PERFECTION OF TURKEY TRAVEL
( 9 DAYS - BUS )
 
Day 01
 
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 02
 
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 03
 
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 drive to Antalya for overnight (B, D).
Day 04
Departure in the morning and 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 05
 
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 06
 
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
 
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 08
 
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 09
 
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 (Due to the possibility of some participants might have scheduled flights in the afternoon) and transfer to the hotel or airport (B).
 
 
• Our drop-off service is available only for the hotels near Ataturk Airport and in Sultanahmet and Taksim areas. Those who will be staying at the other locations will be dropped-off at Taksim.
• If a hotel is preferred in Sirince instead of the one in Kusadasi a surcharge of $75 p.p. will be added on to the prices.
• Overnight in Assos can be preferred on private tours.