Turkey Tour Culture and Leisure
Land and Sea Exploration
Tour Code: CS-12
Duration: 12 Days 11 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, 4-Day/3-Night “Blue Cruise”, and Olympos
Departures: Every Friday May 15 and October 2, 2020
Tour Price: From $1175 per person in double occupancy
Quick Overview
Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman history…the historic battlefield of Gallipoli… the legendary city of Troy…ancient Ephesus, once the pride of the Roman Empire… the last known home of the Virgin Mary… the snow-white “petrified waterfalls” of Pamukkale…the glistening bays and secluded coves of Turkey’s “Turquoise coast”. This exciting tour brings it all vividly to life.
Itinerary
Day 1 – (Friday) Departure from USA&CANADA
Depart from USA & Canada or home country
Day 2 – (Saturday) Arrival in Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
Day 3 – (Sunday) Byzantine and Ottoman Heritage Tour (2010 European Capital of Culture – UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Your tour of Istanbul begins at the Sultan Ahmet Center in the heart of the “Old City”, and once the seat of power for the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Here you visit the Hagia Sophia, an architectural marvel originally constructed as a basilica by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, and the nearby “Blue Mosque” built in honor of Sultan Ahmet, with its famed blue Iznik tiles and six soaring minarets. Then it’s on to the Hippodrome, the ancient sports center and site of chariot races and other special events, decorated by such monuments as the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, and Fountain of Wilhelm II. Your tour continues with a visit to the exotic Grand Covered Bazaar, the world’s largest “souk”, where you’ll have time to explore some of the thousands of tiny shops lining its endless maze of narrow, winding alleys. Next, it’s the legendary Topkapi Palace, once the residence of Ottoman Sultans, whose opulent rooms exhibit Chinese porcelain, ancient weaponry, calligraphy, and other treasures. (B, L)
Day 4 – (Monday) Istanbul, Gallipoli, Canakkale
This morning you depart for Gallipoli, the site of the famed WWI battlefield, stopping en route in Eceabat for lunch. Your comprehensive sightseeing tour includes visits to the Kabatepe War Museum, Brighton Beach, Anzac Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, the Anzac Commemoration Site, and Lone Pine Australian Memorial, “Johnston’s Jolly” (the Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), The Nek, and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Afterwards, you proceed to Canakkale, where you spend the night. (B, L, D)
Day 5 – (Tuesday) Troy, Pergamon (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Kusadasi
After breakfast, you tour the archaeological site of the city of Troy, legendary home of “Helen of Troy” and the fabled “Trojan Horse”. Then you proceed to the city of Pergamon, one of the centers of the Hellenistic and Roman civilizations. Situated on the northern Aegean Sea in West Anatolia and on the frontier of ancient Mysia, Pergamon played a significant role in the history of Asia Minor. After a visit to its Acropolis, you continue to Kusadasi for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 6 – (Wednesday) Full Day Excursion to Ephesus
This morning you motor to ancient Roman city of Ephesus. En route, you will visit the impressive Isa Bey Mosque. Upon arriving in Ephesus, you begin your walking tour along its marble streets viewing he 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, the Ephesus Archeological Museum and the Temple Of Artemis (Diana), the site of one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.” Before returning to Kusadasi, you’ll see a fashion show at a well-known leather outlet.(B, L, D)
Day 7 – (Thursday) Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Fethiye
Morning drive jewelry to enjoy oriental designed examples then proceed to Pamukkale, where you’ll see the areas famed healing thermal/mineral baths and amazing, snow-white “petrified waterfalls”. After lunch, you visit Hierapolis, where you’ll see its magnificently preserved Necropolis, main street, and gates. Then it’s on to the port town of Fethiye, where you spend the night. (B, L)
Day 8 – (Friday) “Blue Cruise” Gulet Sailing
Board our 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 on 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 9 – (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 10 – (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´ heaven, or you can party the night away at the “Smugglers Inn” (B, L, D)
Day 11 – (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 12 – (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.
Recommended Cappadocia Extension
PRICES & DEPARTURE DATES 2020
|
Departure Period 15 May to 2 October, Every Friday |
May- June-October | July- September | August |
| Per person in Double room /cabin | $1175 | $1290 | $1350 |
What The Price Includes
- Airport transfer upon arrival
- 7 night accommodations 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 Andriake to Olympos, and from Olympos to Antalya
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 and entrance fees to museums and historical sites
- Visa fees
- Domestic Flight
