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9 Day 5
Star Highlights of Turkey
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Includes |
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Round Trip Air
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Itinerary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Day 01 (Thursday):
Leave the USA to begin your 5 Star trip to Turkey Day 02 (Friday): Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport, meeting and greeting by our representative and proceed to Istanbul for the hotel to check-in. Day 03 (Saturday): We begin our tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Saint Sophia*. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses. Next we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive. The Grand Bazaar, was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping, Ottoman style. (also available on Tuesday afternoons) *On Mondays, when Saint Sophia is closed, we visit the Chora Church, famed for its mosaics and frescoes. 
We begin our tour at Topkapi Palace, which, from
the 15th to the 19th century, was the principle
residence of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the
fabulous Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk.
Topkapi Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled
collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’s
Diamond, the 3rd largest in the world, Ottoman court
costumes and ceramics, notably one of the world’s
finest collection of early Chinese ceramics, much of it
gifts from other rulers. Interestingly, some of the
ceramics have a special glaze that was said to change
color in the presence of poison. We also visit the
Imperial Armory, displaying centuries of Ottoman
weaponry. But perhaps the loveliest features of Topkapi
Palace are its courtyards with their ancient trees, and
it is easy to imagine the sultan strolling here far from
the cares of state and empire. The Süleymaniye Mosque
is the largest and grandest of Istanbul’s imperial
mosques. It dates from the 16th century heyday of the
Ottoman Empire, and was designed by Sinan, the greatest
architect of his day and originator of the Classical
Ottoman style of architecture. Of the 2,000 structures
Sinan designed, Süleymaniye Mosque and its
complex of charitable institutions rank among the most
important. (every day except Tuesdays)Note : On days when the Suleymaniye Mosque is closed for renovations, we visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque, another masterpiece by Sinan that has the most exquisite and extensive Iznik tile decoration of any Mosque in Istanbul. Then, transfer to train station to have a night trip to Ankara. Train arrives in Ankara at 07:30 in the morning. (B,L) Day 04 (Sunday): In the morning visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous  remnants from Stone Age,
Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many
others are on display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the
burial place of the national hero who founded modern
Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia.
After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake pass by the
13th century Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan.
After visiting Kaymakli Underground City, the
place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to
the hotel in Cappadocia for overnight (B,L)
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Day 05 (Monday):
Optional balloon tour from $299 per person. Depart from hotel early in
the morning. Our balloons will take off by the sunrise and you will have
a chance to see the magnificent Cappadocia from 1000ft high. In this
extraordinary adventure you will fly through valleys, between fairy
chimneys and caves which you will have nice views to take pictures.
If you elect not to take the
balloon trip then you will depart from the hotel at
09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of th e
participants and visit the valleys where animal-like
natural formations like camels and fairy chimneys are
abundant. Drive on to Pasabagi in Zelve area
where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms.
Proceed to the pottery town of Avanos where
Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey,
meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has been
the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the
afternoon visit to Open Air Museum in Goreme to
visit to the early Christian churches decorated with
unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible.
Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar.
Shopping time for the well-known merits of the area.
Overnight in Cappadocia (B,L)Day 06 (Tuesday): Today’s ride will be fairly long and tiring due to the long distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale and lack of convenient lodging location. Drive to Konya to visit to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure. Then continue on to Pamukkale and overnight (B,L,D). Day 07 (Wednesday): Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Proceed to the hotel in Kusadasi for overnight (B) Day 08 (Thursday  ):
Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City
(Hillside Houses are excluded; entrance requires
additional admission fee), one of the most popular
ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully
excavated ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary
is supposed to spend her last years together with St.
John. In the afternoon Selcuk Ephesus Museum or St. John
Church. Time for shopping and drive to Izmir and
transfer to the airport to fly to Istanbul. After
landing in Istanbul, transfer to hotel and check-in (B,L).Day 09 (Friday): Transfer to airport to fly back home. (B) |
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Hotels |
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Pamukkale, Turkey: Lycus River
Hotel Near The Ruins , Pamukkale 3 km, Denizli 23 km Cardak airport
60km. 205 Rooms, 445 Beds, 3 Suite(s), 6 Dublex Rooms, 2 Connection Rooms. 3
Restaurant(s), Indoor cap: 700+125, Outdoor cap: 500, 3 Bars (Disco,
Pool and Jacuzzi). Health Cabin, Market, Parking Lot, Generator, Shock
Showers, Fin Bath.
Kusadasi, Turkey: Korumar Hotel The Korumar Hotel, with its superb location, commands the most beautiful seaview. An excellent property in a beautiful naturally landscaped environment, commanding superb views of Kusadasi and Pigeon Island, Korumar Hotel provides a vast array of in-house amenities and comfortable accommodation, just perfect for a relaxing or active holiday. Istanbul, Turkey: Dedeman Hotel Dedeman welcomes you in a setting close to Istanbul, yet far away from city hussle where you can experience the traditional “Dedeman Hospitality” Dedeman will be a perfect choice specially for your congresses and meetings, providing a peaceful atmosphere where you can relax your body and soul. The hotel will add a new spirit with sea, nature and sportive activities Kusadasi, Turkey: Kismit Hotel This very special hotel is located on a peninsula that protrudes into the Aegean Sea like a pleasure cruiser. Guests are at the center of it all… a delightful all year round sun, gentle breezes, proud pines and swaying palms, colorful spring and summer flowers and the unmistakable perfume of white jasmine. Add to this picture the magnificent turquoise of the Aegean sea - perfect for swimming, waterskiing, cruising and diving - and you have all of the ingredients for a relaxing holiday. Cappadocia, Turkey: Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel In Cappadocia’s magical landscape of fairy chimneys, in the ancient village of Urgup, is a luxurious hotel carved into a mountain cliff, the Yunak Evleri. This hotel includes six cave houses, 30 rooms dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries and a 19th century Greek Mansion. Yunak Evleri is an inspiring hotel – an ideal base for exploring Cappadocia’s elaborate underground cities, hidden cavernous churches and enchanting rock terrain. |
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Fine Print: Deposit of $300.00 is non refundable. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and
subject to availability at the time of booking. The from price reflects the lowest available price,
which is valid for a specific departure date or dates and also based on availability at the time of booking.
The round trip cost of transportation to
JFK airport is
not included. All pricing that includes airfare
now includes air fuel surcharges per U.S.
D.O.T Regulations. Air taxes are additional. In the past fuel surcharges
were paid with final payment and were collected along with the taxes,
now the fuel surcharge is collected as part of the package price. Bottom
line is the same. You are not paying more now, you did not pay less
before!
Prices quoted do include fuel surcharges, but do not include airport fees or airline taxes.
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