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Introduction
Best of Turkey
Wonders
of Turkey
Fascinating Turkey
Anatolian Crossroads
Ancient Aegean
The Turquoise Coast
Grand Tour Turkey
Cradle of
Civilizations
Turkish
Delight
Gateway to Mesopotamia
Kusadasi
& Izmir Shore Trips
The Black Sea
The Odyssey
/ Turkey & Greece
Turkey, Jordan & Egypt
Istanbul to Damascus Tailor
Made |
Anatolian Crossroads
Day 1 Istanbul Upon arrival to Istanbul International Airport, you will be greeted by your host who will arrange your transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you may wish to take a walk through the historical Sultanahmet district of Istanbul. Day 2 Istanbul Today we will visit the old town Istanbul. Topkapi was the administrative palace for the Ottoman dynasty for over 400 years. Our tour includes the Harem, private apartments of the royal family. We will then visit the Blue Mosque, known for its outstanding 17th century tiles. Next stop will be the Hippodrome, the center of political & sportive activities in the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. We will continue on to the 6th century Hagia Sophia, the masterpiece of the Byzantine art & architecture. Day 3 Istanbul - Bursa We will discover Istanbul beyond the boundaries of the old city. We will start the day walking the colorful & busy streets in Pera district. Istiklal street will lead us to Taksim square, which is the center of daily activities in European Istanbul. Later in the day we will drive along the Marmara shores & across with a ferry to Yalova & continue to Bursa for overnight stay. Day 4 Bursa - Ankara Cumalikizik is an authentic village where the stately Ottoman houses are lined along the cobblestone streets. More then 200 houses witnessed the proud living of the well to do families in the Ottoman times, now they are sharing their secrets with the very few people that know the existence of the village. We will take a walk in the village to take a close look at some of these houses, & learn more about life in the village. In the afternoon, we are driving to Ankara via Gordion, that was the capital city of the Phrygian Kingdom. We will visit the interior of the 'tumulus', monumental burial for King Midas. Day 5 Hattusas - Yazilikaya Hattusas was the capital city of the Hittite Empire, here we will explore ruins from the 2nd millennium BC. We will see the incredible 200 feet tunnel beneath the walls, take a close look at the monumental gates of the city, & walk around the great Temple of Storm God Teshup. Alacahoyuk & the Hittite temple Yazilikaya are also included on tour. Day 6 Alacahoyuk - Cappadocia After Alacahoyuk we are driving south to Cappadocia region, known for its unusual landscape, & volcanic rock formations. We will take a walk along the fairy chimneys in the Red Valley before sunset. The village we are staying for the next three nights is currently under preservation in order to protect the historical heritage. Day 7 Cappadocia In the morning we will visit Goreme Open Air Museum with striking rock cut churches of Byzantine era. En route we will see the Valley of Pigeons & Avcilar, a perfect location to get a general view of central Cappadocia. We will also stop by the Byzantine military fortification known as Uchisar, built in a massive tufa rock. Day 8 Cappadocia Today we are going to the village of Guzelyurt. En route we will visit the underground city of Kaymakli to learn how the people of Cappadocia found shelter during the never ending wars of the past. Upon arrival in Guzelyurt, we will take a walk in the old part of village, meet with the locals, & enjoy a talk with the elders of the community. Day 9 Cappadocia - Konya On the road to Konya, we will visit a 13. century Caravanserai which was built as a shelter for the merchants, & a center for trade on the famous Silk Road. As we arrive in the city, we will visit the Museum of the Whirling Dervishes, to learn more about Rumi, & his teachings. Day 10 Konya - Antalya Check out after breakfast & intercity coach to Antalya. Transfer to hotel upon arrival. Antalya is one of the most beautiful provinces of Turkey on the Mediterranean coast. In Antalya, the pine-clad Taurus Mountains sweep down to the sparkling clear sea forming an irregular coastline of rocky headlands & secluded coves. The region, bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year , is a paradise of sun bathing, swimming & windsurfing waterskiing, sailing mountain climbing & caving. Day 11 Antalya Day to explore ancient Myra, hometown of St. Nicholas & Arykanda with a great setting high on a mountain top. The city has one of the best preserved Hellenistic theatre buildings of Asia Minor. We will also take a boat ride for the sunken city in Kekova. Return to Antalya after sightseeing. Day 12 Antalya - Istanbul Check out from hotel & transfer to Antalya Airport for Istanbul flight. Transfer to hotel upon arrival to Istanbul. Day 13 Istanbul Departure Check out from hotel & transfer to Istanbul Airport for homebound flight. |
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