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. Stone Hotel
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 souvenir shopping. Overnight stay in Istanbul - Stone Hotel
Wednesday - Day 4 - (B/L/D) - Istanbul to Canakkale
In the early morning we will drive west, heading towards the Aegean Sea. We will visit Gallipoli on the way
*Gallipoli and The Dardanelles -- After our lunch we will stop to visit Gallipoli, a place of fierce World War 1 fighting between Allied forces and the Turks. At ANZAC Cove thousands lost their lives in one fateful dawn morning. We will also see other famous battle sites of World War 1 in this area, such as Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. From here we go to a ferry and cross the Dardanelles. For World War 1 buffs, you will know the Dardanelle Straits were a strategic crossing point for the allied armies to cross from Europe to Asia Minor.
*Canakkale will be our final destination for today and where we will spend the evening. After dinner, you might want to stroll the harbor walk and experience the local culture. Overnight in CANAKKALE. www.hotelakol.com
Thursday - Day 5 - (B/L/D) _Canakkale to Kusadasi
We continue our scenic drive along the Aegean, stopping for photo opportunities and perhaps to indulge the taste buds at one of the many farmer road side stands that sell olives, figs, seasonal fruit and pistachios. We then will head east towards our first site of the day.
Sites you'll see today
*Troy --is the ancient site written about by Homer in the Iliad. It dates back as far as 3000 BC and has been the site of nine different cities through the thousands of years it has existed. As you enter the site a large wooden Trojan horse dominates your view. You will definitely want to climb up and get your picture taken!
After lunch you will depart from Canakkale, driving along the Aegean Sea down to Kusadasi, evening arrival in Kusadasi, Check in the hotel, Overnight stay. http://www.onderotel.com/
Friday - Day 6 - (B/L/D) Kusadasi to Pamukkale
We will visit Turkey's most impressive Roman and Biblical site today, in what may well be one of your most memorable days in Turkey. We will also visit other significant sites of the area.
Sites you'll see today
*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.
After the tour we will depart from Ephesus to Pamukkale, and after arrival we will check into our hotel and have a free day to relax and enjoy a nice dinner before we get a good night sleep. Overnight stay in Pamukkale. http://www.pamhotel.com/indexeng.htm
Saturday - Day 7 - (B/L) Pamukkale to Marmaris
After breakfast we will depart from Kusadasi to Pamukkale, as soon as we arrive we will continue onto guided tour of Pamukkale and 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 Marmaris ( it will be about 3 hours bus ride) After arrival you will check in the hotel and spend the night in Marmaris. - Marmaris Anemon Hotel
Sunday - Day 8 - (B) - Marmaris to Rhodos (Greece)
After breakfast we wily provide a transfer to Marmaris ferry port and put you on a 2 hour ferry to Rhodos Island, After arrival you will check into your hotel and have a free day to relax and explore Rodos Island on your own, Overnight stay in Rodos Island. Europa Hotel
Monday - Day 9 - (B) - Rodos to Santorini Island
After breakfast you will have a full free day on the Island then in the afternoon we will provide a transfer to Rodos ferry port and put you on a ferry up to Santorini Island. After arrival we will transfer you to your hotel and you will have a free day to relax and explore Santorini Island on your own, Overnight stay in Santorini. Villa Kalimera
Tuesday - Day 10 - Santorini - (B) -
After breakfast we will take you on a sighseeing tour of Santorini Island, you will visit small near by towns and villages of this magnificent Island, ((( note this is not a guided tour, just a driver will drive you to these sites and give you free times at each destination you go and you will explore the siters on your own, Overnight stay in Santorini Island - Villa Kalimera
Wednesday - Day 11 - Santorini - (B) -
After breakfast you will have a full free day to relax and explore Santorini Island on your own. Overnight stay in Santorini Island.
Thursday - Day 12 - Santorini to Athens - (B) -
After breakfast we will provide a transfer to Santorini ferry port and put you on a ferry back to Athens, After arrival in Athens we will provide a transfer to your hotel that is located in the heart of Plaka District. Overnight stay in Athens - Jason Inn Hotel
Friday - Day 12 - Athens - (B) -
After breakfast, around 08:30 am you will be picked up from the hotel
then you will first visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus then we will continue on to Panathinaiko Stadium, ( where the first Olympic Games took in 1896, After that will drive by the Prime's Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace, (guarded by colourful Evzones) Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall), National Garden, Hadrian's Arc, St. Paul's Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schlieman's House (Nomismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, ACROPOLIS, (the you will visit Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion and Museum of the Acropolis). Around lunch lime we will take you back to your hotel, you will have a free afternoon to Relax and enjoy Athens on your own. Jason Inn Hotel
Saturday - Day 14 - Athens to Home - (B) -
Gule, Gule! It is time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey and all of us in your hearts, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life!
Total cost: 1.680.00 Euros per person in a double room & 2.145.00 Euro in a single room.
Price includes
* All of the hotels ( Each of them individually chosen )
* All of the land transfers with comfortable vehicles
* All of the meal mentioned in the itinerary ( B-breakfast, L-lunch & D-dinner )
* Professional English speaking tour guides
* Domestic flight tickets from Rhodos to Santorini
* All of the ferry tickets
* All of the TAX and service charges
Excludes
* International flight tickets
* Drinks with meals |
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