to the charming seaside
suburb of Ortakoy. Return to your hotel
around 17:00. *Notes: Cruise may be done by
regular or private boat - Spice Market
is closed Sunday. Overnight in Istanbul.
B.L. |
DAY 4
ISTANBUL - KUSADASI/SELCUK
Today is at leisure until evening and
transfer (optional) to bus station and overnight
bus to Selcuk. Or transfer (optional) to airport
for flight to Izmir and transfer (included) to
Kusadasi or Selcuk. Overnight in Kusadasi.
B. (D)
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DAY 5
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY |
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9:00-9:30 Departure. We will visit the
house where The Virgin Mary allegedly
spent her last days. We then tour Ephesus, which was one of the largest
and most interesting ancient cities of
Asia Minor. The tour of Ephesus includes
the Library of Celsius, Temple of
Hadrian, the Agora, the marble paved
Arcadian Road, the
Brothel,
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House
of Virgin Mary |
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the Roman Baths, and fantastic Greco-Roman
theater where St. Paul preached. (Entrance to
Ephesus Terrace Houses is extra and optional – Please request a
visit from
your guide at the start of the tour).We then
see the remains of the Temple of
Artemis, which was one
of the Seven
Wonders of the World. Overnight in
Kusadasi or Selcuk. (B). L.(D) |
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DAY 6
PAMUKKALE
8:30 – 8:45 Departure. We will drive through the
Meander Valley and arrive in Pamukkale,
which has been a thermal spa center since before
the Roman era. We visit the ancient city of
Hierapolis, which is said to have been
founded by King Eumenes II of Pergamon. We visit
the great Roman baths, the Temple of
Apollo, the well-preserved theater
and the fascinating Necropolis. St.
Phillip is associated with Hierapolis. We will
also visit the calcium terraces and pools
for which Pamukkale is named “Cotton Castle”.
You may have a chance to bathe in a thermal pool
strewn with marble columns. (This activity is
extra and depends upon time – ask your guide at
the start of the tour). Return to and overnight
in Kusadasi.
B.L. (D)
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DAY 7
PERGAMON - CANAKKALE |
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8.00 – 8.30 Departure. We will visit
the Pergamon Acropolis, where
the ruins of Zeus Altar can
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
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Pergamon |
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Egypt, the palaces of the
kings, and temple of Trajan. Visit the
Aesclepion, 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.
Transfer to the
bus station and receive your ticket to
Canakkale. Upon arrival in Canakkale transfer to
your hotel.
(Note that on the direct tour route the
Aesclepion will not be included and you will go
directly to Canakkale with the group). Overnight in Canakkale.
B.L. (D) |
DAY 8
CANAKKALE - TROY - GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL
8:30 Depart from Canakkale to visit the legendary site of
Troy, with its nine levels of civilization. Troy is the city of Helen and was famous in Homer's Iliad. We will proceed by ferry across the part of the
Dardanelles known as "the Narrows"; the ferry pulls in at the small fishing village of Kilitbahir, which is known for its fort built by Mehmet the Conqueror. You will be given a full explanation of the famous WWI battle. We will visit:
Kabatepe Museum, which contains relics from the campaign including original diary extracts and letters,
Brighton Beach, the intended landing place. Beach Cemetery on the southern tip of
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,
Lone Pine Australian Memorial, site 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,
Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, captured by the New Zealanders during the August offensive. Continue to Istanbul, late night arrival around 23.30. Overnight in Istanbul (taxi from bus station may be needed).
B.L.
DAY 9
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport (optional) for departure.
B.
TOUR PRICE: (IN EUROS)
PER PERSON IN DOUBLE /
TRIPLE ROOM |
SINGLE
SUPP. |
EXTRA
NIGHT IN ISTANBUL |
EXTRA
NIGHT
SNG SUPP. |
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BUDGET
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805 |
145 |
35 |
20 |
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MODERATE |
880 |
180 |
45 |
30 |
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FIRST CLASS |
980** |
275 |
50 |
35 |
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SUPERIOR |
1130** |
385 |
60 |
40 |
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