12 Days/11 Nights Special Turkey Tour

Información

This extensive, special tour by road provides first class service and guided transportation through some of Turkey’s most spectacular sights. Visiting Istanbul, the battlefields of Gallipoli, the Trojan Horse of Troy, Pergamon, the ancient city of Ephesus, the white calcium hot pools of Pamukkale, the beautiful views of the Mediterranean coast in Antalya, the city of Konya and Mausoleum of Mevlana, the underground cities of Cappadocia and the Capital of Turkey, Ankara.

Day 1 you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul – overnight.

Day 2 includes a tour of the major sights of old Istanbul, visiting Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans which boasts exquisite collections of jewels, crystal, the robes of the Sultans’ and their families as well as many other artifacts; the impressive Blue Mosque with its’ magnificent blue Iznik tiles; the Hippodrome, scene of chariot races; lunch, followed by a walk around the Spice Bazaar where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of herbs and spices. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 - Gallipoli Tour 07:30am we depart for Gallipoli to visit the battle fields. Two hours later there will be a 20 minute comfort stop before arriving at Gallipoli around 12pm. After lunch the tour departs for the battle fields, where we visit Gabatepe Museum, Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove. This is then followed by a visit to the Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau. After the tour drive to the hotel and overnight in Canakkale.

Day 4 - Troy - Pergamon – Kusadasi Tour We depart at 08:30am and drive 30 minutes to Troy, the famous archeological and mythological site, home of the Trojan Horse. After Troy there is a 3 hour drive to Pergamon and a lunch break around 1pm. This ancient Greek city was a renowned cultural and political centre and has some impressive ruins including the magnificent Acropolis, impressive temples and a library. It was also famous for its jewellery, precious stones and silver, so on the way, we will visit a jewellery centre. Arrival to Kusadasi around 6pm. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 5 - Kusadasi - Ephesus Tour - Village of Sirince 08:30am departure from hotel for a full guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world and en - route, visiting the site of the Temple of Artemis. Sights to see in Ephesus include Curetes street, the Roman baths, Celsus Library and the impressive amphitheatre. The tour then moves on to the reputed final destination of the Virgin Mary, on the summit of a nearby mountain. Lunch break around 1pm. After lunch, you will visit a place which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey, a carpet weaving centre and then follow this with a drive into the hills behind the town of Selcuk to the picturesque village of Sirince. Here the houses are built in the style of the Anatolian Greeks who used to inhabit the village. Known for its fruit wines, you will visit some vineyards and learn how to make wine with the local wine makers. In the evening you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way you will also visit a leather production centre, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. Return to Kusadasi and overnight.

Day 11 - Cappadocia to Ankara City Tour – Istanbul Depart at 8am for Ankara approximately 4 hour drive. On the way, the tour stops at Salt Lake, a natural salt lake and the second biggest lake in Turkey. Arrival to Ankara around 12:30pm and have lunch. After lunch, visit Ataturk Museum at the Ataturk Mausoleum (Ataturk is the founder of the Turkish Republic). Then depart for Istanbul (approximately a 5 hour drive) with refreshment break enroute. Arrive Istanbul around 7pm and check into hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12 - Istanbul - End of the Tour After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer back to Istanbul Ataturk airport.

Meeting/pick-up point: At Istanbul Ataturk airport (included) and Sabiha Gokcen airport (not included; please contact your supplier to know the transfer rates).
Duration: 12 days.
Start/opening time: at 8:30am on the 2nd day.
End/closing time: After breakfast on the final day.
Languages: Private Tour: English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese. Shared tour: English
Others: Includes: 3 nights hotel in Istanbul, 1 night hotel in Canakkale, 2 nights hotel in Kusadasi, 1 night hotel in Pamukkale, 2 nights hotel in Antalya, 2 nights hotel in Cappadocia, 11 open-buffet breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners, and all entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary.
All accommodations are in 4 and 5 stars hotels.