CAPPADOCIA & COASTAL SPLENDOURS

ITINERARY
ITINERARY

Wed Day 1. ISTANBUL-IZNIK-BURSA
Morning departure from Istanbul to Iznik, ancient Nicea, with its ancient walls and four great gates still largely intact. Visit St. Sophia Museum from the 4th century B.C., the Green Mosque with its harmonious proportions. Iznik was the ceramic centre of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th and 17th centuries, and most of the imperial mosques in Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye Mosque were ornamented with exquisite tiles made in Iznik. Continue onto Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century, and a major spa center. Wander through the covered market with its local cotton goods, and Koza Han the silk cocoon caravanserai, with shops selling beautiful silks and brocades. Visit the Ottoman complex to see the Grand Mosque, the Green Mosque, considered to be one of the finest examples of early Ottoman architecture, and the Green Mausoleum, the tomb of Sultan Mehmet I. This is Bursa’ s loveliest building, with its spectacular tile work. Bursa is also famous for its textile industry and top quality textile products are exported to many countries all around the world. Overnight in Bursa. (L/D)

Thu Day 2. BURSA-ANKARA
Drive southeast from Bursa to Ankara to visit the world famous Anatolian Civilisations Museum and the Mausoleum of Ataturk. Overnight Ankara. (B/L)

Fri Day 3. ANKARA-YAZILIKAYA-HATTUSAS-CAPPADOCIA

Travel east today from Ankara, to visit the marvellous ancient Hittite sites of Yazilikaya. You will visit the two open-air rock sanctuaries where the sunlight shines directly on the bas-reliefs in the mornings, and the vast city of Hattusas, which was the capital of the Hittite Kingdom (1400-1200 BC). Continue south to Cappadocia and overnight. (B/D)

Sat Day 4. CAPPADOCIA
Begin the day with a spectacular balloon flight (optional extra) over the deep canyons and lush fertile valleys, which provide the balloons with an ideal playground for the unique and memorable flight. Gentle winds carry you over places that could never be reached, except by balloon. The natural wonder of Cappadocia is a result of volcanic deposits being eroded away by wind and water over millions of years. These soft rocks were hollowed out by early Christians and used as secret dwellings as they were being sought first by Roman and later by Byzantine persecutors. The sight of the Fairy Chimneys is phenomenal.
Full day excursion in Cappadocia, which will include the Goreme Open Air Museum with its magnificent frescoed cave churches, the natural rocky fortress of Uchisar, Pigeon Valley, the intriguing Kaymakli Underground City, used by up to 15,000 Christians who escaped underground to evade persecution, and Zelve with its fascinating “fairy chimneys”. There will also be time for shopping in Avanos, with its excellent pottery and carpets. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B/D)

Sun Day 5. CAPPADOCIA-ASPENDOS-PERGE-ANTALYA
Today you will be driven south-west from Cappadocia to Antalya, visiting Aspendos, the best preserved amphitheatre in the world. Continue to Perge – originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 B.C. – with its great theatre, stadium, huge Hellenistic and Roman gates, and colonnaded street, then on to Antalya and overnight. (B)

Mon Day 6. ANTALYA
Free day wandering the picturesque city of Antalya with its ancient Roman walled port, and the lovely ‘old town’, Kaleici, with its beautifully restored Ottoman mansions and Hadrian’s Gate. Kaleici and the port abound with little cafes, restaurants and boutiques. A visit to the local museum is also highly recommended. Perhaps you may like to take a tour to see the pretty Upper Duden Waterfalls in the forest, or a cruise to see the Lower Duden Waterfalls crashing over the cliff into the sea. (B)

Tue Day 7. ANTALYA-PHASELIS-DEMRE/MYRA-KEKOVA-KALKAN
Today will be an incredibly fascinating day, full of the most amazing sights! Although it is less than 200km from Antalya to Kas/Kalkan, it will take all day. The journey from Antalya is absolutely spectacular, taking you along the coast through pine forests, and the majestic mountains of the Bey Mountains Coastal National Park, with the most exquisite hues. Visit the very pretty site of Phaselis with its ruins and 3 harbours set amidst pine trees. Then onto Demre to visit the best examples of Lycian tombs at Myra, dating back to 600 B.C. and the Church of St. Nicholas – Santa Claus. Sail to Kekova, a peaceful group of picturesque islands well scattered with very distinct rock sarcophagi. Visit Kaleucagiz Castle, view ancient houses submerged under clear water. On the way to Kalkan, make a short stop for a wander in the very picturesque small town of Kas, then at the top of the cliffs overlooking the spectacular Kaputas Beach. Conclude the day in Kalkan, a very picturesque harbour village with whitewashed villas covered in bougainvillea, winding cobbled streets, roof terrace bars – famous for sunset cocktails, and harbour side restaurants. (B/D)

Wed Day 8. KALKAN-DALYAN DELTA-BODRUM
Today will be another magical day – the drive along the coast is very scenic with lots of highlights.   There are several ancient Lycian cities to see along this stretch of road, among them Letoon, Xanthos, and Patara, which is often called the most beautiful beach in the Mediterranean. Patara is also the birthplace of St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus! The highway now winds through mountains and forest of frankincense and liquid amber trees before we reach the turnoff to Dalyan where a real highlight is a trip in a small local craft through a maze of reeds in the Dalyan Delta. The delta, with a long, golden sandy beach at its mouth, is a nature-conservation area, and a refuge for large sea turtles (caretta caretta) and blue crabs. A stop will be made at Caunos, which was an important city and port on the Mediterranean from 400 B.C. until the harbour silted up and the sea retreated 5km to the south. At a bend in the river, high on the cliff face, you can view magnificent tombs, which were carved into the rock in the 6th century B.C. Continue along the coast, through mountains with beautiful panoramas and fertile valleys in between, with fields of cotton and tobacco, orchards of fruit and nuts, and cool pine forests. Conclude day in Bodrum. (B)

Thu Day 9. BODRUM-DIDYMA-PRIENE-KUSADASi
This morning visit the wonderful harbour and marina of Bodrum, full of expensive international yachts and elegant wooden Turkish gulets. Visit the impressive Crusader castle, which houses an excellent underwater museum. Built by the Knights of St John in 1402 to dominate the harbour, this castle is one of the last and finest examples of Crusader architecture in the east. Continue north to Kusadasi, with stops on the way to visit the well-preserved Apollo Temple with its awesome gigantic pillars & head of Medusa at Didyma, and Priene – the first planned city in the ancient world. Overnight Kusadasi. (B/D)

Fri Day 10. KUSADASI-EPHESUS-KUSADASI

Most of today will be dedicated to visiting Ephesus, which was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. Impressive structures you will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Theatre and the Odeon. You will also visit the beautiful Museum of Ephesus with its attractively displayed statuary, mosaics and artefacts, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Nearby is the House of the Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last years. In 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred. Also included in today’s tour is a visit of the Basilica of St. John, who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel. (B/D)

Sat Day 11. KUSADASI-PERGAMON-ASSOS
You will be driven north today to Assos, with a stop for lunch in Foca, a picturesque fishing village, known for its excellent seafood restaurants. Visit the hauntingly beautiful site of Pergamon; the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus, the library, the remarkable theatre, and the Asclepieum of Pergamon – a famous health centre. Continue to Assos, considered the prettiest small harbour in the northern Aegean, with its impressive Hellenistic and Byzantine fortifications and the Temple of Athena on the summit, affording spectacular views of the Aegean Sea and the Greek island of Lesbos. Overnight in Assos. (B/D)

Sun Day 12. ASSOS-GALLIPOLI-ISTANBUL
Drive north to Canakkale to cross the strategic waterway, the Dardanelles, 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. Visit Anzac Cove where the Allied Forces landed on 25 April 1915. A Turkish monument marks Anzac Cove with Ataturk’s poignant words uttered in 1934 for the Anzac troops:
“Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives…you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.”
Drive to Istanbul along the northern shores of the Sea of Marmara. Overnight Istanbul. (B)

Mon Day 13. ISTANBUL
Tour concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport or you may like to extend your stay and explore more of this amazing country.(B)

NOTES
CAPPADOCIA & COASTAL SPLENDOURS Tour Costs include:
• Transportation in minivan, midibus or coach, dependent on numbers
• English speaking tour guide for the complete tour
• Accommodation for 12 nights
• Meals as indicated – 12 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 7 Dinners
• Porterage
• Entrance fees at monuments & places of visit
• All sightseeing and tours as ind

PRICES & BOOKINGS
Departures Wednesday 05 May, 02 Jun, & 29 Sep 2010 – subject to minimum 6 persons.

COST  PER PERSON

Value category. . $2260.00   . Single supplement. $636.00

Superior category. $3045.00 . Single supplement. $886.00

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