Highlights Of Capital Anatolia By High Speed Train

Central Anatolia Tour (12Nights/13Days) By Train (The Tour of Capitals; Eskisehir/Ankara/Konya) Trains, since the day they started, were mysterious, exciting, adventurous, inspiring and at times transporting happiness or grief. There is one nostalgic train journey in the memories of most of us.

This idea of journey in Central Anatolia on wheels blossomed together with the start of the fast trains between Eskısehir, Ankara and Konya.

Central Anatolia region has always been an important center of many civilizations throughout the stages with its geographic position. There are lots of astonishing places to visit in this region.

This unique tour takes you to the highlights of (Central Anatolia) Turkey’s capital; Ankara and then to the legendary Hittite capital Hattusas, Yazilikaya & Alacahoyuk. It will take you to the center of Whirling Dervishes and the old capital of Seljuks; Konya. Then to Eskisehir, a charming city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey from where you can drive to the Frig Midas City, Kutahya and ancient Aizonai.

The fast train from Istanbul to Eskisehir takes about 3 hours, from Eskisehir to Ankara takes about 2 hours and from Ankara to Konya takes about 1,30 hours.

A pleasant train journey with beautiful landscape along the way.

Day 1 - ISTANBUL - ARRIVAL

Arrive in Istanbul, meet & greet at the airport and transfer to Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Golden Horn on the European Side. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2 - ISTANBUL – FULL DAY OLD CITY & BOSPHORUS CRUISE TOUR

After Breakfast at Hotel, meet your tour guide at the lobby for your private full day tour. After a short walk, arrive to the pier to take a motor –boat for a memorable cruise on the Bosphorus. Bosphorus is a narrow strait between Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. Its shores offer many attractions of Istanbul’s beauty. While contemplating the spectacular view of this sacred city, the boat will pass by some magnificient palaces, old sea side mansions, and impressive fortresses. After an approx 1 hr. 15 mins cruise, you will disembark and continue to your tour with a visit to the; Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Sultans for almost three centuries. It is located on the promontory jutting out between the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. This setting provides a magnificent view. The construction of the Topkapi Palace was completed between 1465 and 1478. Being the imperial residence of the sultan, his court and harem, the palace was also the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. 4,000 people lived in the Palace. In the Treasury section, you will see breathtaking displays, including the 7th largest diamond in the world, the “Spoonmaker’s Diamond”. Lunch will be served at a nice local traditional Restaurant. After lunch, visit Archaeological Museum which is located in the first court of Topkapi Palace. Museum of the Ancient Orient Istanbul Turkey. Osman Hamdi Bey who was a famous Turkish archaeologist, diplomat and painter opened the museum both as a museum for the ancient antiquities conversation and as a school of fine arts in 1883. At the end of the tour return to your Hotel in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul (B&L)

Day 3 - ISTANBUL – FULL DAY OLD CITY TOUR

After Breakfast at Hotel, meet your tour guide at the lobby for your private full day tour.

First, we will have a visit to the Ancient Hippodrome, which was one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire. You will take a short walk to the Blue Mosque, completed in 1616, ıt is a triumph of harmony, proportion and elegance. The mosque was a part of a complex also including, tombs, fountains, kitchens, and a bath. Its colourful 260 windows enables the sunlight to reach inside. This makes the interior unusually light. The blue Iznik tiles covering the walls have given the mosque its popular name, Blue Mosque.

Then, you will visit Haghia Sophia, the church of the Divine Wisdom. The architectural marvel of all time. It was built during Emperor Justinian reign ( AD 537 ) and it remained the greatest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II who ordered to convert Hagia Sophia into a Mosque. In 1934, Atatürk proclaimed it a museum. The walls of this beautiful piece of architecture are decorated with gorgeous mosaics. Lunch will be served at a nice local traditional Restaurant.

After lunch, you will visit the grand 16th century palace of the sultan’s Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasa, which today houses the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, containing what many consider to be the finest collection of Islamic artifacts in the world. The museum is well laid out and contains more than 40,000 examples including ceramics, Koran cases, calligraphy, textiles, metalwork, and illuminated manuscripts. Its antique carpet exhibit is renowned; the carpets, kilims and prayer rugs forming one of the richest and oldest collections in the world. After, we will visit a local handicraft centre where you will have the opportunity to see how they weave their carpets and a small lecture will be given. Overnight in Istanbul (B&L)

Day 4 - ISTANBUL – ESKISEHIR (By Sakarya Express Train)

After breakfast check-out from the hotel, meet your Guide at the Lobby, and explore the modern side of Istanbul visit, Istanbul Modern Arts Gallery then enjoy walking in the new part of the city walk through the most famous pedestrian street, Istiklal Caddesi (Beyoglu) and feel the heartbeats of Istanbul. Continue your walk at Taksim Square and stroll down the grand boulevard called Istiklal Caddesi, keep a lookout for the historical tram that runs the length of the street. During your walk you will see many hidden churches and cathedrals, embassies and consulates, and boutiques and art galleries and the historical Pera Palace Hotel and Mevlevi Museum. Lunch at Taksim. After lunch transfer to Haydarpasa for 17.30 pm Sakarya Express train to Eskisehir. Arrive in Eskisehir and transfer to IBIS Hotel in Eskisehir. Overnight in Eskisehir (B&L)

Day 5 - ESKISEHIR – FULL DAY TOUR TO ANCIENT CITY OF AIZONAI

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Kutahya (136 km.) and visit the Roman ruins at Aizonai with their well-preserved Temple of Zeus. Aizonai the antique city which making important contributions to tourism in Kütahya. The city was opened to settlement from 3000BC and became the main area of settlement for Aizanitis under the rule of Phrygians. Walk in the old city of Kutahya. Kütahya is known for its beautiful colored tiles and pottery.

Lunch in Kutahya. After lunch, visit the Tile Museum of Kutahya and have some free time for shopping in Kutahya. Return to Eskisehir for overnight. Overnight at IBIS Hotel in Eskisehir (B&L)

Day 6 - ESKISEHIR – ANKARA

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Acient city of Yazilikaya (46 km) (the city of Midas along with some monuments of Seljuk&Ottoman periods). Antique Yazilikaya City; located in the village of Yazilikaya in Han Town is the holy and religion center of Phrygians and was a candidate to be taken into the list of World Cultural and Natural Heritages.

Return to Eskisehir and have lunch and walk in the city centre. Transfer to Eskisehir train station for high speed train to Ankara @ 18:00 pm. Arrival in Ankara and transfer to your Hotel in Ankara. Overnight at Dedeman Hotel in Ankara (B&L)

Day 7 - ANKARA – FULL DAY TOUR TO HATTUSAS

Breakfast at Hotel, meet your Guide at the Lobby. After (approx. 2,5 hrs drive) (208 km) arrive in Hattusas and visit the Capital of Hitties “Hattusas” and summer palace of Hitites, with Lion’s Gate, Tunnel, King’s Gate, Citadel and Grand Temple.

After Lunch, proceed to Yazılıkaya to see the open air sanctuary as the sun light comes on the bas-reliefs direct in the morning. Drive back to Ankara for overnight. Overnight Dedeman Hotel in Ankara (B&L)

Day 8 - ANKARA – KONYA – FULL DAY TOUR OF ANKARA & ENVIRONS

After breakfast check-out from the Hotel, and visit the famous selected the European Museum of the Year in 1997, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is located on the hill with Ankara's ancient Citadel. The museum has Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Late Bronze Age, Hittite, Phrygia, Urartu and Late Hittite sections. Short walk in the Old part of the city and take photos from the Citadel of Ankara. Drive to Polatli (approx 100 kms) and visit the capital Phrygia Gordion, the city famous for Gordion Knot, King Midas and his golden touch. Midas or King Midas is popularly remembered in Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. This was called the Golden touch. Visit Tumulus, is the most famous of which belonged to King Midas; with its 53-meter height and 300-meter width, it is the second biggest tomb of its type in the world. Return to Ankara, transfer to the Ankara train station and take high speed train to Konya @ 19:15. Arrival and check-in to Hilton Garden Inn Konya.
Overnight in Konya (B&L)

Day 9 - KONYA – FULL DAY TOUR TO KONYA & CATALHOYUK

After breakfast, visit the Mevlana Museum and the tomb of Jelaleddim Rumi, founder of the whirling dervishes, in Konya. Visit, The Karatay Madrasa, built in 1251, is adjacent to the citadel. Its portal displays alternating stones of light and dark, a hallmark of Syrian influence today the Madrasa serves as a tile museum. After lunch, drive to Catalhoyuk “Forked Tumulus” (60 kms). Catal Hoyuk is an Early Neolithic site in Turkey (6300-5500 BC), and so far the oldest civilization on earth. Return to Konya for overnight. (B&L)

Day 10 - KONYA – FULL DAY TOUR TO YALVAC (PISIDIAN ANTIOCH)

After Breakfast, drive and visit the site of ancient Pisidian Antioch is located on the outskirts of the Turkish town of Yalvac. Lunch in Antioch. Paul and Barnabas visited the city on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13–50; 14:22). St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Barnabas, and St. Timothy all preached here. All the missionary journeys of St. Paul started here in Antioch. Antioch now became a major Christian city and the centre of the Eastern Christian church which proclaimed its independence from Rome in 341. Also the first church of Christianity was founded in Antioch. Return to Konya for overnight. (B&L)

Day 11 - KONYA – ISTANBUL PRINCES’S ISLANDS

After an early breakfast check-out from the Hotel and transfer to Konya Airport for your domestic flight back to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to the pier where you will have a motor-boat to transfer to Princes’s Island (Heybeli or Buyukada).

Upon your arrival to the Island, your luggages will be transferred directly to your hotel, and you will take a horse-carriage tour around the Island. As there is no traffic the only transport horse and cart in the Island. At the end of the tour, check-in to your hotel. Free time to relax or walk around the Island.
Overnight at Princes’s Island Istanbul (B&L)

Day 12 - ISTANBUL – FULL DAY TOUR TO EGYPTIAN&GRAND BAZAAR

After breakfast, take a regular morning ferry to Istanbul European Side. Arrive and visit the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. The Spice Bazaar is a must-experience for foodies visiting Istanbul. Also known as the Egyptian Market, or Misir Çarsisi, in Turkish, this market dates back to 1664 and is the second-oldest covered shopping area in Istanbul. (The oldest is the Grand Bazaar.) The Spice Bazaar is not only a great place to buy spices, but it's also where you can pick up dried fruits and nuts, tea, candy and caviar. After a short walk visit, Rustem Pasha Mosque is well known for its beautiful Iznik (Nicea) tiles of the 16th century, covering entire walls, mihrab and mimbar areas as well. Lunch at Havuzlu Restaurant in the Grand Bazaar. After Lunch enjoy your free time and your last minute shopping at Grand Bazaar. In the late afternoon, take a regular ferry back to the Island for overnight. Overnight at Princes’s Island Istanbul (B&L)

Day 13 - ISTANBUL – DEPARTURE

After breakfast check-out from the Hotel and depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to the Airport by a motor-boat and a transport for your homebound flight. (B)

End of our services.

ACCOMODATIONS:

3 Nights at SC Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Golden Horn Hotel or similar in Istanbul on BB
basis www.hilton.com

2 Nights at 3* Ibis Hotel or similar in Eskisehir on a BB basis
www.ibishotel.com

2 Nights at 4*+ Dedeman Hotel or similar in Ankara on BB basis
www.dedeman.com

3 Nights at SC Hilton Garden Inn Konya Hotel or similar in Konya on BB basis
www.hilton.com

2 Nights at 4* Merit Halki Palace Hotel in Istanbul Princes’s Island on a BB basis
www.halkipalacehotel.com/

Included Services:

All Hotel accommodations on BB basis
All Lunches
Licensed professional local tour guide in English language throughout the itinerary.
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (Breakfast&Lunch)
Horse Carriage Tour at Princes’s Islands
A/C Luxury van with professional driver during tours & transfers All arrival and departure transfers for Istanbul/Eskisehir/Ankara/Konya/Istanbul
Return Ferry tickets
Entrance fees to the all sites and museums, as marked on the itinerary

Not included: