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TURKEY & ATHENS Guaranteed Departure Tours 11 Nights - 12 Days Istanbul (2), Sleeper Train (1) Cappadocia (2), Pamukkale (1), Kusadasi (2), Athens (3) Arrival in Istanbul… Meeting your English speaking assistant or guide at the airport and transfer to hotel for check in. (Early check in due to the hotel rooms avaibility and usually check in time is after 14.00 pm) - Afternoon rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul Day 2 – Friday : ISTANBUL – Full Day Sightseeing Tour (B,L) After breakfast at hotel; depart for visiting; Topkapi Palace (closed on Tuesday) This is an extraordinary complex of buildings that extends over one of Istanbul's seven hills in a splendid position. Topkapı Palace is among those monuments belonging to the "Historic Areas of Istanbul", which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and is described in Criterion iv as "the best example of ensembles of palaces of the Ottoman period. Blue Mosque No one who has been to Istanbul at least once can ever forget the feeling of awe and wonder at seeing the Blue Mosque for the first time. Hippodrome and Obelisks The vast Hippodrome, known as At Meydani or “plaza of the horses”, stretches between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Grand Covered Bazaar (closed on Sunday) The oldest and the largest covered market place in the world is situated in the center of the city. After visiting the Grand Bazaar, there will be optional shopping opportunity before finishing the tour. Rustem Pasha Mosque Designed by the court architect Sinan for the Grand Vizier of Suleyman The Magnificent. A typical sample of Islamic architecture amidst the rows of shops near the Spice Bazaar, famed with its exquisite and colorful tiles set in floral and geometric designs. Overnight in Istanbul Day 3 – Saturday : ISTANBUL – ANKARA by train (B) Breakfast at hotel… A.M. free time for relaxing…Afternoon depart for half day Bosphorus cruise tour; Bosphorus Cruise (regular basis) During the Bosphorus Cruise you will be passing through the strait divides Europe & Asia where you will admire Ottoman Palaces, Fortresses, ancient wooden houses and modern residentials. Spice Bazaar (closed on Sunday) Spice bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Market, is an exotic food market selling spices, dried fruits, caviar and turkish delight. - After tour ending, cross to the Bosphorus Bridge and transfer to train station for Ankara Overnight in Sleeper train Day 4 – Sunday :– ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA (B,L,D) Breakfast on board, After arrival early morning meeting your guide at the station and continue to visiting Ankara which is capital of Turkey Republic... Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake pass by the 13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan. After visiting Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in Cappadocia for overnight. Overnight in Cappadocia Day 5 – Monday : CAPPADOCIA (B,L,D) - A.M. Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel and visit the valleys where animal-like natural formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon visit to Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Shopping time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia Day 6 – Tuesday : CAPPADOCIA – PAMUKKALE (B,L,D) Today’s ride will be fairly long and tiring due to the long distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale and lack of convenient lodging location. Drive to Konya to visit to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure. Then continue on to Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale Day 7 – Wednesday : PAMUKKALE – KUSADASI (B,L,D) Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Overnight in Kusadasi Day 8 – Thursday : EPHESUS TOUR (B,L,D) Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. In the afternoon Selcuk Ephesus Museum or St. John Church. Time for shopping and back to hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi Day 9 – Friday : IZMIR – ATHENS by flight (B) Breakfast at hotel. - Free time till departure from hotel, transfer to Izmir airport for your Flight to Athens. As you arrive to Athens, transfer to your Hotel. - Rest of the day free to relax. Overnight in Athens Day 10 – Saturday: ATHENS – Am City Tour (B), After breakfast at the hotel, departure from the hotel for the morning Athens city tour & Acropolis Museum - From Acropolis to Omonia Square, you’ll see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. Offering a perfect overview of the modern city, this guided tour will help you get your bearings if this is your first visit to Athens. Depart for Panathinaiko Stadium, the veneu of the first Olympic Games that took place in 1986. Pass by Prime’s Ministers residence, the Ex Royal Palace. The Zappin Megaron, The Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus, The National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, The Parliament, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Schleiman’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square, Russian Orthodox Church and finally the Acropolis where you will visit Propylae, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechteion with its Porch of Maidens. - The tour ends at 13:30, the rest of the day is free. Overnight in Athens. Day 11 - Sunday : ATHENS – Full Day Islands Cruise (B,L) After Breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the Cruise Boat, - The boat stops at three islands of the Saronic Gulf: Aegina, which is famous for its peanuts the beautiful temple of Athina Afaia - Hydraa - Poross Overnight in Athens. Day 12 – ATHENS: Departure (B) Day 12 – ATHENS: Departure (B) After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and free time until your departure time. Transfer to the Airport for your flight back home. End of our services… |
