Highlights to visit
GLIMPSE OF THE EAST TOUR IN TURKEY
- Duration: 13 Nights - 14 Days
- Start from: Istanbul
- Finish at: Sanliurfa or Gaziantep
- Guaranteed departure dates and tour prices:
Arrival at Istanbul airport. You will be met and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 2: Istanbul
Following breakfast, we drive to the 'Old City' where we visit the Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, 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 see the extravagant Treasury, the priceless Chinese porcelain Optional: Tonight join our Turkish dinner and enjoy Turkish belly dancing and folk dancing entertainment.(B)
DAY 3: Gallipoli-Dardanelles-CanakkaleWe begin our scenic drive down to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles during XXI. Visit Anzac Cove and Lone pine cemetery Chunuk Bair, Gabatepe War Museum then across the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight .(B,D)
DAY 4: Troy-Pergamum-Kusadasi
Visit Troy with its famous wooden horse. Referred to in Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey", Troy has in fact nine citiessuperimposed 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. On our journey to Kusadasi we stop by the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon. Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from 399 B.C. Tour Ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. Leaving Pergamon behind us we settle at our hotel in Kusadasi.(B,D)
DAY 5: Ephesus-St. Mary’s House-Kusadasi
We 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. Ephesus was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Impressive structures we see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theater and Odeon. Afternoon Optional : Tour of Sardis or Sirince (B,D)
DAY 6: Kusadasi-Pamukkale
Leaving our hotel early after breakfast, we journey to Pamukkale where the thermal water flows from natural pools in white terraces. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis was named after Hiera, wife of the founder of Pergamon. Visit ancient Spa Center of Hierapolis and enjoy the Thermal Pools of the hotel. (B,D)
DAY 7: Pamukkale–Perge-Antalya
Morning drive to Antalya, arrival at mid-noon,pay a visit to the ancient city of Perge. Perge is one of the most interesting ancient cities. Even though there is not much left to see on the Acropolis, there are wide porticoed streets, lined with many fine buildings, market places and gymnasiums. A relax afternoon by the Mediterranean coast. (B,D)
DAY 8: Antalya: Optional Tour of Phaselis or Boat Cruise
Today is a free day with choices of a lazy Boat cruise along turquise cost of the Mediterranen or optional tours of Phaselis , is a coastal ancient Lycian city. The town was set up by the Rhodians in 700 BC. Because of its location on an isthmus separating two harbours, it became the most important harbour city of the western Lycia. (B,D)
DAY 9: Antalya–Aspendos-Konya
After breakfast depart for Konya. Next on our itinerary is Aspendus whose Theater is the best preserved in the world with marvelous acoustics. We arrive to Konya,the center of the Seljuk Empire, with many examples of Turkish Islamic art and architecture. Konya is situated in the midst of a wind swept plateau at an altitude of 1030 meters, and the city is so old that a small hill has been excavated here containing the bones of Bronze Age Man.Visit Mevlana Mausoleum and Karatay Koran School, then overnight in Konya.(B,D) Tonight Optional: Whirling Dervishes performance
DAY 10: Konya-Cappadocia
Morning departure for Cappadocia , on the way visit 13th century Agzikarahan caravansary the land of Fairy Chimneys .We pay a visit to the famous underground city of Kaymakli .Before we check in our hotel ,we taste Cappadocian wine in a cave winery. Local dinner in a restaurant and overnight in Cappadocia.(B,D)
DAY 11: Cappadocia
Early Morning Optional: Balloon Tour. Experience of floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves with the sunrise of Cappadocia. The natural wonder of Cappadocia is a result of volcanic deposits being eroded away by wind and water over millions of years. These soft rocks were hollowed out by early Christians and used as secret dwellings as they were being sought first by their Roman and later by their Byzantine persecutors. After breakfast, visit Goreme, Avanos, Pasabagi, Red Valley, and have a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. (B,D)
DAY 12: Cappadocia–Mt.Nemrut
Departure at 8:30am from the Göreme. After passing Kayseri we stop to visit the 13th century Seljukian caravansarai Karatayhan. The next stop will be in Pinarbai for a break then drive to Tekir plateau for lunch. After lunch drive to Kahramanmaras. We will stop there and have the worldwide famous ice-cream in a nice cafe. Then drive to Kahta check in the hotel.(B,D)
DAY 13: S.Urfa-Harran
Departure time to drive up to mountain is at 3 o’clock in the morning. Climbing to the top of the mountain where we will watch the beatiful sunrise between the colossal size statues and bead of the king and gods. After sunrise we will the ruins of Mt Nemrut and free time to walk around then drive back to Kahta. Arsemia and a Roman bridge of Cendere and tumulus blackbird (Karakus) are also included. Arrival to Kahta to have breakfast and relax. Then drive to Sanliurfa city ,Prophet Abraham’s cave and the pools of holy carp surrounding it then drive to Harran a village of spellbinding mud –brick beehive houses where Abraham spent last years of his life mentioned in the book of Genesis. Overrnight in Sanliurfa city. (B,L,D)
DAY 14: S.Urfa-Harran
Transfer to Sanliurfa or Gaziantep airport.(B)
