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This is a tailored tour that focuses on the
highlights and Biblical sites of Istanbul and
Aegean Turkey This tour 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 Deluxe 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 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
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Blue
Mosque |
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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. |
DAY 3
ISTANBUL - BOSPHORUS CRUISE WITH DOLMABAHCE
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 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.
B.L.
DAY
4
ISTANBUL - IZMIR - 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.
B.
DAY
5
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY
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, the Roman Baths, and fantastic Greco-Roman theater where St. Paul preached. We then see the remains of the
Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Overnight in
Kusadasi.
B.L. (D)
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DAY 6
PAMUKKALE |
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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 |
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Pamukkale |
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for which Pamukkale is named "Cotton Castle". You may have a chance to bathe in a thermal pool strewn with marble columns. (extra). Return to
and overnight in Kusadasi.
B.L. (D)
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DAY 7
PERGAMON - CANAKKALE |
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8:00 Departure. We will visit the Pergamon
Acropolis, where the ruins of the Zeus
Altar "Throne of Satan" can still be
seen today. Pergamon was a center of
Roman authority and a place of
persecution for Christians who
denied imperial worship. 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
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Pergamon - Asclepion |
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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 the Temple
of Trajan. We will pass the Red Hall (View), which was a temple to Serapis and later a church. 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. Transfer to the bus station, and upon arrival in Canakkale walk to your hotel and overnight in Canakkale.
B.L.
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DAY 8
CANAKKALE
- TROY - GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL
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7.45 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
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Gallipoli |
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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:
PLEASE INQUIRE
WITH THE TOUR CODE
ISTANBUL AND AEGEAN TOUR WITH GALLIPOLI AND
TROY (CODE: CA09)
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ISTANBUL 