(Available from late April to the end of October (on every Saturday)
Program
- Saturday - Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul
As we say in Turkey, HOS GELDINIZ! Welcome to Turkey. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Istanbul on your own.
Overnight in ISTANBUL.
- Sunday - Day 2 - Istanbul - (B)
Around 10:00 am We will take you on a half day orientation walking tour of Istanbul, with this walking tour you will learn about the the old city, the tram system, how to get to the waterfront, important places to visit that are not part of the tour, then you will have the afternoon. free to relax and enjoy Istanbul.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
- Monday - Day 3 - Istanbul - (B)
This will be a full day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), Mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish etc.
Bosporus Cruise, thorough the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential of luxurious apartments.
After lunch we will continue on the tour and will visit
Topkapi Palace--The residence and leadership center of the Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. It was built in 1459-1465 shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. You will see the Treasury that includes the Topkapi Dagger, the 86 carat Spoon Maker's Diamond, and the jewel encased bones of St. John the Baptist's skull and arm bone.
Grand Bazaar and the Suleymaniye Mosque will be visited during the tour
After the tour we will return to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
- Tuesday - Day 4 - Istanbul - (B/L)
This will be a day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Sites you'll see today
Hagia Sophia was, for nearly a thousand years, the largest enclosed space in the world, and still seen as one of the world's most important architectural monuments. It is one of Turkey's most popular attractions, drawn by the sheer spectacle of its size, architecture, mosaics and art. Built in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian.
Blue Mosque : This mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet I during 1609-1616 in the town carrying his name in Istanbul. It is the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets. Due to its magnificent hand-dyed blue, green and white tiles it has been named the "Blue Mosque" by Europeans. The central dome is 43 m in height and is 33.4 m in diameter. 260 windows surround the mosque
Hippodrome: The ancient Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life. Of the ornaments which once decorated it, only three remain: The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine.
Theodosius Obelisk is originally an Egyptian piece of art erected in 1547 BC and originally 60m tall. German fountain is also within the hippodrome area, constructed in Germany to mark German Emperor Wilhelm II's second visit to Istanbul, it was imported and officially opened on January 1 1901. The fountain's three domes are decorated with gold mosaics.
After the tour we will leave you at the grand Bazaar and give you free time to explore and some souvenir shopping.
Overnight stay in Istanbul
- Wednesday - Day 5 - Istanbul to Canakkale - (B/L/D) -- ADT - 6 hour
In the early morning we will drive west, heading towards the Aegean Sea. We will visit Gallipoli on the way
*Gallipoli and The Dardanelles -- After our lunch we will stop to visit Gallipoli, a place of fierce World War 1 fighting between Allied forces and the Turks. At ANZAC Cove thousands lost their lives in one fateful dawn morning. We will also see other famous battle sites of World War 1 in this area, such as Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. From here we go to a ferry and cross the Dardanelle. For World War 1 buffs, you will know the Dardanelle Straits were a strategic crossing point for the allied armies to cross from Europe to Asia Minor.
*Canakkale will be our final destination for today and where we will spend the evening. After dinner, you might want to stroll the harbor walk and experience the local culture.
Overnight in CANAKKALE.
- Thursday - Day 6 - Canakkale to Kusadasi - (B/L/D) - ATD - 6 hour
We continue our scenic drive along the Aegean, stopping for photo opportunities and perhaps to indulge the taste buds at one of the many farmer road side stands that sell olives, figs, seasonal fruit and pistachios. We then will head east towards our first site of the day.
Sites you'll see today
*Troy --is the ancient site written about by Homer in the Iliad. It dates back as far as 3000 BC and has been the site of nine different cities through the thousands of years it has existed. As you enter the site a large wooden Trojan horse dominates your view. You will definitely want to climb up and get your picture taken!
After lunch you will depart from Canakkale, driving along the Aegean Sea down to Kusadasi, evening arrival in Kusadasi, Check in the hotel, Overnight stay.
- Friday - Day 7 - Kusadasi - (B/L/D)
We will visit Turkey's most impressive Roman and Biblical site today, in what may well be one of your most memorable days in Turkey. We will also visit other significant sites of the area.
Sites you'll see today
*Ephesus is one of the best preserved cities from Roman times. At the time St. Paul lived in Ephesus in the 60's AD, it was at it's Roman heyday with a population around 250,000. Ephesus was a great ancient city and much of it has been preserved for you to see. More than any other site, you can walk the streets, stand in the great theatre, wander in the library, see the ancient Roman toilets and baths, and feel that you are walking back into ancient history.
* Temple of Artemis Artemis was a Greek goddess, the virginal huntress and twin of Apollo, who supplanted the Titan Selene as goddess of the Moon.
*The House of The Virgin Mary is where it is believed St. Mary came to live with St. John in the last years of her life. After the tour we will return to Kusadasi where we will spend the night.
- Saturday - Day 8 - Kusadasi to Pamukkale - (B/L/D) - ADT 2 hour 30 minute
After breakfast we will depart Kusadasi and drive to Pamukkale, upon arrival we will continue on the guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis.
*Pammukale means cotton castle in Turkish. It is the result of limestone formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as it cooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pammukale is now a world heritage site.
*Hierapolis was founded as a healing care center in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral
waters in the area. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centers of the Roman Empire. Overnight stay in Pamukkale.
- Sunday - Day 9 - Pamukkale to Oliudeniz - Fethiye - (B/D) - ADT 4 hour
After breakfast we will provide a bus transfer from Pamukkale to Fethiye, upon arrival you will be transfered to your hotel and after check in you will have a free day to relax, swim, sun bath and enjoy your day in Oludeniz famous beach.
Overnight stay in Oludeniz - Fethiye.
- Monday - Day 10 - Oludeniz - Fethiye - (B/L/D)
09:00 am We will pick you from your hotel and transfer you to the Boat,
Around 10 am Boat will depart from Fethiye's main marina and going to visit the nicest bays and beautiful coasts of the Area
Wonderful tour to Swim, Relax, Sun Bath and Snorkel
Sites you will see
Gobun Bay ---- Gobun bay, is placed in the south-western coast of the Fethiye Gulf, and is a very calm bay with the crystal clear water, 7-10m depth, and the quietness of a lake; just like all the other bays in the Fethiye Gulf.
Cleopatra's Bath --- Cleopatra's Baths, is a large bay full of lots of pine trees, and has a dark blue sea which goes to light blue, as you reach the shore.
Dockyard Island --- Flat Islands are a group of islands so close to each other, located just at the opposite of the Gocek town.
Flat Island --- Group of islands so close to each other, located just opposite Gocek. Here is also a charming place with the clear, dark blue and very deep waters.
Red Island ( Samanlik Bay ) enjoy the clear sea and the clean shore of this red ground of the island.
After the cruise you will return to your hotel,
Overnight stay in Fethiye.
- Tuesday - Day 11 - Fethiye to Kas - (B) ADT 2 hour
After breakfast you will depart from Fethiye and go on a scenic coastal drive to Kas, upon arrival you will check into your hotel and then have a free day to relax, swim, sun bath and explore Kas at your own pace,
Overnight stay in Kas.
- Wednesday - Day 12 - Kas - (B/L)
Around 09:30 am you will be picked up from your hotel and go on this wonderful all day tour.
You will first visit Myra the you will get on the boat and go on a full day tour to Kekova After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. (we can always drop you at the town center) 19:00 Approx.. time for the tour ending.
KEKOVA (SUNKEN CITY): Sunken ruins of kekova, an ancient town which was destroyed by an earthquake during the 2nd century. Rebuilt and still flourishing during the Byzantine Empire period, it was finally abandoned because of Arab incursions. Tersane (meaning "dockyard", as its bay was the site of an ancient city Xera and dockyard, with the ruins of a Byzantine church) is at the northwest of the island.
The Kekova region was declared a specially protected area on 18 January 1990 by Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forest.
The Kekova region encompasses the island of Kekova, the villages of Kaleköy and Üça??z and the four ancient towns of Simena, Aperlae, Dolchiste and Teimioussa.
Kalekoy is a Lycian site on the Turkish coast. It is a small village with the partly sunken ruins of Aperlae and a castle. Access to the village is possible only by sea.
Ucagiz is a village one km from Kaleköy, north of a small bay by the same name, with the ruins of Teimioussa to the east. The name Ucagiz means "three mouths", referring to the three exits to open sea.
Overnight in Kas.
- Thursday - Day 13 - Kas - (B)
After breakfast you will have a full free day to relax, swim and explore Kas at your own pace.
Overnight stay in Kas.
- Friday - Day 14 - Kas to Dalaman then to Istanbul - (B) ADT 1 hour
After breakfast we will provide a transfer to Dalaman Airport and put you on a 1 hour flight back to Istanbul, After arrival, you will walk to the international airport and wait for your departure to your next destination.
Program ends
Starting at 1385 Euros per person in a double, contact us to get more info and price offer for this program.
Price includes
* All of the hotels ( Each of them individually chosen )
* All of the land transfers with comfortable vehicles
* All of the meal mentioned in the itinerary ( B-breakfast, L-lunch & D-dinner )
* Professional English speaking tour guides
* Domestic flight tickets from Dalaman to Istanbul
* Admissions to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Gallipoli Museum, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale,
* Full day cruise in Fethiye with lunch
* Full day cruise in Kas with lunch
* All of the TAX and service charges
Excludes
* International flight tickets to Istanbul
* Drinks with meals
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