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The Middle East
Turkey
A FEAST OF CULTURE AND INTEREST
12 days
from
£849
Fly from
Highlights include Istanbul Kusadasi Ephesus Pamukkale Cappadocia Ankara
Heathrow
Or from your LOCAL AIRPORT
What's Included
Return scheduled flights to Istanbul Transfers between airport and hotel All other transportation as detailed Ten nights' half board accommodation One night's accommodation on a sleeper train, Ankara Istanbul Services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager and English speaking local guide All hotel baggage handling for one piece of luggage per person All State and local taxes All UK and overseas airport taxes and security charges Excursions as follows: - Full day tour of Istanbul and Cappadocia - Tours of Konya and Ankara - Visits to Gallipoli, Troy, Assos, Pergamon, Aphrodisias, Hierapolis, Caravanserai Sultanhan - Visit to Ephesus Your Hotels You will stay in the Sapphire Hotel in Istanbul, the Akoi Hotel or similar in Canakkale, the Tusan Hotel or similar in Kusadasi, the Richmond Pamukkale Hotel or similar in Pamukkale, the Bera Hotel or similar in Konya and the Perissia Hotel or similar in Cappadocia. All bedrooms have private facilities. Your Train Your overnight train from Ankara to Istanbul features a berth with two seats which convert into beds at night. Toilets are located at the front of each carriage. There is a carriage with a restaurant and bar. Meals are not included whilst on the train.
Bridging Asia and Europe, Turkey is a vast and fascinating country where rugged and spectacular countryside gives way to glorious coastlines, important archaeological sites and ancient treasures. It is a truly wonderful land, offering a feast of culture and interest.
YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 - Depart on your scheduled flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for a two night stay. Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents the main part of the city standing on the south-eastern tip of Europe and its suburbs in Asia. You can explore 4,000 shops in the warren-like bazaar, mingle with jostling crowds of hawkers and laden porters on the Galata Bridge and then finish your day with a gentle amble through narrow streets. DAY 2 - Today we include a full day tour of Istanbul. You will visit the heart of the old city, Sultanahmet Square, the Hippodrome where emperors celebrated their victories, the Blue Mosque, famous for its 21,000 blue ceramic tiles, and the ancient St. Sophia Church. An included lunch will be taken at a typical Turkish fish restaurant. This afternoon you will discover halfhidden gardens and courtyards in the Topkapi Palace. It was here where rulers kept overflowing treasure chests and overcrowded harems! This will be followed by a visit to the famous Grand Bazaar where you can bargain for gold, gem stones and carpets, or take a glass of Turkish tea. Evening at leisure. DAY 3 - Leave Istanbul and drive along the delightful coastline of the Sea of Marmara to Gallipoli, scene of the dramatic Allied campaign during the First World War. You will then take a ferry across the famous Dardanelles to set foot in Asia. Continue to the ancient city of Troy, where excavations have revealed nine different settlements, one on top of the other, dating back to 3,000BC. An overnight stop will be made in nearby Canakkale. DAY 4 - This morning you depart Canakkale for Kusadasi. We visit the ancient city of Pergamon, the residence and capital of the Pergamon Kings. A stop will be made at Aesclepion, an ancient rehabilitation centre. Continue to Kusadasi, via Izmir, for a two night stay . DAY 5 - Included visit to Ephesus, the most famous of all ancient sites in Turkey. St. Paul visited Ephesus on his second and third missionary journeys. You will explore the Basilica of St. John, the house of the Virgin Mary, the Museum of Ephesus plus much more. DAY 6 - Drive to Aphrodisias, one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey. Named after the goddess Aphrodite, Aphrodisias was once famous as a centre for medicine and philosophy, sculpture and the arts. Continue to Pamukkale for an overnight stay. DAY 7 - This morning you will visit the Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, founded by the Pergamon King, Eumenes. Here you will see spectacular ruins and more than a thousand tombs. There will also be the opportunity to swim in a hot spring. Continue with a scenic drive to Konya for an overnight stay. DAY 8 - This morning there will be a short tour to see the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the Ince Minare and Karatay Medresesi, before the drive to Cappadocia. En route visit the 13th century Caravanserai Sultanhan, once used for the camel caravans. On arrival transfer to your hotel for a two night stay. DAY 9 - Included full day tour of Cappadocia. You will see the rock valleys of Goreme, which has more than 360 churches, Zelve, where people lived until the last century, the natural citadel of Uchisar, Cavusin church and the underground city of Kaymaki, where the first Christians buried their houses up to a depth of 250ft, plus other sites. DAY 10 - Depart Cappadocia for the drive to Ankara. Today you will be taken to see the Museum of Old Anatolian Civilisations, which houses finds from many of the pre-classical civilisations of Anatolia, and the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk. After dinner at a typical Turkish restaurant, you will be transferred to the railway station to board a sleeper train to Istanbul. DAY 11 - Upon arrival in Istanbul transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, enjoy the sights or join our optional cruise on the Bosphorus. DAY 12 - Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
HOLIDAY REF: LTK
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