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This is a tailored tour that focuses on
the main 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. Budget and Moderate
options include overnight bus – First Class
and Superior options include Izm Kayseri/Nevsehir/Izmir/Denizli
Airport transfers but flights are 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 |
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Blue
Mosque |
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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. |
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 with flight only) to
Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.
B. (D)
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DAY 4
CAPPADOCIA – SOGANLI VALLEY |
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10:00 departure. We will visit Urgup
fairy chimneys. Visit Kaymakli Underground
City - explore this underground city of
mazes and tunnels. We take a walk through
Soganli Valley, which is one of the most
attractive and unspoiled places in Cappadocia,
with its unique fairytale churches and dovecotes
(pigeon houses) cut in the rock. View of Mt.
Erciyes (3916m), |
Soganlı Valley |
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which is the highest mountain in the
area. Photo stop of Sahinefendi
Village (Sobesos) and vast gorge.
Taskinpasa Village with its
Kahramanian mosque, and village
life. Watch for villagers baking
fresh bread in outdoor ovens,
Kesklik Rock Monastery and the
old village of Mustafapasa (Sinassos)
an old Greek town. Overnight in
Cappadocia. (B). L.(D) |
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DAY 5
CAPPADOCIA – GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM – KUSADASI/SELCUK |
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10:00 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 the10th to
the 13th centuries. Uchisar
Village - climb the rock citadel
for an extensive panoramic view of
the
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Goreme
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valleys. Transfer to the airport and
flight to Izmir (very late arrival).
Transfer and overnight in Kusadasi
or Selcuk. (Or overnight bus to
Selcuk).
B.L.
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DAY 6
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, the Roman Baths, and fantastic Greco-Roman
theater
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Ephesus |
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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 7
PAMUKKALE - ISTANBUL |
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8.00 - 8.30 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
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Pamukkale |
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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).
Transfer to the bus station and overnight bus to
Istanbul or transfer to the Denizli Airport for
flight to Istanbul and overnight in Istanbul.
B.L. |
DAY 8
DEPARTURE
Early arrival in Istanbul bus station if arriving
by bus and tour services end, or transfer to
airport (optional) for departure.
(B).
TOUR PRICE: (IN EUROS)
ISTANBUL GALLIPOLI TROY EPHESUS AND PERGAMON
TOUR (CODE: CA08)
PER PERSON IN DOUBLE /
TRIPLE ROOM |
SINGLE SUPP. |
EXTRA NIGHT IN ISTANBUL |
EXTRA
NIGHT SING. SUP |
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BUDGET |
655 |
85 |
35 |
20 |
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MODERATE |
695 |
105 |
45 |
30 |
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FIRST
CLASS |
840** |
250 |
50 |
35 |
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SUPERIOR |
970** |
365 |
60 |
40 |
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INCLUDED:
Accommodation in hotel category of your choice
Meals as mentioned only (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Museum entry fees
Transportation in non-smoking mini/midi/coach bus with
professional English speaking guide on tours.
*Bus ticket
Istanbul-Cappadocia-Selcuk- Denizli
-Istanbul (Budget and Moderate options only).
Where overnight bus is included there is
no hotel stay on that evening and no
breakfast the following morning.
*Izmir and
Kayseri/Nevsehir Airport transfer
(First Class and Deluxe options only)
*Order of tour itinerary may vary and other options may be available, extensions available for any point of the tour or shorter version of tour is also available (this tour is a tailored tour comprised of daily group tours)
NOT INCLUDED:
International or domestic flights,
Istanbul airport transfers, drinks, tips to guide and driver and items of a personal nature.
OPTIONAL:
4 x Istanbul airport transfers 160 EUROS
total (up to 3 passengers - valid for
Istanbul Ataturk Airport only)/
Turkish Night
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KUSADASI 