TREASURES OF TURKEY TOUR

Duration:15Nights/16Days
Highlights: Istanbul, Canakkale, Assos, Ayvalik, Pergamon, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Kas, Myra, Antalya,Konya, Cappadocia

Day 1 İstanbul

Upon arrival in Istanbul guests will check-in to their hotel and have free time for relaxing/ sightseeing. We will meet for a welcome briefing in the hotel where we will go over itineraries and the tour and meet our local Turkish guide

Overnight in İstanbul  

Day 2 Istanbul

We will pick you up at about 08:30 in the morning for a full day İstanbul tour. The tour will start with a visit to Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya, Church of Divine Wisdom) which was built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century A.D and stands over much older remains of a church. See beautiful mosaics of biblical scenes and the Byzantine emperors and empresses. We continue to the Blue Mosque, which was built in the 17th century and is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets, then we see the Hippodrome, a stadium and meeting place in Byzantine times, the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the Egyptian Obelisk with the fountain of Wilhelm. The last stop before lunch is The Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets, over 1,200 shops. After lunch we will explore the Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. We will also see the Imperial Treasury where the masterpieces of the Turkish art of jewelry from different centuries are displayed. We will finish the tour with a visit to Rustem Pahsa Mosque, one of the most exquisite Ottoman mosques in Istanbul.
Overnight in İstanbul

Day 3 Istanbul-Canakkale

We will depart early in the morning at about 08:00  from Istanbul and drive to Canakkale, after having lunch we will tour around the Gallipoli battle field visiting, Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels) Turkish Memorial and Cemeteries Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial.
Overnight in Canakkale

 

Day 4 Canakkale- Ayvalik

Today is an enjoyable odyssey of the North Aegean Coast past the area known as the “Troad”. We visit Troy, the legendary city of Homer and the beautiful Helen, which has nine principal levels of occupation covering a period of 3000 years. We will continue to Behramkale Village and visit the ancient city of Assos and Temple of Athena, high upon a hill. You can see the Greek Island of Lesvos from here. Aristotle founded his first school of philosophy in Assos. We will continue to the pleasant seaside town of Ayvalik
Overnight in Ayvalik

Day 5 Ayvalik-Pergamon-Selcuk
We will visit the lofty Pergamon Acropolis, and the ruins of Zeus Altar. The acropolis is situated high above the plain and has a unique panoramic view, with a very narrow and steep theater that could seat up to 10,000. Parchment paper was first produced here. We will visit  what remains of the Great Library, which rivaled the one of Alexandria in Egypt, and Temple of Trajan. We will pass the Red Hall for a view then continue to the Asclepion, which was the first known hospital and therapy center.
Overnight in Selcuk.
 
Day 6  Ephesus-Selcuk
Today we will visit the House of Virgin Mary, which is a major pilgrimage site, then Ephesus, with the Library of Celsius, Temple of Hadrian, Agora and fantastic Greco-Roman theater (Terrace Houses are extra and optional). Continue to Sirince Village, where you may taste different types of fruit wine. We will also visit the Basilica of St. John and remains of the Temple of Artemis , which was known as one of Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Overnight in Selcuk

Day 7 Selcuk-Aphrodisias-Pamukkale
We will drive through the Meander Valley and see the Meander River. We will give an enroute visit to the Greco-Roman site of Aphrodisias, which is still being excavated. It features the Temple of Aphrodite, two agoras, a huge intact stadium, baths of Hadrian and theater, Aphrodisias was the site of a famous sculptural school. We will continue to Pamukkale with its impressive calcium terraces and visit  the ancient site of Hierapolis with the Temple of Apollo and extensive Necropolis.
Overnight in Pamukkale. 

 

Day 8  Pamukkale- Kas
Today we will visit Xanthos, the capital of the ancient. It has a fine Roman theater and Lycian pillar tombs. The next stop is Patara, the birthplace of the 4th century Byzantine bishop St. Nicholas and the god Apollo. We will visit the old part of Kalkan, which was a fishing  village once occupied by Ottoman Greeks.
Overnight in the small waterside town of Kas

Day 9  Kas
Today you are free to discover the pleasant fishing and tourist town of Kas on your own or go with your guide and see the Lycian Tomb, the Theater and the Hellenistic Temple or even a visit to a Turkish Village or beach depending upon groups’ wishes. Optional cruise to Kekova is also available.
Overnight in Kas

Day 10 Kas-Myra-Antalya
We will see the Lycian tombs of Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus). We will continue along the scenic coast and visit the ancient site of Phaselis with its harbors, harbor way, Roman theater and aqueduct. In the afternoon an enjoyable visit to the old part of Antalya called Kaleici, with the Gate of Hadrian, the Clock Tower, Fluted minaret, Palm Street and the ancient harbor.
Overnight in Antalya.

 

Day 11 Perge- Aspendos
We will see Perge, which was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. We will visit the impressive colonnaded street, baths, nymphaeum, and agora and the fountain of the River God, where waters once poured down the center of the city. We continue to Aspendos to see one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in the world.
Overnight in Antalya

Day 12 Antalya-Konya- Cappadocia
In the morning  we will drive to Konya,  famous as the last resting place of the renowned Muslim Sufi poet Celaleddin Rumi (Mevlana) who founded a Sufi order known as the Whirling Dervishes. Here we will visit the atmospheric Mevlana Museum to view Mevlana’s beautiful tomb.
We will lunch in Konya where you can try the local, melt-in-your-mouth firin kebab. Afterwards we will drive to Cappadocia, a magical area where the effects of wind and rain working away at soft volcanic tuff and assorted harder rocks have left a landscape dotted with incredible rock formations (the famous ‘fairy chimneys’) and sliced by dramatic gorges.

 

Day 13 Cappadocia
On that first day in Cappadocia  you may want to start the day with the  sun-rise hot air balloon flight (1 hour long/ optional). After having breakfast at the hotel, we will depart at about 09:00 and start our tour by visiting Goreme Open Air Museum, which is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Your guide will explain you all about the frescoes which cover the walls of the Goreme Open Air Museum’s Cave Churches and tell stories from the life of Jesus and the Bible. We will then head to Pasabag Valley to see some of Cappadocia’s most spectacular fairy chimneys which were used by the monks as well.  After having lunch we will drive to Avanos where you will have your chance to throw a pot at one of the town’s many small work-shops. Finally we will drive to Devrent Valley which is famous for its animal-shaped rocks.
Overnight in Goreme /Urgup

Day 14 Cappadocia
Today we will drive to Kaymakli to visit the extraordinary underground city which dates back to Hittite times and penetrates five layers deep in the soil. After visiting Kaymakli Underground City we will stop by a Kilim weaving school where the Cappadocian ladies learn/make traditional handmade  Kilims or Carpets. After lunch, towards the late afternoon we will have a 3 km hike in the Rose Valley. Overnight in Goreme/Urgup

Day 15  Cappadocia- Istanbul
Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Istanbul and upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Today is at leisure and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 16 Departure
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the airport approximately 3 hours prior to your flight departure.  

The rate of  Treasures of Turkey tour package is 2900 Euro per person. Single supplement is an additional 550 Euro.

 

The rate includes

• All airport transfers

• 15 nights accommodation with breakfast (small & special hotel or 4 stars Hotel)

• Professional guiding (English),

• All museum and historical sight entrance fees

• Transportation ( air-conditioned, new and confortable non-smoking vans)

• 14 Lunches

• 14 Dinners

• Kayseri-Istanbul domestic flight ticket

• All taxes

The rate excludes

• Personal travel insurance

• Uncovered meals

• Drinks

• Non-compulsory but customary tips  

Please send us an e-mail (info@reliabletour.com) for further information and booking

    
Avcılar Mh. Turgut Özal Meydanı No: 5/C GÖREME / NEVŞEHİR - TURKEY
Phone : +90 384 219 23 54 - Fax : +90 384 219 23 55
email : info@reliabletour.com
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