GR-1 Grand Tour of Turkey
Istanbul,
Gallipoli, Canakkale, Troy, Pergamum, Cesme, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Aphrodisias,
Pamukkale,
Hierapolis, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara
EURO 890.00 per person in twin room
EURO 1,190.00 single room
EURO 840.00 per person in triple room
Departure on April
10 Duration: 15 nights/16 days
10 April 2010 Saturday Arrival in Istanbul
Your transfer from the airport to your hotel can be arranged separately.
11 April 2010 Sunday Istanbul
08:30 Meet at the hotel lobby for the city tour of Istanbul.
This morning, we first drive to the Hippodromme which was built during
the Roman period as the stadium of the ancient city. Then, we continue to the
Blue Mosque. Built in the 17C, this structure was completed in seven years
only.
Our next stop this morning will be Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Museum. One of
the oldest buildings in the city, Hagia Sophia was built as a church and
following the conquest of Istanbul, it was converted into a mosque. Today, it is
used as a museum.
We have a lunch break before we continue to Topkapi Palace.
Return to the hotel at the end of the day.
12 April 2010 Monday Istanbul
We drive to the Spice Bazaar located near the pier where we will take a
boat for a cruise on the Bosphorus. Spice Bazaar is a covered market
where sweet smelling dried fruits, herbs, species and sweets such as Turkish
delight are found.
We then walk across the road and board our boat for our cruise. During the
cruise, we will see a magnificent view and many historical buildings located on
both sides of this narrow passage.
We land up to the north of the Bosphorus and we then drive back to the old city
to visit the Grand Bazaar.
Return to the hotel at the end of the day.
Overnight in Istanbul.
13 April 2010 Tuesday Istanbul to Canakkale
We drive to Gelibolu in the morning arriving in the peninsula in the
early hours of the afternoon. We see the Gallipoli War Memorials. We will
visit the Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Kabatepe Museum.
We board on the ferry to cross the Dardanelles. We enjoy the view of this
strait which links the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
Dinner and overnight at Canakkale.
14 April 2010 Wednesday Canakkale to Cesme
Following breakfast we depart for Troy which is approximately half an
hour drive from Canakkale.
City of Troy, which existed over 4000 years is known as the centre of
ancient civilizations. This famous archaeological and mythological site, home
of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy has become famous from stories of the
Trojan War, it is believed to be the sixth or seventh Troy.
We then drive to Pergamum, a powerful kingdom during the ancient
Hellenistic period, and visit the Acropolis. An impressive structure
that houses the Temple of Trajan, the Heroon Shrine, the Sanctuary of Athena and
the Altar of Zeus, where we view the Theatre and the Library of Pergamum, whose
collections came second only to that of Egypt's Alexandria. We continue onto to
Asklepion, the ancient medical centre built in the name of Aesculapis,
"God of Medicine", where different healing methods like therapy with
music and sound of water were first used.
We arrive to Cesme arriving in the early hours of the evening.
Overnight in Cesme.
15 April 2010 Thursday Cesme
In Cesme.
16 April 2010 Friday Cesme
In Cesme.
17 April 2010 Saturday Cesme
In Cesme.
18 April 2010 Sunday Cesme to Kusadasi
In Cesme.
19 April 2010 Monday Kusadasi
Early morning departure for Ephesus.
Today we visit Ancient Ephesus and environs. One of the most interesting
and extensive ancient cities in the world, established by the Greeks, and successively
occupied by Persians and Romans.
The art and architecture of emperors adorn the city in a state of remarkable preservation.
The Theatre, The Library of Celsus, The Temple of Hadrian, Corinthian Temple, The
Baths of Scholastica, The town brothel and many more will feature throughout the
day.
Our day will start with The House of Virgin Mary which is situated at Mt
Bulbul. It is believed that Virgin Mary came to Selcuk with Apostle John from Jerusalem
after Jesus was crucified and she spent her last days there until she died at the
age of 64.
In the afternoon we stop at the Temple of Artemis, protectress of Ephesus
which is dating back to 1300 BC and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The day will end with a visit to Ephesus Archaeological Museum where you
will have the chance to see a statue of Artemis from Ephesus dating back to the
2nd century A.D.
Return to the hotel in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
20 April 2010 Tuesday Kusadasi to Pamukkale
Following breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Aphrodisias, a city dedicated
to the goddess Aphrodite. The ancient city was a Hellenistic city which flourished
under Roman and Byzantine rule. Excavations in the 24-meter-high theatre hill have
revealed layers of settlement going back to the Bronze Age (c. 2800-2200 BC).
We continue to Pamukkale in the afternoon and visit the ancient city of
Hierapolis upon arrival. This thermal resort founded by a Pergamene King
in 190 BC and greatly enlarged by the Romans.
We check in the hotel and enjoy the thermal facilities of our hotel.
Dinner and overnight at Pamukkale.
21 April 2010 Wednesday Pamukkale to Cappadocia
Today, we drive to Cappadocia via Konya.
We arrive at around noon at Konya. The great days of Konya were during the
period of the Seljuk Turks who made it their capital. Their buildings overall
are adorned with painted tiles. The most famous inhabitant of Konya was Celaleddin
Rumi, usually known as Mevlana the founder of the mystical sect of the Whirling
dervishes.
At Sunltanhani we stop to visit the Caravanseri, a fort on the Silk Route where
the caravans stopped for supplies and trading.
We arrive in Cappadocia in the early hours of the evening.
Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
22 April 2010 Thursday Cappadocia
A full day touring the unreal moon-landscapes of the Goreme with its Rock
Chapels carved by the early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from
the 6th to the 10th centuries. Next are the Monastic Complex
of Zelve, the Troglodyte Village of Avcilar, and the Kaymakli Underground
City carved out of stone in 2000BC.
This part of the world played an important part in the history of the early Christian
Church’s this extraordinary city accommodated several civilisations including the
world’s first seminary created by priests.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
23 April 2010 Friday Cappadocia to Ankara
This morning, we head through the salt steps and swamps of central Anatolia towards
Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
Upon arrival, we stop at the Mausoleum of Ataturk, a memorial tomb of Mustafa
Kemal Ataturk leader of the Turkish War of Independence in 1923.
Then onto the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, with its unique collection
of Hittites, Phrygian metalwork, stag cult figures and relief’s.
Dinner and overnight in Ankara.
24 April 2010 Saturday Ankara to Istanbul
We drive to Istanbul in the morning and arrive in the early afteroon.
Overnight in Istanbul.
25 April 2010 Sunday Departure
Your transfer from your hotel to the airport can be arranged separately.
This package includes:
-
Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle; arrival/departure
transfers in Istanbul are not included
-
10 nights accommodation at four star hotels; your stay in
Cesme April 14 to 19 (5 nights) is not included in this package.
-
All Breakfasts
-
All Dinners except in Istanbul
-
English speaking guidance
-
Museum admission fees
-
VAT excluded
Please note 10 participants min. required to operate this
excursion
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