CLASSICAL TURKEY - 14 DAYSDeparting May 16, 2010
03 People
01 Double + 01 Single Room
Sunday, May 16: Arrive in IstanbulArrival on flight SQ 490 at 07.40am
Driver waiting for you at the exit gate, holding a board with your name written on it; transfer to The Blue House Hotel in Sultanahmet district for dinner and overnight.Meals : Dinner (D)
Monday, May 17: Istanbul Meet your guide at hotel lobby at 8:45 for a full day to explore the magical city of Istanbul. We first walk to the Rustem Pasha Mosque and then the Spice Market, where Genoese and Venetian goods were sold at a time when there was no Suez Canal, and all the spices from the East were also brought here after being loaded on vessels in Egypt. We get on board and take the leisurely Bosphorus Cruise from Eminonu, to the still unspoiled village of Sariyer. The Topkapi Palace is our next visit. More than a palace, it is an assemblage of museums, containing the collections amassed by the Sultans over almost five centuries. Dinner in Istanbul.Accommodation: The Blue House HotelMeals : Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)
Tuesday, May 18: IstanbulFollowing breakfast, we will visit the Dolmabahce Palace, the Chora Church and the Suleymaniye Mosque. After lunch at a local restaurant, we finish the day with Grand Bazaar visit. Dinner in Istanbul.Accommodation: The Blue House HotelMeals : (B, L, D)
Wednesday, May 19: Istanbul - Flight to Izmir - KusadasiFollowing breakfast taken at the hotel, check out of your room and start our third morning in Istanbul strolling to the great square which was once the Byzantine Hippodrome. Now it is a great parklike area surrounded by the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Underground Cistern, commonly called the Basilica Cistern. After that, we are transferred to Istanbul Airport for the evening flight to Izmir. Another transfer from Izmir Airport to our hotel in Kusadasi. Dinner, and overnight in Kusadasi.Accommodation: Charisma Deluxe Hotel Meals : (B, L, D)
Thursday, May 20: EphesusToday we first drive to the Virgin Mary's House; after that we visit Ephesus which was founded in the eleventh century BC by the Ionians. Strolling through the streets of Ephesus, we will witness the perfection of the Graeco-Roman Art. Later in the afternoon we will visit St John's Basilica, believed to be the tomb of the Apostle John, Christ's beloved disciple. From the basilica, we will be able to look down on the remains of the temple of Artemis. We end the day with our visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, then we head on to Kusadasi for rest. Dinner, and overnight in Kusadasi.Accommodation: Charisma Deluxe Hotel Meals : (B, L, D)
Friday, May 21: Priene - Miletus - DidymaAfter breakfast, we drive first to Prienne, formerly a leading member of the Panionic League. As we drive further South, we visit Miletus and then arrive at Didyma, where we have lunch at a local restaurant, circumstances permitting, across the road from the temple. As the historian Pausanias wrote; 'The sanctuary of Apollo at Didymoi, and the oracle there are more ancient than the Ionian settlement.' Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.Accommodation: Charisma Deluxe HotelMeals : (B, L, D)
Saturday, May 22: Aphrodisias - PamukkaleAs we check out, we drive to Pamukkale giving an en route visit to Aphrodisias, which was the city dedicated to the cult of Aphrodite. As we visit the Sculptor's Museum in Aphrodisias, we have lunch at a local restaurant. We visit Hierapolis on arrival, then have time to stroll over the calcareous terraces of Pamukkale, or to enjoy the thermal facilities. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. Accommodation: Richmond Thermal Hotel PamukkaleMeals : (B, L, D)
Sunday, May 23: Termessos - AntalyaToday we follow the spectacular drive to Antalya. After lunch, we visit Thermessos, with its breathtaking view. As we arrive in Antalya, we have time to explore the city, especially its old district. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.Accommodation: Marina Residence AntalyaMeals : (B, L, D)
Monday, May 24: Perge - AspendosIn the morning, we first visit Perge, one of the most impressive sites of Pamphylia, and then Aspendos, the world's best preserved ancient theatre. After lunch at a local restaurant near the Aspendos Theatre, we spend the afternoon at leisure. We suggest spending the afternoon at the Konyaalti Beach, which is one of the best beaches of Antalya. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.Accommodation: Marina Residence AntalyaMeals : (B, L, D)
Tuesday, May 25: Antalya/KonyaIn the morning, we visit the Antalya Archaeology Museum and head to Konya. After having our lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the world famous Mevlana Museum, formerly the place where the mystic philosophy of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi was taught. Dinner and overnight in Konya.Accommodation: Rumi Hotel KonyaMeals : (B, L, D)
Wednesday, May 26: Konya/CappadociaToday, we drive to Cappadocia, with an enroute visit to Sultanhan Caravanserai, where the medieval merchants used to stay overnight. After this, we arrive in Ihlara Valley and have our lunch at a local restaurant by the river. After the lunch, we walk through the canyon via the Steps of Anatolia to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema. Set by the Melendiz River this is known as the “Valley of the Sky”. Churches carved from the rocks form a gallery of early paintings that are remarkable for their accuracy. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.Accommodation: Yunak EvleriMeals : (B, L, D)
Thursday, May 27: CappadociaToday we introduce you to the lunar landscape of Cappadocia at Dervent Valley, then we head on to Zelve Open Air Museum, which is one of the earliest inhabited and latest abandoned monastic settlements of Cappadocia. Seeing the best examples of the fairy chimneys at Pasabag Fairy Chimneys Valley, we drive further to Avanos, where we have lunch at a local restaurant. Goreme Open Air Museum is where we visit the rock carved churches and colorful frescoes. We end the day hiking up to the top of Uchisar Castle, which is the highest and the most dominant point, giving us a breathtaking panorama. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.Accommodation: Yunak EvleriMeals : (B, L, D)
Friday, May 28: CappadociaOur first stop is the Soganli Valley, which is one of the earliest settlements in Cappadocia. After this, we drive back to Urgup through the unspoiled villages of Cappadocia, surrounded by the “table-top” mountains. On the way we visit the Medrese in Taskinpasa, a Theological School of the Seljuk Turks. After lunch in Mustafapasa at an old Greek house hosted by a local family, we descend towards the centre of the earth, with a trip to the Underground City of Kaymakli, one of the largest and deepest of Cappadocia’s many such settlements. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.Accommodation: Yunak EvleriMeals : (B, L, D)
Saturday, May 29: Cappadocia - HomeTransfer to Kayseri Airport to board the flight TK 2011 at 09.40am arriving in Istanbul at 11.10am. Board your homeward flight SQ 491 departing at 13.25 o’clock or book additional nights in Istanbul. Please advise us on your departure flight out of Istanbul so that we could book you on the best connecting flight from Kayseri. Accommodation: You may book additional nights in Cappadocia or Istanbul.Meals: (B)
Price per person: USD 3,970 x 3 people = USD 11,910
Single Supplement: USD 645
Grand Total for 03 people: USD 12,555
40% of the total (USD 5,022) to be paid on 16th March 2010
Balance of USD 7,533 to be paid at Argeus office between 26th and 28th of May 2010
We accept Visa and MasterCard
The total includes:
Accommodation at the mentioned hotels including breakfast and taxesLunches and dinners as described in the itineraryTransportation with an A/C luxury minivanProfessional English speaking guideAdmission fees to the museums and sightsDomestic flight tickets as described in the itineraryTaxes
Excluded:
International flight ticketsVisa fee on arrival to TurkeyPersonal travel insuranceDrinksNon-mandatory but customary tips
