Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Hometown – Istanbul. Arrive to Istanbul, transfer to your hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Istanbul. Departure from the hotel in the morning to visit St. Sophia that was built by Constantine the Great. It is also known as the church of the Divine Wisdom designed to impress the strength and wealth of the Roman Emperors. Next stop is Hippodrome that is the arena with the scenes of chariot races take place and also cultural focus of the Byzantine (Roman) Empire. The square, with its surrounding, is like an open-air museum. Then a visit to the Underground Cistern, which was built in the 4th Century. This one of the Underground cistern that riddle the foundation of the city. After lunch on the way visit Topkapi Palace Museum, which is the symbol of the Ottoman Empire. Overlooking Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea, stands this amazing building that was the great palace of the Ottoman Sultans. The palace is collecting buildings arranged around a series of courtyards and his incredible collections of jewels, china, prices of Ottoman and Islamic artwork. The last stop is Sultanahmet Mosque. Overnight in Istanbul. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 3: Istanbul - Iznik - Bursa (175 Miles). After breakfast drive to Nicaea . Nicaea is the site of the first Ecumenical Council. After that visit the unique of Nicaea Tiles then drive to Bursa, which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire is now a spa and ski resort. The Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum of the Ottoman Sultans are the important buildings to see. After lunch at famous kebab restaurant, visit Market. Dinner and overnight in Bursa. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 4: Bursa - Pergamon - Izmir (212 Miles). The first stop is the acropolis of ancient Pergamon, famous for work done by the great physician, Galen. Sights include the Altar of Zeus, and the Asclepion, a famous Roman medical center. Overnight in Izmir. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 5: Izmir - Kusadasi (59 Miles). Drive to Ephesus upon arrival to embark on another significant historical town once having 250,000 inhabitants. Full day visiting the great Byzantine and Roman ruins still magnificently in place and picturesque. Ephesus has been an important city of Asia Minor in many aspects. Firstly, it was a place of pilgrimage for the worshippers of Goddess of Fertility. Artemis or Diana was the supreme cult in the region and Ephesians erected a spectacular temple for her, considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Overnight in Kusadasi. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 6: Kusadasi - Aphrodisias - Pamukkale (125 Miles). Early in the morning, you will explore the ruins of Aphrodisias, the famous city dedicated to the Goddess of love. Than visit the regnant ruins of the two theaters. After visiting the Archaeological Museum of Aphrodisias, continue to Pamukkale, site of a magnificent natural phenomenon, unique in the world with its fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. Once a well-known spa for the Romans. Overnight in Pamukkale. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 7: Pamukkale - Antalya (154 Miles). After breakfast, visit Pamukkale with its brilliant white calcium rock formations. You step into a glacial fairyland of petrified waterfalls and dazzling white basins lay the ruins of Hierapolis, founded by Eumenes II, King of Pergamon in 190 BC, and also the vast ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. After that visit to Cotton Castle, that is appearance of the spectacular white line cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Overnight in Antalya. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 8: Perge - Aspendos - Side – Antalya. First stop is Perge, where St. Paul preached his first sermon. We find here antique ruins of a huge theater with impressive marble relive work, fountains, stadium, watch towers, a colonnaded steam bath, agora and basilica.. After that visit Aspendos. Aspendos theater is the best preserved theater of antiquity, with seating for 15,000. Still used today, the theater's galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to the architect's success. Nearby stand the remains of basilica, agora and one of the largest aqueducts in Anatolia. Third stop at Side that is one of the best-known classical sites in Turkey, had an ancient name meant pomegranate. Today a pretty resort town, its ancient ruins, two sandy beaches, many accommodations attract of visitors. The magnificent theater of the built on colonnaded arts, is the largest in the whole area Overnight in Antalya. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 9: Antalya - Konya - Cappadocia (322 Miles). Early departure for Konya to explore its beautiful Seljuk Turkish Architecture, including the Mevlana Museum, a 13th Century Dervish monastery. Celaleddin Rumi, mystic poet and founder of the Dervish order, is buried here amid great pomp. After lunch drive to Cappadocia visiting Sultanhani Caravan-inn on the way. Overnight in Cappadocia. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 10: Cappadocia. Depart hotel early in the morning. Full day touring the "moon- like" topography of Cappadocia. The absolutely unique landscape of Goreme with its rock chapels carved by early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th to the 12th Century is an unforgettable experience, and then visit the pottery making village of Avanos and Byzantine Monastic Complex of Zelve. Later visit the castle of Uchisar. Overnight in Cappadocia. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 11: Cappadocia - Ankara (170 Miles). After breakfast, visit the underground city of Kaymakli where thousands of early Christians lived concealed from their persecutors in an eight story subterranean complex. Drive to Ankara and continue to visit The Museum of Anatolian Civilization with an outstanding Hittite gallery and to the Ataturk Mausoleum. The Mausoleum's main chamber soars skyward from it is Hittite column supports. On through Ankara's "Embassy Row" for a stop at Cankaya, site of the President’s House. Overnight at your hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 12: Ankara – Hometown. Fly to Istanbul by Turkish Airlines for your connection to international flight. Includes: (B);
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price may vary depending on tour season and accomodation category.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Turkey
Cultural Journey
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
