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CT 08 ITINERARY
CT 08 / 8-DAY HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY TOUR ending in Istanbul
Day 01 (Fri):
Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk
International Airport, meeting and greeting by our City Windows representative
and proceed to Istanbul for the hotel to check-in.
Day 02 (Sat):
We begin our tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old
Istanbul, at Saint Sophia*. Built by
Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of
world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It
is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and
empresses. Next we visit the Blue Mosque,
which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from
the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets.The
Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient
Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the
empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined
serpents from Delphi survive. The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops
are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics,
icons, and leather goods. Wandering
through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping,
Ottoman style. (Also available on Tuesday afternoons)
On Mondays, when Saint Sophia is closed, we visit the
Chora Church, famed for its mosaics and frescoes.
We begin our tour at Topkapı Palace, which, from the 15th to the 19th century, was the principle
residence of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabolous Imperial Treasury
and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapı Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled
collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the 3rd largest in
the world, Ottoman court costumes and ceramics, notably one of the world’s
finest collection of early Chinese ceramics, much of it gifts from other rulers.
Interestingly, some of the ceramics have a special glaze that was said to change
color in the presence of poison. We also visit the Imperial Armory, displaying
centuries of Ottoman weaponry. But perhaps the loveliest features of Topkapı
Palace are its courtyards with their ancient trees, and it is easy to imagine
the sultan strolling here far from the cares of state and empire. The
Süleymaniye Mosque is the largest and grandest of Istanbul’s imperial mosques.
It dates from the 16th century heyday of the Ottoman Empire, and was designed by
Sinan, the greatest architect of his day and originator of the Classical Ottoman
style of architecture. Of the 2,000 structures Sinan designed,
Süleymaniye Mosque and its complex of
charitable institutions rank among the most important. (every day except
Tuesdays)
Note : On days when the Suleymaniye Mosque is closed for renovations,we visit the Rustem
Pasha Mosque,another masterpiece by Sinan that has the most exquisite and
extensive Iznik tile decoration of any Mosque in Istanbul
Then,
transfer to train station to have a night trip to Ankara. Train arrives in
Ankara at 07:30 in the morning. (BB)
Day 03 (Sun):
In the morning visit to the
Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from
Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on
display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the
burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then
continue on to Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake
pass by the 13th century
Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan.
After visiting Kaymakli Underground City,
the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in
Cappadocia for overnight (D - BB only at “special category” hotels).
Day 04 (Mon):
Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30-10.00
depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the
valleys where animal-like natural
formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to
Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks
used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of
Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys),
The longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its
banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon
visit to Open Air Museum in Goreme to
visit to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting
various scenes from
The Bible. Stop by Pigeon
Valley near Uchisar. Shopping
time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, D - BB
only at “special category” hotels).
Day 05 (Tue):
Today’s ride will be fairly long and tiring due to the
long distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale and
lack of convenient lodging location.
Drive to Konya to visit to the Mausoleum
of Mevlana, the world-wide famous
mystic figure. Then continue on to Pamukkale and overnight (B, D).
Day 06 (Wed):
Tour the ruins of
Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main
Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the
afternoon tour Aphrodisias,
the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite,
the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the
Bishop's Palace. Proceed to the hotel in Kusadasi for overnight (B, D-BB only at
Kismet Hotel).
Day 07 (Thu):
Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City
(Hillside Houses are
excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the most
popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary
is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. In the afternoon
Selcuk Ephesus Museum or
St. John Church. Time for shopping
and drive to Izmir and transfer to the airport to fly to Istanbul. After landing
in Istanbul, transfer to hotel and check-in (B).
Day 08 (Fri):
Transfer to airport to fly back home. (B) End of our
services
Evleri-Cappadocia if cancelled 45 days prior to the check-in date),
Sleeper Train Ist/Ank Or
Similar Category hotels will be used.
·
No dinner on superior category hotels in Cappadocia
Note: The above itinerary is
subject to the final discretion of the local land operator.
Thank You for Choosing Us
Have a Safe Journey Back
Home
CT 09 ITINERARY
CT 09 / 7-DAY ANKARA-CAPPADOCIA TOUR ending in Antalya
Day 01 (Fri):
Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk
International Airport, meeting and greeting by our City Windows representative
and proceed to Istanbul for the hotel to check-in.
Day 02 (Sat):
We begin our tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old
Istanbul, at Saint Sophia*. Built by
Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of
world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It
is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and
empresses. Next we visit the Blue Mosque,
which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from
the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets.The
Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient
Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the
empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined
serpents from Delphi survive. The Grand
Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full
of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons,
and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping,
Ottoman style. (Also available on Tuesday afternoons)
*On Mondays, when Saint Sophia is closed, we visit the
Chora Church, famed for its mosaics and frescoes.
We begin our tour at Topkapı Palace, which, from the 15th to the 19th century, was the principle
residence of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabolous Imperial Treasury
and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapı Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled
collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the 3rd largest in
the world, Ottoman court costumes and ceramics, notably one of the world’s
finest collection of early Chinese ceramics, much of it gifts from other rulers.
Interestingly, some of the ceramics have a special glaze that was said to change
color in the presence of poison. We also visit the Imperial Armory, displaying
centuries of Ottoman weaponry. But perhaps the loveliest features of Topkapı
Palace are its courtyards with their ancient trees, and it is easy to imagine
the sultan strolling here far from the cares of state and empire. The
Süleymaniye Mosque is the largest and grandest of Istanbul’s imperial mosques.
It dates from the 16th century heyday of the Ottoman Empire, and was designed by
Sinan, the greatest architect of his day and originator of the Classical Ottoman
style of architecture. Of the 2,000 structures Sinan designed,
Süleymaniye Mosque and its complex of
charitable institutions rank among the most important. (Every day except
Tuesdays)
Note : On days when the Suleymaniye Mosque is closed for renovations,we visit the Rustem
Pasha Mosque,another masterpiece by Sinan that has the most exquisite and
extensive Iznik tile decoration of any Mosque in Istanbul
Then,
transfer to train station to have a night trip to Ankara. Train arrives in
Ankara at 07:30 in the morning. (BB)
Day 03 (Sun):
In the morning visit to the
Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from
Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on
display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the
burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then
continue on to Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake
pass by the 13th century
Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan.
After visiting Kaymakli Underground City,
the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in
Cappadocia for overnight (D - BB only at “special category” hotels).
Day 04 (Mon):
Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at 09.30-10.00
depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the
valleys where animal-like natural
formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to
Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks
used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of
Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the
longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has
been the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon visit to
Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit to
the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various
scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon
Valley near Uchisar. Shopping
time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, D - BB
only at “special category” hotels).
Day 05 (Tue):
Drive to Konya to visit to the
Mausoleum of
Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure. Then continue on to Antalya and
check-in. (HB).
Day 06 (Wed):
Departure: 07:15 from Konyaalti (times depends to hotel). Visiting Perge antique site
in detail; Stadium, Roman Gate, Nymphaeum, Roman Bath, Hellenistic gate,
Colonnaded Main Street and the Agora. Lunch on the Köprüpazari stream near the
Aspendos Theater. Visiting Aspendos Theater and the Historical Aqueducts.
Shopping Break where also the Turkish handcrafts are introduced. Introduction of
Side and an hour and a half free time. 18:00 Returning to Antalya distribution
to hotels. (HB)
Day 07 (Thu):
Transfer to airport to fly back home. (B) End of our
services
Note: The above itinerary is
subject to the final discretion of the local land operator.
Thank You for Choosing Us
Have a Safe Journey Back
Home
CT 10 ITINERARY
CT 10 / 9 DAY-8 NIGHT TASTE OF TURKEY TOUR ending in
Istanbul
Day 01 (Sat):
Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk
International Airport, meeting and greeting by our City Windows representative
and proceed to Istanbul city.
Then,
transfer to train station to have a night trip to Ankara. Train arrives in
Ankara at 07:30 in the morning.
Day 02 (Sun):
In
the morning visit to the Anatolian
Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from
Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on
display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the
burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then
continue on to Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake
pass by the 13th century
Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan.
After visiting Kaymakli Underground City,
the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in
Cappadocia for overnight (D - BB only at “special category” hotels).
Day 03 (Mon):
Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at
09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the
valleys where animal-like natural
formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to
Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks
used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of
Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the
longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has
been the raw material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon visit to
Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit
to the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes
depicting various scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Shopping
time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, D - BB
only at “special category” hotels).
Day 04 (Tue):
Today’s ride will be fairly long and tiring due to the
long distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale and
lack of convenient lodging location.
Drive to Konya to visit to the Mausoleum
of Mevlana, the world-wide famous
mystic figure. Then continue on to Pamukkale and overnight (B, D).
Day 05 (Wed):
Tour the ruins of Hierapolis
including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and
Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon
tour Aphrodisias, the city of
Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium,
the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Proceed to the
hotel in Kusadasi for overnight (B, D-BB only at Kismet Hotel).
Day 06 (Thu):
Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City (Hillside
Houses are excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the
most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated
ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St.
Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John.
Selcuk Ephesus Museum
or
St. John Church. Time for shopping. Overnight in Kusadasi (B, D-BB only at
Kismet Hotel).
Day 07 (Fri):
Early departure for Bergama and visit to the
Asclepion and
Acropol with the well preserved
remains. In the afternoon continue on to
Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in
the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine
inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Canakkale for
overnight (Due to the limited hotel availability we also keep the right to stay
in the surroundings of Canakkale) (B, D).
Day 08 (Sat):
After breakfast sail to the other side of Dardanelles
by a ferryboat and drive to Istanbul
with visit to Gallipoli, historically
famous for being the site of many battles - particularly involving the Allied
Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Arrive in
Istanbul early afternoon and
transfer to the hotel (B).
Day 09 (Sun):
Transfer to airport to fly back home. (B) End of our
services
Note: The above itinerary is subject to
the final discretion of the local land operator.
Thank You for Choosing Us
Have a Safe Journey Back
Home
CT 15 ITINERARY
CT 15 / SPLENDOURS OF TURKEY ending in Istanbul
Day 01
Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk
International Airport, meeting and greeting by our City Windows representative
and proceed to Istanbul city.
Then,
transfer to train station to have a night trip to Ankara. Train arrives in
Ankara at 07:30 in the morning. (BB)
Day 02
In the morning visit to the
Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from
Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on
display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the
burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then
continue on to Cappadocia. After a picturesque trip along the Salt Lake
pass by the 13th century
Seljukian Caravanserai Agzikarahan.
After visiting Kaymakli Underground City,
the place early Christians hid from persecutors, proceed to the hotel in
Cappadocia for overnight (D - BB only at “special category” hotels).
Day 03
Optional balloon tour. Depart from the hotel at
09.30-10.00 depending on the arrival time of the participants and visit the
valleys where animal-like natural
formations like camels and fair chimneys are abundant. Drive on to
Pasabagi in Zelve area where monks
used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms. Proceed to the pottery town of
Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the
longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the red clay on its banks that has
been the raw
material of pottery for centuries. In the afternoon visit to
Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit to
the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various
scenes from the Bible. Stop by Pigeon Valley near Uchisar. Shopping
time for the well-known merits of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia (D - BB only
at “special category” hotels).
Day 04
Today’s ride will be fairly long and tiring due to the
long distance between Cappadocia and Antalya and
lack of convenient lodging location.
Drive to Konya to visit to the Mausoleum
of Mevlana, the world-wide famous
mystic figure. Then drive to Antalya for overnight (B, D).
Day 05
Departure in the morning and visit to
Perge, the place where most of the
statues that are on display in Antalya Museum were unearthed and then proceed to
Aspendos that bears one of the best
preserved Roman theatres in Anatolia. After visiting
Manavgat Waterfalls return to Antalya (B, D).
Day 06
Free Morning. In the afternoon departure for Pamukkale. Arrive in
Pamukkale and check in to the Hotel to enjoy the healing Waters of the thermal
Center of the Roman Times (B, D).
Day 07
Tour the ruins of Hierapolis
including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and
Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon
tour Aphrodisias, the city of
Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium,
the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Proceed to the
hotel in Kusadasi for overnight (B, D-BB only at Kismet Hotel).
Day 08
Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City (Hillside
Houses are excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the
most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated
ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St.
Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John.
Selcuk Ephesus Museum
or
St. John Church. Time for shopping. Overnight in Kusadasi (B, D-BB only at
Kismet Hotel).
Day 09
Early departure for Bergama and visit to the
Asclepion and
Acropol with the well preserved
remains. In the afternoon continue on to
Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in
the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine
inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Canakkale for
overnight (Due to the limited hotel availability we also keep the right to stay
in the surroundings of Canakkale)
Day 10
After breakfast sail to the other side of Dardanelles
by a ferryboat and drive to Istanbul
with visit to Gallipoli, historically
famous for being the site of many battles - particularly involving the Allied
Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Arrive in
Istanbul early afternoon and
transfer to the hotel (B).
Day 11
Transfer to airport to fly back home. (B) End of our
services
Note: The above itinerary is
subject to the final discretion of the local land operator.
Thank You for Choosing Us
Have a Safe Journey Back
Home
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