Glories of Turkey Tour (13 days & 12 nights)

Istanbul, Pergamum, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia

DAY-01 08th April 2011 – (FRI) Arrival in Istanbul
After clearing customs, you will be met and transferred to your hotel with the remainder of the DAY-at your leisure. Your first night will be in Istanbul, the only city which overlaps two continents - Europe and Asia. [Değişebilir Kesme]Overnight stay at And Hotel Istanbul

DAY-02 09th April 2011 – (SAT) Imperial Istanbul Sightseeing Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will take you to visit some of Istanbul's most fascinating sights such as the Blue Mosque (unique with its 6 Minarets) and St Sophia Museum, the jewel of Byzantine architecture in Istanbul, a 6th Century Church dedicated to Divine Wisdom. You will walk around the Hippodrome, once the home of chariot races and other activities during the Roman period. After lunch break at local restaurant, next stop is the Topkapi Palace (excluding harem section), the home of the Ottoman Sultans and their families for over 400 years, a city within a city with 3000 residents. Before walking back to hotel, you will have the final stop of the DAY-at Underground Cistern, built in 532 AD.

Overnight stay at And Hotel Istanbul

DAY-03 10th April 2011 – (SUN) Flight to Izmir / Pergamum Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Once check-out is completed, we will arrange for your transfer to Kayseri Airport for the flight to Izmir. On your arrival to Izmir, you will be met Upon arrival you will be met and driven to the Ancient Greek city of Pergamum which was built on the top of a cone-shaped Acropolis, rising over a thousand feet above the surrounding valley. You will be escorted to The Sanctuary of Trajan, Sanctuary of Athena, Library, Royal palaces, Temple of Dionysus, Upper Agora, Roman baths complex and Asklepion, which was the Sanctuary of Asclepius (also known as the Asclepieion), the god of healing. At the conclusion of your DAY-of sightseeing, you will be driven to the hotel in Kusadasi.

Overnight stay at Charisma DeLuxe Hotel

DAY-04 11th April 2011 – (MON) Ephesus Ancient City Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today, you will be greeted by your guide & proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus, the best preserved Greco-Roman City in the world. Here you will see the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Celsius Library, famous Roman Baths, the Grand Theatre, Marble Street & Cave of Seven Sleepers. After lunch break at local restaurant, DAY-tour will proceed with a visit to the House of Virgin Mary and Sirince Village. Then you will visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. After the tour, you will be driven to your hotel & evening at leisure.

Overnight stay at Charisma DeLuxe Hotel

DAY-05 12th April 2011 – (TUE) Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Early this morning checkout and you will be driven to Aphrodisias, named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Love. Here you will see the Temple of Aphrodite, the monumental Tetra Pylon Gateway, the ancient Gladiator Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. After lunch break, we will continue to Hierapolis meaning "sacred city'', famous for its hot springs. The large necropolis of Hierapolis is filled with sarcophagi. Next to the ruins of Hierapolis, you will visit Pamukkale meaning ''Cotton Castle''. After some relaxation time in the calcium pools famous for the healing properties, you will be driven to your hotel in Pamukkale, also famous with hot spring pool.

Overnight stay at Pam Thermal Hotel

DAY-06 13th April 2011 – (WED) Travel to Antalya / Free Afternoon (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast & checkout, travel to Antalya via Mt. Taurus, which will take around 4 hrs. After your check-in to the hotel in Antalya, remainder of DAY-will be at your leisure to explore the old city and ancient harbor of Antalya.

Overnight stay at Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel

DAY-07 14th April 2011 – (THU) Antalya Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Your guided tour toDAY-starts with a visit to Perge Ancient City, which once was one of the most important cities along the Mediterranean coast. From here you will visit the world famous ancient Greco - Roman Amphitheater Aspendos, which is the most well preserved example in the world. After visiting this impressive site, you will have a lunch break followed by a visit to Side, an ancient site with attractions including Agora, the Gymnasium, the Apollo Temple and the ancient harbour. After the tour, you will be driven back to your hotel & evening at leisure.[Değişebilir Kesme]Overnight stay at Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel

DAY-08 15th April 2011 – (FRI) Dive to Cappadocia via Konya (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast & checkout, we will drive to Konya, the capital of the Seljuk Turks in the 13th century and home of the Mevlana Museum is also known for its theological school of whirling dervishes. After the sightseeing tour of Konya, we will proceed to Cappadocia with early evening arrival. Tonight will offer you the unique opportunity to sleep in a traditional Cappadocian cave hotel.

Overnight stay at Gamirasu Cave Hotel

DAY-09 16th April 2011 – (SAT) Cappadocia Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY-tour will start with a gentle hike through orchards, unusual volcanic rock formations, rock-cut houses at Red Valley & (Pasabagi) where you will find the world known fairy chimneys. Then visit the old Christian Village of Cavusin, followed by lunch break & a Discovery Series "Art of Pottery in Asia Minor" event. Our last stop for the DAY-will be the Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock carved churches, monasteries decorated with striking frescoes from early Christianity. With the conclusion of the day, you will be driven to your hotel.

Overnight stay at Gamirasu Cave Hotel

DAY-10 17th April 2011 – (SUN) Cappadocia Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The second DAY-in Cappadocia begins with a drive to Kaymakli Underground City, the largest and most interesting underground city of Cappadocia region. Then continue the DAY-with a visit to Soğanlı Valley, an Open Air Museum in a wild natural setting near a typical Cappadocian village with its different style Rock-Cut churches and frescoes. Villages in the valleys, surrounded by the "table top" mountains, are spectacular. After lunch break, continue with Keslik Monastery near Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a very thin smoke layer, which we can only see by torchlight. Then a visit to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses; very fine examples of late Greek settlements and architecture. Our last stop for the DAY-will be the panoramic viewpoint offering spectacular views of the landscape from the natural rock castle at Uchisar where you will also view the Pigeon Valley.

Overnight stay at Gamirasu Cave Hotel

DAY-11 18th April 2011 – (MON) Flight to Istanbul / Free Afternoon (Meal: Breakfast)
Once check-out is completed, we will arrange for your transfer to Antalya Airport for Istanbul flight. On your arrival to Istanbul, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul; with the remainder of DAY-at your lesire.

Overnight stay at And Hotel Istanbul

DAY-12 19th April 2011 – (TUE) Bosphorus Cruise & Dolmabahce Palace Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast, your DAY-starts with driving journey along the Golden Horn, the arm of the Bosphorus peninsula that separates the old and new cities of Istanbul. Then you will stop at the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar), with mystical aromas of various spices, followed by a cruise along the Bosphorus on one of the iconic ferries of Istanbul, giving you the chance to see the two bridges that link Europe and Asia. Disembark the ferry and after lunch break, you will visit the Dolmabahce Palace, which was the residence of the late royal Ottoman family with 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths and 68 lavatories. Last stop of the DAY-tour will be the Grand Bazaar, the world's oldest and biggest covered bazaar with more than 4000 shops. After the tour, you will be leaded back to your hotel for some free time before the farewell dinner.

Overnight stay at And Hotel Istanbul

DAY-13 20th April 2011 – (WED) Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (Meal: Breakfast)
After you have checked-out from your hotel, we will arrange for the transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your onward flight.

PACKAGE RATE INCLUDES

Arrival & departure transfers in Turkey
Internal flight tickets mentioned in the itinerary (economy class)
12 night hotel accommodation at superior & special class hotels
Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
Sightseeing as described in the itinerary including entrance fees
Professional English speaking tour guide licensed by the ministry of tourism
Professional tour director throughout the tour
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Luggage handling
Hotel service charges and local taxes
TURSAB Tour operator travel funds protection program

TRAVEL PACKAGE EXCLUDES

International round-trip airfare from USA to Istanbul
Personal travel insurance
Airport tax
Visa (can be obtained at Istanbul Ataturk Airport on arrival – 25 USD p/p)
Optional tours (can be obtained on the tour)
Customary tips to your tour guides & drivers
Items of a personal nature
Hotel extras (minibar, telephone/internet usage, laundry, etc),
Drinks (except the drinks served with breakfast)
Medical services.