Turkey Tour Turquoise Dream
Tour Code: CS-11
Duration: 10 Days 9 nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, 4-Day/3-night “Blue Cruise”, Olympos
Departures: Sundays from USA & Canada or home country between May 17 and October 1, 2020
Tour Price: From $1120 per person in double occupancy
Reservation Deadline is 6 weeks prior to arrival date, For bookings received after the deadline there will be an additional charge as a difference for domestic flights depending on availability.
Quick Overview
This dream trip combines overland touring and four days of cruising. The itinerary features extensive sightseeing in Istanbul and Ephesus, once a center of the Roman Empire, a visit to the shrine of “Mother Mary”, the healing sulfur baths and snow-white waterfalls of Pamukkale, and a 4-Day “Blue Cruise” sailing to the picturesque ports, sandy beaches, secluded coves of Turkey’s “Turquoise Coast”.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Sunday) – Departure from USA & CANADA or home country
Depart from US or Canada.
Day 2 (Monday) – Arrival in Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. (Welcome Drink)
Day 3 (Tuesday) – Byzantine and Ottoman Heritage Tour (2010 European Capital of Culture – UNESCO World Heritage Site)
After breakfast at your hotel, you begin a full day sightseeing tour of Istanbul. Highlights include a visit to the illustrious Topkapi Palace (harem section is optional), the ancient Roman Hippodrome (site of chariot races) and the Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine church that was converted to a mosque in 15th century. You will also visit the famed “Blue Mosque” and the Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest covered bazaar, where you’ll have free time to discover some of the nearly 4,000 tiny shops that line its maze of passageways. (B, L)
Day 4 (Wednesday) – Istanbul, Ephesus, Kusadasi
Early morning transfer to airport for a short flight to Izmir. Upon your arrival, you will be met and proceed to ancient Roman city of Ephesus. En route there is a visit to the impressive Isa Bey Mosque. Upon arriving in Ephesus, you begin your walking tour along it marble streets viewing the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Trajan Fountain. At the end of your walk, you will see the “Great Theater” where St. Paul preached. Then it’s time to relax and enjoy a buffet lunch at a Turkish restaurant. After lunch, you visit a carpet cooperative, where you’ll see how exquisite Turkish carpets are hand-woven. Then you proceed to the shrine of Mother Mary, the home believed to be where she spent the last years of her life, and the Temple Of Artemis (Diana), the site of one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.” On the way back enjoy the fashion show at leather outlet center .Stay overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L, D)
Day 5 (Thursday) Kusadasi, Pamukkale (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Fethiye
Morning drive jewelry center to enjoy the oriental designed examples then proceed to Pamukkale, where you’ll see the area’s famed healing thermal/mineral baths and amazing, snow-white “petrified waterfalls”. After lunch, you visit the site of the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis, where you’ll see its magnificently preserved Necropolis, main street, thermal bath and gates. Then it’s on to the port town of Fethiye, where you spend the night. (B, L, D)
Day 6 (Friday) – “Blue Cruise” Gullet Sailing
Board our private Gullet at Fethiye Harbor between 11:00 am and 12:00 noon, and cruise to Samanlik Bay for a refreshing swim and lunch. If sea conditions are unfavorable, we’ll cruise to “Butterfly Valley” for a swim and lunch, and an optional tour of this nature reserve, hosting over 130 species of butterflies and moths. Afterwards we cruise to Oludeniz (the “Blue Lagoon”), or if sea conditions are unfavorable, you’ll have the option to go paragliding. Then it’s to the day’s final destination, St. Nicholas Island, where there will be time to explore its Byzantine ruins or have another swim before dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 7 (Saturday) – “Blue Cruise”
Around sunrise, we cruise to Aquarium (or Firnaz Bay) near Kalkan for breakfast and swimming. Then we continue to Kas, where we anchor for lunch and a visit to this charming fishing village. Known in ancient times as Antiphellos, Kas is home to the only Lycian rock tombs, and the ruins of a Roman theatre. Re-boarding our gullet, we continue to our mooring location near Kekova, and enjoy a swim before dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 8 (Sunday) – “Blue Cruise”
This morning we visit the “Sunken City” of Kekova, a protected Lycian/Roman archaeological site. Then we cruise to Simena, a traditional Turkish fishing village, where we have lunch. The village, which has no car access, boasts a Byzantine/Ottoman castle. Optional water sports are available in nearby Gokkaya Bay. We have dinner and a relaxing evening in this former pirates haven, or you can party the night away at the
“Smugglers Inn” (B, L, D)
Day 9 (Monday) – “Blue Cruise,” Drive to Olympos
Sea conditions permitting, this morning we’ll have a look at the “Pirates Cave”. Then we continue to Andriace harbor, the last stop on your cruise. After lunch on board, you depart by bus to the ancient city of Myra. You will have time here to visit the St. Nicholas Church, take a stroll, or do some shopping. Your journey continues as you motor to Olympos for the night. (Overnight stay will be in Treehouses with private facilities) (B, L, D)
Day 10 (Tuesday) – Olympos, Drive to Antalya
You have free time for relaxation, shopping or enjoying on the beach in Olympos. You will depart to Antalya by bus in the late afternoon (about a 2-hour drive). You can either take a flight to Istanbul or extend your holiday with Cappadocia. (B) End of our service.
RECOMMENDED CAPPADOCIA EXTENSION
Day 1 (Wednesday) Cappadocia Goreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World heritage Site) (Optional Hot air Balloon)
Your first encounter with Cappadocia’s almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent Valley, where you’ll see Pasabag’s “Fairy Chimneys”. Here it is said that “the voice of the wind harmonizes with the songs of the fairies”. Moving on, you’ll enjoy a visit to the Avanos Center of Terracotta Art, followed by lunch. After lunch, you visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in the region. Stay overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L, D) (Optional Turkish Night)
Day 2 (Thursday) Cappadocia, Underground City Istanbul
After breakfast, you’re off to the “Red Valley” to explore its famous rock- cut churches. Continue on 2 km hike through the Gulludere Valley to visit the ancient village of Cavusin. After lunch, you motor to “Pigeon Valley” and visit the fascinating “underground city” of Ozkonak or Cardak, where early Christians lived in fear and faith. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport to board your flight back to Istanbul. (B, L) End of our service.
PRICES & DEPARTURE DATES 2020
|
Departure Period 17 May to 1 October 2020, Every Sunday |
May- June-October | July- September | August |
| Per person in Double room /cabin | $1120 | $1155 | $1175 |
What The Price Includes
- Airport transfer upon arrival
- 4 night accommodation at 4-Star Hotels*
- Meals on tour and cruise as specified in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- Transportation by non-smoking, air-conditioned mini/midi bus
- Services of a professional English-speaking escort/guide
- Sightseeing tours and excursions per itinerary
- Entrance fees to the sites visited, per itinerary
- Hotel taxes and services charges
- 3-night Gullet cruise (including cabin with private WC and shower; bed linen and bath towels (beach towels not provided); late afternoon tea and cookies; crew services (captain, chef and deck-hand); use of onboard recreational equipment (fishing tackle, snorkeling gear); charter and berth taxes, harbor and port formalities; mooring fees and marine fuel; yacht insurance; government tax (VAT)
- Transfer from Olympos to Antalya
- Domestic Flight From Istanbul to Izmir only
Upgrade to 5-Star or Boutique Hotels available (rates on request)
Not Included
- Gratuities to tour staff and Gullet crew
- All items of a personal nature (laundry, taxis, etc.)
- Beverages on tour (except for those served with breakfast)
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on cruise (except for coffee and tea served with meals)
- Optional shore excursions throughout the cruise
- Visa fees
- International Flight
-Domestic flight from Antalya to Istanbul or Cappadocia
