Tour Leisurely Tour of Turkey
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Starts in
Istanbul
Ends in Istanbul |
USA departure
Saturdays
From Feb 24 to Dec 22
2007
From Feb 23 to Mar 15
2008
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13 days
14 days incl. air
c6720 |
Tour price land only - - - - -
from $ 830 to $ 920
Airline tickets from your home city also available
Your Travel Package Includes:
SIGHTSEEING:
Visits to Gallipoli, Canakkale, Troy, Izmir, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Agzikarahan
Caravansan, Dinar, Cayyolu, Aksehir, Konya, Rock Chapels in Göreme, Ankara, King Midas’ Tomb in
Gordion, Bursa; full-day at leisure in the Aegean resort of Kusadasi.
GUIDES:
Local Guide for city sightseeing in Istanbul. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring.
TRANSPORTATION:
Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in London if
Tour Operator issues the tickets. Touring by private first-class air-conditioned
motorcoach. Dardanelles Straits ferry crossing.
MEALS:
12 buffet breakfasts (B); 8 dinners (D)
AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
Airport transfers may be included when you make your flight
arrangements with Tour Operator.
OPTIONALS:
Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your
own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents
Itinerary - Leisurely Tour of Turkey
Day 1 Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.
Day 2 Sun. ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY. Check into your hotel. In the evening get to know your fellow travelers with a welcome drink, hosted by your Tour Director.
Day 3 Mon. ISTANBUL-CANAKKALE. Drive along the Sea of Marmara to Gallipoli on the European side of the
Dardanelles. Time to visit the Anzac Cemetery and the site of a bloody World War I battle. Then a short ferry crossing to Asia Minor. Overnight in
Canakkale. (B,D)
Day 4 Tue. CANAKKALE-KUSADASI. First, a visit to the remains of Homer’s legendary Troy. South to the lovely Bay of Edremit with distant views of the island of
Lesbos. Through forests of pine, oak and valonia, head for Izmir where an orientation drive includes the Karsiyaka District. From here it’s not far to your hotel in
Kusadasi. (B,D)
Day 5 Wed. AT LEISURE IN KUSADASI. Enjoy your charming modern resort located between ancient Ephesus and
Priene, blessed with a delightful climate and white sandy beaches. Optional excursions to Ephesus and to the Virgin Mary House are available. (B)
Day 6 Thu. KUSADASI-PAMUKKALE-DENIZLI AREA. Once past Aydin, you enter what is known as the "Greek Meander," the most fertile region in Turkey. Make a first stop this morning for optional sightseeing of the ancient site of
Aphrodisias scattered around the village of Geyre. From the town of Denizli drive north to view the extraordinary sight of
Pamukkale. Time to enjoy "Cotton Castle's" cascading water. Overnight in the Denizli area.
(B,D)
Day 7 Fri. DENIZLI AREA-KONYA. Eastwards to Dinar and then past Lake Acigol to Cay. Stop in Cay surrounded by cherry gardens and opium fields. Later, splendid mountain scenery on the way to
Konya. (B,D)
Day 8 Sat. KONYA-CAPPADOCIA. Further eastward into the great central plateau which separates Konya from
Cappadocia, taking a break at the great Agzikarahan caravansari. After arrival in Göreme, an included afternoon excursion to the amazing Rock Chapels carved by early Christians. Overnight in
Cappadocia. (B,D)
Day 9 Sun. CAPPADOCIA. Optional sightseeing in the spectacular Cappadocia area. Admire the large natural amphitheater bounded by almost vertical cliffs into which have been hewn monastic buildings, and churches Underground retreats where early Christians sheltered from Roman persecution.
(B,D)
Day 10 Mon. CAPPADOCIA-ANKARA. North today by way of Aksaray to Ankara, the capital. Afternoon optional excursions are available to see some of the capital’s highlights.
(B,D)
Day 11 Tue. ANKARA-BURSA. From Ankara into the ancient kingdom of Phryge to
Gordion, where according to legend Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot. Visit King Midas’ tomb. Via Eskisehir to historic Bursa in the shadow of the Olympus of Mysia and famous for its great Mosque, covered bazaar and silk market.
(B,D)
Day 12 Wed. BURSA-ISTANBUL. Morning drive to the shores of the Sea of
Marmara, then by way of Yalova to Istanbul. This afternoon enjoy the included sightseeing with visits to the Roman Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Tonight take advantage of the optional dinner outing in Istanbul. (B)
Day 13 Thu. ISTANBUL. Markets, peddlers, and stalls selling almonds, pistachios, iced drinks, and black coffee—you’ll find this city irresistible, a vigorous anthill of Turkish life. The view of the city at dusk with its 600 mosques and the Bosporus is unforgettable. Optional possibilities are a morning excursion by private boat to the Bosporus and in the afternoon the "Historical tour of Istanbul." (B)
Day 14 Fri. HOMEBOUND FLIGHT. (B)
Quality Hotels:
Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
ISTANBUL Erboy (ST), CANAKKALE Tusan (ST), KUSADASI Pigale Panorama (ST), DENIZLI AREA Herakles (ST) at
Pamukkale, KONYA Balikcilar (ST), CAPPADOCIA Irmak (ST), ANKARA Segmen (ST), BURSA Kervansaray (ST)
Hotel Rating Abbreviations:
F = First Class
ST = Superior Tourist Class
T = Tourist Class
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