Sunday - Day 1 - Istanbul
As we say in Turkey, HOS GELDINIZ! Welcome to Turkey. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Istanbul on your own. Overnight in ISTANBUL.
Monday - Day 2 - (B/L) Istanbul
This will be a full day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), Mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish etc.
Bosporus Cruise, thorough the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential of luxurious apartments.
After lunch we will continue on the tour and will visit
Topkapi Palace--The residence and leadership center of the Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. It was built in 1459-1465 shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. You will see the Treasury that includes the Topkapi Dagger, the 86 carat Spoon Maker’s Diamond, and the jewel encased bones of St. John the Baptist’s skull and arm bone.
Grand Bazaar and the Suleymaniye Mosque will be visited during the tour
After the tour we will return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Tuesday - Day 3 - (B/L) Istanbul
This will be a full day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Sites you’ll see today
Hagia Sophia was, for nearly a thousand years, the largest enclosed space in the world, and still seen as one of the world's most important architectural monuments. It is one of Turkey's most popular attractions, drawn by the sheer spectacle of its size, architecture, mosaics and art. Built in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian.
Blue Mosque : This mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet I during 1609-1616 in the town carrying his name in Istanbul. It is the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets. Due to its magnificent hand-dyed blue, green and white tiles it has been named the "Blue Mosque" by Europeans. The central dome is 43 m in height and is 33.4 m in diameter. 260 windows surround the mosque
Hippodrome: The ancient Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and the centre of Byzantine civic life. Of the ornaments which once decorated it, only three remain: The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine.
Theodosius Obelisk is originally an Egyptian piece of art erected in 1547 BC and originally 60m tall. German fountain is also within the hippodrome area, constructed in Germany to mark German Emperor Wilhelm II's second visit to Istanbul, it was imported and officially opened on January 1 1901. The fountain's three domes are decorated with gold mosaics.
After the tour we will leave you at the grand Bazaar and give you free time to explore and some souvenier shopping. Overnight stay in Istanbul
Wednesday - Day 4 - Istanbul to Cappadocia - (L)
Early in the morning we will pick you from your hotel and transfer you to the domestic airport and put you on a 1 hour flight to Kayseri, after arrival we will transfer you to Cappadocia and continue on the program.
Sites you’ll see today
*The World Heritage Site of Goreme Open-Air Museum--This is a cluster of rock cut Byzantine churches, chapels and monasteries which include some wonderful 11th and 12th century frescoes on the cave walls. This place was used by the Christians as a place of refuge from those opposed to Christianity and also was a major monastery. Rooms, churches, houses, and gathering halls have all been cut into the rock or formed from natural caves. Within the caves you can explore and see the preserved mosaics and frescoes.
*Fairy Chimneys--These geological phenomenon have been shaped over millions of years. They were formed during volcanic eruptions in the region. Reaching at times 40 meters in height, they are conical in shape and have a "hat" top to them.
*Devrent Valley--This valley is know as "the pink valley" because of the color of it’s soil. This is a lovely place to wander around and look at the magical rock formations indicative to Cappadocia, including the Fairy Chimneys.
*Uchisar Castle--Also called a fortress, this is actually a formation of two gigantic rocks surrounded by smaller rocks that together form a natural fortress with towers. These formations were inhabited during both the Byzantine and Ottoman times. You can climb and explore the different caves and rooms throughout the fortress, experiencing first-hand what it must have been like to hide in these fortified rocks, waiting for the ancient enemy to pass by or give up.
*We will also get the chance to visit local craftspeople and learn how they make dolls and create traditional pottery. >Breakfast/Lunch pprovided <overnight in URGUP.
Thursday - Day 5 - Cappadocia to Konya - (B/L)
Today will be spent walking through an underground city where ancient people once fled for their lives escaping the Arab invaders, wandering through Ihlara Gorge and spending time in an Anatolian village. As we will need to drive for awhile in order to reach our first destination, we will be starting out quite early this morning.
Sites you’ll see today
*Underground City of Derinkuyu--You will gradually stroll your way down into the depths of the earth in this ancient underground city that has 18-20 floors as deep as 40 meters below the ground. Don’t worry, you will only go down to the 8th floor. Cappadocia has around 36 underground cities. Archeologists date these back to the time of the Hittites which lived 4000 years ago.
*Ihlara Gorge will seem like an oasis in the middle of the Anatolian plain. Delve into the gorge and see the beautiful greenery as you follow the river. Around you will see ancient monasteries complete with pigeon holes cut into the cliffs by the monks. They used these pigeons as messengers to communicate with their monk friends!
*Traditional Anatolian villages--The head-scarved women out at work in the fields from sun up until sun-down, and the mustached, vest-wearing men hard at work playing cards in the coffee shops. You will get time to stroll in such a village and see the average Turkish villager at work...or play.
>Breakfast/Lunch provided,
After the tour we will provide a transfer to Konya, After arrival you will check into your hotel & Overnight stay.
Friday - Day 6 - Konya to Pamukkale - (B/D)
After breakfast you will have a free time look around historical sites in Konya then in the afternoon we will provide a transfer to Pamukkale, Evening arrival in Pamukkale, transfer to your hotel & Overnight stay.
Saturday - Day 7 - Pamukkale to Kusadasi - (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will take you on a full ay tour of Pamukkale nd Hiarapolis,
*Pammukale means cotton castle in Turkish. It is the result of limestone formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as it cooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pammukale is now a world heritage site.
*Hierapolis was founded as a healing care centre in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral
waters in the area. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centers of the Roman Empire.
After the tour we will provide a transfer to Kusadasi, Arrival in Kusadasi, transfer to hotel, Overnight stay.
Sunday - Day 8 - Kusadasi - (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will take you on a full day tour of Ephesus, Temple of Artemis and the House of Virgin Mary.
*Ephesus is one of the best preserved cities from Roman times. At the time St. Paul lived in Ephesus in the 60’s AD, it was at it’s Roman heyday with a population around 250,000. Ephesus was a great ancient city and much of it has been preserved for you to see. More than any other site, you can walk the streets, stand in the great theatre, wander in the library, see the ancient Roman toilets and baths, and feel that you are walking back into ancient history.
* Temple of Artemis Artemis was a Greek goddess, the virginal huntress and twin of Apollo, who supplanted the Titan Selene as goddess of the Moon.
*The House of The Virgin Mary is where it is believed St. Mary came to live with St. John in the last years of her life.
Overnight stay in Kusadasi.
Monday - Day 9 - Kusadasi to Mykonos (Via Samos Island)
After breakfast we will provide a transfer to Kusadasi Harbour and put you on a 2 hour ferry to Samos Island, after arrival you will have free time then you will depart from Samos to Mykonos,
Midnight arrival in Mykonos, transfer to your hotel, Overnight stay.
Tuesday - Day 10 - Mykonos - (B)
Breakfast provided in the hotel --- Free day to relax and explore Mykonos Island. Overnight stay in Mykonos.
______________________________
Located in the middle of the Aegean sea, Mykonos is a quite popular island of Greece. With it is crystal clear beaches, windmills, waterfront buildings, Archeological sites and a good nightlife, Mykonos is a fulfilling island to visit.
Archaeological finds indicate that the Ionians settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BC. More recent discoveries have uncovered remnants in Ftelia beach from the Neolithic Kares tribe dating back as far as 3000 BC.
___________________________________
Wednesday - Day 11 - Mykonos to Santorini - (B)
After breakfast you will depart from Paros Island on a 2 hour 30 minute ferry to Santorini. Upon arrival you will be met at the ferry port and transferred to your hotel. After check in you will have a free day to relax and explore Santorini. Overnight stay in Santorini
_ _________________________________
Santorini is one of those places in the world that will be permanently etched in your mind. Everywhere you turn you will find another photo opportunity. Essentially, the land is the remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, which destroyed the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island. The aftermath of the explosion created what you see today, a caldera. All of the whitewashed, charming houses cling to the high cliffs of the rim, while the deep blue Aegean Sea wraps around the geological masterpiece, hundreds of feet below. Its spectacular physical beauty, along with a dynamic nightlife, have made the island one of the tourist hotspots for Europe.
____________________________________
Thursday - Day 12 - Santorini - (B/L)
After breakfast we will take you on a full day tour of Santorini. You will visit Acrotiri, goon a boat trip to the remaining volcano out in the center of the area, visit hot springs, view the ruins of Thirrassia, and wrap up the day watching the romantic sunset from Oia. After sunset, you will be taken back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Santorini.
Friday - Day 13 - Santorini - (B)
After breakfast you will have a full free day to relax and explore Santorini on your own. Many take this opportunity to relax and tan on one of Santorini’s famous beaches, such as Red Beach, or return for some more sightseeing in Oia. Overnight stay in Santorini.
Saturday - Day 14 - Santorini to Athens
After breakfast we will provide a transfer to Santorini Airport and put you on a 50 minute flight to Athens. Upon arrival in Athens this tour program ends.
(Depending on your needs and requests, we can organize a transfer to your hotel in Athens, organize any last night hotel stays, and/or provide transfers to the airport for when you depart Greece)
Total cost : 1.665.00 Euro per person in a double room, 2.165.00 Euro for single supplement
Includes
* All of the ferry tickets
* All of the ferry port transfers
* Centrally located, distinctive hotels with breakfast
* All of the guided tours mentioned in the itinerary
* Entrance fees, guide(s), transfers included with the tours
* All of the tax and service charges
We can add more nights on the islands, and customize the tour for your time, interest and budget.
Let us know your preferences, and we will work with you to organize your dream vacation. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Click on the map to enlarge |
 |
|
-
-
- 
- 
-