Escorted Turkey Tours
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Escorted Turkey Tours ,Western Turkey ,Escorted Tour can be arranged from Kemer-Antalya-Belek-Side-Alanya-istanbul and Bodrum
Price per. 3.720 Euro - 3.237 (GBP)
Escorted Turkey Tours is a tailor made private tour for you ,the tour route, departure city or the length of the trip can be changed up on your request.Choose Your own date.
ITINERARY: (16 DAYS)
ISTANBUL TROY ASSOS PERGAMON EPHESUS APHRODISIAS
PAMUKKALE DALYAN FETHIYE KAS ANTALYA KONYA CAPPADOCIA
ISTANBUL
This Turkey Tours combination of our favorite places which are mainly located on the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal areas of Turkey. You follow a detailed, yet leisurely route enjoying special extras like a river cruise in Dalyan and a Sufi experience with the Whirling Dervishes. Our Insight Grand Tour is conducted by comfortable non-smoking minivan with A/C and separate professional driver and we allow a maximum of 10 passengers on the tour. Your English speaking guide is certified by the Ministry of Culture.
We start in Escorted Istanbul on the Marmara Sea, cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale, visit ancient Troy and continue to the enchanting Assos Harbor with overnight in one of the traditional stone houses. As we continue along the coast of the Aegean Sea, we begin our discovery of the classical and biblical sights including Pergamon, Ephesus, Aphrodisias and Hierapolis.
After your immersion in all this history, we head southeast and come to the Mediterranean. This is the relaxing part of the tour with swimming, mud-baths, sunning and more. We will also visit some amazing sights of the Lycian coast including the church of St. Nicholas, who was born near here in Turkey!
We continue along the coast to Antalya and overnight in the historic old city (Kaleici), which is still for the most part enclosed by its ancient city walls. Wander the narrow streets and take pictures of the huge dilapidated manors with their bay windows. The finale of the tour is our visit to central Anatolia. We cross the Toros Mountains, coming to the plains. Here we visit the city of Mevlana and continue to the Cappadocia region, which is know for its unusual wind and weather sculpted rock formations, cave dwellings and early Christian churches.
DAY 1
ARRIVAL
Arrival at escorteded in Istanbul airport. Please look for your name after clearing customs. Meet your Insight travel representative and transfer to your hotel. Free time and overnight in hotel category of your choice.
DAY 2
ISTANBUL- SULTANAHMET
8.45 Departure. Visit the St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years. See its intricate mosaics and huge central dome. Continue to the Topkapi Palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is extra). After lunch we will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. Visit the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Walk through the back streets of Old Istanbul and visit the elegant little Sokullu Pasa mosque and the hidden underground Theodosian Cistern. This tour may be done all or partially as a walking tour. Overnight in Istanbul. B.L.After the noon the Escorte will be up on your request finished or the night can bring some raki night with it.
DAY 3
ISTANBUL - GALLIPOLI -TROY - ASSOS
We depart early in the morning and will travel to Gallipoli and visit the Kabatepe Museum, which contains relics from the campaign including original diary extracts and letters, Brighton Beach, then to Anzac Cove, the landing place of the first wave of Australian and New Zealand troops and home to up to 30,000 troops during the campaign, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, site of the successful attack and capture of Turkish trenches by the Australians during the August offensive, Johnston’s Jolly where you will visit the original Allied and Turkish trenches and tunnels, The Nek, and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. We continue to Troy, the legendary city of Homer and the beautiful Helen, which has nine principal levels of occupation covering a period of 3000 years. You will see a reproduction of the Trojan horse, the museum and the new excavations. We will continue to Assos and stay overnight in a special hotel made of stone. Overnight in 4* or boutique hotel. B.L.D.
DAY 4
ASSOS - PERGAMON - KUSADASI/SELCUK
We discover Behramkale Village and visit the ancient city of Assos and Temple of Athena, high upon a hill. You can see the Greek Island of Lesvos from here. Aristotle founded his first school of philosophy in Assos. We will have some free time in the village and then drive down to the small ancient harbor. We will then continue to the Pergamon Acropolis,where the ruins of Zeus Altar can still be seen today. The acropolis is situated high above the plain and has a unique panoramic view. The very narrow and steep theater on the hillside could seat up to 10,000 people. Parchment paper was first produced in Pergamon. We will visit the remains of the Great Library, which rivaled the one of Alexandria in Egypt, the palaces of the kings, and Temple of Trajan. Visit the Asclepion, which was known as the first place of medical science. Galen, who originated from Pergamon and became the most famous doctor of his time, treated his patients here. Continue to Selcuk or Kusadasi and in 4* or boutique hotel. B.L.D.
DAY 5
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY- ST JOHN - KUSADASI/SELCUK
Today we will escorte to visit the House of Virgin Mary, which is a major pilgrimage site, then Ephesus, with the Library of Celsius, Temple of Hadrian, Agora and fantastic Greco-Roman theater. Continue to Sirince Village, where you may taste different types of fruit wine. We will also visit the Basilica of St. John and remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Overnight in Kusadasi or Selcuk. B.L.D.
DAY 6
KUSADASI - APHRODISIAS - PAMUKKALE
We will drive through the Meander Valley and see the Meander River, which gave us the word “Meandering”, then spend some time at the Greco-Roman site of Aphrodisias, which is still being excavated. It features the Temple of Aphrodite, two agoras, a huge intact stadium, baths of Hadrian and theater. As Aphrodisias was the site of a famous sculptural school you will be able to enjoy excellent examples of marble work in the museum. We escorte continue to Pamukkale with its impressive calcium terraces and see the ancient site of Hierapolis with the Temple of Apollo, Theater, and Martyrium of St. Phillip and see a large and extensive Necropolis. Overnight in 4* thermal hotel. B.L.D.
DAY 7
PAMUKKALE - DALYAN
Today we will drive to Dalyan and have an enjoyable day in this fishing town with a riverboat tour, where you may enjoy thermal waters and a mud bath, visit the ancient site of Caunos and lay on sandy Iztuzu beach, which is a breeding ground of the famous Caretta Caretta turtle. Overnight in Dalyan. B.L.D.
DAY 8
DALYAN - TLOS - SAKLIKENT - FETHIYE
Our journey takes us up into the mountains. Today’s visits will include the ancient site of Tlos, which is carved out with Lycian tombs and crowned by a ruined stronghold of an 18th century robber baron. There is a relief of Bellerophon riding the winged horse Pegasus and an ivy-covered ruin of a Roman bath. We will also visit the gorge of Saklikent, with its steep walls, by walking on a boardwalk over the rapids and/or depending on time Oludeniz (known as Turkey’s most beautiful beach) or Kayakoy (abandoned Greek village). We continue to Fethiye and overnight. B.L.D.
DAY 9
FETHIYE - XANTHOS - PATARA - KALKAN - KAS
Today we will visit Xanthos, which was the capital of Lycia. It has a fine Roman theater and Lycian pillar tombs. The next stop is Patara, with its 17km long white sandy beach and ruins half buried in sand dunes. Patara was the birthplace of the 4th century Byzantine bishop known later as Santa Claus. We will visit the old part of Kalkan, which was a fishing village once occupied by Ottoman
DAY 10
KAS - LEISURE DAY OR OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Today you are free to discover the pleasant fishing and tourist town of Kas on your own or go with your guide and see the Lycian Tomb, the Theater and the Hellenistic Temple or even a visit to a Turkish Village or beach depending upon groups’ wishes, or you may join a cruise to Kekova, a peaceful group of picturesque islands with very
distinctive rock sarcophagi and Cruising in Kekova ancient houses submerged under the clear water. The cruise also includes Ucagiz Village with Lycian Tombs and Simena Village with its stone houses and the castle and opportunities for swimming OR you may take the ferry to the Greek Island of Kastellorizo which is picture perfect with its small tavernas, old churches and fortress Return to Kas and overnight. B. (L). D.
*Note that excursions are optional and lunch is included only on the Kekova Tour - No guide is available on optional excursions except for visit of Kas or surrounds.
DAY 11
MYRA - ANTALYA
We will see the Lycian tombs of Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus). We will continue along the scenic coast and visit the ancient site of Phaselis with its harbors, harbor way, Roman theater and aqueduct. In the afternoon an enjoyable visit to the old part of Antalya called Kaleici, with the Gate of Hadrian, the Clock Tower, Fluted minaret, Palm Street and the ancient harbor. Overnight in Antalya. B.L.D.
DAY 12
ANTALYA - PERGE - ASPENDOS
We will see Perge, which was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. We will visit the impressive colonnaded street, baths, nymphaeum, and agora and the fountain of the River God, where waters once poured down the center of the city. We continue to Aspendos to see one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in the world. Overnight in Antalya. B.L.D.
DAY 13
ANTALYA - KONYA
We drive through the Toros mountains to Konya. Konya was known as Iconium in Roman times and was the capital of the Seljuk Turks from the 12th to 13th centuries. Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi founded a Sufi order known as the Whirling Dervishes. We will visit the Museum of Mevlana and the great Seljuk monuments such as the Karatay Medrese and the Ince Minareli Medrese. Overnight in 4* hotel.
DAY 14
KONYA - SILK ROAD - CAPPADOCIA - WHIRLING DERVISHES
We will continue from Konya on the Old Silk Road trade route and visit Caravanserais from the Seljuk period and a hidden Crater lake before arriving in Cappadocia. Visit Selime, a village of rock cones below a mesa. It is possible to see the two-story colonnaded church and monastery, kitchens, “pekmez house” and camel tunnel all carved into the rock. We will have lunch in Belisirma village on the Melendez River then visit Ihlara Valley. Descend into this incredible gorge, and then walk in the most scenic part of this canyon flanked by sheer rock walls we will descend even deeper into the earth through the passages and tunnels of Kaymakli Underground City. See the ingenious “millstone” defense doors, wineries and rooms carved from the living rock. Our last stop is Pigeon Valley where we see the ancient dovecotes from across the ravine. Tonight we will enjoy a performance of the Whirling Dervishes. Overnight in cave/volcanic stone hotel. B.L.D.
DAY 15
CAPPADOCIA - CAVE CHURCHES AND GOREME VALLEY - ISTANBUL
In the morning you will experience Escorted Turkey Tours the feeling of living in an Anatolian village, where houses are built in caves, and life goes on as it has for centuries. You may see villagers baking bread, drying fruit on their rooftops or riding on donkeys to their fields. We will begin our visit to the enchanting “fairy chimneys” (conical and unusual rock formations) in Devrent Valley. We continue to the Goreme Open Air Museum, which was once a Byzantine monastery. See the finest examples of religious frescoes in rock-cut churches from the 10th to the 13th centuries. Enjoy Pasabagi Valley, while walking through vineyards among strange multiple “mushroom-capped” volcanic rock formations. We will also visit Cavusin Village and see abandoned troglodyte houses cut high up in the rock face. We will take a short walk in the Rose Valley, where mineral deposits have given beautiful color to the weathered stones and then continue to Avanos, center of terra cotta work since 3000 BC. See a pottery demonstration using the ancient kick-wheel technique. Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Istanbul and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. B.L.
DAY 16
DEPARTURE
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the airport approximately 3 hours prior to your flight departure.
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Rates per person in EURO | |
|
Triple |
EURO 3720.00 |
|
Double |
EURO 3960.00 |
|
Single |
EURO 6550.00 |
*Prices are not valid during UEFA Final Cup or Formula One Period
INCLUDED:
*All airport transfers
*Accommodation in hotels as mentioned
*Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
*Museum entry fees
*Transportation in non-smoking minibus with professional English speaking guide and *professional driver.
*Boat Tour in Dalyan
*Whirling Dervish performance
*Domestic Flight Kayseri - Istanbul. **Domestic flight price, listed separately is approximate.
NOT INCLUDED: International flights, drinks, optional excursions in Kas, tips to guide and driver and items of a personal nature.
OPTIONAL:
We can arrange this Escorted Turkey Tours for pre- or post tours or hotel accommodation for those of you who want to see more of Turkey. We can also arrange for a Balloon Tour in Cappadocia.
Booking Request Escorted Turkey Tours
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