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This is a tailored tour that focuses on many of
the highlights of Istanbul, Central 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 and may either fly or take overnight
buses.
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.
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Haghia
Sophia |
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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. |
DAY 3
ISTANBUL
- CAPPADOCIA
Today is at leisure until evening and transfer (optional) to bus station and overnight bus to Cappadocia. Or transfer (optional) to airport for flight to Kayseri and transfer (included) to Cappadocia. Overnight in
Cappadocia. B.(D).
DAY 4
CAPPADOCIA
- IHLARA VALLEY
9:30 departure from your hotel in Cappadocia. Visit the
Derinkuyu Underground City and descend through passages and tunnels, eight levels (55m) underground. See amazing "millstone" defense doors, wineries and rooms carved from the rock.
Ihlara Valley - walk in the most scenic part of this canyon flanked by sheer rock walls. Visit unusual frescoed rock churches and have lunch next to the Melendez River in the village of
Belisirma (ancient Peristrema). Continue to
Selime - a village of rock cones below a mesa. Climb up to the two-story colonnaded church and monastery, kitchens, "pekmez house" and camel tunnel all carved into the rock.
Agzikarahan Caravanserai - a stop on the Old Silk Road to see this marvelous example of 13c Seljuk architecture. Overnight in
Cappadocia. B.L. (D)
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DAY 5
CAPPADOCIA
- GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM
9:30 departure from your hotel in Cappadocia. Visit
Devrent Valley - natural rock formations with fantastic shapes.
Cavusin Village, which has one of the oldest churches in Cappadocia. Visit
Pasabagi for a walk in the vineyards among strange multiple "mushroom-capped" fairy chimneys and continue to
Avanos, which has been a center of terra cotta work since 3000 BC. See a pottery demonstration using the ancient kick-wheel technique.
Goreme Open Air Museum - see the best examples of Byzantine frescoes in rock-cut churches from
the 10th to the 13th centuries. Uchisar Village - climb the rock citadel for an extensive panoramic view of the valleys. Transfer to the airport and flight to Izmir (very late arrival). Transfer to Kusadasi and overnight in Kusadasi. (or overnight bus to Kusadasi).
B. (D)
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DAY 6
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY |
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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 |
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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) |
Library of
Celsius |
DAY 7
PAMUKKALE
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. (extra). Return to Kusadasi overnight.
B.L (D)
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DAY 8
PERGAMON - CANAKKALE |
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8:00 Departure. We will visit the Pergamon
Acropolis,
where the ruins of 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 up to 10,000
people. Parchment paper
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Pergamon |
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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. 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. Overnight in
Canakkale.
B.L.
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DAY 9
CANAKKALE
- TROY - GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL
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 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 10
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport (optional) for departure.
B.
*Order of itinerary may vary and other
options and extensions are available
TOUR PRICE:
PLEASE INQUIRE
WITH THE TOUR CODE
ISTANBUL, CAPPADOCIA AND AEGEAN TOUR WITH GALLIPOLI AND
TROY (CODE: CA10)
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ISTANBUL 