Grand Tour of Turkey

Transcription

1 Grand Tour of Turkey 15 days / 14 Nights from $3517*pp Experience all the best that Turkey has to offer, in a small group tour with a maximum of 20 passengers. Staying in the Unique, Boutique & Luxury hotels that Exotic Destinations is famous for, you will enjoy the comfort and hospitality of the Turkish people, as well as seeing some of the world s most famous historical and archaeological sites, beautiful cities and towns, and stunning natural landscapes. Sunday Day 1 : Istanbul Arrival into Istanbul, the only city in the world spanning two continents. After clearing Passport and Customs Controls, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. 2 nights Istanbul (New City) staying at Galata Antique Hotel. Monday Day 2 : Istanbul This afternoon explore the spectacular Topkapi Palace Harem section is excluded (closed Tuesday), seat of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex commands superb views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The palace is filled with treasures of the Sultans including the extravagant Treasury with its magnificent jewels, and the priceless Chinese porcelain, one of the best collections in the world. Finally, proceed to the Grand Bazaar, which is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, ceramics, and leatherware. B

2 Tuesday Day 3: Istanbul Gallipoli Troy Assos Drive to visit Gallipoli, historically famous as the site of many battles particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Visit Anzac Cove where the Allied Forces landed on 25 April Anzac Cove is marked by a Turkish monument with Ataturk s poignant words uttered in 1934 for the Anzac troops: Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives...you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours... You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well. Other places of interest to visit are the War Cemeteries (Beach Cemetery, Quinn s Post, the Nek) and Anzac Memorials (Lone Pine, Conk Bair, and Hellespont). Cross the Dardanelles continue through to Troy to see a replica of the legendary wooden horse of Troy and the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of years and where the legendary Trojan War in the book of Homeros of Smyrna took place, before arriving at the quaint port town of Assos where you will stay the night at Assos Kervansaray Hotel (B) Wednesday Day 4: Assos Pergamum Asklepion Sirince This morning you will continue from Assos doewn the Aegean coast to Pergamum, once one of the richest and most powerful small kingdoms in Asia Minor to visit the hauntingly beautiful Asklepion a famous health centre. Drive to the beautiful town of Sirince, in the hills above Ephesus staying at Gullu Konaklari (B). Thursday Day 05: Sirince Ephesus Sirince Tour to Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded), which was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. Impressive structures you will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Theatre and the Odeon; House of Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last years. In 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred; Basilica of St. John, who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel, and Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After visiting a regional handicraft centre, continue on to Bodrum where you will stay 2 nights at Ena Boutique Hotel. (B) * Ephesus Museum in Selcuk was closed and no visits were possible when this tariff was released. Once opened, Church of St. John is to be replaced with the Museum.

3 Friday Day 06: Bodrum This morning enjoy a half day Bodrum city tour. Visit the Bodrum Castle (except the main admission fee, all other sections are exclusive and need to be paid by the guests locally) which now houses the Underwater Archaeology Museum, then the Antique Theatre, and the remains of the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the beautiful port town of Bodrum. Overnight Bodrum. B Saturday Day 07: Bodrum Aphrodisias Pamukkale This morning you will drive to Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite which was famous for its sculptors; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Continue to Pamukkale"Cotton Castle", the ancient Hierapolis famous for healing thermal/mineral baths and beautiful petrified waterfalls. Visit to the historical site including the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Apollo Temple with the Devil's Hole and the masterpiece Theatre. Overnight Pamukkale at which you can also enjoy the thermal pool of your hotel White Heaven Hotel. (B,D) Sunday Day 08: Pamukkale Perge Aspendos Antalya Drive to Antalya to visit Perge, with its well preserved theatre and stadium, the place where most of the statues that are on display in the Antalya Museum were unearthed, and then proceed to Aspendos, one of the best preserved Roman theatres in Anatolia. Overnight Antalya staying at Puding Marina Residence. (B) Monday Day 09: Antalya Day at leisure (B) Tuesday Day 10: Antalya Konya Cappadocia Drive to Cappadocia with visits to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the tomb of the founder of the Mevlevi Order known with the Whirling Dervishes, in Konya and thereafter the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai. 2 night stay at Cappadocia staying at Gamirasu Cave Hotel. (B)

4 Optional Whirling Dervishes Show Pick up from the hotel for a one hour performance of Whirling Dervishes, an authentic ceremony in a mystic ambience. Transfer back to the hotel (No meals are supplied) Wednesday Day 11: Cappadocia Visit to Devrent Valley where various types of fairy chimneys are abundant. We will walk through this amazing valley. Thereafter visit Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. After visiting Pasabagi, drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak river, the longest river of Turkey. Further to the time for lunch proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum (Dark Church is excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee) to visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on the walls (Please be advised that guides are not allowed to deliver speeches inside the churches and therefore the church visits may be carried out without the accompany of the guides). Thereafter time to take photos in the neighboring valleys and shopping facilities before going back to the hotel. Overnight Cappadocia. (B) Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour Pick up from the hotel roughly one hour before the sunrise (App. 05:00 o clock) and transfer to the base. After serving tea, coffee and cookies while waiting for the other participants proceed to the take off field designated for that day. After a safety briefing delivered by the pilot, climb in to the baskets and take off. Rise to the altitudes of several hundred meters to have a good view of the area and drift through the valleys and canyons for some 60 minutes. On landing, have a traditional celebration party with champagne and cakes. Thereafter transfer back to the hotel. Thursday Day 12: Cappadocia Hattusas Ankara Drive to Hattusas. Visit Yazilikaya to see the open air sanctuary and the capital with Lion s Gate, Tunnel, King s Gate, Citadel and the Grand Temple. Continue on to Ankara and overnight stay at Movenpick Hotel. (B) Friday Day 13: Ankara Istanbul Visit the Antaolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from the Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians, and many other are on display; the Citadel of Ankara and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded the modern Republic of Turkey. Proceed to the train station to take the Speed Train to Istanbul, which would take you there in 3.5 hours. On arrival transfer to the hotel in the Old City. Overnight stay in Istanbul at Levni Hotel. (B)

5 Saturday Day 14: Istanbul Half day Istanbul Classics Tour. Visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its mosaics of blue Iznik tiles and its six minarets. Facing the Blue Mosque is St. Sophia, one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world. This church turned mosque and now a museum, takes the breath away with the sheer size of its interior and its magnificent dome. Cross through the Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations, and political activities of the old city where one can also see the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpent Column from Delphi, the Fountain of Wilhelm II and the Colossus. This afternoon is free for you to further explore Istanbul. Perhaps take in the atmospheric Yerebatan Underground Cistern, a short walk from the Aya Sofia, or head to back to the Grand Bazaar for some last minute souvenir shopping. B Sunday Day 15: Istanbul Today you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your onward flights. B Departure Dates 2015: May 24, June 28, July 26, August 23, September 27 Minimum 2 / Maximum 20 Participants *Conditions apply. Price of $3517* is per person based on twin share / single supplement $1240* For bookings and more information this itinerary or creating a personalised itinerary to Turkey, contact your holiday specialists at Platinum Travel & Cruise. Please quote EDPT001 for bookings and enquiries.