Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troya, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Blue Cruise and Antalya
Day 1 ... . . . .**Click on any blue word to see photos for each day of the tour.**.** 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
Day 2 . . . . . . This will be a full day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Sites you’ll see today
Byzantine Hippodrome-The focal point of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Constantine. Within it’s center you will see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column.
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. You also will see the Harem where all the women of the Palace were "kept", and the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle that is home to some of the holiest Muslim relics...including the mantle worn by the Prophet Mohammed and hairs from his beard.
*Blue Mosque--World renown for it’s architecture and focal point for worshipping Muslims
*Haghia Sophia--1,400 year old supreme church from Byzantium times which houses famous Byzantine Mosaics
*Underground Basilica Cistern built in the 6th century--Wander underground in this cavern built during the time of Justinian and view classical columns including one with the base carved as the head of Medusa
*In the evening we will join for another Turkish dinner.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided<overnight in ISTANBUL
Day 3
in the early morning we will drive west, heading towards the Aegean Sea.
Sites you’ll see today *Gallipoli and The Dardanelles --after our lunch we will stop to visit Gallipoli, a place of fierce WWI 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 Dardanelles. 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. Over a nine month campaign, more than half a million soldiers lost their lives in the fight to control this strait of water and nearby Gallipoli peninsula. Many villagers of this region speak of seeing ghosts wandering the cemetery sites or hearing battle cries.....still today!
*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. The locals buy sunflower seeds and stroll with their families, gossiping and looking at the sunset. When they reach the harbor's end, they turn around, buy their ice cream and walk the other direction.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided<overnight in CANAKKALE
Day 4
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!
We will depart from Canakkale lunch time and drive to Kusadasi ( Ephesus )--- Evening arrival in Kusadasi check in the hotel --- Dinner provided in the hotel - Overnight stay in Kusadasi.
Day 5 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. When St. Paul lived in Ephesus he would have addressed the Ephesians in the great theatre, that today impresses everyone that walks into it’s stands. 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, look towards the hill where St. Paul was put into prison, and feel that you are walking back into the time that St. Paul lived. After being here, you will read the book of Ephesians with new eyes.
*The House of The Virgin Mary where it is believed St. Mary came to live with St. John in the last years of her life.
*The Church of St. John was erected by Emperor Justinian in memorial to St. John whose tomb is within it’s walls. St. John came here towards the end of his life with the Virgin Mary whom he cared for. He wrote the gospel of St. John and his other letters during the last years of his life here.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided<overnight in KUSADASI
Day 6 - Sites you’ll see today
*Pammukale, which means cotton castle, is the result of limestone formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as itcooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pammukale is nowa world heritage site.
*Hierapolis was founded as a healing care centre in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral waters in the area. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centres of the Roman Empire. It eventually had a large Jewish and Christian community, and during the Christian era the city of Laodiceia, one of the Seven Churches written of in Revelation, was founded 8 km away.
*The tomb of St. Philip is back in the hills behind Hierapolis. Philip was a well-known saint of the region. St. Philip met his death as a martyr, and in honor of his service to God the Christians erected a matyrium over the site of his tomb. Special ceremonies and meetings were held here in the name of St. Philip. After the tour we will have an overnight departure from Pamukkale to Fethiye ( 4 hours bus ride ) Check in the Hotel in Fethiye, Oludeniz - Dinner provided in the hotel & Overnight stay
Day 7
Today starts a brilliant 4 day, 3 night cruise on a Gulet, which is a traditional Turkish sailboat. People in Turkey call this the Blue Cruise, and once you see the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, you’ll understand why. During these days make sure you have your sea legs about you, for you will be living aboard this large sailboat. (Don’t worry, you are always in protected waters of the sea, so no seasickness to be encountered!) During your stay aboard you will live in a cabin with private shower and toilet and have all food taken care of. You can snorkel, use fishing lines, and windsurf at no extra expense. Other water sports would be at your option and have a slight fee.
>All meals are provided while on the cruise. You are responsible for your own drinks, including water. There is an ice cooler on board to cool your drinks in.
Day 10 Check out from the Gulet & Transfer to Antalya ( Check in the hotel & Overnight stay in Antalya ) - - -
Day 11 Free day in Antalya --- Overnight stay
Day 12 We will take a flight back to Istanbul.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided<overnight in ISTANBUL
Day 13
According to your flight time we will transfer you to the international airport
Cost will be € 675 person in double room and € 790 for single supp. It includes --- All Transportations --- 4 star accomadation with breakfast --- All of the land and air transfers. --- English speaking guides Lunch on tour. --- All of the entrance fees to the museums and to the ancient sites --- All of the service charges and local taxes
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