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Fun in the warm mineral waters of the Sacred Pool at Pamukkale (Hierapolis). |
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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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