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Turkey Package 3
Western Turkey and Turquoise Coast Tour
12 days/ 11 nights
(click on photos to enlarge)
This tour is designed for the visitor who enjoys history as well as nature. It includes majestic Istanbul, followed by a southward journey that touches antique cities along the Aegean and finally leads to the Turkish Riviera in Antalya on the Mediterranean Coast.
What's Included
11 nights hotel accommodations in 4-star and 5-star hotels
All airport transfers by PRIVATE vehicle
All tour-related road travel by PRIVATE vehicle.
Domestic flight returning from Antalya back to Istanbul
PRIVATE professional English-speaking tour guide
All breakfasts
All admission to sites, museums
All taxes
What's Not Included
International airfare
Meals not listed in tour description
Drinks and beverages
Frequently Asked Questions
Day 1
Arrival at Istanbul airport , you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Dinner at your hotel. |  |
|  | Day 2
Following breakfast, drive to the 'Old City' where we visit the Hippodrome, The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Blue Mosque, famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles and Saint Sophia. This church - turned mosque - turned museum takes your breath away with the sheer architectural size of its interior and its magnificent dome.
Next we will visit the spectacular Topkapi Palace. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex commands views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It was the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852). (B) |
| Day 3
Our morning starts with a visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every store-front.
We then board a ferry boat for a relaxing cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway that divides Asia and Europe. As you sit back and enjoy Turkish coffee or well-brewed tea from traditional small cups, numerous summer palaces and palatial homes pass by on either side. Disembarking at the northern end of the Strait, we proceed to a restaurant for a tasty meal of local fish.
Following lunch we visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by master architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent The last stop will be the Grand Bazaar, with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets and leatherwear. (B) |  |
|  | Day 4
After an early breakfast, we begin our scenic drive down to Gallipoli, site of a famous campaign during WWI. Following a lunch break, we cross a second strategic waterway, the Dardanelles, land in Asia and proceed to Troy.
Referred to in Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey", Troy has nine cities superimposed one upon another.
We check-in to our hotel in Canakkale for the night. (B) |
| Day 5
On our journey to Izmir we stop by the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon. Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from 399 B.C., we will see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the 200,000 volume library. Leaving Pergamon behind us we settle in at our hotel in Izmir.
(B) |  |
|  | Day 6
Following an early breakfast we proceed to the old section of Izmir called Kadifekale, a bastion built by Alexander the Great. Heading further south, we arrive at the ancient city of Ephesus and first visit the Basilica of St. John, who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel here.
Ephesus was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. It is sure to be a highlight of your tour. Among the impressive structures we will see are the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the huge theater and Odeon. We also visit the Museum of Seljuk. Close by is the House of the Virgin Mary, where she is believed to have spent her last years. On August 18th, 1961, Pope John XXll proclaimed the House of Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred. You will have a chance to take a phial of Holy Water from the Sacred Spring. We spend the night in the nearby resort city of Kusadasi on the Aegean coast. (B) |
| Day 7
We will leave early and journey to Priene which is an example of a truly ancient city, one whose history dates back to the 10th century B.C. We next visit Miletus where the Philosopher Thales was born. He coined the phrase "Know Thyself". Our last visit is to Didyma which served as a religious sanctuary to the god Apollo. The oracular inscriptions date as far back as 600 BC. Among the highlights are the Temple of Apollo and the Stadium. We then return to Kusadasi for the night. (B) |  |
|  | Day 8
Leaving our hotel early after breakfast, we journey to Pamukkale. But on the way we will stop at one of the most attractive ancient sites of the Aegean Region, Aphrodisias, which was famous throughout the ancient world for the Temple of Aphrodite. Some of the highlights include the Stadium, the Baths of Hadrian and the Theater.
We continue on to Pamukkale where the thermal water flows from natural pools in white terraces. You will have an opportunity to experience these baths yourself.
Then visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, named after Hiera, wife of the founder of Pergamon. Highlights include the Roman Baths, the Temple of Apollo and the Nymphaeum. Overnight stay in Pamukkale. (B)
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| Day 9
We leave our hotel straight after breakfast and begin a long and scenic journey towards the sparkling Turquoise Coast. After checking into our hotel in Antalya, we may have time for a swim before dinner. (B) |  |
|  | Day 10
A leisurely visit to three cities. With its architectural and archaeological wealth, Perge is one of the most interesting ancient sites. Even though there is not much left to see on the Acropolis, there are wide porticoed streets, lined with many fine buildings, market places and gymnasiums. Next on our itinerary is Aspendus whose Theater is the best preserved in the world. Two of the other highlights will be the Agora, and the Nymphaeum. Our last stop for the day will be at Side. Present day Side sits on top of the old city. Highlights include the Temples of Athena and Apollo, the Agora and the Museum. We again spend the night in Antalya. (B)
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| Day 11
We fly back to Istanbul. You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel for the night. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure, doing some last-minute shopping or more sightseeing. Overnight in Istanbul. (B) |  |
|  | Day 12
In the morning you will be transferred back to the airport for your flight home. |
| Trip Price Per Person
This tour is offered in two price categories, superior and deluxe. The difference is in the hotels. The tour itself - the vehicle, the guide, the places visited - is exactly the same in each category. Both categories of hotels are quite nice and you will be staying in clean comfortable surroundings whichever category you decide upon. The only difference is that the deluxe category hotels are, as you might expect, more luxurious. If you click on the website addresses for the various hotels, you should get an idea of what they are like. You'll see that even in the less expensive "superior" category, we are still providing you with very fine hotels. The deluxe hotels are a step up in terms of luxury and the hotels offered in this category are among the best available in any given location.
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. If you are traveling in a group of four or more, then the price per person would go down considerably, usually around 20%. Please call or write us to get those prices. Please note that due to fluctuations in the U.S. Dollar, these prices may fluctuate as well.
If you would like to travel solo, then, of course, the price would be higher. Please contact us for solo pricing.
Superior Category Hotels: $2895 per person
Deluxe Category Hotels: $3395 per person
Superior Category Hotels
Your hotels will be selected from the group below, depending on availability on your time of travel and your own preference.
Istanbul:
Celal Sultan Hotel
Lady Diana
Aziyade Hotel
Hotel Prince
Canakkale:
Kolin Hotel
Izmir:
Best Western Hotel Konak
Palm City Hotel
SC Inn Boutique Hotel
Kusadasi :
Pine Bay Marina
Kayhanbey Hotel
Pamukkale:
Pamukkale Hierapolis Hotel
Lycus River Hotel
Antalya:
Lara Hotel
Antalya hotel
Deluxe Category Hotels
Hotels in Deluxe Category. Your hotels will be selected from the group below, depending on availabilty on your time of travel and your own preference.
Istanbul:
Celal Sultan Hotel
Ottoman Hotel Imperial
Barcelo Eresin
Canakkale :
Kolin Hotel
Izmir:
Princess Thermal Hotel
Moevenpick Izmir
Kusadasi:
Charisma Deluxe
Korumar Hotel
Pamukkale:
Richmond Hotel
Colossae Hotel
Antalya:
Falez Hotel
Divan Talya Hotel
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