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Turkey Tour
offered by supplier M15437 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 15
- 17
day(s)
Group Size: 4
- 20
people
Destination(s):
Turkey
Specialty Categories:
Archeology/History
Biblical Tours
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 2000 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2300 Euro (EUR)
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Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Istanbul
Welcome to Turkiye/Istanbul. Our representative will meet you at Ataturk Airport and transfer you to your hotel in the Sultanahmet district, the oldest area of Istanbul. There will be a brief orientation about Turkey and a welcome dinner at the hotel. Includes: (D).
Day 2: Istanbul
In the morning we will tour Topkapi Palace. It was the center of the Ottoman Empire for about 400 years. At present it is a museum and we will spend half a day visiting various sections of Topkapi Palace. After lunch in the palace’s Garden Restaurant, we will visit the Ayasofya. It began as a 6Th century church, St.Sophia‘s (Hagia Sophia); built by Emperor Justinian, to be the grandest church in all Christianity. When the Turks conquered Istanbul, Ayasofya was converted to a mosque. After the Turkish Republic was founded in 1923 it became a museum. Ayasofya is one of the most beautiful structures in Istanbul. Later we will discover the soaring beauty of Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Camii, where in 2006, Pope Benedict the 16Th prayed with a Turkish Imam. It is decorated lavishly with exquisite Iznik Tiles. Overnight hotel in Istanbul. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Istanbul
In the morning we will visit Grand Bazaar. It is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 58 streets and 4,000 shops, It is well known for jewelry,pottery, spices and carpet shops. A great place to shop until you drop. In the afternoon we will visit the Turk and Islamic Art Museum. Includes: (B).
Day 4: Istanbul- Ankara
We will take an early flight from Istanbul to Ankara. Our driver for the will meet us at the airport. We will continue our journey in a comfortable van or bus, depending on the size of our group. You will be taken to our hotel, leave our luggage and have breakfast. Then we will visit Old Anatolian Civilization Museum and Mausoleum of Ataturk. Includes: (B).
Day 5: Ankara/Bogazkale/Yazilikaya/Cappadocia
In the morning we will depart for the center of the ancient Hittite empire. Our group will visit Bogazkale (Hattusas) which is known as the city of temples. We’ll see the King’s Gate, the Lion’s Gate, the Tunnel, the Great Citadel, the Grand Temple and the museum. We will also see the ancient site of Yazilikaya (inscribed rock), close to Bogazkale. This is the most famous of the Hittite rock monuments. There is also an open-air pantheon, where reliefs of Hittite gods and goddesses adorn the walls. These are carved into the native rock and date back to the 13Th century BC. Later we will drive to Cappadocia. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Cappadocia
Words can barely describe the surreal landscape of Cappadocia. Three volcano’s repeated eruptions laid the foundation for the remarkable formations millions of years ago. Earthquakes and erosion created the fairy chimneys and sculptured valleys. For centuries local people have carved the soft tufa to make homes, Christian monasteries, stables, storage areas and pigeon lofts. The pigeon guano was used to fertilize crops on the valley floors. The Silk Road crosses Cappadoccia. This medieval trade artery stretched from China to Europe and was traveled by Marco Polo. Caravan stops were placed along the route. We expect to spend an evening at one of these caravansary and a see a Dervish ceremony(Optional). For an extra fee, hot air balloon rides are available for those willing to rise before dawn. The sights are well worth braving the chilly morning. The best shopping for carpets, ceramics and many interesting local crafts can be found in this area, as well as the best prices. Overnight hotel in Cappadocia. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Cappadocia
We will spend the morning in the Goreme Outdoor Museum. The Goreme Valley holds the greatest concentration of rock cut chapels and monasteries in Capadoccia. Dating mostly fr om the 9Th century onwards, the valley’s 30 or more churches were built by cutting rooms out of the soft volcanic tufa. Many churches feature superb Byzantine frescos with scenes featuring the life of Christ and deeds of the saints. Nearby underground cities were excavated that could house a few thousand inhabitants as they hid while invading armies ravaged the countryside.We will spend the afternoon exploring one of these, Kaymakli.Overnight in Capadoccia. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Cappadocia/Izmir /Kusadasi
A morning flight will take us to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport and we will be driven to Kusadasi to check into our hotel. We will explore the local area in the afternoon. In Selcuk, the Basilica of St. John crowns Ayasuluk Hill. It was built by Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St. John the Apostle. The Basilica, now in ruins, once rivaled Ayasofya in size and grandeur. View the remaining graceful columns and mosaics of the Basilica as you take in the panorama of the rural Selcuk countryside and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis. After traveling a winding road up Mount Coresos we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary. The Vatican has recognized this small site in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small chapel dedicated to St. Mary was founded when the ruins of the house were first discovered. We will have a fine view of the Temple of Artemis near Ephesus. Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Izmir /Kusadasi
We will drive to Ephesus and enter the ancient city through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with our guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Our route takes us past the Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the State Agora, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater had seating for 24,000, which was the site where it is believed St. Paul preached to the Ephesians. It is used today for a local spring festival and concerts. The Terrace Houses opened recently and you are treated to a view of the life style of the wealthy Romans of the day. We will end the day with a visit to the Ephesus Museum. This small museum in Selcuk boasts an incredible collection of Hellenistic and Roman statues, carved reliefs and artifacts unearthed from the ruins of Ephesus. The famous statue of Artemis (goddess of fertility) is housed there. Overnight Kusadasi. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Pamukkale/Aphrodisias
On the way to Pamukkale, there will be a visit to Aphrodisias, the recently excavated Roman city, dedicated to the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Aphrodisias was primarily known as a center for the arts, particularary sculpture. The Aphrodisias School of Sculpture had a distinctive style and was very well circulated throughout the Greek and Roman world. The site is being excavated by the archeology department. of New York University. The excavations are still going on as in many other ancient sites. We will see the Hadrian Baths, the well preserved stadium, the theater, the agora and the beautiful Archaeological Museum containing the best Aphrodite Statues in Anatolia. We continue to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11: Pamukkale/Hierapolis
As we approach Pamukkale in the morning it looks like a glacier spilling down the mountainside. The name translates to Cotton Castle. In truth these are glistening white travertine terraces formed over millennia by mineral deposits as water flowed out of natural springs. The water is credited with healing powers. It is alleged that Cleopatra swam in one of the pools that is open to the public. Nearby are the ruins of the Roman resort Heriopolis, and a large necropolis. Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation, will be next stop. Then we will drive to Sardes the capital of ancient Lydia where the first coins in the world were conceived and visit the Temple of Cybele and Diana (Artemis) which also became one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. We will see the golden river, Pactalos, and a portion of the Royal Road. Later we will visit a reconstructed Synagogue. Overnight in Pergamon. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 12: Pergamum
We will climb to Pergamum’s Acropolis to see the steepest theater of the ancient world and ponder the magnificent view over the countryside as well as the Temple of Trajan. The city was founded in the 4Th century BC and ruled for a time by one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Then we will descend to the valley and visit the Asklepion, an ancient hospital and medical center, established in the 2ND century AD by the skilled healer Galen. Overnight in Cankkale. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 13: Troy/Gallipoli/Istanbul
We will drive to Homer’s legendary Troy, site of the famous Trojan War over the beautiful Helen and its wooden horse. Archaeological digs have proved that there had been nine separate layers at the settlement of Troy. A golden hoard was found here by Schliemann 1870. In his quest he disturbed the archaeological site to the dis pair of later investigators. In the afternoon we will cross the Dardanelles, a crossing point for travelers and armies for millennia. We will explore the WWI battlefield of Gallipoli. It is the site of a sad defeat for the Allies but it was a great military accomplishment for Colonel Mustafa Kemal, later know as Attaturk, founder of the Turkish Republic. From here we will drive to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul Includes: (B), (D).
Day 14: Istanbul
Visit the Archaeological Museum containing the greatest treasures of Greek and Roman antiquities discovered in Turkey, and the underground cistern. This morning we will take a ferryboat tour up the Bosporus. This waterway is the boundary between Europe and Asia It is lined with palaces, mansions and lovely views. Overnight in Istanbul. Includes: (B).
Day 15: Istanbul - Transfer to Ataturk Airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodations in 4-5 star or S class hotels
- Luxury transportation
- Excellent guiding
- Entrance fees of museum and sites
- Meals as shown daily
- All taxes
Price does not include:
- International airfare
- Drinks and meals which are not listed in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses
- Turkish Visa fee
- Tips for Guide and Driver
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Turkey
Archeology/History
Biblical Tours
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