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Taste of History Tour (10 Days)
Duration: 10 Days / 09 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus,
Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Cappadocia
Run: 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 – Arrive in Istanbul
Upon arrival to Istanbul International Airport, you will meet by an agency
staff for your transfer to hotel. On your arrival to hotel, your program
director will give you a welcome brifing. Remainder of day will be at your
leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 02 – Ottoman and Byzantine Relics
After breakfast, set off for sightseeing in this city on the Bosporus—formerly
Constantinople and the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire. 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; After then we will proceed to Blue Mosque, facing St.Sophia,
famous with its more than 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and unique with its 6
minarets. Then St.Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed
as a basilica in 536 by Emperor Justinian. Before lunch we will 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. (excluding extra entrances
to Harem rooms). Tour will finish with a visit to Rustem Pasa Mosque. Overnight
in Istanbul.
DAY 03 – Travel on to Canakkale / Gallipoli Tour
After breakfast, drive along the Sea of Marmara through the small European
part of Turkey known as Thrace. Lunch en route. Before leaving Europe we
visit Gallipoli. This is the historic World War I battleground where Mustafa
Kemal Ataturk, father of the Turkish Republic, first rose to prominence.
Under the direction of Winston Churchill, an unsuccessful naval and land
campaign failed in its attempt to capture Gallipoli, open up the Dardanelles,
and seize Constantinople. This battleground is now marked with over 30 memorials.
Visit Gallipoli National Park including: the Gallipoli Battlefields, Kabatepe
War Museum, Anzac Cove, original tunnels and trenches at Johnston Jolly,
the Nek Cemetery, Chunuk Bair New Zealander Memorial, Lone Pine Australian
Memorial and Brighton Beach. We then cross the Dardanelles waterway by ferry
from Europe to Asia where your hotel is located. Overnight in Canakkale.
DAY 04 – Troy, Pergamon Tour / Travel on to Kusadasi
We have an early start today and we visit the ruins of Troy. The Greek poet
Homer wrote about the ancient city Troy in The Iliad. Troy is one of the
world's most important archaeological sites because of its place in literature
and what it tells us about a critical early period in the development of
European civilization. Archaeologists have been excavating here since the
1870's and have found evidence of nine different settlements built on top
of each other at different periods since the Bronze Age. It is believed
to have been settled in 3000 BC or earlier. The large replica of the Trojan
horse at the front of the ruins, is part of the myth of the Trojan War.
After the tour of Troy we will proceed to Pergamum. The site of ancient
Pergamum is set on a steep hilltop, the capital of Pergamum kingdom after
the death of Alexander the Great was a cultural center having a large library
rivaling that of Alexandria in Egypt. Sightseeing at Pergamum will cover
Athena and Trojan Temples, Temple of Zeus, Temple of Dionysos, Gymnasium
of Youth, Odeon, Library, Agora, Great Theatre, Roman Bath, Red Basalica
and viewing Asclepion. After the tour, we will drive for and hour to reach
Kusadasi. Ovenight in Kusadasi.
DAY 05 – Ancient City of Ephesus Tour
Today we will start the day with Ephesus. We will walk through the Magnesian
Gate, which is the entrance to the ancient city of Ephessus. Your guide
will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world.
See the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths
of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus
and The Great Theatre, where St. Paul preached, which is the largest theatre
in antiquity having a capacity of 24,000 people. Then we will walk to the
Cave of Seven Sleepers. After lunch in alocal restaurant we will proceed
to the house of the Virgin Mary, where The Virgin Mary is believed to have
spent her last days. On the way to Sirince Village we will stop at the Temple
of Artemis, protectress of Ephesus which is dating back to 1300 BC and considered
one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We will finish the day tour with
Village of Sirince, which is small village 7km through the hills from Selcuk
is attractive for its setting among fruit orchards, old-fashioned stone
houses with red tiled roofs, and narrow streets. The village has a few guest-houses
and restaurants, and is popular with foreign and Turkish tourists to experience
a taste of traditional village life in a peaceful environment. Overnight
in Kusadasi.
DAY 06 – Aphrodisias and Pamukkale Tour / Bus to Cappadocia
After having early breakfast, start journey inland to Aphrodisias and Pamukkale.
Aphrodisias has been sacred to the Mother Goddess since 5800 B.C. The city
was named Aphrodisias, for Aphrodite, in the second century B.C.E., and
it remained a pagan stronghold long after Christianity came to the region.
The temple to Aphrodite was built in the first century C.E. and much later,
during the Byzantine era, converted to a basilica. Then we will drive for
one hour inland to visit Hierapolis and Pamukkale. We will see the blisteringly
white terraced pools of Pamukkale's hot springs, the result of thousands
of years of deposits by the calcium rich hot springs, visit the Ancient
city of Hierapolis, a World Heritage Site. Swim in the Sacred Pool amongst
fallen Roman columns in the Pamukkale Thermal. At the end of the tour day
you will be transferred on to the bus station in Pamukkale for departure
by overnight intercity bus to Cappadocia. Overnight onboard bus. (Direct
flights from Izmir are also available if you prefer to fly).
DAY 07 – North Cappadocia Tour with Goreme Museum
On your arrival to Cappadocia bus station, you will be met and transferred
to your hotel for a short break before the tour. Today we will visit Devrent
Valley which is situated between Avanos, Zelve and Urgup. Then Pasabaglari
Valley, formerly known as the "Monks' Valley" (Rahipler Vadisi).
We will visit also Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
and view the ancient rock-hewn churches sculpted in the hillsides almost
a thousand years ago. After lunch, continue on to the small town of Urgup,
which has many carved dwellings that are still inhabited. We stop at a local
restaurant for lunch. Then you join us for a Discovery Series “Art of Pottery
in Asia Minor” event this afternoon, offering you the opportunity to visit
a cave pottery atelier. The day will continue with the visit to Uchisar
Castle which is situated at the highest point in the region. We will end
the day with Piegon Valley, contains numerous pigeon houses. In this valley
pigeons were traines to deliver messages to towns throughout Central Cappadocia
and were essential aid to communication. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 08 – South Cappadocia Tour with Ihlara Canyon / Flight to Istanbul
After breakfast at hotel, another full day tour this time to visit the famous
Derinkuyu Underground City. Afterwards a short hike through the green Ihlara
Valley along the stream visiting some of the churches along the way. Stop
in Belisirma for lunch and then on to Selime for a panoramic view. Stop
at the Agzikarahan Caravansarai is included. At the end of the tour you
will be transferred to Kayseri Airport for the domestic flight to Istanbul.
On your arrival to Istanbul Airport, you will be met at the airport for
the transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 09 – Half Day Bosphorus Cruise Tour
After breakfast, again meet you tour guide for drive to Golden Horn, the
arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula seperating
the old and new parts of Istanbul where the first colonies settled during
Byzantine. The residential area of Byzantines Jews, Italian traders and
other non-muslim minoririties. Drive along the traces of history at balat
viewing Fener Orthodox Patriarchate, Metal Church of St Stephen the Bulgarian,
Ahrida Synagouge, Eyup Sultan Mosque, named after the flagbearer of Prophet
Muhammd, a place to worship and pilgrimage for religious visitors. 21kms
lonng City Walls of Istanbul will be also seen on this drive. Visit the
Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar). We then walk across the road to Eminonu
Harbour to embark the ferry which has become one of the symbols of Istanbul.
The Bosphorus is a narrow, navigable strait between Europe and Asia connecting
the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. After the half day tour, remainder of
day will be at leisure on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 10 – Transfer to Istanbul International Airport
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Istanbul International Airport, depending
to your departure details.