BLUE TURKEY
per person
BLUE TURKEY
15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS 5* HOTELS AND GULET CRUISE
TOUR TYPE: CULTURAL, HASSLE FREE, ROMANTIC
Splendid combination of Turkey’s hidden treasures and peaceful time in blue crystal clear waters, tiny islands and secluded bays of Mediterranean. Blue Turkey make you discover magical Istanbul, dreamlike Cappadocia and magnificent sites of southern and western Turkey. While visiting all these sites in relaxed pace, you will jump on a guletan elegant hand-carved wooden yacht for 3 nights. In turquoise waters of Mediterranean Sea, you will enjoy delicious freshly prepared meals, the attentive service offered by the crew and relaxing swims in sun-glittered bays. A perfect short break away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts.
HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul. No museum with entrance fee
Day 2: Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar
Day 3: St Savior in Chora, Camlica Hill, Beyoglu District, Bosphorus Cruise, Grand Bazaar
Day 4: Istanbul – Cappadocia flight, Goreme Open Air Museum, Underground City of Kaymakli, Pasabag Valley, Kiliclar Valley
Day 5: Red Valley, Avcilar Valley, Uchisar, carpet manufactory pottery workshop, Cavusin Village, Ortahisar Village
Day 6 Cappadocia – Konya Mevlana Museum – Antalya
Day 7: Aspendos Theatre, Perge, jewelry workshop, Antalya old city
Day 8: Myra, St Nicolas Church, Boat Trip in Kekova Island
Day 9 and 10: Gulet – Cruise in the Mediterranean
Day 11: Aphrodisias, Hierapolis, Pamukkale
Day 12: Ephesus, Artemis Temple, Isa Bey Mosque, leather shop, Basilica of Saint John
Day 15: Return day. No Museum with entrance fee
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IncludedBLUE TURKEY
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Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul.
Flight to Istanbul. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, we meet for a small briefing on the tour accompanied by a welcome cocktail at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 2: Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar
After breakfast we will ‘attack’ to the historical heart of Istanbul. First, we visit the Topkapi Palace, imperial residence of Ottoman sultans. Built in 15th century and overlooking to Bosphorus, Topkapı is one of the oldest palaces remaining in the world. This complex is museum today, housing the royal treasury filled with bejeweled spoils from Ottoman conquests. Beautifully ornamented weapons, exquisite robes, religious relics, a large collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and also the famous Harem to learn at first-hand just how good it was to be a sultan with their wild world of multiple wives! Eunuchs and dwarf entertainers! Lunch in a restaurant in downtown. Afternoon, we visit Hagia Sophia ‘The Shrine of Holy Wisdom’, the marvelous Byzantine basilica built in the 6thcentury, once the largest church in the world for 1000 years, decorated with stunning golden mosaics. Our next stop is the Blue Mosque with six elegant minarets and a striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Nearby, we’ll take a stroll through the ancient Hippodrome, a center for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople as well as very important spot for politics during the Byzantine period. Next, we’ll visit the Basilica Cistern, impressive underground water reservoir from 6th century and we finish with the colorful and exotic Spice Bazaar where you can taste dried fruits, caviars, foodstuffs, Turkish delights and of course spices. Overnight at the hotel. (B,L)
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Day 3: St Savior in Chora, Camlica Hill, Beyoglu District, Bosphorus Cruise, Grand Bazaar
Today, we will show you ‘our Istanbul’ and discover relatively less touristy areas. First, we visit the St. Savior in Chora, former Byzantine church, famous for its magnificent mosaics and frescoes glowing from the old walls and domed ceilings. Then we cross the Bosphorus Bridge to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) within few minutes and we visit the Camlıca Hill which is the highest point of Istanbul with a wonderful panorama including the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, the historical peninsula and Prince Islands. Then we will do a boat tour along the European and Asiatic shores of Bosphorus. After the lunch, we’ll discover the vibrant streets of Beyoglu districtfrom Taksim Square to‘Tunnel’ area, discovering Fish Market, Flower Passage, Catholic, Greek and Armenian churches, shops and coffee houses. Then we finish the day at the Grand Bazaar where you can shop or haggle with local merchants over unusual antiques, beautiful jewelry, and richly textured fabrics. Overnight at the hotel. (B,L)
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Day 4: Istanbul - Cappadocia flight, Goreme Open Air Museum, Underground City of Kaymakli, Pasabag Valley, Kiliclar Valley
Today after the breakfast at the hotel, we take a morning flight to breathtaking Cappadocia. For three days we will discover the beautiful landscapes and sites of the region. Cappadocia is a unique region with tuff coned and lunar landscape shaped by forces of erosion over millions of years. For hundreds of years, men have dug into the soft but firm tuff to create dwellings, monasteries, churches and underground cities. Along with specific sites mentioned in the following program, we visit a winery to taste the local wine, stop at many vantage points to enjoy beautiful scenery around us, or better still, walk in the remote valleys to see more.
At our arrival to Cappadocia, our first visit will be Göreme Valley which is home to magnificent rock-hewn churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes (The Apple Church, The Serpent Church, The St. Barbara Church...) After the lunch, we will stop at Paşabağ Valley (Valley of Monks – where monks used to live in seclusion) and Kılıçlar Valley (Valley of Swords). At the end, we visit the Underground city of Kaymaklı, used to hide against invaders during war times in the history. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 5: Red Valley, Avcilar Valley, Uchisar, carpet manufactory pottery workshop, Cavusin Village, Ortahisar Village
Today, early in the morning, you have a chance to join optional hot air balloon flight to witness the beauty of Cappadocia from the sky. Probably, the best ballooning tour in the world. Our regular program goes with the visit of red Valley (Devrent) and Avcılar Valley Next, we drive to Avanos, famous for its pottery making since Hittite times and rugs which are the splendid representations of the Turkish carpet making tradition. Here we learn about these regional crafts and see demonstrations performed by local craftsmen. After the lunch, we’ll have free time in Çavuşin and Ortahisar villages. Çavuşin has its rock-cut dwellings and stone houses with elegantly carved facades. Ortahisar remains a quaint farming village which has a fortress- like rock rising above its center. You may visit them or simply take a seat at village’s cafes with their friendly and relaxed atmosphere and talk with local people. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 6: Cappadocia - Konya Mevlana Museum - Antalya
In the morning, departure for Konya city, the capital of the Seljuk Turks. Before the lunch, we visit the monastery of the whirling dervishes and the shrine of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the most famous site in Konya. The tomb has been converted into a museum which houses items belonging to Mevlana and other dervishes. In the early evening, after driving through magnificent pine and cedar forests of the Taurus mountains, we reach Antalya along Mediterranean coast. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.(B,L,D)
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Day 7: Aspendos Theatre, Perge, jewelry workshop, Antalya old city
Today we discover Antalya. With its beautiful beaches, waterfalls and amazing legacy of historic treasures, Antalya is one of the most impressive city in Turkey. After breakfast, departure from the hotel to visit the Aspendos, the best preserved Roman theater of the ancient world. Built at the time of Marcus Aurelius, Aspendos could accommodate 15,000 spectators and was dedicated to the gods and the imperial family. Then discover the ancient site of Perge where St. Paul preached on his first missionary journey. Lunch. Afternoon, we discover the Antalya old city with its narrow streets, charming cafes, Hadrian’s gate and ancient harbor and we visit a jewelry shop to appreciate Armenians magnificent handmade pieces made since centuries for Ottoman Palaces. We’ll enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 8: Myra, St Nicolas Church, Boat Trip in Kekova Island
After breakfast we depart for Fethiye. On our way we stop by the site of ancient Myra. Here many Lycian rock cut tombs overlooking the magnificent roman theater. Then we’ll visit St. Nicolas (aka Santa Claus who originate in Turkey), church who later became the bishop of Myra in the 4th century. Lunch in Demre city. Then we make a short drive to Dalyan and make a boat trip on Dalyan River. We see from far magnificent Rock Tombs and the ruins of Caunos Antic city then we arrive to Famous Iztuzu beach where Caretta Caretta turtles used to nest. After our boat trip, we continue on to Fethiyewhich has an outstanding marina. At the harbor of Fethiye, we embark on our gulet and meet our captain and the crew. After dinner on board, we stay overnight in either Fethiye’s harbor or in a nearby cove. (B, L, D)
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Day 9 and 10: Gulet – Cruise in the Mediterranean
Goleta es un barco tradicional de madera hecho a mano construido en las costas del suroeste de Turquía desde la antigüedad. Ofrecen una manera inigualable de disfrutar del encanto del mar Mediterráneo. Así que durante estos dos días completos (tres noches) se relajaran y entraran en la tranquilidad con la belleza de la costa turquesa, donde descubrirán pequeñas islas y bahías aisladas en aguas cristalinas. Harán buceo y caminatas cortas en la orilla. Una de las mayores delicias de un crucero en goleta es la deliciosa y fresca comida mediterránea. Después de dos días desembarcaran en la ciudad portuaria de Göcek. (B, L, D)
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Day 11: Gocek, Aphrodisias, Hierapolis, Pamukkale
After the breakfast, we depart from Göcek to Aphrodisias. one of the most impressing ancient cities of Anatolia with its well-preserved buildings and numbers of magnificent sculptures from the Roman period. Being built near a marble quarry, the city was also an important center in the past with its famous sculpture school, its bouleterion and its stadium After the lunch, we drive to another land of dreams: The famous Pamukkale, popularly known as the ‘Cotton Castle’, the dazzling white calcium cascades formed by mineral springs and the ruins of Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Dinner and overnight at a SPA hotel in Pamukkale. (B,L,D)
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Day 12: Ephesus, Artemis Temple, Isa Bey Mosque, leather shop, Basilica of Saint John
Departure for Ephesus, the holy city of Artemis, one of the most attractive archaeological sites in the world. We will visit this Roman capital of Asia Minor its Odeon, the Hadrian Temple, the Celcius Library, Fountain of Trajan, brothel, latrines, baths, Curetes and Marble streets and we’ll sit in the same immense Theatre where St. Paul preached and roman dramas were performed. Then we will visit a leather shop where we will attend to fashion show and appreciate leather goods. After the lunch, we will also stop at the foundation of Artemis temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world then visit the Isa Bey Mosque, one of the most delicate and impressive examples of 14th century Turkish architecture well known with its mystical atmosphere and Basilica of St. John which stands over the believed burial site of St. John, apostle, the writer of the Fourth Gospel and the book of Revelation. After these visits, we will continue to Izmir, known in Turkish as ‘Beautiful Izmir’ that lies at the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 13: Izmir, Pergamon, Troy, Canakkale
This morning, we drive from Izmir to the ancient site of Pergamon, its acropolis is situated high above the plain and has a unique panoramic view. In Pergamon we’ll visit the remains of the Great Library, which rivaled the one of Alexandria in Egypt with, the Temple of Trajan, the theater built into steep hillside and the original home of the Great Altar of Zeus currently exposed in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Lunch at Pergamum and we continue to Troy to visit the site of one of the most famous wars of the ancient times. The legendary city of Troy is immortalized in Homer’s Iliad and ‘rediscovered’ in 1871 by Heinrich Scliemann. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Çanakkale along the Dardanelles straight. (B,L,D)
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Day 14 : Çanakkale - Gallipoli – Istanbul
After the breakfast, ferry across the Dardanelles Straight and we stop at the battlefields of Gallipoli,where in 1915, one of the bloodiest battles of the modern history took place. Next, we continue to Istanbul. Lunch en route and we arrive to Istanbul. Free time in the city and dinner in town (B, L, D)
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Day 15: Return day
Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your return flight. (B)
TOUR LOCATION
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SERVICES INCLUDED
- 14 NIGHTS ACCOMODATION IN 5* HOTELS AND ON GULET
- BEST ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE SERVICE
- PRIVATE VEHICLE AS REQUESTED AT YOUR ITINERARY THROUGHOUT THE TOUR
- VAT
- ALL MEALS AS MENTIONED ( 14 BREAKFASTS – 13 LUNCHES – 10 DINNERS) )
- ALL ENTRANCES AS MENTIONED BELOW
- BOSPHORUS CRUISE IN ISTANBUL
- 2 DAYS 3 NIGHTS GULET CRUISE IN TURQUOISE COAST
- PRIVATE EXPENSES
- DRINKS AT HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
- ANY DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TICKET