This tour offers all you need to know about Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Ephessus, Pergamon, Troy, Dardanel, Anzac Bay.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Includes: (D);
Day 2: Istanbul
Depart 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 and also cultural focus of the Byzantine (Roman) Empire. The square, with its surrounding, is like an open- air museum. After that, visit Blue Mosque and Underground Cistern, which was built in the fourth century. This is one of the underground cisterns that riddle the foundation of the city. Lunch and visit Topkapi Palace Museum, which is the symbol of the Ottoman Empire. Overlooking Istanbul, Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea stands this amazing building that was the great palace of the Ottoman Sultans. The palace is collection of buildings arranged around a series of courtyards and incredible collections of jewels, china, prices of Ottoman and Islamic artwork.
St.Sophia is closed on Monday so it will be replaced with St. Savoir Chora. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday so it will be replaced by Archaeological Museum. Optional Istanbul by night organisations and overnight at your hotel. Includes: (B), (L);
Day 3: Istanbul
Depart from the hotel in the morning to visit Dolmabahce Palace, which was built as a second residence to the Sultan Abdulmecid mid 19th Century. The palace commons nice views right on the Bosphorus and its gardens are very pretty, especially in spring and summer. The founder of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died in this palace on November 10, 1938 at 9:05 am. After that drive over the Golden Horn via the Atatürk Bridge and visit the Spice Bazaar- a wonderful market for dry fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish and Turkish towels. Spices perfume the air with mystical smells of different aromas. Then drive down to the pier to board the both for a cruise down the waterway dividing Europe and Asia, stopping at piers on board shores along the way. Lunch on board. During this tour, you have an ample opportunity to take photographs of the picturesque shores of both continents. After dinner transfer to the train station to depart for Ankara with the deluxe sleeper train. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 4: Ankara Cappadocia
Drive to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with an outstanding Hittite gallery. Continue to the Atatürk Mausoleum. The Mausoleum's main chamber soars skyward from its Hittite column supports. Drive to Cappadocia, visit to the 13th Century Agzıkarahan Caravan-inn on the way.
Dinner and overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 5: Cappadocia
A day touring picturesque views and unique scenery includes: Goreme with its rock cut chaples decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th to the 12th century , the cliff-side Byzantine monastic complex of Zelve. Lunch in Avanos village and continue our visits with the Citadel of Uchisar, shopping facilities. Dinner and overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 6: Cappadocia Konya Pamukkale
Early departure for Konya. Visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi and his dervishes. Continue to Pamukkale lunch will be served on the way. Arrive to Pamukkale and enjoy the sunset with it’s unique calcium cliffs formations. Dinner and overnight in the region. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 7: Pamukkale Kusadasi
Breakfast and visit the ancient Hierapolis.Drive to Aphrodissias Antique city.Lunch in the region and visit to the Greco-Roman settelment which is a remarkable well preserved historical site. Continue to Kusadası for dinner and overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 8: Ephessus Virgin Mary's House Kusadasi
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. After that visit, St. Paul preached at the great theatre of Ephesus in 54 AD It was furthermore the place where Virgin Mary spent some years. House of Virgin Mary place of semi-pilgrimage, the reconstructed temple of Hadrian and Library of Celsius Arcadian Way, Basilica of St. John are highlights. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 9: Kusadasi Pergamum Troy Canakkale
After breakfast continue to Pergamum first stop is the acropolis of ancient Pergamum , famous work done by the physician Galen.Sights include the Altar of Zeus , and the Asclepion ,a famous Roman medical center. We then continue our visit to see the legendary city of Helen of Troy.Dinner and overnight in Canakkale. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 10: Canakkale Istanbul
After breakfast cross over Dardanel and continue to Istanbul by visiting Anzac Bay and the Memorials of the First World War. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 11: After breakfast transfer to your flight back home. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes Istanbul-Ankara deluxe sleeper train fare one way.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Turkey
Archeology/History
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