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Higlights
Istanbul; St Sophia, Bosporus Cruise, Blue Mosque, Kariye (St Chora),
Suleymaniye Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar. Ankara; Anatolian
Civilizations Museum, Hittite Sites. Cappadocia; Goreme Valley, Pasabagi,
Dervent Valley, Uchisar, Soganli Valley, Underground city of Ozkonak, Avcilar,
Sultanhani Caravanserai, Konya;Whirling Dervishes, Antalya; Perge, Aspendos,
Pamukkale/Denizli; Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Izmir; Sardis, Ephesus, House of
Virgin Mary. Pergamon, Troy, Gallipoli.
15 Days - 15 Nights from Istanbul |
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Tour
Itinerary :
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Day 1: Istanbul |
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Welcome to Turkiye/Istanbul. Our
representative will meet you at Ataturk
Airport and transfer you to your hotel in
the Sultanahmet district, the oldest area of
Istanbul. There will be a brief orientation
about Turkey and a welcome dinner at the
hotel. Includes: (D). |
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Day 2:
Istanbul |
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In the morning we will tour Topkapi Palace.
It was the center of the Ottoman Empire for
about 400 years. At present it is a museum
and we will spend half a day visiting
various sections of Topkapi Palace. After
lunch in the palace’s Garden Restaurant, we
will visit the Ayasofya. It began as a 6Th
century church, St.Sophia‘s (Hagia Sophia);
built by Emperor Justinian, to be the
grandest church in all Christianity. When
the Turks conquered Istanbul, Ayasofya was
converted to a mosque. After the Turkish
Republic was founded in 1923 it became a
museum. Ayasofya is one of the most
beautiful structures in Istanbul. Later we
will discover the soaring beauty of Blue
Mosque, Sultanahmet Camii, where in 2006,
Pope Benedict the 16Th prayed with a Turkish
Imam. It is decorated lavishly with
exquisite Iznik Tiles. Overnight hotel in
Istanbul. Includes: (B). |
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Day 3:
Istanbul |
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In the morning we will visit Grand Bazaar.
It is one of the largest covered markets in
the world with 58 streets and 4,000 shops,
It is well known for jewelry,pottery, spices
and carpet shops. A great place to shop
until you drop. In the afternoon we will
visit the Turk and Islamic Art Museum.
Includes: (B). |
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Day 4:
Istanbul- Ankara |
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We will take an early flight from Istanbul
to Ankara. Our driver for the will meet us
at the airport. We will continue our journey
in a comfortable van or bus, depending on
the size of our group. You will be taken to
our hotel, leave our luggage and have
breakfast. Then we will visit Old Anatolian
Civilization Museum and Mausoleum of
Ataturk. Includes: (B). |
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Day 5:
Ankara/Bogazkale/Yazilikaya/Cappadocia |
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In the morning
we will depart for the center of the ancient Hittite empire.
Our group will visit Bogazkale (Hattusas) which is known as
the city of temples. We’ll see the King’s Gate, the Lion’s
Gate, the Tunnel, the Great Citadel, the Grand Temple and
the museum. We will also see the ancient site of Yazilikaya
(inscribed rock), close to Bogazkale. This is the most
famous of the Hittite rock monuments. There is also an
open-air pantheon, where reliefs of Hittite gods and
goddesses adorn the walls. These are carved into the native
rock and date back to the 13Th century BC. Later we will
drive to Cappadocia. Includes: (B), (L), (D). |
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Day 6: Cappadocia |
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Words can barely describe the surreal
landscape of Cappadocia. Three volcano’s
repeated eruptions laid the foundation for
the remarkable formations millions of years
ago. Earthquakes and erosion created the
fairy chimneys and sculptured valleys. For
centuries local people have carved the soft
tufa to make homes, Christian monasteries,
stables, storage areas and pigeon lofts. The
pigeon guano was used to fertilize crops on
the valley floors. The Silk Road crosses
Cappadoccia. This medieval trade artery
stretched from China to Europe and was
traveled by Marco Polo. Caravan stops were
placed along the route. We expect to spend
an evening at one of these caravansary and a
see a Dervish ceremony(Optional). For an
extra fee, hot air balloon rides are
available for those willing to rise before
dawn. The sights are well worth braving the
chilly morning. The best shopping for
carpets, ceramics and many interesting local
crafts can be found in this area, as well as
the best prices. Overnight hotel in
Cappadocia. Includes: (B), (L), (D). |
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Day 7: Cappadocia |
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We will spend the morning in the Goreme
Outdoor Museum. The Goreme Valley holds the
greatest concentration of rock cut chapels
and monasteries in Capadoccia. Dating mostly
fr om the 9Th century onwards, the valley’s
30 or more churches were built by cutting
rooms out of the soft volcanic tufa. Many
churches feature superb Byzantine frescos
with scenes featuring the life of Christ and
deeds of the saints. Nearby underground
cities were excavated that could house a few
thousand inhabitants as they hid while
invading armies ravaged the countryside.We
will spend the afternoon exploring one of
these, Kaymakli.Overnight in Capadoccia.
Includes: (B), (L), (D). |
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Day 8:
Cappadocia/Izmir /Kusadasi |
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A morning flight will take us to Izmir Adnan
Menderes Airport and we will be driven to
Kusadasi to check into our hotel. We will
explore the local area in the afternoon. In
Selcuk, the Basilica of St. John crowns
Ayasuluk Hill. It was built by Emperor
Justinian over the tomb of St. John the
Apostle. The Basilica, now in ruins, once
rivaled Ayasofya in size and grandeur. View
the remaining graceful columns and mosaics
of the Basilica as you take in the panorama
of the rural Selcuk countryside and the
ruins of the Temple of Artemis. After
traveling a winding road up Mount Coresos we
will visit the House of the Virgin Mary. The
Vatican has recognized this small site in
the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting
place of the Virgin Mary. A small chapel
dedicated to St. Mary was founded when the
ruins of the house were first discovered. We
will have a fine view of the Temple of
Artemis near Ephesus. Dinner and Overnight
in Kusadasi. Includes: (B), (L), (D). |
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Day 9: Izmir /Kusadasi |
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We will drive to Ephesus and enter the
ancient city through the Magnesia Gate and
begin a slow, downhill walk with our guide
into the ruins of this Roman provincial
capital. Our route takes us past the Odeon,
the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian,
the State Agora, the Fountain of Trajan and
the Great Theater. The theater had seating
for 24,000, which was the site where it is
believed St. Paul preached to the Ephesians.
It is used today for a local spring festival
and concerts. The Terrace Houses opened
recently and you are treated to a view of
the life style of the wealthy Romans of the
day. We will end the day with a visit to the
Ephesus Museum. This small museum in Selcuk
boasts an incredible collection of
Hellenistic and Roman statues, carved
reliefs and artifacts unearthed from the
ruins of Ephesus. The famous statue of
Artemis (goddess of fertility) is housed
there. Overnight Kusadasi. Includes: (B),
(L), (D). |
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Day 10: Pamukkale/Aphrodisias |
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On the way to
Pamukkale, there will be a visit to
Aphrodisias, the recently excavated Roman
city, dedicated to the Goddess of Love,
Aphrodite. Aphrodisias was primarily known
as a center for the arts, particularary
sculpture. The Aphrodisias School of
Sculpture had a distinctive style and was
very well circulated throughout the Greek
and Roman world. The site is being excavated
by the archeology department. of New York
University. The excavations are still going
on as in many other ancient sites. We will
see the Hadrian Baths, the well preserved
stadium, the theater, the agora and the
beautiful Archaeological Museum containing
the best Aphrodite Statues in Anatolia. We
continue to Pamukkale for dinner and
overnight. Includes: (B), (D). |
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Day 11: Pamukkale/Hierapolis |
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As we approach Pamukkale in the morning it
looks like a glacier spilling down the
mountainside. The name translates to Cotton
Castle. In truth these are glistening white
travertine terraces formed over millennia by
mineral deposits as water flowed out of
natural springs. The water is credited with
healing powers. It is alleged that Cleopatra
swam in one of the pools that is open to the
public. Nearby are the ruins of the Roman
resort Heriopolis, and a large necropolis.
Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of the
Revelation, will be next stop. Then we will
drive to Sardes the capital of ancient Lydia
where the first coins in the world were
conceived and visit the Temple of Cybele and
Diana (Artemis) which also became one of the
Seven Churches of the Revelation. We will
see the golden river, Pactalos, and a
portion of the Royal Road. Later we will
visit a reconstructed Synagogue. Overnight
in Pergamon. Includes: (B), (D). |
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Day 12: Pergamum |
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We will climb to Pergamum’s Acropolis to see
the steepest theater of the ancient world
and ponder the magnificent view over the
countryside as well as the Temple of Trajan.
The city was founded in the 4Th century BC
and ruled for a time by one of Alexander the
Great’s generals. Then we will descend to
the valley and visit the Asklepion, an
ancient hospital and medical center,
established in the 2ND century AD by the
skilled healer Galen. Overnight in Cankkale.
Includes: (B), (D). |
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Day 13: Troy/Gallipoli/Istanbul |
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We will drive to Homer’s legendary Troy,
site of the famous Trojan War over the
beautiful Helen and its wooden horse.
Archaeological digs have proved that there
had been nine separate layers at the
settlement of Troy. A golden hoard was found
here by Schliemann 1870. In his quest he
disturbed the archaeological site to the dis
pair of later investigators. In the
afternoon we will cross the Dardanelles, a
crossing point for travelers and armies for
millennia. We will explore the WWI
battlefield of Gallipoli. It is the site of
a sad defeat for the Allies but it was a
great military accomplishment for Colonel
Mustafa Kemal, later know as Attaturk,
founder of the Turkish Republic. From here
we will drive to Istanbul. Overnight in
Istanbul Includes: (B), (D). |
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Day 14: Istanbul |
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Visit the Archaeological Museum containing
the greatest treasures of Greek and Roman
antiquities discovered in Turkey, and the
underground cistern. This morning we will
take a ferryboat tour up the Bosporus. This
waterway is the boundary between Europe and
Asia It is lined with palaces, mansions and
lovely views. Overnight in Istanbul.
Includes: (B). |
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Day 15: Istanbul - Transfer to Ataturk
Airport. |
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Transfer to Ataturk Airport. |
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour Includes:
- Accommodations
in 4-5 star or S class hotels
- Luxury transportation
- Excellent guiding
- Entrance fees of museum and sites
- Meals as shown daily
- All taxes
Tour does not
include:
- International
airfare
- Drinks and meals which are not listed
in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses
- Turkish Visa fee
- Tips for Guide and Driver
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Tour Code:
Western Anatolia Tour
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Istanbul - Cappadocia - Ephesus - Pamukkale Tourrrrrr |
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