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GRAND ANATOLIA
Day 1 - Istanbul
Your representative
awaits to greet you as you land in Istanbul. After
transferring to your hotel, the remainder of the day is free.
Tonight meet your tour companions at a welcome cocktail
hosted by your tour director.
Day 2 - Istanbul
Morning, board a ferry
boat for a relaxing cruise along the Bosphorus waterway.
Afternoon is yours to explore the city, or you can join
optional tour of Dolmabahce Palace.
Day 3 - Istanbul
- Bursa
In the morning we
cross the Bosphorus waterway that separates Europe and Asia
and drive to Bursa, first capital of the Ottoman Empire, at
the foot of Mt. Olympus of Asia Minor. In the afternoon
visit the lovely Green Ottoman complex and the Grand Mosque,
you might like to spend the remainder of the day shopping
Bursa`s colorful Covered Bazaar. Tonight you have an
excellent oppurtunity to take a “Turkish Bath” at your hotel`s
hot spring baths.
Day 4 : Gordion -
Ankara
After breakfast, we
depart on a scenic ride to the heart of the Anatolian
Highland toward Turkey`s capital, Ankara. En route, we stop
for a visit at Gordion, where according to legend Alexander
the Great cut the Gordion Knot thus opened the way to Asia.
Overnight in Ankara.
Day 5 - Ankara –
Cappadocia
This morning we visit
the impressive Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of the modern
Turkish Republic and then the Museum of Anatolian
Civilizations with it`s display of Hittite Treasures and
artifacts from the world`s oldest city, Catalhoyuk. After
lunch we drive to Biblical Cappadocia, famous for unique
landscapes, underground cities as well as towns carved from
region`s soft volcanic rock. En route we visit the 13th
century Seljuk Caravan Inn of Agzikarahan.
Day 6 - Cappadocia
A full day touring the
“moon – like” topography of Cappadocia: Goreme, with it`s 6
th to the 10 th century rock chapels decorated with
Christian frescoes is an unforgettable experience. You tour
the under–ground city of Kaymakli an eight story complex of
subterranean dwellings. In the afternoon, we visit the
pottery making village of Avanos and the Byzantine Monastic
complex of Zelve before returning to our hotel to enjoy the
picturesque views of this ancient, historic land.
Day 7 -
Cappadocia - Konya – Antalya
You cross the rolling
steppe of central Anatolia to Konya for a tour of the
Mevlana Mausoleum, founder of the Order of Whirling
Dervishes (an ecstatic Muslim sect,) and continue to
beautiful Karatay Koran school, now a museum of richly
colored Turkish tiles. Then transit the Taurus Mountains to
arrive in Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea, an area often
called the Turquoise Coast due to it`s exquisite clear blue
waters.
Day 8 - Perge &
Aspendos
A full day touring
begins with the Antalya Archaeological Museum and its
numerous artifacts and statues from nearby ancient sites.
Then we tour ancient Pamphylian, Hellenistic and Roman
cities: The unspoiled ruins of Perge with its colonnade
street, and Aspendos with its huge theater, the best
preserved Mediterranean theater with a capacity of 15.000
spectators still used for special events.
Day 9 - Antalya
– Pamukkale
We drive north through
the mountains to Pamukkale, in Turkish the name refers to
the “Cotton Castle” appearance of the spectacular white lime
cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Then visit the vast
ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Enjoy a
leisurely bath in the pool of your hotel's hotmineral spring
water.
Day 10 - Ephesus
& St. Mary`s House – Izmir
This morning we head
across the fertile Menderes Valley to glorious Ephesus,
capital of Roman Asia Minor, to see extensive ruins which
include 2.000 year old marble streets, a huge theater, the
library of Celsius, a gymnasium and the temple of Hadrian.
In the afternoon, visit to Virgin Mary`s stone cottage.
Overnight in Izmir, Homer`s birth-palace on the Aegean Coast.
Day 11 -
Pergamum – Troy – Canakkale (Dardanelles)
The first stop on your
northbound journey is the acropolis of ancient Pergamum,
famous for work done by the great Roman physician, Galen,
Sights include the Altar of Zeus, and the Asklepion, a
famous Roman Medical Center. Continuing north, we visit the
ruins of Troy where Greek and Trojan heroes fought the
Trojan War for the honor of beautiful Helen. Also, visit its
legendary walls, buildings and a replica of the famous
wooden horse. Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 12 -
Dardanelles – Gallipoli – Istanbul
After breakfast we
cross the Dardanelles waterway to the Gallipoli Peninsula,
see Anzac cove, and visit Lone pine cemetery before
continuing, along the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul. Upon
arrival, we visit the adjacent Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I
built in 1616, famous for unequaled ceramis tiles. Then
Byzantine Hippodrome which was used chariot races. For the
taste of Turkish night life, join optional dinner and enjoy
an evening of Turkish belly dancing entertainment.
Day 13 -
Istanbul
A guided tour explores
ancient city highlights including Topkapi Palace (main
residence of Ottoman sultans) and the Old City`s unusual and
large underground cistern. Visit to Saint Sophia Basilica,
built in 537 AD as the Byzantine Church`s seat, now a museum
whose mosaics, stained glass windows and decorated domes are
breath–taking: finally the Grand Bazaar with 3.000 exotic
shops along covered lanes and alleyways. Tonight enjoy a
farewell dinner with your companions.
Day 14 - Istanbul
Your representative
escorts you to the airport for the flight home. |
Accommodation
Dalyan-Mud
Bath
