PACKAGE INCLUSIONS |
RT Air Boston
Add-on from Dallas, Houston or D.C.$20; Detroit, Minneapolis $45; Orlando $60; Atlanta $70; Seattle $75; San Francisco $110; Denver or LAX $260
Fuel Surcharge
8 Nights 4 Star Hotels
1 Night Sleeper Train
20 Meals
Fully escorted
Extensive sightseeing with English Speaking Guide
Transportation in air-conditioned motor coaches
Special Feature
Balloon Ride over Cappadocia. Value $299
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HOTELS USED |
Cappadocia, Turkey
Dinler Hotel
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Kusadasi, Turkey
Pine Marina Hotel
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Canakkale, Turkey
Akol Hotel
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Pamukkale, Turkey
Lycus River Hotel
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Istanbul, Turkey
Nena Hotel
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OPTIONS FOR YOUR TRIP |
Up-grade to Cave Hotel in Cappadocia $178 per person
Up-grade to 5* deluxe hotels $399 per person(note some 5 *special category hotels do not offer dinner. Ask your reservation agent for details)
(Other optional tours may be available. Please ask your Sales Agent.)
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NOT INCLUDED |
Airport fees and Taxes of approx $166
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ITINERARY |
Day 01 (Thurs)
Depart the U.S.A to begin your exploration of Ancient Turkey
Day 02 (Fri):
Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport, meeting and greeting by our representative and proceed to Istanbul city to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Day 03 (Sat):
We begin our tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Saint Sophia*. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses. Next we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Of these, an Egyptian Obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive. The Grand Bazaar, was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping, Ottoman style. (also available on Tuesday afternoons)
*On Mondays, when Saint Sophia is closed, we visit the Chora Church, famed for its mosaics and frescoes.
We begin our tour at Topkapi Palace, which, from the 15th to the 19th century, was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabulous Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapi Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the 3rd largest in the world, Ottoman court costumes and ceramics, notably one of the world’s finest collection of early Chinese ceramics, much of it gifts from other rulers. Interestingly, some of the ceramics have a special glaze that was said to change color in the presence of poison. We also visit the Imperial Armory, displaying centuries of Ottoman weaponry. But perhaps the loveliest features of Topkap? Palace are its courtyards with their ancient trees, and it is easy to imagine the sultan strolling here far from the cares of state and empire. The Süleymaniye Mosque is the largest and grandest of Istanbul’s imperial mosques. It dates from the 16th century heyday of the Ottoman Empire, and was designed by Sinan, the greatest architect of his day and originator of the Classical Ottoman style of architecture. Of the 2,000 structures Sinan designed, Süleymaniye Mosque and its complex of charitable institutions rank among the most important. (every day except Tuesdays)
Note : On days when the Suleymaniye Mosque is closed for renovations,we visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque,another masterpiece by Sinan that has the most exquisite and extensive Iznik tile decoration of any Mosque in Istanbul
Then, transfer to train station to have a night trip to Ankara. Train arrives in Ankara at 07:30 in the morning. (BB)
Day 04 (Sun):
In the morning visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake pass by the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. After visiting Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in Cappadocia for overnight (D).
Day 05 (Mon):
Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the valleys where animal-like natural formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon visit to Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Shopping time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia (B,L, D - BB only at “special category” hotels).
Day 06 (Tue):
Today’s ride will be fairly long and tiring due to the long distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale and lack of convenient lodging location. Drive to Konya to visit to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure. Then continue on to Pamukkale and overnight (B,L, D).
Day 07 (Wed):
Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Proceed to the hotel in Kusadasi for overnight (B,L, D).
Day 08 (Thu):
Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. Selcuk Ephesus Museum or St. John Church. Time for shopping. Overnight in Kusadasi (B,L, D).
Day 09 (Fri):
Early departure for Bergama and visit to the Asclepion and Acropol with the well preserved remains. In the afternoon continue on to Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Canakkale for overnight (Due to the limited hotel availability we also keep the right to stay in the surroundings of Canakkale) (B,L, D).
Day 10(Sat):
After breakfast sail to the other side of Dardanelles by a ferryboat and drive to Istanbul with visit 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. Arrive in Istanbul early afternoon and transfer to the hotel (B, L).
Our drop-off service is available only for the hotels near Ataturk Airport and in Sultanahmet and Taksim areas. Those who will be staying at the other locations will be dropped-off at Taksim.
Day 11 (Sun):
Transfer to airport to fly back home. (B) End of our services
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