City Used : : Istanbul , Bursa , Ankara , Cappadocia
, Konya , Antalya , Pamukkale , Izmir , Troy Area
Duration: 14 DAYS /
13 NIGHTS
Day 1 After arrival at Ataturk airport, check into your hotel.
The rest of the day is free to start soaking up the unique atmosphere of this
city built on two continents. Dinner at your hotel (D)
Day 2
Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, renamed
Constantinople in the year 330 when Constantine the Great elected it the capital
of the Roman Empire, and finally called Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in
the 15th century, the city on the Bosporus always was and still is one of the
most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as gateway between
Orient and Occident, the Islamic and the Christian world, the Black Sea and the
Mediterranean, predestined it for a turbulent history. Start your sightseeing at
Emperor Justinian's Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmet's Blue Mosque magnificent
monuments to two competing world religions standing peacefully side by side.
Next turn to the Topkapi Seraglio, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Admire
its exquisite collection of Chinese porcelain and the stunning Imperial Treasury
including the "Spoonmaker's Diamond". After a lunch break tour the Grand Bazaar
(arranged next morning if closed today) with its 4,000 tiny shops. The rest of
the afternoon is free. For a taste of Turkish night life, join our optional
dinner outing and discover the fascination of belly dancing (BB)
Day
3 Set out today on your discovery tour of a country with the population
of Britain and more than three times its size. Cross the Bosporus and then
follow the shores of the sea of Marmara to the Gulf of Gemlik. Here you head
inland towards the Uludag, also called the Mount Olympus of Mysia, a 7,700-foot
skiing mountain. Bursa lies in its shade, surrounded by lovely orchards and
tobacco fields. Founded by the Greeks, and hotly contested during the Crusades,
Bursa had its heyday as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. In the
afternoon visit the great monuments to this period: the ornate Green Ottoman
Complex and the Great Mosque and the ancient Covered Bazaar. (BB,D)
Day 4 Motor into the heart of the Anatolian Highland. After a
break at Eskisehir, whose meerschaum pipes are world-famous, head for Gordion.
Tour the excavations of the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Phrygia, where
Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot and thus opened the way to Asia.
Hear about the legend of King Midas with the golden touch as you visit the
ruler's great Earth Tumulus. Overnight in Ankara, capital of the Turkish
Republic since 1923 and the country's second-largest city. (BB,D)
Day
5 Morning visit to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the revered founder of the
Republic, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with its unique collection
of Hittite sun discs, stag cult figures and reliefs, and Phrygian metalwork. In
the afternoon head through the salt steppes and swamps of central Anatolia
towards the volcanic plateau of Cappadocia. En route a visit to the walled
13th-century Seljuk Caravansary of Agcikarahan. (BB,D)
Day 6
Today visit the unreal moon-landscape of Goreme with its Rock Chapels
carved by the early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th
to the 10th century. Next are the Byzantine Monastic Complex of Zelve, the
Troglodyte Village of Avcilar, and the Underground City of Ozkonak. Before
returning to the hotel, enjoy the sweeping panorama at ancient Ortahisar. (BB,D)
Day 7 West today to the land of the Whirling Dervishes.
Morning break south of the great salt lake Tuz Golu in the fortress-like
Caravansary of Sultanhani. Afternoon in Konya. The lconium of antiquity occupies
a fertile island in the arid Anatolian steppes. Man has lived here since the
early stone age, and the town had its moment of glory as the capital of the
mighty Seljuk Empire from 1078 to 1307. Today it thrives on agriculture and the
manufacture of fine carpets. Afternoon sightseeing features visits to three
outstanding Seljuk structures: the Mevlana Monastery of the Dervishes, now a
museum; the Karatay Medrese (theological school); and the elegant Ince Minaret
(BB,D)
Day 8 Drive west to Aksehir, then south across the
Taurus Mountains into the luxuriant green forests, orchards, and olive groves on
the hills sloping down to the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. You enter an
area only recently discovered by discerning European vacationers. (BB,D)
Day 9 A full day to enjoy this Mediterranean paradise and to
discover its antique treasures. If you wish, join an optional excursion to the
Pamphylian cities of Perge and Aspendos. (BB,D)
Day 10
Morning drive inland across two mountain passes to Pamukkale. The name means
"Cotton Castle" and refers to the spectacular white lime cascades formed by its
hot springs. Visit the fascinating archaeological site of Hierapolis, the
thermal resort founded by a Pergamene king in 190 BC. and greatly enlarged and
embellished by the Romans. At the hotel tonight, a leisurely bath in a pool of
hot thermal water might be just the way to relax. (BB,D)
Day 11
Follow the valley of the Menderes River to Ephesus, home of the Greek
Philosopher Heraclitus and later the capital of Roman Asia Minor. When St. Paul
arrived here he was so awestruck that he asked: "Is there a greater city?" Visit
one of the best-preserved ancient Amphitheaters, then drive up to the Chapel
marking the site where the Virgin mary is believed to have spent her last days.
Overnight in Izmir (Smyrna), Homer's birthplace on the Aegan coast. (BB,D)
Day 12 Start with visits to the Acropolis of Pergamum, an
ancient center of learning and the arts, and the Asclepion, a shrine to the
Greek god of medicine. Then enjoy vistas of the Greek island of Lesbos as you
follow the shores of the Bay of Edremit. Continue to Troy, the perfect place to
brush up on Homer's Trojan War, hollow wooden horse and all. Spend the night at
nearby Canakkale. (BB,D)
Day 13 By Ferry across the
Dardanelles back to Europe and the 20th-century. Visit the world war. I
battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula where Allied troops, mainly Australians
and New Zealanders, suffered heavy casualties in a disastrous campaign. Pay
tribute to the heroes of those tragic months of 1915 at the Anzac cemetery. Then
drive along the Europen shore of the sea of Marmara back to Istanbul. Tonight
enjoy a farewell dinner with your companions. (BB,D)
Day 14
The vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (BB)
INCLUSIONS : - Twin bedded room with private facilities plus
buffet breakfast (B) and dinner (D) as shown in itinerary
- Free porterage
for one medium sized suitcase per person
- Professional tour director
-
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach.
- Local guide for
city sightseeing as per itinerary
- Istanbul - Guided sightseeing including
visits to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio and Grand Bazaar
-
Bursa - Guided sightseeing including visits to the Green Ottoman Complex and the
Great Mosque
- Gordion: Guided visit of the excavations and King Midas'
Earth Tumulus
- Ankara - Guided sightseeing including visit to Ataturk's
Mausoleum and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
- Cappadocia - Guided
visit of the Caravansaries of Agcikarahan and Sultanhani, the Rock Chapels of
Goreme, Monastic complex of Zelve, the Troglodyte Village of Avcilar and
Underground city of Ozkonak
- Konya - Guided sightseeing including Dervish
Mevlana Monastery, Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret
- Pamukkale - Guided
visit of the Hierapolis
- Ephesus - Guided visit to the archaeological site
and Chapel of the Virgin Mary
- Pergamum - Guided visit of the Acropolis and
Asclepion
- Troy - Guided visit of the archaeological site
- Dardanelles
- Ferry crossing of the Straits
- Anzac - Picture stop at the cemetery
| City |
Nights |
Hotel |
| Istanbul |
3 |
Grand Surmeli (SF) |
| Bursa |
1 |
Kervansaray Termal (F) |
| Ankara |
1 |
Etap Atinel (SF) |
| Cappadocia |
2 |
Peri Tower (F) at Nevsehir |
| Konya |
1 |
Ozkaymak (F) |
| Antalya |
2 |
Dedeman (F) |
| Pamukkale |
1 |
Lycus River (F) at Kahara |
| Izmir |
1 |
Kaya Prestige |
| Troy Area |
1 |
Tusan (F) at Canakkale |
