Day
1 - Istanbul
Arrival
at Istanbul airport , you will be met and transfered to your
hotel. A short breefing and Welcome Cocktail in the evening.
(D)
Day
2 - Istanbul
Following
the breakfast we will drive to the old city where we will
visit the Topkapi Palace. Perched on a hill that commands
the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn, this
vast complex has been the seat of government of the Ottoman
Empire for many centuries (1453-1852). You will see the Blue
Mosque, the Basilica of St.Sophia, the Kariye Museum and the
Underground Cistern. We will finish up the day in the
bustling Grand Bazaar , which is amost attractive shopping
center and biggest "souk" in the world with nearly
4000 shops of antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets and
leatherwear. (B,L,D)
Day
3 - Istanbul / Ankara
Following
the breakfast we will fly to Ankara , where you'll visit the
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the mausoleum of Kemal
Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Ankara is the capital
of Turkey. The history of the city reaches way beyond 3rd
century B.C. Dinner and overnight in Ankara. (B,L,D)
Day
4 - Cappadocia / Ankara
Early
in the morning we will drive to the Cappadocian Valley in
the heart of the Anatolian Plateau, and marvel at the
twisted lunar land-scape. Successive erupions of a
now-extinct volcano left the plateau covered with volcanic
tufa, which was transformed by intense erosion into
beautiful landscapes of cones, columns, and canyons. Between
the 4th and 13th centuries Christians hewed dwellings and
sanctuaries from the rock, totally incorporating the
architecture into the landscape. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
Day
5 - Cappadocia / Izmir
Further
exploration today includes the Valley of Fairy Chimneys, Göreme
Valley, with its Byzantine rock churches, the city of Zelve
and the subterranean city of Kaymakli. Return to Ankara for
your flight to Izmir, and get settled in your hotel. (B,L,D)
Day
6 - Ephesus Excursion / Istanbul
Your
full day tour of Ephesus includes visits to the Arcadian
Way, the Marble Road, the Great Theater, the Library of
Celcius, St. John's Basilica and the Shrine of Virgin Mary.
Following the excursion we will drive to Izmir for our
flight to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B,L,D)
Day
7 - Istanbul
We
will spend the day with exploring the city on our own. An
optional Bosphorus Cruise is also available. (B,D)
Day
8 - Istanbul
After
breakfast, your tour host will escort you to the airport for
your flight home. (B)
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