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Guided Turkey Tours
offered by supplier M15437 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 17
- 21
day(s)
Group Size: 4
- 15
people
Destination(s):
Turkey
Specialty Categories:
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
Season: April - November
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 4500 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 5000 US Dollar (USD)
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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. Overnight Istanbul. 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 the 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 Istanbul. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Ankara/Bogazkale/Yazilikaya/Cappadocia
We will take a morning flight from Istanbul to Ankara. Our driver will meet us at the airport. We will continue our journey in a comfortable van or bus. After a visit to the Old Anatolian Civilization Museum, 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. Overnight Cappadocia. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: 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). Nearby underground cities were excavated that could house a few thousand inhabitants as they hid while invading armies ravaged the countryside. 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 Cappadocia. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Cappadocia/Denizli (Pamukkale by flight)
We will spend the morning in the Goreme Outdoor Museum. The Goreme Valley holds the greatest concentration of rock cut chapels and monastaries in Capadoccia. Dating mostly from 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. We will take an afternoon flight from Kayseri to Denizli via Istanbul. We will meet our driver at the airport and transfer to Pamukkale. Overnight Pamukkale. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6: Pamukkale/Aphrodisias/Fethiye
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 Hierapolis, and a large necropolis. Later we will drive to Ephesus. On the way, there will be a visit to Aphrodisias. 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. Overnight Fethiye. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7: Fethiye- Gemiler Island Blue Cruise
After breakfast and briefing, set off along the coast of the Fethiye Peninsular for lunch in a secluded bay. Overnight is spent at Gemiler Island, where you can explore the ruins of a Byzantine settlement as the sunsets. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Kas- Blue Cruise
An early start for Yesilköy, for breakfast and time to swim in this quiet bay surrounded by olive groves. Then it's off to Kas, a small harbour town with a charming bohemian atmosphere, where you'll spend the night. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Kekova-Sunken Blue Cruise
A short cruise along the Mediterranean coast to the ruins at Kekova - the Sunken City. Lunch is at Tersane Bay where you'll see the ruins of a Byzantine church and a Roman dockyard on the beach. As you sail on to Gökkaya for the night, you will see the underwater ruins of the homes of ancient Gökkaya. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Myra-Saint Nicolas Church - Blue Cruise
Climb up to the castle (Kale) for a spectacular view of the ancient city. Out in the bay, overlooked by a theatre carved into the rock, a single Lycian sarcophagus sits on its pedestal in the water. The night is spent in the wide bay surrounded by green hills, at nearby Üçagiz.
Day 11: Patara-Blue Cruise
After breakfast, a short cruise to the sheltered bay at Bayindir Limani for a swim. The rest of the day is spent in Kalkan, a picturesque harbour town set on the hillside, where you can explore the cobbled winding streets or take an optional trip to nearby Patara Beach or the ruins at Xanthos and Letoon. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: Batak Kaya-Blue Cruise
After an early start to Çamli Burun, a natural bay edged with pine-clad hills, your last night on board is spent in Batikkaya Bay. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: Fethiye - Kusadasi
Arriving back in Fethiye after breakfast, We will drive for Kusadasi.Overnight Kusadasi. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 14: Ephesus
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 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. 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. If time permits 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 15: 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 Canakkale. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 16: 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. From here we will drive to Istanbul after crossing the Dardanelles. Overnight Istanbul. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 17: Istanbul
Transfer to Airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodations in 4-5 star or S class hotels
- Luxury Gulet (day 7- day 14)
- 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
Dining Highlights
- Buffet breakfasts
- Three-course or open-buffet dinners as listed in itinerary
- Lunches included as listed in the itinerary meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Turkey
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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