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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 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
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Topkapi
Palace |
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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 - IZMIR - KUSADASI (OPTIONAL
BOSPHORUS TOUR)
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.(D)
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DAY 4
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 where St. Paul preached.
We then see the remains of the Temple of
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House of
Virgin Mary |
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Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Transfer to the bus station, and upon late night arrival (approx. midnight) in Canakkale walk to your hotel and overnight in Canakkale. B.L. |
DAY 5
CANAKKALE - TROY - GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL
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 6
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport (optional) for departure.
B.
TOUR PRICE:
PLEASE INQUIRE
WITH THE TOUR CODE
ISTANBUL EPHESUS TROY AND GALLIPOLI TOUR (CODE:
CA06)
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 prof. English
speaking guide and driver on tours
*Bus ticket from Istanbul to Kusadasi or
Selcuk (Budget and
Moderate options only). Where
overnight bus is included there is no
hotel stay on that evening.
*Izmir 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:
3 x Istanbul airport transfers 120 EUROS
total (up to 3 passengers)
DOMESTIC FLIGHT:
ISTANBUL-IZMIR:
Approximately 95 EUROS per person
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ISTANBUL
