Istanbul & Western Turkey
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Day 1) ISTANBUL Arrival
You are greeted at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free. Welcome coctail in the evening hosted by your tour director.
Day 2) ISTANBUL
After breakfast start exploring the fascinating remains of the Byzantine and the Ottoman eras in Istanbul; the Byzantine Hippodrome where the chariot races were held, the Blue Mosque unique for its 6 minarets and incomparable Iznik tiles. Continue for Hagia Sophia, the Divine Wisdom Church of the 6th century which was an architectural wonder of its time. In the afternoon enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Bosphorus viewing Ottoman mansions, fortresses and charming “yali” houses of the 18th and 19th centuries along the strait. Overnight at the hotel. (B, L)
Day 3) ISTANBUL – TROY – CANAKKALE
Departure to Gallipoli in the morning. Cross the Dardanelles strait by ferryboat. Visit ancient Troy, see its legendary walls, the ancient levels of settlement and the wooden horse. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale. (B, L, D)
Day 4) ALEXANDRIA TROAS – PERGAMON – IZMIR
Drive to Alexandria Troas in the morning (which St.Paul sailed to Samothrace). See the remains of the harbor, theater, Herodes Atticus Bath and the city walls. Continue to ancient Pergamon which is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Revelation of St. John. Visit the theater, Trajanium and the library in the Acropolis. See the Red Basilica and the ancient medical center; Asclepion, where Galen, renowned doctor and surgeon, practiced. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B, L, D)
Day 5) SARDES – PAMUKKALE
Today you will see four places of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Revelation of John: Symrna, Sardes, Philadelphia and Laodecia. In the morning visit the Church of St.Policarp in Izmir. Drive to Sardes, capital of ancient Lydia. Visit the Temple of Cybele and Diana which later became a church, a famous Synagogue from 3rd century, the Gymnasium and the new excavation area. See the Golden River Pactalos. Proceed to Alasehir, ancient Philadelphia, Laodecia and continue for Pamukkale. Visit the Byzantine ruins of Hierapolis and the cotton shaped travertines. Enjoy the thermal pool at your hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 6) EPHESUS – KUSADASI
Leave for Ephesus in the morning. Visit the wonderfully preserved antique city which once had 300.000 inhabitants. Start with the Odeon and the State Agora. Walk along Curetes Street to see the Varius Baths, the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus and the most impressive theater. Lunch and shopping in Selcuk. In the afternoon visit the House of Virgin Mary where she spent the last days of her life and the Basilica of St.John where the Apostle is buried. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B ,L ,D)
Day 7) KUSADASI – AKHISAR – BURSA
In the morning, drive to Akhisar via Manisa, ancient Thyatira. Visit the church of Thyatira then drive to Bursa, first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Arrive in Bursa, visit Ulu Cami (the Grand Mosque) of the 15th century. You might like to spend the remainder of the day shopping at Bursa’s colorful covered silk bazaar. Transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the thermal bath of the hotel this evening. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8) BURSA – IZNIK – ISTANBUL
In the morning, visit the lovely Green Mosque complex and drive to Iznik (Ancient Nicaea) via the beautiful Iznik Lake Road. The importance of Nicaea in Christian history is in the two ecumenical councils held here, the First Ecumenical Council of 325 and the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787. Visit the ruins of St.Sophia Church where the Seventh Ecumenical Council was held. In the afternoon, arrive in Istanbul. Optional dinner including Turkish belly dancing. (B, L)
Day 9) ISTANBUL
This morning you will first visit the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent which was a master-piece of Architect Sinan. Then continue to the Topkapi Palace Museum which was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans.You will admire one of the four largest Chinese porcelain collections in the world and the treasury of Ottoman Royalty. Spend the whole afternoon in the Grand Covered Bazaar. (B, L)
Day 10) ISTANBUL – Departure Transfer...
Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your departure flight. ( B ) You may extend your stay in Istanbul by one day.
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Tour Includes : |
Exclucing : |
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* Professional tour director
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* Flights
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* 9 nights in selected hotels
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* Drinks
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* Latest model A/C tour bus or van
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* Personel expences
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* 9 breakfasts (B)
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* 8 lunches (L)
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* 5 dinners (D)
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* Porterage at hotels
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* All entrance fees
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Highlights of Western TurkeyYou are greeted at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free. Welcome coctail in the evening hosted by your tour director.
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Pearls of Western TurkeyTake a morning flight from Istanbul to Izmir meet at Izmir airport and drive to Pergamon, which is one of the Seven Churhes mentioued in the revelation of St. John. visit the theater, trajanium and th
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Crossroad of CivilizationYou are greeted at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free. Welcome cocktail in the evening hosted by your tour director.
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Treasures of TurkeyVisit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (with its Hittite treasures and artifacts from the Catalhoyuk, world’s oldest city). Tour 13th centu
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Heart of Asia MinorArrival to Istanbul. Meet and transfer to domestic lines for your flight to Kayseri. Meet at Kayseri airport and transfer to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia
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West, Central & South of Turkey ToursVarious classical Anatolia tours, 6 to 15 days do cover from Homer’s Troy to Ephesus, Biblical Psidian Antioch, the wonderland of Cappadocia and over the Tourus Mountains, the warm and charming Antaly
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Turquoise coast to IstanbulTurkey's Mediterranean shore, known as The Turkish Riviera or The Turquoise Coast, streches nearly 1000 miles from Datca to Antalya along with its beautiful sandy beaches.
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