Istanbul

 

Welcome to Turkey - a land richin archeological sites, historic monuments, warm-hearted people & an enormous variety of spectacular scenery. On arrival at Istanbul Airport, you are met & transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Tour Director & fellow guests for a welcome Drink.

Hotel : Barcelo Topkapi Eresin

 

This morning take a short ferry trip & drive to the charming Cumalikizik Village with its traditional wooden houses, and very narrow cobblestone streets. Continue to beautiful Bursa for your overnight stay. There is time this afternoon to visit the glorious Green Mosque & Mausoleum complex, the Grand Mosque, the Bazaar & colourful Silk Market, where you'll be overwhelmed by the dazzling array of goods on display. Tonight you might like to experience a Turkish bath at your hotel

Hotel : Kervansaray Thermal ( BB, D )

 

Sardis, where you visit the Synagogue, Roman Gymnasium & the Temple of Arternis. Now continue to Pamukkale, famous for its ' Cotton Castle ', a dazzling chalk-white array of fantastically shaped limestone terraces. Visit the ruins of ancient Hierapolis & the fairyland terraces & see the glistening pools & cascades in Scallop-shell basins.

Hotel : Pam Thermal ( BB, D )

 

Journey to Ephesus, significant to early Christianity as well as to the ancient world. View the marvellous facade of the Library of Celsus, walk the Arcadian way & see the amazing Amphitheatre. Also visit the house of the Virgin Mary. At the Archeological Museum in nearby Selcuk you can marvel at many of the artifacts excavated from Ephesus. After visiting a Turkish carpet centre it's on to the pretty port city of Izmir.

Hotel : Hilton Izmir ( BB, D )

 

Your first stop today is Pergamon to visit the Temple of Athena, the Theatre & the Library, which is daid to have contained 200, 000 volumes. Also visit the Asklepion ruins, probably the world's earliest medical centre. Before leaving , admire the Red Courtyard. Nest stop is Home's legendary city of Troy; visit the ruins & see an enormous reconstruction of the fabled wooden Horse. Stay tonight in the seaport pf Canakkale, on the southern side of the Dardanelles at their narrowest point.

Hotel : Kolin ( BB, D )

 

This morning cross the Dardanelles straits & drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula to visit Anzac Cove & the emotive Lone Pine Cemetery. Then return to Istanbul. Upon arrival, embark on a superb highlight cruise along the Bosphorus Waterway. The scenery complements the grandeur of the Ottoman palaces, old mansions & fortresses

Hotel : Barcelo Topkapi Eresin ( BB )

 

Get your cameras ready today. Visit the Blue Mosque with ts beautiful tiles & the Hippodrome where Roman chariot races were held, and visit St Sophia, at one time a cathedral & a mosque, & now a magnificent museum.

Move on to visit the fabulous Topkapi Palace , a walled city perched above the Bosphorus & the Golden Horn, where in the Treasury Section, some of the world's biggest emeralds & diamonds are on display. Finish your sightseeing tour at the famous Grand Bazaar where, all under cover, there are more than 4,000 shops, cafes & tea houses. Don't worry, your guide will give you a full explanation of the time-honoured ritual of bargaining ! Tonight consider an optional farewell dinner & show at a local night club ? ( BB )

 

This morning, your tour comes to an end with a transfer to the airport ( BB )