Turkey Tours & Travel Packages : History & Turqouise Pleasure Tour (11 Days)
Duration: 11 Days / 10
Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Pergamum, Ephesus,
Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Marmaris, Gulet Boat Cruise,
Fethiye
Departure Dates: Everyday
Note: All Turkey
tour packages are modular and you can use these itineraries
as a starting point and we can help modify this itineraries
to accommodate your personal requirements and desires
to find your perfect holiday.
DAY 01 : Arrival to Istanbul
On your arrival, we will meet you at the airport and
transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about
your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest or
explore Istanbul on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 02 : Historical Istanbul Sightseeing
Tour
After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel and drive
to Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races,
athletic events, victory celebrations, and political
activities of the old city where one can also see today
the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi,
the Fountain of Wilhelm II and the Colossus. Then proceed
to Blue Mosque, facing St.Sophia, famous with its more
than 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and unique with its 6 minarets.
Continue with St.Sophia, one of the greatest marvels
of architecture constructed as a basilica in 536 by
Emperor Justinian. We will also visit to Istanbul’s
bustling Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets
and passages housing more than 4,000 shops. After lunch
proceed to Topkapi Palace, built in 1468 by Mehmet the
Conqueror, the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans
housing the souvenirs of 600 years and exhibiting imperial
treasury, Chinese porcelains, weapons, calligraphy section,
etc. (excluded entrance fee to Harem sections). We will
finish the day with a visit to the Rustem Pasha Mosque,
which is famous for its exquisite Iznik tiles, set in
beautiful floral and geometric designs, which cover
not only the facade of the porch but also the mihrab,
minbar, walls, and columns. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 03 : Flight to Izmir / Pergamon Ancient
City Tour
After breakfast, check-out and transfer to Istanbul
Airport for an hour flight to Izmir. On your arrival
you will be met and proceed to Ancient Pergamum, which
is located on the plains and foothills along the Caicus
River in Western Turkey. It was considered a major city
in Asia Minor since the 3rd century BC, and became a
Greek and Roman hub for worshipping Aesclepius, the
god of healing, and Serapis, the Egyptian god of the
underworld. Here we will visit the ruins of ancient
Pergamum include the acropolis, the worship complexes
known as the Aesclepium and Serapeum, and the incredible
10,000-seat amphitheatre built into the side of a steep
hill. The marble Temple of Emperor Trajan from the second
century AD has also been excavated and restored. The
Trajan complex includes a huge library, the second largest
after Alexandria, Egypt in the ancient world. Driving
on the road further south from Pergamum brings us to
Kusadasi where our hotel is located. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 04 : Ephesus Ancient City Tour
After breakfast at hotel, depart for a full day tour
of Ephesus and Virgin Mary's House. First, visit the
ruins of the the Ancient City of Ephesus. Ephesus dates
to at least 1300 B.C. and was once the commercial center
and capital city of Roman Asia Minor, with a population
that once numbered more than 300,000. Here you will
explore some of the best preserved theatres, fountains
and buildings in the world. In addition to other highlights,
walk the Marble Way from the theater to central Ephesus
and view the two-story facade of the Library of Celsus.
Then, not to be forgotten is the House of the Virgin
Mary on top of Moutain. A pilgrimage site for many people
of all denominations. After lunch we will visit the
Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, which was one of the seven
wonders in the antiquity. The largest structure of the
Hellenistic world and the first building made up of
marble fully. The last stop of the day will be at the
Cave of Seven Sleepers. According to the common belief
, seven young Christians decided to leave the city of
Ephesus, instead of offering sacrifices to the local
cult. They took shelter in this cave near the city.
It took more than 200 years before they woke up from
their first sleep in the cave and during this time Christianity
became more accepted and they were welcomed with a great
enthusiasm. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 05 : Pamukkale, Hierapolis Tour /
Travel on to Marmaris
After having breakfast at the hotel, check-ou and start
journey inland to Pamukkale to enjoy the spas, pools,
and terraces of this natural wonder, called the "Cotton
Castle". This name is truly fitting, the brilliant
white calcified terraces do truly resemble a Castle
made of Cotton. We also spend time in Hieropolis, with
the one of the largest and most diverse necropoli in
the world. Lunch is included in the tour. After the
tour you will be transferred to Marmaris central bus
station for the day bus to Marmaris which will take
a drive of three hours. On your arrival to Marmaris
central bus station you will be met and transferred
to Gulet. When all members of your group have arrived
the skipper will welcome you with a cocktail and answer
any questions you may have about the trip. For your
first night on board we’ll stay in the harbour
so that you may get acquainted at leisure with lively
Marmaris. Overnight onboard cruise.
DAY 06 : Gulet Cruise / Ekincik Bay, Dalyan
After breakfast we depart for Ekincik Bay, some distance
to the south east of Marmaris. If you choose the land
tour, you will be met by a river boat which will take
the group to the site of ancient Caunos in the delta
of Dalyan river, and then upriver further to the sulphur
mud baths supposedly very cleansing for your skin. The
extensive sandy beaches of Dalyan delta are one of the
last breeding places of the Mediterranean sea turtle.
Overnight onboard cruise.
DAY 07 : Gulet Cruise / Dalaman Beach,
Bedri Rahmi Bay
Even before you wake up in the morning the yacht will
leave Ekincik so as to profit from the morning wind
which usually blows off Dalaman beach. With all sails
set, you’ll be served an uncomplicated sandwich
breakfast. For lunch and a dive into crystal clear water
we'll drop anchor in Manastir Bay. Later in the afternoon
we will sail on to Bedri Rahmi Bay, “creator”
of the blue voyages. We’ll anchor in this lovely
place for the night. Overnight onboard cruise.
DAY 08 : Gulet Cruise / Tersane Island,
Gocek
On this day we’ll set sail for Tersane Island.
Many centuries ago the people of this region built their
wooden ships here. You can still see ruins of the ancient
shipyard. Later in the day we’ll sail on to Gocek,
our anchorage for the night. Gocek is a small village
but recently it has developed into a yachting base with
two marinas and many yachting facilities. Overnight
onboard cruise. DAY 09 : Gulet Cruise / Kargi Bay, Fethiye
After breakfast, we’ll leave Gocek for Kargi Bay,
a quiet picturesque location where we’ll spend
ample time swimming, snorkelling and wind surfing. In
the afternoon we’ll go on to the town of Fethiye.
You’ll surely spend some time in town, sight-seeing,
shopping or visiting disco club Letoonia. Overnight
onboard cruise.
DAY 10 : Flight to Istanbul
After last breakfast onboard, you will be transferred
to Dalaman Airport for the flight to Istanbul. On your
arrival to Istanbul Airport we will meet you for your
transfer to your hotel with remainder of day at leisure.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 11 : Transfer to Istanbul International
Airport
Breakfast at hotel, check-out and transfer to Istanbul
International Airport, depending on your departure details.
What's Included:
* Hotel accommodations in choice of preferred class
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* Noted sightseeing tours on regular group or private guided basis
* Main entrance fees to sights mentioned by the itinerary
* Meals mentioned by the itinerary - Vegeterian meals available
* Required land & or internal flight transportation
* All roundtrip airport transfers with A/C minivans
* Local taxes & handling services
* All tours & travel packages are insuranced by TURSAB (Association of Turkish
Travel Agencies)
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TURKEY
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Package
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History & Turquoise Pleasure Tour |
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