HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY (9 Days/8 Nights, by Orion Tour)
Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Izmir, Çanakkale, Troy, Gallipoli
(Group departures are infrequent, but Orion Tour will be happy to make arrangements for you to follow this itinerary as a private tour.)
Day 1 – ISTANBUL
Arrival at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. Meet by Orion representative and transfer to the hotel. Full day tour of Istanbul including the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles and unique with its six minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet I. Next we will have a look at the Hippodrome of Constantinople where horse and chariot races used to take place. Then visit the St. Sophia museum, which is one of the greatest religious and architectural marvels of all times. Finally the famous Topkapi Palace museum will be visited, which was built as the home of the Ottoman sultans and the World Famous Imperial Chinese Porcelain sections will be visited. Last stop will be Grand Bazaar. Then we return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (L,D)
Day 2 – ISTANBUL – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA
Departure in the morning. Flight to Ankara on TK108 at 08:00. Visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum and continue to Cappadocia. Lunch on the way. In the afternoon we will visit the Selçuk Agzikarahan Caravanserai and natural citadel of Uçhisar. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – CAPPADOCIA
During the day we will visit the Valleys of Goreme to explore the unusual troglodyte dwellings, remains of early churches, some decorated with scratched frescoes and complicated rooms hollowed out of the cones of volcanic ash; then visiting and taking lovely pictures of Zelve Valley and underground city of Kaymakli; and onto Ortahisar and Avanos. Return to the hotel and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 4 – CAPPADOCIA – KONYA – PAMUKKALE
Early in the morning, we drive to Konya and visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana. Lunch will be served on the way. Arrive in Pamukkale and enjoy its unique formation of petrified calcium cliffs. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,L,D)
Day 5 – PAMUKKALE – KUSADASI
After breakfast, we visit the Ancient City of Hierapolis where Calcareous hot springs descending over cliffs have created fascinating travertines in the form of white terrace and basins and drive to Aphrodisias. After lunch, we visit the Greco Roman settlement, which is remarkably well preserved. Contiune to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 6 – KUSADASI – IZMIR
In the morning we visit the house of Virgin Mary. Continue to the lonian city of Ephesus, the Roman Capital of Asia Minor. We will visit the ancient city and then the Basilica of St. John. Lunch in Seljuk and drive to Izmir. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 7 – IZMIR -ÇANAKKALE (Troy)
After breakfast we drive to Pergamon to see the Acropolis and the Temple of Trojan, which is majestically located on a hill overlooking the Plain of Bergama. Highlights here will also include the Altar of Zeus, Theater and Temple of Dionysus, with a final stop at Asclepion, an ancient medical center at the foot of Pergamon where methods of treatment included barefoot walking and music therapy. Lunch in town. Following lunch we drive to Çanakkale. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 8 – ÇANAKKALE – ISTANBUL
In the morning, after breakfast we drive to Troy, the legendary town in the “Iliad” of Homer and visit the ruins. We have lunch in Çanakkale and drive to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles during WWI. Continue to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 9 – ISTANBUL
We escort you to Istanbul Atatürk Airport for your flight home. (B)
(Tour Code: HLTS8N)
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