Authentic Adventure Option A
- Duration: 16 Days (approx.)
- Location: ISTANBUL
- Product code: PXNJ5X
Day 1 Thu: Istanbul | Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Welcome briefing will be held.
Day 2 Fri: Istanbul | Enjoy a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace
Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852 (excluding harem).
Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the center of life where chariot racing
and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and
1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next see St. Sophia, a church built in
the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and
now a museum and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Your last
stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered
market with over 60 streets. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing
entertainment. B
Day 3 Sat: Gallipoli – Dardanelles –
Canakkale | In the morning, depart for Gallipoli,
the site of many battles during WWI. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and
Chunuk Bair, then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight. B D
Day 4 Sun: Troy – Pergamum – Izmir | Visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being
the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other.
Before arriving into Asclepion, enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local
village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Center in
Asclepion and continue to Izmir for overnight. B L D
Day 5 Mon: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House –
Izmir | Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an
important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old
marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s
Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed
Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a
regional rug production center to have a firsthand experience of this unique
art form. B
Optional :Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 6 Tue: Izmir – Pamukkale | Drive through lush valleys to Pamukkale, the Cotton Fortress, with white lime cascades
formed by hot mineral springs. Visit ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and enjoy a swim
in your hotel’s thermal pool. B D
Day 7 Wed: Pamukkale – Bodrum | After breakfast drive to Bodrum to visit the Castle of
St.Peter and the renowned Underwater Museum that was awarded the best
Underwater Museum of the World in 2000s. Overnight in Bodrum. B
Day 8 Thu: Bodrum – Fethiye | After breakfast, late morning departure to foundations of the
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. Afterwards, depart to Fethiye. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and
overnight in Fethiye. B D
Day 9 Fri: Fethiye | After the breakfast, day at leisure for optional activities.
B
Day 10 Sat: Fethiye – Cruise | Depart early for Fethiye pier to board a gulet at 09:30am.
Spend the afternoon visiting beautiful islands and finally hoist near Göcek
Island. Following lunch and a swimming break, cruise to Yassica Island to spend
the night and cherish the wonderfulscenery. B L D
Day 11 Sun: Bedri Rahmi Bay – Domuz Island
– Aga Limani | After breakfast, cruise to
Bedri Rahmi Bay named after the famous Turkish artist who set voyage on one of
the first ‘blue cruises’ in Turkey. Continue to Domuz Island for a swim and
anchor in Aga Limani for dinner and overnight. B L D
Day 12 Mon: Kumlubük – Cennet Island –
Marmaris | Depart early and enjoy breakfast in
Kumlubük Bay. Anchor at Cennet Island for our last swimming break and lunch.
Proceed to Marmaris Harbor by 4:00pm. Overnight stay in Marmaris. Guests
wishing to see more of Marmaris are recommended to go to the city center and
experience the lively nightlife. B L
D
Day 13
Tue: Marmaris - Cappadocia | Leave
the boat and transfer to the Dalaman Airport
for flight to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. B D
Day 14
Wed: Cappadocia | Early Morning Optional: Hot Air
Balloon Tour. Experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy
chimneys and caves at sunrise. After breakfast visit
Goreme, a historical region of Turkey, located among the rock formations, which was first settled back in the Roman period. Many rock
churches can still be seen today, as Christianity was then the prevailing
religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high
quality earthenware. Also visit Pasabagi, Devrent Valley and
attend a brief regional pottery workshop. Dinner at a special local restaurant.
B D Join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance.
B D
Day 15 Thu:
Cappadocia – Istanbul || After breakfast depart to
the airport for flight to Istanbul. In the afternoon, join an optional half-day
Bosphorus cruise enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores
are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden
villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants and cafés. Finish your last
minute shopping at the Spice Market filled with the fragrance of the exotic
east. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. B D
Day 16
Fri: Istanbul | Transfer to the airport for
your return flight home. B
Price Includes:
• Boutique Class hotels
• Meals are indicated on itineraries by B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner
• Licensed guides throughout Turkey
• Private air-conditioned transportation
• Luggage handling
• Flight ticket from Bodrum to Cappadocia and Cappadocia to Istanbul
• Local taxes and service charges
• Arrival/departure transfers: only on arrival and departure
days. Pre or post stay transfers are not included
Price Excludes:
• Personal expenses
• Optional tours
•
Customary tips to guide and drivers