ITINERARY

SELECTED UNIQUE MOMENTS (included in our package)

• Turkish Blue Eyed Bead
• Turkish coffee from Sark Kahvesi
• Baklava from the masters Unchanging taste in Karakoy Gulluoglu Baklavicisi
• Turkish Delight at Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir’s shop
• A short ride of Phaeton/Fayton (typical horse carriage of Izmir )
• Stop at the Sirince Artemis Wine House for the wine tasting.

D1: London - Istanbul

Following your arrival in Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel for overnight stay.

D2: Istanbul (B/-/-)

Welcome Gift, Nazar Boncuk (Turkish Blue Eyed Bead) Nazar Boncugu is a glass bead that protects the holder from the evil eye. It is pretty common in Turkey. Have a look around and you might discover countless Nazar Boncuks dangling from cars, from rear-view windows, backpacks, on necklaces and bracelets, pinned to the sweaters of babies and small children, and hanging above doors in restaurants, hotels, stores, and apartments.
We set off on a full day of sightseeing in Istanbul. We will start off with a visit to the renowned Sultanahmet Mosque, known popularly as The Blue Mosque, an incredibly beautiful mosque known for its blue Iznik (Nicaea) tiles are unique for the fact that it has six minarets. We continue on to the Hippodrome, once the vast arena that functioned as the heart of sporting (chariots races and athletics) events and political activities of the old city. From here we go to the nearby Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom. Ranking as one of the greatest marvels of world architecture, this awe-inspiring building was constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. From here short walk to the Underground Cistern, the largest of the many underground cisterns built during the Byzantine Empire to supply the city with water. This cistern is especially fascinating because the Byzantine builders recycled many stone structures—capital heads and columns-- that had been used in earlier temples. Now an upside-down Medusa stares out at us from her watery home. We continue our tour with a visit to the Topkapi Palace. This visit to the imperial palace of the Ottoman Sultans will include tours of the imperial treasury, the Chinese porcelain section, the calligraphy section and many more. We will also visit the jewellery collection segment of the palace. The tour will end with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewellery, and carpets. UNIQUE MOMENTS: During the visit of the Grand Bazaar we will be experiencing Turkish coffee from Sark Kahvesi, historical coffee roasters located in the Grand Bazaar. Each variety has been prepared with a blend of traditional knowledge, experience, and an abiding “Love of Coffee”
Overnight stay at our hotel in Istanbul.

D3: Istanbul (B/-/-)

This morning we will visit the renowned Dolmabahce Palace, was built between the years 1843 and 1856 by the Armenian architects the Balyans. The design contains eclectic elements from the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassic styles blended with traditional Ottoman architecture to create a new synthesis. It is the largest Palace in Turkey, its monoblock building occupies 45.000 m2. Later on, we will go to Cruise on the Bosphorus with a regular boat. We’ll cruise up Istanbul’s winding straits and relax and admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces, and decadent yalıs. We’ll see Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Ottoman summer mansions, the Ortaköy Mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress, and the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, all while passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships, and tankers.
The remainder of the afternoon at your own leisure.
Overnight at our hotel in Istanbul.

D4: Istanbul / Gallipoli / Canakkale (B/-/D)

After breakfast, we begin our drive to Gallipoli, a pleasant drive that takes us through the European (Thracian) lands of Turkey. Walk on the beach at ANZAC Cove, visit the Lone Pine Cemetery and see the Turkish Memorial. We also visit the moving ANZAC Museum before crossing the Dardanelles by ferry to Canakkale where we will check into our hotel.
Enjoy our buffet dinner and overnight at our hotel.

D5: Canakkale / Pergamon / Izmir (B/-/D)

After breakfast, we visit the ancient Troy where we will see its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden Trojan Horse. From here we begin our drive towards the Aegean and Izmir. Along the way, we will stop at the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon, including visits to the Acropolis and Asklepion. Late afternoon we continue our drive to Izmir. Once we are in Izmir—the Pearl of the Aegean Sea—we will have a short sightseeing tour of the city. UNIQUE MOMENTS: Tonight you will enjoy a short ride of Phaeton/Fayton (typical horse carriage of Izmir ) tour in Izmir along the famous shore promenade called Kordonboyu.
Dinner and spend the night at our hotel in Izmir.

D6: Izmir / Ephesus / Pamukkale (B/-/D)

After breakfast drive to Ephesus, famous for its Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It's cult to Artemis and its Hellen civilization with Heraclitus the “Skotinos” philosopher of “Panta Rei”. During the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor.
Upon Arrival at Ephesus follow your guide to enter this ancient site through the Magnesian Gate and discover innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theatre built in the Hellenistic period, which is still noted for its remarkable acoustics, and is where St Paul preached. We will also visit Virgin Mary’s House. We will continue to SIRINCE. A paved road of 8 km leads to this attractive village set in the hills above Ephesus, surrounded by an idyllic landscape of vineyards and peach orchards. Sirince retains its traditional architecture almost wholly intact, thanks to landmark rules which have been implemented since the 1980s. Most houses in the village date from the 19th century. After a visit to the village, stop at the Sirince Artemis Wine House for the wine tasting. Late afternoon we continue to Pamukkale, "the Cotton Castle" with its snow-white terraces formed by thermal waters cascading down the hillside.
Dinner and spend the night at our hotel in Pamukkale.

D7: Pamukkale / Antalya (B/-/-)

After enjoying our visit to this site of natural beauty we go the adjacent ruins of antique Hierapolis with its famous Necropolis, Basilica, theatre, and plutonium. We then continue to Antalya. Upon your arrival in Antalya, we will visit Perge, which is one of the most impressive remains of antiquity. It was an important city in Pamphylia (today’s Mediterranean region). Perge is famous for its agora and its theater seating 10,000 people. Legend holds that Perge was founded after the Trojan War by Greek settlers. Perge developed from a Hellenistic hilltop settlement into a Roman City. The town had one of the oldest Christian communities in Asia Minor. Paul and his companions visited Perge on their first missionary journey, it was here that John left Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. Last, we will visit Aspendos (Belkis) is one of Pamphylia’s most ancient cities that was founded by the Greeks around 1184 BC. Aspendos is famous for it’s incredibly well-preserved theatre built in the 2nd Century AD with a capacity to seat 15,000 people. It is still used today for classical performances and festivals; the theatre’s galleries, stage decorations, and acoustics all testify to its fabulous architectural design and construction.
At the end of our visits, you will transfer to the airport in Antalya to take your return flight.

- End of our services -

TOUR PRICE: From March to November 2019

Rates Might Be Changed In Case of Any Changes in Governmental Taxes Or Fuel Surcharges.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Flights
• 3-nights accommodation in a standard room at our hotel in Istanbul including daily breakfast.
• 1-night accommodation in a standard room at our hotel in Canakkale including daily breakfast and dinner.
• 1-night accommodation in a standard room at our hotel in Izmir including daily breakfast and dinner.
• 1-night accommodation in a standard room at our hotel in Pamukkale including daily breakfast and dinner.
• Sightseeing as per above itinerary
• Entrance fees of the specified museums in the itinerary
• Private Transportation by A/C deluxe vehicle
• Private English Speaking Professional tour guide
• Tips to the hotel and restaurant staff
• Service charges & local taxes

TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Drinks and meals which are not listed on the itinerary
• Lunches as per above itinerary
• All personal expenses
• Tips to the tour guide and driver
• Accommodation at our hotel in Antalya