Cultural Tour of Turkey

Arrive in Istanbul, the only city in the world spanning two continents. After clearing Passport and Customs controls on your own, meet and transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon to rest. Overnight in Istanbul (New City).

In the morning proceed to the pier to embark the boat. Starting the cruise from the Golden Horn and sailing through the waterway separating the two continents - Asia and Europe - with a possibility to take pictures of the marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials. During the cruise Ciragan Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and the bridges will be visioned. Leaving the boat around Tarabya and proceeding to the restaurant for lunch. Thereafter visit to the Rumelian Fortress, historical armament built by the Conqueror in 1452 to control and protect Bosphorus. After the visit to this unique example of military architecture cross to the Asian side to visit Camlica Hill to observe the panoramic view of Istanbul, and then tour the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, with its original furniture and magnificent gardens (New City) (B, L).

In the morning drive along the northern shores of the Sea of Marmara to get to Gallipoli, historically famous for being 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 1915. Thereafter cross the strategic waterway, the Dardanelles and proceed to Troy to see a replica of the legendary wooden horse of Troy and the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3.000 years and where the legendary Trojan War in the book of Homeros of Smyrna took place. Then drive to Assos for overnight in a simple but cosy hotel (B, L, D).

After visiting the remnants in Assos, considered the prettiest small harbour in the northern Aegean, with its impressive Hellenistic and Byzantine fortifications and the temple of Athena on the summit, affording spectacular views of the Aegean Sea and the Greek island of Lesbos, continue to visit the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon, once one of the richest and most powerful small kingdoms in the Middle East. Visit Asklepion - a famous health centre and the Acropol with the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus, the library, the remarkable theatre. Drive to Kusadasi for the overnight (B, L, D).

Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded), Virgin Mary’s House, Selcuk Ephesus Museum and St. John Church. Lunch in Selcuk and drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi (B, L, D).

Depart to Sardis, the Lydian capital city, and home to both early Judaism and Christianity. Tour the ancient Synagogue, the Gymnasium, the Marble Road, and the remains of the Artemis Temple, symbolizing one of “the Seven Churches of Anatolia”. Then proceed to Alasehir to visit Philadelphia, and to Pamukkale, the “Cotton Castle”, once known as Hierapolis. Tour the beautiful snow-white “cascades”. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale (B, L, D).

Visit Hierapolis, including the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, and the masterpiece Theater. Then tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, to visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theater, the Odeon, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, and the Bishop’s Palace. Drive on to Antalya, the largest city on the “Turquoise Coast”. Overnight in Antalya. (B, L).

Early departure to Konya, the biblical Iconium, an early Roman city which later on became the capital of Seljukian State. Visit the 13^th century Mevlana Museum, Whirling Dervishes’ Monastery. After lunch, drive and visit the Seljukian caravanserai Sultanhan before continuing to Cappadocia where nature has scoured surrealistic moonscape shapes, and where the persecuted Christians dug underground cities and churches. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia (B, L, D).

Full day excursion in Cappadocia with Kaymakli Underground City, Open Air Museum in Goreme, natural fortress in Uchisar, Zelve region and Avanos and shopping facilities. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, L, D).

Departure in the morning to visit Hattusas, the capital of the Hittites for a long time. Before visiting the main capital proceed to Yazilikaya to see the open air sanctuary as the sun light comes on the bas-reliefs direct in the morning. Then lunch in a small restaurant in the town nearby. After lunch visit to the capital of Hattusas with Lion’s Gate, Tunnel, King’s Gate, Citadel and Grand Temple. Then drive on to Ankara for overnight (B, L).

In the morning visit to Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which there are numerous remnants from different periods. Then visit to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. After lunch proceed to Gordion, the capital of Phrygia, famous for the Gordion Knot, King Midas, and his golden touch. Then, for dinner and overnight, continue to Bursa (B, L, D).

Morning tour of Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century, and a major spa center. Taste the famous Bursa kebab. Wander through the covered market with its local cotton goods, and Koza Han, the silk cocoon caravanserai, with shops selling beautiful silks and brocades. Visit the Ottoman complex to see the Grand Mosque, the Green Mosque, considered to be one of the finest examples of early Ottoman architecture, and the Green Mausoleum, the tomb of Sultan Mehmet I. This is Bursa's loveliest building, with its spectacular tile work. Drive to Iznik, ancient Nicea, the city where the seventh council of the Christianity was held in 786, to visit St. Sophia Museum from the 4^th century B.C. and the Green Mosque. Then drive on to Yalova to board a ferry to get to Istanbul (Old City) (B, L).

A full day tour at the Old City where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. St.Sophia (Closed on Mondays), one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basilica in 536 by Emperor Justinian - Our tour fee covers only the ground floor and if the upper floor is also requested to be visited, our guests need to pay the additional entrance fee of $10 at the Museum - (Closed on Mondays; replaced with a visit to the St. Chora Museum); Blue Mosque, facing St.Sophia, famous with its more than 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and unique with its 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th century, one of the best examples of classical Turkish art; Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations, and political activities of the old city where one can also see today the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi, the Fountain of Wilhelm II and the Colossus; the marvelous Underground Cistern; After lunch proceed to Topkapi Palace - Our tour fee covers only the main entrance to the Palace and if Harem and Treasury sections are also requested to be visited, our guests need to pay the additional entrance fees of $10 at the each section separately - (Closed on Tuesdays; replaced with a visit to the Archaeological Museum), built in 1468 by Mehmet the Conqueror, the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans housing the souvenirs of 600 years and exhibiting imperial treasury, Chinese porcelains, weapons, calligraphy section, etc.; Grand Covered Bazaar (Closed on Sundays), the most attractive shopping center in the world with nearly 4000 shops. Suleymaniye Mosque, the imperial mosque that dominates the skyline of Istanbul, built by the famous architect Sinan the Great during the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century. Overnight in Istanbul (Old City) (B, L).

Our transfer service is valid only for that day and no free transfer service is supplied for the other days when extensions are made. The same applies to the arrival transfers as well.

Pax No	Regular	01 Pax	02 pax	03 pax	04 pax	05-09 pax	S.Supp
P.P. Rates (Value Hotels)	-	5.300	3.125	2.425	2.060	1.840	375
P.P.Rates(Superior Hotels)	-	6.025	3.840	3.140	2.775	2.560	895