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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. We will also visit the Caferaga
Medresesi which was a school designed by the
famous architect Sinan in 1560 and is now used
for workshops in traditional Ottoman arts. We
will have lunch and continue with 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. Then we will explore the Topkapi
Palace. It was the home of the Ottoman
sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. We see
the Imperial Treasury with the famous
Spoonmaker Diamond. Also the Baghdad
Kiosk, the Armory with its collection
of Ottoman weapons and a fine collection of
ceramics. (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. 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.
B.L. |
DAY 4
ISTANBUL - KUSADASI
Today is at leisure until evening and transfer (optional) to bus station and overnight bus to Kusadasi. Or transfer (optional) to airport for flight to Izmir and transfer (included) to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi or Selcuk.
B. (D)
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DAY 5
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY |
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9.00 - 9:30 Departure. Today we tour
Ephesus, which was one of the largest and most interesting ancient cities of Asia Minor. It is considered to be the most fantastic Greco-Roman site in Turkey. You may imagine the Ephesians shouting at the silversmith Demetrius, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians" in reaction to the preaching of St. Paul
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House
of Virgin Mary |
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against man-made idols. A
visit to
the house where The Virgin Mary spent her last days, and 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
8.00 - 8.30 Departure. Today we drive through the Meander valley and make a visit to
Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis with the Temple of Apollo, the breathtaking Theater, the fascinating Necropolis and the last the great baths of Hierapolis antique city, where St. Philip was martyred. St. Philip is connected with the early church in Hierapolis and played an important role in the history of the city. Finally we visit the
calcium terraces and pools. You may have a chance to swim in a thermal pool (extra). Return to Kusadasi or Selcuk and overnight.
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
(depending upon day of travel the
Aesclepion may not be included).
Transfer to the bus station and receive
your ticket to Canakkale. Upon arrival
in Canakkale transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Canakkale.
B.L.
(D) |
DAY 8
CANAKKALE - TROY - GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL
8.45 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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760 |
100 |
30 |
15 |
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MODERATE |
840 |
175 |
40 |
30 |
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FIRST CLASS |
945** |
255 |
50 |
35 |
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SUPERIOR |
1110** |
395 |
60 |
45 |
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