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Turkey Package 1
Highlights of Turkey
15 days/14 nights
(click on photos to enlarge)
Toursfor2.com has prepared several comprehensive tours for the visitor who wishes to see and experience the wonders of Turkey - the pagan Kingdoms, Ionic and Hellenistic civilizations, Roman and Byzantine monuments as well as Seljuk and Ottoman architecture - all still standing within a beautiful natural setting and kept alive by the warmth and hospitality of the Turkish people themselves. This vast and fertile land has been a cradle to more than twenty different civilizations throughout history, all of which have left their mark and their legacies of an exotic and glorious past. You will experience the splendor of mosques, ancient temples, synagogues and churches. Only in Turkey can one witness such a vast mosaic of history, the Kingdoms and civilizations that have grown, flourished and then disappeared over time.
This is a private, luxury tour, designed for two people traveling together. You will have your own private English-speaking guide and your own vehicle. If you are traveling in a group of 4 or more, the prices per person will decrease significantly.
Of course, since these are private tours, any of these tours can be modified to suit you, the traveler. Tours can be expanded or changed in order to assure you the fullest possible travel experience in Turkey. There is a lot to see and Turkey is a fairly large country. These tours cover the highlights, the places that most visitors don't want to miss. They are provided here as a reference and a suggestion of what is possible within a given period on a trip to Turkey. Our tours of Turkey pack a lot in. One of the greatest advantages of traveling on a private tour is that if you feel that you are doing too much, you and your guide may decide to modify the tour and do a little more relaxing.
What's Included
14 nights hotel accommodations in 4-star or 5-star hotels
All airport transfers by PRIVATE vehicle
All tour-related road travel by PRIVATE vehicle.
Domestic Flight returning from Kayseri (Cappadocia) 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. |  |
|  | 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). |
| 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. |  |
|  | Day 4
After an early breakfast, we begin our scenic drive down to Gallipoli, site of a famous battle 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 will check-in to our hotel in Canakkale for the night. |
| 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.
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|  | 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. |
| 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. |  |
|  | 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.
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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.
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|  | 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. |
| Day 11
Our trip today will take us over the beautiful Taurus Mountains via the Lake District into Konya, the center of the Seljuk Empire. Konya is situated in the midst of a wind-swept plateau at an altitude of 1030 meters, and the city is so old that a small hill has been excavated here containing the bones of Bronze Age Man. Overnight at hotel in Konya.
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|  | Day 12-13
After a city tour of Konya we proceed to Cappadocia but on the way we stop at the Sultanhani Caravansary and then at Derinkuyu, an underground city which goes down eight different levels into solid rock.
We now journey into Cappadocia, where the sights of the Fairy Chimneys are phenomenal (see photo below), especially when seen for the first time. The natural wonder of Cappadocia is a result of volcanic deposits being eroded away by wind and water over millions of years. These soft rocks were hollowed out by early Christians and used as secret dwellings as they were being pursued first by their Roman and later by their Byzantine persecutors. There are hundreds of these fantastic rock houses in Cappadocia, some with staircases and doors. We will also visit many churches that have been decorated with vivid frescoes which have withstood the corrosive effects of time. Finally, we check-in to our hotel for a night of relaxation. |
| Day 14
Following breakfast, transfer to Kayseri Airport. We fly back to Istanbul. After transfer and check-in to our hotel, leisure day for sightseeing, optional visits and shopping. Overnight at the hotel. |  |
|  | Day 15
Transfer to airport and 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. 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: $3495 per person
Deluxe Category Hotels: $3995 per person |
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