9-Day 5-Star Highlights of Turkey - a Deluxe Escorted Tour -
Includes Award Winning Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel
Hotels Used:
• Pamukkale, Turkey — Lycus River Hotel
• Kusadasi, Turkey — Korumar Hotel
• Istanbul, Turkey — Dedeman Hotel
• Kusadasi, Turkey — Kismet Hotel
• Cappadocia, Turkey — Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel
Includes:
• RT Air from JFK, other city departures available, call for info
• Domestic Air
• Airport transfers
• All transportation by motor coach
• 6 Nights in 5-Star hotels
• 1-Night Sleeper Train to Ankara
• 13 Meals
• Extensive sightseeing with English Speaking Guide
Make this a private tour! Depending on date of travel this option is an additional
$200-400 Ask your reservation agent for details!
Day 01 (Thu): Leave the USA to begin your 5 Star trip to Turkey
Day 02 (Fri): Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport, meeting and greeting by our representative and proceed to Istanbul for the hotel to check-in.
Day 03 (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 Topkapi Palace, which, from the 15th to the 19th century, was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabulous Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapi 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 Topkapi 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. (B,L)
Day 04 (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 (L)
Day 05 (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 fairy 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 ( BB, L)
Day 06 (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, L, D).
Day 07 (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 (BB, L)
Day 08 (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, L).
Day 09 (Fri): Transfer to airport to fly back home. (B)
A no-show is charged for Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel-Cappadocia if cancelled 45 days prior to the check-in date. Other hotel options exist, ask your reservation agent for details.
NOT INCLUDED: Airport fees and Taxes