11 Days- "Antique Cities and Mini Blue Voyage" tour

Day 1 - Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul airport , you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Dinner at your hotel.

Day 2 - Istanbul
Following breakfast, we drive to the 'Old City' where we will visit the Hippodrome, The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Blue Mosque, famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles and Saint Sophia. This church - turned mosque - turned museum takes the breath away with the sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome and next we will visit the spectacular Topkapi Palace. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex commands views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It was the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852) and we will see the extravagant Treasury, the priceless Chinese porcelain.

In the evening an optional dinner including Belly Dancing with Folklore Show is available upon request. 

Day 3 - Istanbul
Our morning starts with a visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every store-front. We then board our ferry boat for a relaxing cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway that divides Asia and Europe. As you sit back and enjoy Turkish coffee or well-brewed tea from traditional small cups, numerous summer palaces and palatial homes will pass by on either side. Disembarking at the northern end of the Strait, we proceed to a restaurant for a tasty meal of local fish. Following lunch we will travel by coach to the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by master architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver. The last stop will be Grand Bazaar with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets and leatherwear.

Day 4 - Canakkale (Troy)
We will begin our scenic drive down to Gallipoli and Anzac Cove, historically famous for being the site of many battles during XXI. Following a lunch break, we will cross the second strategic waterway, the Dardanelles, and land in Asia and proceed to Troy. Referred to in Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey", Troy has in fact nine cities superimposed one upon another. Troy VI pertains to the famous Trojan War of Homer where the legendary heroes included Agamemnon, Achilles, Ulysses and Nestor on the Greek side and, Priam, Hector and Paris on the Trojan side. We will check-in to our hotel in Canakkale for the evening.

Day 5- Izmir
On our journey to Izmir we will stop by the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon. Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from 399 B.C., we will see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the 200,000 volume library which was surpassed only by that found in Alexandria at the time. The Asclepieum of Pergamon was a famous health center where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. Leaving Pergamon behind us we settle at our hotel in Izmir.

Day 6 - Kusadasi
Following an early breakfast we will proceed to the old section of Izmir called Kadifekale which was a bastion built by Alexander the Great when he moved the city to this commanding location over the Bay of Izmir. Heading further south, we will arrive at the ancient city of Ephesus and first visit the Basilica of St. John, who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel. To the southwest of the Basilica stands the Isa Bey Mosque and further in the same direction is the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. Ephesus was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Impressive structures we will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theater and Odeon. We will also visit the Museum of Seljuk. Close by is the House of the Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last years. On August 18th, 1961, Pope John XXll proclaimed the House of Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred. You will have a chance to take a phial of Holy Water from the Sacred Spring.

Day 7 - Kusadasi
We will leave early and journey to Priene which is an example of a truly ancient city, whose history dates back to the 10th century B.C. Highlights include the Temple of Athena Polias, the Ecclesiasterium and the Agora. We next visit Miletus where the Philosopher Thales was born. He coined the phrase "Know Thyself". We will inspect the Delphinion, Baths of Faustina and the Council Chamber. Our last visit is to Didyma which served as a religious sanctuary to the god Apollo. The oracular inscriptions date as far back as 600 BC. Among the highlights are the Temple of Apollo and the Stadium. We then return to Kusadasi for the night.

Day 8 - Marmaris
We will leave the hotel after breakfast and drive to Marmaris with lunch en route. In the afternoon we embark on our yachts and settle down for a relaxing dinner.

Day 9 - Ekincik
After breakfast, our first stop is Ekincik. You will find the chance to visit the Dalyan village, ancient city of Caunos, mud baths, Koycegiz River and Iztuzu Lagoon, the home of Caretta Caretta turtles. Lunch, dinner and overnight in Ekincik.

Day 10 - Bedri Rahmi
After breakfast you will sail through Kurdoglu. Lunch in Manastir Bay. Dinner and overnight in Bedri Rahmi Bay.

Day 11 - Gocek
After breakfast cruise sailing between the Gocek's bays. Dinner and overnight in Yassica Islands.

Day 12 - Fethiye
We arrive in Fethiye in the early afternoon and disembark for our drive to Dalaman for our flight to Istanbul.

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