TURKEY

2012 - LAND ONLY

 Extensions and upgrades available

10 days     

also available:

TURKEY  8 days, 

TURKEY with Gulet Cruise on Aegean Sea 10 days,

Trips for travel agent and spouse / companions

Departs every FRIDAY

Friday

Arrive Istanbul

WELCOME TO TURKEY !!!

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

   Overnight TITANIC  HOTEL, Istanbul

Saturday

In the morning visit Topkapi Palace which served as the home of Ottoman Sultans for 400 years, the Blue Mosque, which has six minarets and a middle dome of 109 feet, is the next stop before St. Sophia, an originally Christian Basilica, a museum for all regardless of creed.

Before returning to your hotel visit the Grand Covered Bazaar dating back to XVth century. It covers over 2,000 shops. (b)

OPTIONAL; Dinner with a Turkish show.

   Overnight TITANIC  HOTEL, Istanbul

Sunday

Depart for Ankara, the capital of Turkey and one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a history that can be dated back 3000 years.

Upon arrival visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, and the museum.  This is the burial place of the national hero who founded the modern Republic of Turkey.

Depart along the Salt Lake to mysterious Cappadocia. (b,d)

   Overnight DEDEMAN  HOTEL, Cappadocia

Monday

Early morning OPTIONAL Balloon tour.

Full day sightseeing in this unique corner of the world includes visits to Kaymakli Underground City; carved out of rock and completely self contained. More than 200 people lived on each of seven floors with the last one 250 feet underground.  Also visit the Open-air Museum with it’s pink, rose and white tapering columns. These tall free standing cones of stone curve and twist as if pulled from earth like taffy. Others are tall like fairy chimneys.   

Today you will discover and understand the rich history behind local handicrafts like hand-made carpets, Turkish tiles, onyx and potteries.  (b,d)

   Overnight DEDEMAN  HOTEL, Cappadocia

Tuesday

On the drive to Pamukkale visit the 13^th century Seljukian masterpiece, Sultanhan Caravanserai before arriving in Konya to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana.

Continue drive to Pamukkale.(b,d)

   Overnight LYKUS RIVER HOTEL, Pamukkale

Wednesday

Visit the ruins of ancient Hierapolis with the magnificent Necropolis, graveyard and lime cascade.  Continue drive to Selcuk to visit the Temple of Artemis “one of the seven wonders of the ancient world”.  

Here Marc Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.

Continue to Kusadasi. (b,d)

   Overnight TATLISES HOTEL, Kusadasi

Thursday

After breakfast begin a full day of sightseeing. Visit the ruins of Ephesus, which played a major role in the development of architecture, religions, governmental and economic systems and arts. Continue to the home of the Virgin Mary.

In the afternoon experience an upbeat fashion show showcasing unique leather products manufactured in Turkey.  (b,d)

     Overnight TATLISES HOTEL, Kusadasi

Friday

In the morning visit Bergama (ancient Pergamon) where parchment was invented. This was also the hometown of Galen, renowned doctor and surgeon and site of his temple devoted to healing, the Asclepion. The library once held 200,000 books; all parchment. 

In the afternoon drive to Troy, the immortal city of the legendary Helen of Troy and Trojan Horse, was destroyed and rebuilt nine times.

Drive to Canakkale. (b,d)

  Overnight KOLIN HOTEL, Canakkale

Saturday

In the morning cross the Dardanelles Strait, then continue to Gallipoli to visit Anzac Cove, Nek, Conk Bair, Lone Pine and 57^th regiment memorial and the war museum.  (b)

    Overnight  TITANIC HOTEL, Istanbul

Sunday

Transfer to Istanbul airport for departure. (b)

INCLUSIVE FEATURES:

- All hotels (or similar)  as per itinerary

 -Daily breakfast, six dinners

- All transfers and sightseeing by motor coach

COST PER PERSON

BASED ON LAND ONLY

IF AIR IS NEEDED WE CAN ASSIST YOU

Travel Agent

Spouse/companion

from $ 1000.00

from $ 1010.00

from$   350.00