Classics Of Turkey

( 5 Star )

Visit: St. Sophia- Topkapi Palace- Blue Mosque-Museum of Anatolian Civilizations- Cappadocia- Fairy Chimneys- Pamukkale- Ephesus- Pergamum- Troy- Gallipoli

Itinerary
Inclusion / Exclusion
Dates Pricing

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Welcome briefing will be held.

Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding harem). Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment. B

This morning depart on an optional tour of St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and now a museum and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Continue to cruise along Bosphorus cruise enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafés. Depart for the capital city of Ankara for overnight. B D

Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a historic caravanserai holding artifacts from up to 7500 years old including the most extensive and valuable collection of Hittite artifacts in the world. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravanserai en route. Pay a visit to the underground city of Saratli, one of the many underground settlements built for protection and religious reasons. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight in Cappadocia. B D

Consider an optional early morning hot air balloon tour and experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi, Red Valley and attend a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. B D

Drive to Pamukkale. En route visit the famous mausoleum of the Sufi philosopher, Mevlana. This was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the Whirling Dervishes. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. B D

Visit the unique cotton fortress of Pamukkale, with its white lime cascades formed by mineral springs, and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Proceed to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. B D

Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production center to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. Join an optional afternoon tour of Sirince. B D

Visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum and continue to a traditional local village for lunch with locals. Then continue to Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other. Continue to Canakkale for overnight. B L D

In the morning depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles WW1. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Ba,r, and then drive to Istanbul Visit to Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Istanbul. B D

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. B

Inclusion

First Class hotels with private facilities
Meals are indicated on itineraries by B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner
Licensed guides throughout Turkey
Private air-conditioned transportation
Luggage handling
Local taxes and service charges
Arrival/departure transfers: only on arrival and departure days (arrivals and departure from/to Istanbul Airport).
Pre or post stay transfers are not included

Exclusion

International / Domestic Airfare
Optional activities
Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included

Note

Supplement cost for Pre and Post Tour Accommodation Including Transfers, daily breakfast and local taxes is available on request

Child supplement is available on request

Children less than five years of age and unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 cannot be accepted on these tours.

HOTELS ENVISAGED or similar - 5 star

City Hotels

Istanbul Renaissance Bosphorus
Ankara Swissotel
Cappadocia Crowne Plaza Nevsehir
Pamukkale Colossae Hotel
Kusadasi Charisma Hotel
Canakkale Kolin Hotel
Istanbul Renaissance Bosphorus

HOTELS ENVISAGED or similar - Moderate

City Hotels

Istanbul Park Dedeman Levent
Ankara Holiday Inn Kavaklıdere
Cappadocia Cappadocia Lodge Hotel
Pamukkale Colossae Hotel
Kusadasi Carina Hotel
Canakkale Iris Hotel
Istanbul Park Dedeman Levent